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MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
April 2, 2013
A SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday,
April 2, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Members of the Board of Public Safety Angelo LaMonica, Douglas Benedetto, Darlene Battle, James Potter, Richard Zaharek and Christopher Cook, along with Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Police Chief Michael Maniago, and Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
He requested the Board hold off on budget approvals until the joint meeting to be held with City Council, so no votes will be necessary at this meeting.
POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Chief Maniago said his initial budget was planned for $8,194,139.00 including over $270,000 in wage increases due to contract negotiations. This affected the holiday pay, cleaning and clothing allowance, and the stipend, he said. After the Mayor asked for $288,000 in budget cuts, Chief Maniago said he is requesting a 1% increase of $79,918. He noted the following line item reductions: $18,000 cut from Overtime, $90,000 cut from Paid Holiday, $3,000 cut from Building Maintenance, $1,500 cut from Community Policing, $500 cut from TV & Hepatitis, $2,000 cut from Fuel, $7,000 cut from Capital Reserve Building, $2,200 cut from Capital Reserve Radio, $4,000 cut from Capital Reserve Heat & Plumbing, $2,000 cut from Capital Reserve Body Armor, $3,400 cut from Capital Reserve Loan Payback, $9,500 cut from Special
Squads, $3,500 cut from Education Incentive, and $500 cut from Explorers/THS Criminal Justice program. The Chief said the Regular Wage line item will be reduced by $27,835, or a half-year salary, by hiring one officer in January 2014 instead of July 2013. He said the total reduction is $174,935 bringing the proposed Police Dept. budget to $8,019,204.00.
TRAFFIC BUDGET
Chief Maniago listed the following cuts to the Traffic Budget: $22,516 from Regular Wages (Parking Enforcement Officer), $1,500 from Materials, $3,000 from Street Signs, $1,000 from Repairs, $500 from Supplies, $1,000 from Software, $1,500 from Capital Reserve for Traffic, $2,000 from Capital Reserve Parking Authority, $1,000 from Training, $1,000 from Electric. He said these cuts total $35,000 bringing the Traffic Budget down to $253,519.00.
ANIMAL CONTROL BUDGET
Chief Maniago said he is recommending no reduction in the Animal Control Budget.
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Benedetto said he doesn't think the Parking Enforcement Officer position should be eliminated because it helps keep downtown traffic flowing.
Chief Maniago said 1,382 tickets were issued in 2011, and 2,074 were issued in 2012. He said that he plans to have officers on their Park and Walk assignment issue parking tickets, predicated on the amount of calls for service. He noted that with the economic situation the way it is, and the need for cuts, these are the hard choices that need to be made.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the Furniture and Fixtures line item of $12,500, and suggested that the replacement of chairs, desks and wall clocks be held off. Chief Maniago said the clocks operate on a computer system, and to have them operating improperly could cause problems. He explained the door locks are antiquated and break down. Chief Maniago said that $12,500 to maintain office furniture for a 100-person operation is minor, and could affect the daily operation of the department.
Mayor Bingham suggested to the Board that the Animal Control Budget figure will remain fluid until plans are finalized for a Regional Animal Control facility. Chief Maniago added that the current facility is 60 years old and needs to be brought up to state code.
Commissioner Benedetto requested a discussion with the Parks and Recreation Department regarding exterior grounds maintenance at the Police Department. Mayor Bingham said he will set it up.
Commissioner Potter asked for an itemization of the education incentive. Chief Maniago replied that the average use is $13,000.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if the radio system repairs are in this budget. Chief Maniago said no, and that a meeting will be needed to determine the cost of repairs.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Chief Brunoli said he was asked to submit a budget for returning the Fire Department to a full strength of 13 per shift which had an increase of $242,000 or a 4.77% increase. He said he reviewed their resources after a recent fire, and was asked to create a budget for 14 per shift to coincide with the way the contract was written and time was taken off. This had an increase of $277,000 or a 5.66% increase. Chief Brunoli said the Mayor asked him to bring the budget down to as close to a 0% increase as possible. He said his budget is now $4,943,189.00 or a .99% increase, includes a contractual 2.5% wage increase and allows for 12 firefighters per shift.
VOLUNTEERS BUDGET
Chief Brunoli reported that the Volunteers' budget includes everything they feel is required to provide basic service. Mayor Bingham said the inclusion of the Volunteers' budget in the overall Fire Service was based on the Fire Service Plan approval. Chief Brunoli said the cost to the City for all three Volunteer Departments is $297,012.32, not including some of the capital projects they need to do.
DISCUSSION
Chief Brunoli said by converting to natural gas, the Fuel line item was reduced by $42,000, and going to the CT Fire Academy for Promotional Testing reduced the budget by $6,640.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BUDGET
Chief Brunoli said this budget is as low as it can go and Director Dalla Valle is doing an excellent job taking care of the sheltering, the pod, and all the training.
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Potter commended both Departments for adhering to the Mayor's request while keeping their Departments running. Commissioner Battle agreed.
Mayor Bingham said he will deliver the budgets presented here, in worksheet form. He asked the Commissioners to be prepared to vote on the budget on April 8th.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:33 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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