MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
August 7, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday,
August 7, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Angelo LaMonica, Douglas Benedetto, Darlene Battle, Richard Zaharek, Robert Conforti and Christopher Cook, along with Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Police Chief Michael Maniago, and Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick. Drakeville Fire Chief Maccalous, Torringford Fire Chief Newkirk and a representative from Burrville Fire Department were also present.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m.
PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY
Fire Lieutenant Cosgrove, Police Detective Farfan and Police Sergeant Baldis were given their badges and oaths of office.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held June 5, 2013.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special meeting held June 24, 2013.
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special meeting held July 2, 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
FIRE DEPT. AIR CONDITIONING
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and the Fire Chief to award the complete replacement of the Copeland Rooftop Compressor at Fire HQ to Pelletier Mechanical Services, LLC of Thomaston, CT in the amount of $40,905, pending City Council and Board of Finance approval.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Gary Brunoli's Reports for May and June 2013.
Commissioner Benedetto asked what the plan is for responding to Lockout calls. Chief Brunoli said he will dispatch the district and ask a police officer to respond. They will make an assessment and send an engine if needed. This will go into effect as soon Dispatch changes the CAD system, he said. Chief Maniago said he hasn't had a chance to discuss this with Chief Brunoli and they will do so next week. He added that there must be some type of exigency for the police to respond.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that the overtime is going up drastically. Chief Brunoli replied that in the last budget process, he requested enough firefighters be hired to keep the overtime down. He added that four job offers have been made, and those personnel start on September 16th. He cautioned that he has 11 staff members who intend to retire next June, and pointed out that with the four vacancies, he is short over 25% of his department. Chief Brunoli said he projects that the overtime budget will be $60,000 over budget in July 2014. He said with the minimum staffing he has, sick time and vacation time increase the overtime expense.
Commissioner Cook asked if vacation time can be denied. Chief Brunoli replied that he needs 11 firefighters on duty per the contract, and only 3 may be off on vacation.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Reports for May and June 2013.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Reports for May and June 2013.
Chief Brunoli said the four newly hired personnel will start September 16th and are projected to be on duty seven weeks after that.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Tim Tharau's Reports for May and June 2013.
DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Marshal Howe's Reports for May and June 2013.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for May and June 2013. Chief Brunoli said it has been going well and the coordination between the Volunteers and the Training Officer has been really good.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Michael Maniago’s Reports for May and June 2013.
OFFICER PISARSKI’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Steven Pisarski's Traffic Division Reports for May and June 2013.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Police Department Personnel, inviting Atty. Rigat, Chief Maniago and Deputy Chief Smedick at 7:08 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:42 p.m.
POLICE DEPT. PROMOTION
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to promote Sergeant Bart Barown to the rank of Lieutenant effective Sunday, August 11, 2013.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Reports for May and June 2013.
FIRE MARSHAL VEHICLE
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fleet Manager's and Purchasing Agent's recommendation to purchase a 2014 Ford Explorer as a replacement of the Fire Marshal's vehicle from Crowley Ford of Plainville, CT for the amount of $24,899.25 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund, pending City Council and Board of Finance approval. Chief Brunoli explained the equipment funding will either be taken out of his budget or shifted over from the previous vehicle.
FIRE DEPT. UNIFORMS
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend the bid contract for Fire Department Uniforms with Mag & Son Clothing for one year.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Deputy Chief Smedick congratulated Lt. Barown on his promotion and Lt. Emanuel on his retirement, saying he has done an outstanding job for the Police Department and City of Torrington.
Chief Maniago reported that Regional Animal Control has begun, with Litchfield and Goshen. He said they are in the process of purchasing a new vehicle, which Goshen and Litchfield will help pay for, and it will have the capacity to handle more than one animal at a time. Improvements have been made at the Animal Control Facility, he said, and clarified that should the ACO be unavailable, Torrington Police will not respond to calls outside of town. In those instances, the CT State Troopers will respond in Litchfield and Goshen.
Chief Maniago reported that a radio system repair contract has been signed with Marcus Communications to be tentatively completed by January 2014. He said he did not go out to bid for the not-to-exceed $280,000 contract, but did compare three companies. Mayor Bingham said that City Council will have to approve waiving the bid process.
Chief Maniago explained that Litchfield and Goshen will be billed quarterly on a per-capita basis for their share of the Animal Control Operation, including facility maintenance, vehicle, salaries, and overtime.
Chief Maniago said there was some conversation with Marcus Communications regarding the Fire Department's use of the system. Chief Brunoli expressed concern that a transmitter placed on a site where the Fire Dept. has a receiver will blow the receiver off the air. Chief Maniago said they didn't involve the Fire Department because they are only working on repairing the problems experienced right now.
Chief Brunoli reported he is applying for a SAFER grant for two years' staffing with the City picking up the $130,000 cost in the third year. He added that he has more staffing shortages due to both military duty and injuries.
Chief Brunoli also reported the Fire Marshal met with the Board of Education to assist with an incident command system for emergencies.
Deputy Chief Pepler recognized Firefighter Andrew Corjulo for his efforts reviving a person who fell into Besse Pond. He said Training Officer Tripp is doing a fantastic job which is partly administrative and partly in the trenches, while making the training as realistic as possible.
Chief Maniago invited everyone to see the Police Department's specialized units at Main St. Marketplace.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Burrville reported that they posted a sign to solicit new members and membership drive letters have been sent out.
Drakeville had no report.
Torringford reported that they did extremely well in their Car Show fundraiser, they will have a black helmet firefighter by September, and they will send another recruit to Firefighter I training in the fall.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
All Commissioners congratulated those who were promoted, congratulated Det. Emanuel on his retirement, and welcomed Commissioner Conforti.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the break-ins in the East end. Chief Maniago said an arrest was made this morning that may be connected to some of the break-ins. He said a narcotics search warrant yielded more arrests as well.
Commissioner Benedetto reported that a Kennedy Drive traffic light is not working.
Commissioner Conforti thanked former Commissioner Potter and Mayor Bingham for their recommendation to become a Board of Public Safety Member.
Commissioner Cook asked if police officers are on duty during concerts in the park. Chief Maniago said no extra duty officers are there but they do try to include it in their patrol, although it's not guaranteed.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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