MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
October 2, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday,
October 2, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Gerald Zordan, 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, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick and Officer Steven Pisarski. Drakeville Fire Chief Maccalous, Torringford's Charles Marciano and a representative from Burrville Fire Department were also present.
Mayor Zordan called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY
Police Lieutenant Bart Barown was pinned with his badge and given his oath of office.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held August 7, 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Mr. Paul Rabeuf Emergency Preparedness Director at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital noted the success of a recent community CPR class and said he would like to repeat this annually or bi-annually.
PROMOTE PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS: Bagdis, Purcell, & Rehnberg
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept PFF Bagdis, PFF Purcell and PFF Rehnberg as regular members of the Torrington Fire Department, as they have successfully completed their probationary period.
PURCHASE REG'L ANIMAL CONTROL TRANSPORT VEHICLE
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager, Lt. Newkirk, and the Purchasing Agent to award the purchase of the Regional Animal Control Transport Vehicle to Shaker's Inc. of Watertown, CT in the amount of $43,476.00. Chief Maniago explained that all purchase and maintenance fees will be split among the towns. He said four bids were received for this purchase. Chief Maniago said that this is for domestic animals only, with State Troopers and the DEEP handling wild animals.
PURCHASE PORTABLE FINGER PRINT SYSTEM
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonca, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Police Chief's recommendation to waive the bid process and purchase a portable fingerprint system in the amount of $10,600.00, funded by a Police Video Technology Grant. Chief Maniago said this will allow the Police Dept. to take fingerprints on-scene, or downstairs in the community policing office when they take fingerprints for pistol permits and CDL licenses. This moves us into the 21st century, he said, and the bidding process needs to be waived because 3M is the only model accepted by the State of Connecticut.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Bendetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Michael Maniago’s Reports for July and August 2013. Chief Maniago updated the Board on current vacancies and the time it takes to fill them. He also explained to the Board the status of the radio system improvements.
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 July and August 2013. Chief Maniago said he will arrange for officers with time dedicated to boot letter follow-up and will have Officer Pisarski and another officer certified for commercial inspections.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Gary Brunoli's Reports for July and August 2013.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the Comp Time and Chief Brunoli explained that it was necessary for work on the Burn Trailer.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Reports for July and August 2013.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that the Emergency Management Director was not present at a training meeting. Chief Brunoli explained that it was not necessary for him to be there.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Reports for July and August 2013.
In answer to Commissioner Cook's question, Deputy Chief Pepler explained they are now using the CT Fire Academy for the Captain's Oral Examination, which is specific to the needs of the Torrington Fire Service.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Tim Tharau's Reports for July and August 2013.
DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Marshal Howe's Reports for July and August 2013. Deputy Fire Marshal Howe explained the grants applied for, and received, for the purchase of carbon dioxide and smoke detectors and equipment to demonstrate the benefits of home sprinkler systems. He also explained his work with car seat installation and education.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for July and August 2013. Chief Brunoli said it has been going well and the coordination between the Volunteers and the Training Officer has been really good.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report for July and August 2013.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that one address has been responded to 49 times since 2008 and asked if Campion Ambulance bills for the 881 minutes that our firefighters are on-scene. Mr. Rabeuf explained that they cannot.
Commissioner Benedetto asked why LCD doesn't dispatch Campion directly instead of sending the call to Waterbury and then back to Torrington. Chief Brunoli said when the services' dispatch was consolidated, it was too much to include Campion at that time. He said he will check in to this.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Police Department Personnel, inviting Atty. Rigat, Chief Maniago and Deputy Chief Smedick at 7:11 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:36 p.m.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
POLICE DEPT. PROMOTIONS DELAYED
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to delay the promotion of a fourteen sergeant until after January 1, 2014. Chief Maniago explained that this is due to the shortage of personnel.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Brunoli noted that Training Officer Tripp distributed an addendum to his report. He requested the Board approve Lt. Scott Hutson, FF Robert Shopey, FF Michael Brown and FF Jeffrey Purcell as Certified Fire Marshals.
Deputy Chief Pepler praised the new recruits.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Drakeville reported that the trucks shown at the State Convention this year received a Fourth Place award, and announced their upcoming appearance at Home Safety Day at Home Depot.
Torringford reported that they have two Firefighters at Firefighter I training and one going into Firefighter II. He commended the Torrington Fire Police team effort.
Burrville had no report.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
All Commissioners congratulated Lt. Barown, welcomed Mayor Zordan and congratulated the new firefighters.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if there is a plan in place to stop drug dealing in Coe Memorial Park. Chief Maniago said steps have been taken to either verify or refute those claims.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the plans to relocate Skee's Diner. Chief Maniago said that the issues of parking spaces for downtown merchants, snow removal and the bus stop have yet to be resolved. He said the relocation to a parking lot owned by the City needs to be approved by the Traffic Authority and the Board of Public Safety. Officer Pisarski said he explained these concerns at a meeting he attended.
Commissioner Benedetto commended Capt. McElroy, Lt. Engle, FF Westcott, FF Durich and FF Dan Matthews for their response to a man having a heart attack. Commissioner Benedetto said they did a good job, along with Campion Ambulance and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the Police Dept.'s patrol scheduling and shift inspection being done on overtime. Chief Maniago said they are allowed to come in on their day off so the shift inspection is uninterrupted.
Commissioner Battle asked if a motion was needed to approve Lt. Scott Hutson, FF Robert Shopey, FF Michael Brown and FF Jeffrey Purcell as Certified Fire Marshals. Chief Brunoli said he just needs the Board's approval to send their names in to the State, to have them on record in case their service is ever needed as a Fire Marshal. Commissioner Cook said a vote is not needed. Mayor Zordan asked how the Board can agree on this without a vote. Commissioner Cook said the Board can voice the word "Yes." Commissioner Cook asked the Board if there are any objections. No objections were expressed. Mayor Zordan said he takes that as approval, and Chief Brunoli thanked the Board.
Mayor Zordan said it feels good to be back with the Board of Public Safety.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:52 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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