MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
June 4, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday,
June 4, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Douglas Benedetto, Darlene Battle, Richard Zaharek, Glenn McLeod, Angelo LaMonica and Robert Conforti, along with Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick and Officer Steven Pisarski. Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, Torringford Fire Chief Jim Newkirk and Drakeville Fire Chief Michael Maccalous were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Ms. Norell Gedaitis requested a ride in a police car.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report for April 2014.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the newly-hired firefighters’ status and was reassured that their hiring-processes will be completed in time. Commissioner Benedetto said that while according to the City Charter, the Board of Public Safety is the hiring authority for the City, the Fire Personnel subcommittee was not consulted when recent candidates were hired. Chief Brunoli said they were hired using a previously-created list. Mr. Gritt clarified that public safety hires are subject to Personnel Department rules. He reminded Commissioner Benedetto that these issues have been thoroughly discussed and the previously-created list was scored and ranked to determine the next hires. Mayor Carbone directed the Board to hold personally-identifiable or candidate-specific information for the executive
session.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report for April 2014.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report for April 2014.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Tharau's Report for April 2014.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for April 2014.
PINNING CEREMONY
Fire Captain Patrick Doyle, Fire Lt. Todd LaMothe and Fire Lt. Michael Riggs were acknowledged for their recent promotions.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted 4/2, with Commissioners Benedetto and McLeod opposed, to enter Executive Session regarding Fire Department Personnel at 6:56 p.m., inviting Chief Brunoli, Deputy Chief Pepler, Mr. Gritt and Atty. Rigat. Commissioner McLeod stated that he is opposed to moving to Executive Session because in the past they weren’t given enough time to decide on personnel, some contract language is manipulated, and the Board hasn’t been notified of retirements.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimous to enter Open Session at 7:49 p.m.
PROMOTIONS – FIRE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to promote, effective Sunday, June 8, 2104, Lt. Scott Hutson to Captain, Firefighter Robert Ebner to Lieutenant and Firefighter Edward Delisle to Lieutenant.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously
to accept Chief Michael Maniago’s Report for April 2014.
OFFICER PISARSKI’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Steven Pisarski's Traffic Division Report for April 2014.
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 April 2014.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Deputy Chief Smedick congratulated Officer Mark Zbell on his retirement after 25 years of service. He said Officer Zbell was one of the pioneer officers on the SRO and DARE programs, was well-respected in the Department and the Community and wished him well.
Chief Brunoli wished Captain David Rogers and Lieutenant Charles Warner well after 26 years and 29 years of service respectively. He announced the passing of Retired Firefighter Joseph Sugarak and introduced each of the 12 new recruits to the Board.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments. Chief Newkirk spoke without a microphone about fundraising and the potential for another two interior firefighters.
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.
Commissioners LaMonica and Zaharek congratulated the retirees and newly promoted, and said their prayers go out for Joe Sugarak and his family.
Commissioner Benedetto reported that residents in Squire Hill and on College Ave. have complained to him about loud motorcycles. Deputy Chief Smedick replied that that is an area the Police Department does monitor. Commissioner Benedetto also congratulated the retirees and sent prayers out to the Sugarak family.
Commissioner Conforti congratulated the new Fire Department recruits and all the retirees and offered his condolences to the Sugarak family.
Commissioners McLeod and Battle also congratulated the newly promoted and newly recruited and offered their condolences to the Sugarak family.
Mayor Carbone announced a Special & Telephonic Meeting on Monday June 23rd at 9:00 am and adjourned the next regular meeting from July 2nd to July 9th at 5:30 pm. Mayor Carbone also congratulated those promoted and the new recruits. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to our retirees for their service to our City and offered her condolences to the Sugarak family.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:03 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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