MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
October 1, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, October 1, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Darlene Battle, Douglas Benedetto, 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 Traffic Officer Steven Pisarski. Training Officer David Tripp, Jr., Torringford Fire Chief Elliot Bickford, Burrville Chief Jason Noad and Drakeville Fire Chief Michael Maccalous were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held September 3, 2014.
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.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner --McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session regarding Police Department Personnel at 6:43 p.m., inviting Chief Maniago, Deputy Chief Smedick and Atty. Rigat.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:42 p.m.
PROMOTIONS, POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to promote Lt. Wayne Newkirk to Captain, effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to promote Lt. Louis Gonzalez to Captain, effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to promote Acting Lt. Vincenzo Calabrese to Lieutenant, effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to promote Sgt. Thomas Rouleau to Lieutenant, effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to promote Officer John Maiga to Sergeant, effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to promote Officer Quinn Sullivan to Sergeant, effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to promote Detective Stephen Krzanowski to Sergeant, effective October 5, 2014.
HIRE PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS – N. Lettieri, M. Fifer, M. Baranowski
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to hire Nicholas Lettieri, Matthew Fifer, and Michael Baranowski as probationary police officers, effective October 2, 2014.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner --Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session regarding Fire Department Personnel at 7:53 p.m., inviting Chief Brunoli, Deputy Chief Pepler and Atty. Rigat.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 8:30 p.m.
PROMOTIONS, FIRE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to promote Lt. Michael Soliani to Captain effective October 5, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, Seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to promote FF Mark Garrison to Lieutenant effective October 5, 2014.
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli’s report for August, 2014. Commissioner Benedetto questioned the overtime, Chief Brunoli said it is going down as a result of new contract language allowing newer employees to drive, vacation season coming to an end and six new job offers made. He stated that the overtime is distributed fairly and Mayor Carbone noted that the overtime line item is trending on target where it was budgeted.
VOLUNTEER MOU
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Memorandum of Understanding, as corrected, between the City of Torrington, Burrville Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc., Drakeville Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc., and Torringford Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc. Commissioner Benedetto requested the last paragraph of page one be corrected to indicate that recommendations will go to the Brd. of Public Safety first, before going to the Board of Councilmen. Commissioner Conforti questioned the $1,000 minimum threshold for purchases brought before the Board. Chief Brunoli replied that smaller purchases should not have to wait for the next Board meeting. Commissioner Benedetto said that makes sense.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report for August 2014.
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 Report for August 2014. Deputy Chief Pepler added that the parking lot paving project will begin in approximately two weeks depending on the weather. Chief Brunoli described the State Emergency Response Annual Meeting where Torrington gave a presentation on the statewide response to the Toce Fire and how state resources were used.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Tharau's Report for August 2014.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for August 2014. Deputy Chief Pepler reported the beneficial training that each shift received, free of charge, on how to handle horses. He explained that Bantam and Litchfield are hiring our Training Officer to facilitate their testing, which is creating revenue for the City. Deputy Chief Pepler said that having qualified volunteer apparatus drivers is part of the Chief’s Plan and they are getting closer to achieving it.
Commissioner McLeod noted that a truck would be worthless if there was no one who could drive it.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Michael Maniago’s Report for August 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 Operations Unit Report for August 2014.
Commissioner Benedetto requested that the parking rate increase be revisited. Commissioner Conforti reported on his own survey of parking space use from September 19th to October 1st where there were 15 spots available at various times throughout the day. He described his comparison to Waterbury who converted all their meters to kiosks for $1.00 per hour, and listed many towns with much higher parking rates than ours. He said he would have supported the rate increase at the September meeting but, voting last, he knew his vote wouldn’t have affected the outcome. Commissioner Benedetto said the revenue is needed for parking lot maintenance. Commissioner Zaharek noted that the new Courthouse will affect the number of available parking spaces.
Mayor Carbone agreed, saying the Traffic Division budget is $330,000 and the revenue at $.25 per hour is a little over $110,000 a year. She said an adjustment in parking rates would help to balance that budget and allow a better use for those resources. She said she will gladly put this on the November meeting agenda and urged the Board to consider replacing meters with kiosks. Officer Pisarski added that the meters are 30 years old.
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 August 2014.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Deputy Chief Smedick congratulated the newly promoted and thanked everyone who participated in the successful P.A.L. golf tournament.
Chief Brunoli reported that Firefighters Alex Dearing, Brian White, Ken Becker and Brian Parks have successfully completed their probation requirements as of September 16, 2014. They can be accepted as members of the Fire Department, he said. Chief Brunoli added that the Northwest Hills Council of Governments wrote to thank Fire Policemen Charlie Marciano, Bob Vogt and Rich Rivera for their help with the September 13th Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the Water Pollution Control Facility. He said Canaan’s Chief Lee Baldwin wrote to thank the Fire Department for their assistance at a Hazardous Materials incident a few weeks ago.
Deputy Chief Pepler reported that there are some cracks in the ladder truck frame in a critical component that holds the axle onto the truck. He said the Fleet Manager sent the truck to a company in East Hartford for a professional evaluation because the vehicle’s structural integrity is imperative due to the large aerial device on it. He said the initial report does not look good, with significant corrosion to the frame around the area. Deputy Chief Pepler said the ladder truck is due for replacement in about two years and he will work closely with the Fleet Manager on this. Right now they are relying on Litchfield and Winsted Mutual Aid, as well as using Engine 2 which has a much smaller ladder.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Burrville Chief Noad had no report.
Drakeville Chief Maccalous thanked everyone who helped with their fundraiser, especially the Torringford Firefighters. He explained that a qualified tanker driver is always left behind when the department attends parades, and reported that the tanker and brush truck received the Second Place award at the parade, competing against over 100 trucks.
Torringford Chief Bickford reported 19 active members as of October 1st, of which six are fire police, eight are interior firefighters, and five are exterior firefighters. He announced the October 6th Open House for Fire Prevention Week.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner LaMonica requested a report on upcoming events. Commissioner Benedetto agreed and noted that the Board is approving items that have already been done. Mayor Carbone said these reports only need to be accepted, not approved. She said she understands the Board wants to approve items going forward. Commissioner LaMonica said he is not looking to give approval, he just wants to see where they are going and what’s going on. Mayor Carbone said she’d like a consent agenda.
All Commissioners congratulated the newly promoted and those that completed their one-year probation.
Commissioner McLeod a thanked everyone involved in the P.A.L. Golf Tournament.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:18 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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