MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
November 5, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, November 5, 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 and Police Chief Christopher Smedick. Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Fire Marshal Timothy Tharau, Torringford Fire Chief Elliot Bickford, and Drakeville Fire Chief Michael Maccalous were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the ceremonial pinning of newly promoted Fire Department Officers Captain Michael Soliani and Lieutenant Mark Garrison and newly promoted Police Officers including Captain Wayne Newkirk, Captain Louis Gonzalez, Lt. Vincenzo Calabrese, Lieutenant Thomas Rouleau, Sergeant John Maiga, Sergeant Quinn Sullivan and Sergeant Stephen Krzanowski.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held October 1, 2014.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Sharon Waagner spoke in favor of a gradual increase to the parking rate.
Ginger Balch also encouraged an incremental increase and reported that cars are parked in the same spot all day long on Water Street. She said each parking spot represents revenue for business owners.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner ¬¬Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session regarding Police Department Personnel at 7:04 p.m., inviting Mr. Gritt, Chief Maniago, Deputy Chief Smedick and Atty. Rigat.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:35 p.m.
PROMOTIONS, POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to promote Sgt. Linas Venclauskas to Lieutenant, effective November 16, 2014.
FIRE DEPARTMENT UNIFORMS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted 5/1, with Commissioner Benedetto opposed, to accept the Purchasing Agent and Deputy Fire Chief’s recommendation to award the Fire Department Uniforms Bid, pending City Council approval, as follows:
- A partial award to New England Uniform of Danbury, CT for the annualized estimate of $9905.97, and
- A partial award to Galls, Inc. of Lexington, KY for the annualized estimate of $2233.00
Commissioner Benedetto noted that Galls had lower prices than New England Uniform. Deputy Chief Pepler explained that Galls is based out of Kentucky, while New England Uniform has a local sales representative to offer more personalized customer service. He said he prefers to deal with a New England vendor and noted that time spent dealing with vendors on the internet and telephone is an added expense to the City.
INCREASE PARKING RATE
On an amended motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded as amended by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to increase the parking rate to $1.00 per hour on city streets and $.50 per hour in city-owned parking lots, beginning January 1, 2015.
Mayor Carbone provided a CCM research comparison of other municipalities’ hourly parking rates, with Derby at $.75 per hour and West Hartford at $1.50 per hour. She also compared our parking fee revenue along with some projections.
Commissioner McLeod suggested an increase of $.50 per hour after the Holidays, and a gradual increase up to $1.00. He noted that Warner Theater patrons should not need to leave a show to feed a meter.
Chief Maniago said that variations in parking time can be achieved by recalibrating some meters, replacing others and bringing in new technology for more flexibility. He said the kiosks will do whatever we want them to do. He noted that this revenue stream is very important.
Mayor Carbone reminded the Board that sidewalks will be renovated on both sides of Main Street in the spring and she anticipates more kiosk installations. She noted that patrons should be encouraged to use the parking lots.
Chief Maniago said he would initiate some public education regarding downtown parking, to remind business owners that parking spaces are for patrons.
Commissioner Benedetto said he is in favor of the increase, and would like to see it stay in effect during nights and weekends.
Commissioner Battle said she would prefer to see a gradual increase of $.50 per hour to start, to give people a chance to prepare for the change. Commissioner McLeod agreed. Commissioners Benedetto and Conforti said they would prefer to change the rate only once.
REPORTS
The Board discussed the following reports:
Police Chief Maniago’s Report for September 2014
Chief Maniago noted that school-bus-passing violations have decreased with the installation of cameras. He reported on the classes he took at a recent Police Chiefs Association convention. Chief Maniago said the downtown patrol is doing well and has received positive feedback.
Chief Brunoli reported on the Schools’ Emergency Plan progress.
Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report for September 2014 - No discussion
Fire Chief Brunoli's Report for September 2014
Chief Brunoli said he’d invite Commissioner McLeod to see Ladder Truck demonstrations in the future and reported on his Shift Meetings.
He explained some points of his Social Media policy and Commissioner McLeod noted that none of it seemed to be enforceable. Commissioner McLeod requested the Fire Department subcommittee meet and create a policy to have in place. Chief Brunoli said there is already a Progressive Discipline Policy. Deputy Chief Pepler explained that Social Media is enforceable because people’s own names are used, whereas blogs are tougher, with false names hiding identities.
Chief Brunoli explained our Mutual Aid Plan and the City’s options regarding the defective ladder truck. Mayor Carbone said a dialog needs to occur between the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board and the Board of Public Safety. The Board decided to hold a special joint meeting on November 10th.
Chief Brunoli reported that there is a plan in place to deal with the Ebola virus.
Emergency Management Report for September 2014 - No discussion
Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report for September 2014 - No discussion
Fire Marshal Tharau's Report for September 2014
Commissioner McLeod offered congratulations for Fire Marshal Tharau’s recent Hometown Hero award.
Training Officer Tripp's Report for September 2014 - No discussion
EMS Provider Activity Report for September 2014
Mr. Rosa reviewed the findings in his handout regarding three Response categories: cardiac arrest, overdoses and motor vehicle accidents.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago said they have started training with their new .45 Sig-Sauers; they sponsored Command training that included our Command staff; and hostile-situation training was held in our school system for approximately 400 people. He said Captain Newkirk also received a Hometown Hero award, and noted that the walking beat will continue through the holidays and start up again in early spring.
Chief Brunoli reported on Firefighters’ participation in a calendar fundraiser for Friendly Hands Food Bank.
Deputy Chief Pepler said he conducted in-service training for High School Teaching Staff on the National Institute Management System. He reported that the parking lot resurfacing is complete.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford Chief Bickford reported on their participation in the ‘Trunk or Treat’ event and on future fundraising including the Christmas Tree Sale starting November 28.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner LaMonica, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
The Board commended the newly promoted and those that received awards.
Commissioner Benedetto thanked the Board for supporting the Parking Rate Increase, as it will be a benefit to the City.
Commissioner Conforti said Deputy Chief Pepler did a good job in the class he conducted in Winsted.
Commissioner McLeod commended the Police Officers working at the Armory on Election Day.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:46 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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