MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
April 5, 2017
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wed., April 5, 2017.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and Commissioners Darlene Battle, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, Robert Conforti and Angelo LaMonica. Commissioner Glenn McLeod was absent. Also present were Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Traffic Officer Stephen Pisarski, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler and Fire Marshal Ed Bascetta, along with representatives from the Volunteer Fire Departments and Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held March 1, 2017. Commissioner Conforti abstained.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special meeting held March 23, 2017.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Tom Sterling expressed his concern about firefighting equipment from the closure of Burrville VFD being distributed out of state, when it could have been used locally to save taxpayer dollars.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to enter executive session under Personnel to discuss a Police Dept. promotion and the hiring of two officers, at 6:48 p.m., inviting Chief Maniago and Deputy Chief Smedick.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to enter open session at 7:04 p.m.
PROMOTE POLICE OFFICER
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to promote Sgt. Brett Johnson to the position of Lieutenant, with a start date of April 5, 2017. Mayor Carbone administered the oath of office, as a Notary Public.
HIRE POLICE OFFICER
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to hire Jason Richardson as a Patrolman with a start date at the discretion of the Chief.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to hire Kyle Denalsky as a Patrolman with a start date at the discretion of the Chief.
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli’s Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report. Commissioner Benedetto asked if a plan for snow days is in place. Mr. Rosa described their procedures. Chief Brunoli added that plow trucks go with them at times.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford VFD announced they voted in two probationary firefighters and transferred one interior firefighter from Burrville VFD along with all their Fire Police.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago congratulated Lt. Venclauskas upon his retirement after 30 years of service. He commended the Patrol and Detective Divisions for their recent efforts.
Deputy Chief Smedick had no further business to report.
Chief Brunoli noted that new SCBA has been in service, with no issues. He lamented Burrville VFD’s sale of fire equipment to Tolland, MA, saying it was very disheartening and disrespectful to the Fire Service, costing taxpayers approximately $60,000.
Mr. Rosa spoke. (inaudible)
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioners LaMonica, Zaharek congratulated Lt. Johnson, Officer Richardson and Officer Denalsky and expressed disappointment in Burrville’s actions.
Commissioner Benedetto asked that VFD equipment’s future use be noted in writing to ensure the City receives it. Mayor Carbone said that the equipment was a gift, and a gift cannot be made with strings attached. She said a Memorandum of Understanding is a possibility. Commissioner Benedetto congratulated Lt. Johnson and all city emergency services. He asked about the wall at Cook’s Funeral Home and Officer Pisarski said he is working on it.
Commissioner Conforti also congratulated Lt. Johnson, Officer Richardson, Officer Denalsky and Lt. Venclauskas. He said Burrville’s actions should be addressed in the future. Commissioner Conforti thanked the Chiefs for their hard work on the budget. He commended the Ambulance service.
Commissioner Battle congratulated Lt. Johnson, Officer Richardson, Officer Denalsky and Lt. Venclauskas. She said she is always proud of our emergency services, and that they do an excellent job.
Mayor Carbone said that Burrville VFD’s 75 years of proud volunteer service to the City of Torrington should not be painted with a broad brushstroke in light of recent events. She expressed her gratitude to those volunteers for all of those years of service to the community.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MMC, MCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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