Public Safety Review Committee
Minutes of Meeting of September 24, 2002
Town Hall Hearing Room
Present: Berta Bruinooge, Vice-Chair; Kristen Bakken, Matthew Frazier, John Ferro, Linda Pickard, Richard Townsend
Excused: Lisa Brown, Ken Roscoe
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Berta Bruinooge, Vice-Chair. It was announced that Ken Kimball had resigned from the committee.
Minutes of 9/3/02. Richard Townsend moved and Linda Pickard seconded the approval of the minutes of 9/3/02; the motion was approved.
Town Administrator Tim Smith. Smith's presentation to the Committee covered the legalities and responsibilities of sitting on a public board or committee. He reviewed the public open meeting laws specifically related to emails, telephone calls, etc. between members of boards. Smith suggested that all PSRC members be aware of proper ethics and that all hold themselves to certain standards while sitting on this board. He added that Town Council would give a presentation on October 15 regarding much of what he had had been covering and urged all to attend.
Community Survey Questionnaire. Vice-Chair Bruinooge brought up the Community Survey Questionnaire and questioned what method/s should be used to get the survey out to the public. Ensuing discussion covered bulk US mailings, use of the census list from Town Clerk as a mailing list, or use of the tax roll from the Tax Collector's office. The committee completed a final review of the questionnaire, adding an opening statement. Matt Frazier agreed to get three quotes for set-up as well as printing and will report back on this at the next meeting. A discussion followed as to how people would get the questionnaire back to the Committee for review; drop boxes at Town Hall and other public buildings were suggested.
October 15th BOS Meeting. Vice-Chair Bruinooge announced a request by the Selectmen that the committee attend the October 15th meeting of the BOS to review its progress as well as its goals. All members were urged to attend that meeting. A discussion of committee progress followed, with agreement that a great deal had been accomplished, including the following:
Public Safety Survey
Review of the Charter
Review of the Town By-Laws
Review of the Police Department Rules and Regulations
Meeting Dates. Future meeting dates were discussed; it was agreed that after the October 8th meeting the committee would begin to make some attempt to meet on Thursdays. Future meetings were scheduled for October 24, November 7, and November 21. Ms. Bakken announced that she would be unavailable during the month of November.
Police Department. Vice-Chair Bruinooge requested a copy of the Police Department Roster including the specific assignments to which each officer/dispatcher is assigned. The Powers and Sullivan Report of February 4, 2002 was discussed and it was realized that such a report was not an audit but merely a review of Sgt. Ron Fisette's review of the payroll documents. Matt Frazier pointed out that the vote of the BOS on January 14, 2002 instructed the Town Administrator to initiate a forensic audit of the payroll and payroll procedures of the Police and Fire Departments. The committee felt it prudent to inquire as to what was actually requested and what was actually done. The secretary will be asked to draft a memo to the TA or BOS clarifying this
situation. It was agreed that additional documents such as the 1986 audit, 1999 audit, and public safety statute should be reviewed by all members and any questions on same should be brought before the October 8th meeting for further discussion.
Youth Subcommittee Report. Linda Pickard reviewed with the Board a report compiled by board member Lisa Brown (copy attached). Pickard mentioned an incident which recently took place at Duck Pond in which several youths were detained and allegedly taken into custody by the Wellfleet Police and submitted to the Breathalyzer Machine at the Wellfleet lock-up. Pickard reported that all who allegedly took the test passed and were released; she further reported that no alcohol or other contraband was found on any of the youths or at the pond. Pickard added that, while speaking to several youths from Wellfleet and other towns, she was told by them that they feel very uneasy in Wellfleet and that the majority of the Wellfleet police officers intimidate
them.
Election of Chairman. Linda Pickard nominated Matt Frazier as the new chairman of the committee; Berta Bruinooge seconded the motion; and Frazier was elected chairman by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
Vice-Chair Bruinooge moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.; John Ferro seconded the motion; vote to adjourn was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
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Matthew Frazier, Chair
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