Public Safety Committee

CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 3, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Committee Chairman Councillor Craig Cormier called the Public Safety Committee meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Committee member Councillor Karen Hardern (via teleconference) and George Tyros were present. Also present were Chief of Police Richard Braks; Acting Fire Chief Greg Lagoy; and, City Clerk Titi Siriphan. Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §20, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Public Safety Committee was conducted via remote participation on Zoom. The audio recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings will be posted on the City’s website as soon as possible after the meeting and the meeting was broadcast live on Gardner’s YouTube Channel. II. Department Updates Public Health • Vaccine Clinics- All senior housing clinics have been completed (GHA and Heywood Wakefield) • Home vaccines - We were all set to begin home-bound vaccine program April 13 but had to put on pause because of J&J. We are resuming program this Tuesday and have a Moderna option for those who are uneasy about J&J. Call center is helping with pre-screening • Starbucks Food Establishment Plan review just completed. • Working on getting caught up with routine food inspections • Waste Contract update. WM done 6/30/21. -Just ordered new trash toters. Lots of residents are asking for a second service. We have seen a pretty high increase in tonnage this year • Seasonal food/liquor licenses and permits • Community COVID cases – slight jump after Easter but they are on the decline POSITIVITY RATE is currently 2.66% in Gardner (March 4, last time I reported to you was 2.98%). Testing still available through Heywood but CHC has closed its testing location at Prospect St. School. • New guidelines (as always these are subject to change)– o May 10 will be entering Phase IV, Step 2: large capacity venues=25%, road races allowed, signing indoors o May 29: 200 indoors, 250 outdoors for events, 10 people per table (still only 90 mins and seated service). Bars open without food requirement but still no dancing. Street festivals 50% capacity 5-3-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 1  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 3, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ o August 1st fully open • Helping businesses and organizations review COVID safety plans for school senior activities, sports, community events, etc. • Landfill annual inspection just completed 4/27 by CEC – surface water and ground water samples were taken and will be compiled in annual report • Looking for part time transfer station attendant Police Department The police department, Dispatch Communications, Animal Control, Animal Shelter and Civil Defense are all operating within the financial parameters approved in the FY’20 budgets. The department has two recruit officers who continue to meet the challenges put forth by the rigorous 20 week training process. Following the academy a field training program will orient them to the specific processes utilized in the Gardner Police Department. In comparison to 2020: on 04/30/21 Accidents - up 12.68%, Offense Calls - down 13.26%, Arrests - down 3.63% Department: The PD is requesting an energy audit through National Grid to determine any areas of energy savings that may be recommended. Dispatch is in the process of hiring two new positions to fill vacancies. Experienced applicants are being considered for fulltime and part-time positions. Animal Control Officers (ACO’s) and Animal Shelter: The recently purchased ACO vehicle has been delivered and is being outfitted for service. Shelter fire/security system is being updated due to the obsolete system in place. Unibank cashless payment system is installed and online at the shelter. (Utilized by other city departments) Civil Defense: Director Paul Topolski continues to oversee the vaccination call site for the PACC. Volunteers schedule appointments throughout the week for the predetermined date and number of doses. Applications: There are no pending or existing issues to bring forward for the Second Hand Article applications before the committee. The ECOATM, LLC and Gardner Coins & Cards are in compliance for renewal. Chairman Craig Cormier would like to discuss recent graffiti issues around the city and what should citizens do when they see it and how to report it. Chief Braks responded that they do have efforts to remove graffiti: • If it’s on personal property, they are obligated to remove it by ordinance 5-3-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 2  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 3, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ • They encourage the public to call and report any graffiti or tagging • They have been successful in “catching” the individuals responsible and having them pay for their offense • There are partners in the business who help remove the graffiti • The graffiti is removed as soon as they see it Fire Department PERSONNEL • Firefighter Kenneth Chase has been promoted to the position of Acting Lieutenant. Ken was appointed Permanent Firefighter in December of 2014, and previously worked for another area Fire Department. He has been assigned as the “Floating” Lieutenant, and will cover other Shift Commanders on vacation. He will work in the Fire Prevention/Training Office when not covering a shift. • This promotion was made in anticipation of the retirement of the Lieutenant that has been on Injury Leave since September 2019. This retirement continues to move slowly through the system due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, but should be completed shortly. • Probationary Firefighter Daniel Quinn has completed in-house training and will begin the Mass Fire Academy Recruit Training 10-week program on May 10, 2021. Graduation is scheduled for late July. • The new Civil Service list for Firefighter was certified in March, and we are in the process of hiring four new Firefighters. The new list did include only a limited number of local residents. Currently, applications and resumes are being reviewed and interviews will be scheduled shortly. There is expected to be a longer than normal wait time to get these new hires into the Fire Academy Recruit Training Program due to many Fire Departments in the State hiring off the new, long-awaited Civil Service Firefighter list. • Overtime expenditures continue to be high due to the vacant positions. VEHICLES • Engine 2 (2011 International/Rosenbaur 4X4 Pumper) recently experienced a failure of the main seal on the fire pump. The estimate for this repair is approximately $3300.00, mainly due to extensive labor involved in having to remove the pump assembly from the truck to change the seal. This is the second time this same seal has experienced a failure, the first occurring in 2018. The repair will be scheduled as soon as possible. 5-3-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 3  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 3, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ GRANTS UPDATE • The FY21 MA Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant has been awarded, with Gardner receiving the maximum allowable amount of $15,000.00. This is a no-match grant, so the City does not have to contribute any funding to the purchases being made. Equipment ordered includes new hydrant assist valves, intake valves, a battery-powered laminated glass cutter for vehicle extrication, and a cold-water immersion/ice rescue suit. SOUTH GARDNER FIRE STATION BOILER UPDATE • Additional information in response to Councilor Tyros’ question about the City being out of compliance with the State’s failed inspection, they require a plan to repair or replace the boiler, which we are working on. The process is lengthy, mainly due to the asbestos remediation that will be necessary. The boiler has now been shut down for the season. • Myself and City Engineer Chris Coughlin have met with representatives from Tighe & Bond, and have another meeting this week with Weston & Sampson; both firms will provide cost estimates on design, remediation, and installation work that will allow the City to have a better idea on the scope of the project and develop a plan to move forward. HEADQUARTERS ROOF REPAIR • Working with Building Commissioner Roland Jean, we had all roof drains and associated piping scoped to confirm they were clear and functioning properly. Commissioner Jean’s preliminary opinion is that it will most likely be cost-effective to repair the roof at this time, and plan on a full replacement in the 5-10 year range. We are working on getting estimates for repairs. COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE • The number of EMS calls involving patients with either confirmed or suspected COVID-19 continues to decline. Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are sufficient at this time. All COVID-19 PPE and disinfection procedures remain in effect. • No Firefighters have been required to quarantine since the last update. FIRST QUARTER 2021 FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT • The Fire Department responded to 1186 emergency calls during the months of January, February, and March of 2021. This represents an 8.4% decline in calls from the same time period in 2020 (1295). Motor vehicle accidents were down 15% and EMS calls down 9.5%; however building fires increased 5-3-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 4  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 3, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ 320% (16 [2021] versus 5 [2020]) and lift assist calls increased 40%. Fire Prevention Officers conducted 213 inspections, and increase of 58% over the first quarter of 2020. III. #10419 – An Application by ECOATM, LLC, for a license to Deal in Second Hand Articles at 677 Timpany Blvd (In the City Council and Referred to Public Safety, 4/20/2021). On a motion by Councillor George Tyros and seconded by Councillor Karen Hardern, on a call of the roll, it was voted to recommend that ECOATM, LLC, be granted a License to Deal in Second Hand Articles at 677 Timpany Blvd. IV. An Application by Joseph Valardi of Gardner Coins & Cards, Inc., for a License to Deal in Second Hand Articles at 18 Parker Street. On a motion by Councillor George Tyros and seconded by Councillor Karen Hardern, on a call of the roll, it was voted to recommend that Gardner Coins & Cards, Inc., be granted a License to Deal in Second Hand Articles at 18 Parker Street. V. New Business Councillor Craig Cormier would like to thank the departments and their employees for their reports and all their work keeping the city safe and protected. It is greatly appreciated. Adjournment. On a motion Councillor Karen Hardern and seconded by Councillor George Tyros, on call of the roll, it was voted to adjourn at 9:34 a.m. 5-3-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 5  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Committee Chairman Councillor Craig Cormier called the Public Safety Committee meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Committee member Councillor George Tyros were present. Councillor Karen Hardern was absent. Also present were Chief of Police Richard Braks; Acting Fire Chief Greg Lagoy; and, City Clerk Titi Siriphan. Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §20, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Public Safety Committee was conducted via remote participation on Zoom. The audio recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings will be posted on the City’s website as soon as possible after the meeting and the meeting was broadcast live on Gardner’s YouTube Channel. Minutes of Prior Meeting(s). On a motion by Councillor Karen Hardern and seconded by Councillor George Tyros, on call of the roll, it was voted to accept the Minutes of the July 29, 2020 and December 14, 2020 Public Safety Committee Meeting, as printed. II. Department Updates Building Department We have issued 119 Building permits, and the Zoning Board has been very busy with appeals. Many of our inspections are being done virtually, but I expect that to change soon. Our Maintenance Dept. has been busy rearranging and refurbishing offices and will be soon adding some monitors in meeting rooms for presentations. My Administrative staff has been volunteering at the PACC Vaccination Clinics when needed, and they tell me that it is going very well. We are currently very busy trying to expedite the demolition of 177 West St. recently declared a Public Safety Hazard by Mayor Nicholson. A contract has been awarded and we are waiting on DEP approval of our non-traditional work plan. In regard to the new application for used car sales. It is my opinion that the application is incomplete and should not be given any consideration until a Zoning review is done by this office. There has been no documentation presented to us, nor any request for a Zoning Review. I will be happy to address any questions you may have regarding these or any other topics. 3-12-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 1  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Public Health • Prevention Coordinator, Veronika Patty was hired and started in January. She is currently working on collecting youth data through the Youth & Community Survey. Data is collected in schools, specifically Gardner High School and the GALT. - Implementing Training Active Bystander (TAP) training with community members, schools and other organizations (virtually) - Working on updating the City health department’s website with a resource tab for community resources - Working on implementing “Game Changers”, a resiliency skill building program for high school aged students - Working with GCAT members to update the coalition’s strategic plan to address the most current community issues • The Health Department budget was submitted to the Mayor and we met to discuss. Only some minor changes and adjustments may have to be made based on which waste removal company we decide to go with for the next contract. - The current one-year contract with Waste Management expires on June 30, 2021 and we have been exploring other options. After reviewing the financials and overall service proposals we have made our initial selection and are in contract negotiations with that company. • COVID cases are down. As of March 4th weekly report issued by the state Gardner’s positivity rate was 2.98% and we are no longer in the “red”. This has alleviated some of the pressure on contact tracing. • We continue to work with restaurants, other businesses and local organizations on COVID-19 guideline updates as there have recently been some changes to the Phases (currently in Phase 3, Step 2 and tentatively phase 4 on March 22) • We have been working very closely with the Mayor’s office, Heywood Hospital, Community Health Connections, our Emergency Management Department and other local boards of health on getting vaccinations out to the community. - In partnership with the Montachusett Public Health Network we held both round of first responder clinics here in the City Hall auditorium. 180 first responders were fully vaccinated. - We helped coordinate a senior housing vaccination clinic held at Gardner Housing Authority’s high rise for over 100 people. Second doses will be administered later this month. - We have another senior housing clinic scheduled for Friday 3/12 at Hillside Gardens and CHC. 3-12-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 2  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ - There is another clinic planned for later in the month at Heywood Wakefield Place - School staff clinic for the area is being held this Saturday has had to cut available doses by 50% to ensure there are enough doses for round 2 - Gardner Public Schools have their own vaccine clinic scheduled for March 19. They currently anticipate being able to get the doses they need - Heywood’s weekly clinics have been ongoing at PACC, however we were just notified we are currently unable to schedule any additional first dose clinics as we only have enough state supplied vaccine to supply second doses for the rest of the month. Therefore our call center will also be temporarily closed. - The EOC call center will be moving to the City Hall auditorium as the PD has some professional development days scheduled in their community room and the call center has the ability to move anywhere. - There is interest locally in setting up some kind of program to vaccinate homebound individuals but we are waiting for more guidance from the state (and more vaccine) Police Department The police department, Dispatch Communications, Animal Control, Animal Shelter and Civil Defense are all operating within the financial parameters approved in the FY’20 budgets. On April 8, 2021, two recruit officers started the MPTC Academy in Randolph, MA. The recruits continue to meet the challenges put forth by the rigorous 20 week training process. Upon the successful completion of training the police department will have returned to the 2019 staffing level for the department. The department then looks forward for an opportunity to increase staffing by one or more members and reintroduce positions that remain unfilled from a prior reduction in force. In comparison to 2020: on 03/09/2021 Accidents - down 15.3%, Offense Calls - down 12.5%, Arrests - down 17.47% The police department is now approaching 6 years of service to our community at 200 Main Street and we are fortunate to have Raymond Beauregard coordinating the upkeep and repairs throughout the building and grounds of our station. Ray Beauregard puts forth exceptional efforts and takes great pride with us all in ensuring the building and grounds look their best. Dispatch continues the process of hiring two new positions to fill vacancies. Several experienced applicants are being considered for fulltime and part-time positions. Our staff of Dispatchers and Dispatch Supervisors often exceed many of the expectations for training and service. Bridgett Hudgins was promoted to Dispatch Supervisor on February 1, 2021. Communications Director Jennifer Law continues to do an exceptional job managing the communications center as well as meeting the many demands and expectations the center has to offer. 3-12-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 3  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Animal Control Officers (ACO’s) and Animal Shelter: All ACO’s continue to respond as required throughout the community to advise and assist residents when issues arise involving domestic animals and wildlife. Both ACO vehicles have required to be replaced due to disrepair. The AC Shelter fire/security system is being updated due to the obsolete system in place. Civil Defense: Director Paul Topolski has addressed the need for receiving calls for the vaccination site at PACC. Volunteers continue to schedule appointments throughout the week for a predetermined number of doses. A Decommission Request for City Property accompanies this report. Detailed are vehicles that have served beyond their expected life-cycle and are structurally and mechanically beyond repair when consulting the mechanical staff at the Gardner DPW. The recommendation for decommissioning is to scrap the vehicles. There is no opposition to putting forth the new Class 2 motor vehicle dealers license application submitted for Blake Motors appearing before the Safety Committee for 412 Main Street Gardner, MA. Fire Department PERSONNEL • With my appointment to the permanent Chief’s position, the following promotions are being processed through Civil Service: Acting Captain Craig Osowski to Permanent Captain and Acting Lieutenant Patrick Fohy to permanent Lieutenant. Captain Osowski was appointed Call Firefighter in 1995, Permanent Firefighter in 2000, and Lieutenant in 2015, where he worked as Group 3 Shift Commander and in the Fire Prevention/Code Enforcement Office. Lieutenant Fohy was appointed Permanent Firefighter in 2004, and is now assigned as Group 1 Shift Commander. Both men are experienced, veteran Firefighters, and have performed very well in their acting positions. • One new Firefighter has been hired and started work February 22nd. Firefighter Daniel Quinn has been assigned to Group 2 and is in training. He is scheduled to attend the Massachusetts Career Recruit Fire Academy beginning May 10th, with graduation in late July. At that time, he will become part of the regular Firefighting force. We also had another Firefighter resign in February due to personal reasons. This still leaves us with three (3) vacant Firefighter positions. The current Civil Service list is basically exhausted, with no local candidates left. A new Civil Service Firefighter list is expected to be established mid-March, which has been significantly delayed due to the COVID- 19 Pandemic. As soon as the list is posted, we will commence the hiring process to fill the vacant positions. • The Lieutenant on Injury Leave since September 2019 is still working his way through the retirement process, this continues to be delayed due to the Pandemic. • Overtime expenditures continue to be high, mainly due to the issues noted above. 3-12-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 4  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ VEHICLES • The new 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe is now in service as Car 1 (Fire Chief’s vehicle). • The Fire Department Repairs & Maintenance budget continues to take hits due to major unexpected repairs. Combination 4 (2011 Sutphen 75’ Ladder) recently had a $6200 repair to the air bag suspension system, and Rescue 3 (2018 Ford Ambulance) had a $5200 repair that included a new hydraulic brake pump, power steering pump, front upper and lower ball joints, as well as other regular maintenance items. This truck now has approximately 40,000 miles. GRANT UPDATES • The application for the FY2020 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant has been completed and submitted. This year’s application was for replacement of the fire alarm system at Fire Headquarters. This system is original to the building (1978), and is overdue for replacement. This item is on the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. • We are also awaiting award of the FY2021 Massachusetts Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant, which should be out shortly. We have applied for several hydrant valves and intake valves that will replace older equipment and help to protect the City’s hydrant/water system. SOUTH GARDNER FIRE STATION BOILER • Royal Steam Heater Co. has provided a rough estimate of the cost to replace the boiler at the South Gardner Fire Station, which has failed a State inspection. The estimate was $60,000-$70,000, which includes asbestos remediation, new zoned oil-fired boiler, new oil tank, and associated electrical work. HEADQUARTERS ROOF REPAIR • The roof at Fire Headquarters has developed additional leaks. The roof is standing- seam metal, original to the building (1978), and has been problematic for many years. The Building Commissioner recently inspected to roof, and we are developing a report to pursue either repair or replacement. There were repairs made to the roof to fix leaks in 2011 at a cost of approximately $18,000. This project is on the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE • The Capital Improvement Plan for the Fire Department has been updated. In addition to facilities projects mentioned above, several Fire Apparatus are listed on the plan. These include Engine 1 (1996 E-One pumper), Rescue 1 (1996 Ford/E-One Heavy Rescue), and Tower 1 (2002 E-One 95’ Tower Ladder). These are three aging apparatus that will be expensive to replace. Consideration should be given to developing a plan to fund replacing them over the next several years in order to spread out the cost. It should be noted that from the time funding is approved until delivery of a custom-built fire truck can be well over a year. COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 3-12-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 5  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2021 _____________________________________________________________________________________ • The recent surge of cases of COVID-19 in the area has stabilized. The Fire Department continues to treat and transport confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients, and follow strict personal protective equipment (PPE) protocol and disinfection procedures. • No Firefighters have been required to quarantine for the past several weeks. • Vaccines have been provided for all interested Fire and EMS workers in the City. III. #10400, An Application by Blake Motors, for a License to Buy and Sell Second Hand Motor Vehicles, Class 2, on 412 Main Street (In City Council and Referred to Public Safety, 3/1/2021). Building Commissioner Roland Jean said that this is a brand new application and not a renewal. Zoning review would be required and he has not received any documentation nor any requests for zoning review. At this time he cannot approve the application. If the application goes before the City Council and the Council approves it, the applicant will be in zoning violation. On a motion by Councillor George Tyros and seconded by Councillor Craig Cormier, on a call of the roll, it was voted to recommend more time. IV. New Business Councillor George Tyros would like to thank everyone for their updates and their hard work over the past few months and serving the citizens throughout the pandemic Councillor Craig Cormier would also like to thank the departments and their employees for their reports and all their work during the pandemic. Adjournment. On a motion Councillor George Tyros and seconded by Councillor Craig Cormier, on call of the roll, it was voted to adjourn at 9:34 a.m. 3-12-2021 Safety Committee Minutes Page 6 XXXXX xxxxxxxxx xxx xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx