Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Public Safety Committee Meeting East Great Plains Fire Department March 11, 2009 Minutes Committee Members Present Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alderman William Nash Committee Members Not Present Alderman Jonathan Jacaruso Administration and Staff Present Alan H. Bergren, City Manager Police Captain Timothy Menard Fire Chief Ken Scandariato Gene Arters, Emergency Management Director Roland Frechette, Emergency Management Volunteer/Central Fire Departments and Others Chief Frank Blanchard, Yantic Vol. Fire Department Chief Tim Jencks, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Chief Patrick Daley, East Great Plains Vol. Fire Department Shane Depuis, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Ron Stoltz, Yantic Fire Roland Lambert, Occum Fire Bob Jackson, Dispatch PD Paul O’Connell, Yantic Fire Eng Co 1 Charles J ONeil, 26 Jones Court, Norwich Mr. Cohen, 136 Hunters Rd, Norwich I. Call to Order – Quorum Alderman Mark Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. It was determined a quorum was present II. Approval of Minutes Alderman William Nash motions to approve the February 11, 2009 Public Safety Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Alderman Mark Bettencourt. All in favor, the motion passes unanimously. Public Safety Committee Meeting March 11, 2009 Page 2 III. Correspondence A large envelope of information and photographs from Mr. Charles O’Neill. IV. Citizen Comment Mr. Charles O’Neill of 26 Jones Court, Norwich – Public Safety issue with Three Rivers College. With 6000+ in attendance and teachers and administrative staff and no busses there is so much added traffic producing pollution and traffic issues. There are five schools in a half mile radius and they all add traffic and pollution. There is a Child Care center under the library that is right by a generator. The testing produces pollutants right by the Child Care and homes in the neighborhood. Also, the Child Care is close to the campus exit so every vehicle leaving is adding to the pollution these children are exposed to. Public Safety issue with Traffic patterns caused by the additional school traffic. He mentions a study in 2005 that recorded 25,000 cars at the New London Turnpike intersection by the East Great Plains Fire Department. This can interfere with the Fire Department responding to calls. The parking lot was built on a 100 year old flood plain where they installed tanks to move the water to the brook and to the river. A by-pass to the hospital on Route 32 – a rite of way – would lessen this traffic and pollution. Also, salt, sand, and grit should be removed. Public Safety issue with sidewalks on Salem Turnpike by the Route 395 overpass and in the area. Also, the snow gets plowed in such a way that it blocks the side of the road where pedestrians should be walking which causes them to have to walk in the traffic lanes. The snow should be removed rather than piled on the side of the road where people need to be able to walk. Public Safety issue with Zoning issues. There is speeding on Sycamore Road by the college and no sidewalks on the turnpike by the Police Chief’s. Public Safety issue with the 99 Steak House. There is no water drainage behind the Steak House and this is a public hazard to Old Salem Road residences causing mosquitoes and other issues. The property was clear cut and there is no fence. Public Safety Issue with Wendy’s. The fumes and air quality by the Wendy’s is horrible. The smoke and smell are against regulations. Mr. Cohen of Hunters Road, Norwich. Public Safety Issues with how the city was planned. We need to plan the city. There is too much traffic and air pollution. One third of Americans live in Metropolitan areas where the ozone and smog it very bad. This causes irritations to the lungs and these people die early from lung issues. And yet we have brought in more traffic. A college could have been put on the Norwich Hospital Property and that would have left 2 campuses available for the city to use. Three Rivers was approved by council conditional on them having a by-pass. This would improve safety for all traffic and for Fire Department response as well as they would be able to use the by-pass too. Public Safety Committee Meeting March 11, 2009 Page 3  Public Safety issue with Board of Education. Bob Zarnetski and Mr. Jaskowitz should work on regionalism. Combining Preston and Norwich to reduce costs. We should move the jail. Also, they should move the Police Department clerical staff to a central area. V. New Business Chief Blanchard mentions that there will be a 4th training event on Intercoms in Bozrah on March 18th at 6:30 p.m. VI. Old Business a. Dry Hydrant Locations – Update from City Manager 1). If and where grants can be obtained – Update from City Manager VII. Other Alderman William Nash mentions that he is holding a Public forum at Otis Library in the Community Room on March 26th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. He states that the forum is open for talking about anything and everything and that City Manager Alan Bergren will be his special guest. VIII. Adjournment Alderman William Nash motions to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Alderman Mark Bettencourt seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned.