Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Public Safety Committee Meeting Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department April 8, 2009 Minutes Committee Members Present Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alderman Jonathan Jacaruso Alderman William Nash Administration and Staff Present Alan H. Bergren, City Manager Timothy Menard, Police Captain Ken Scandariato, Fire Chief 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 Chief Ed Martin, Laurel Hill Fire Department Shane Depuis, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Roland Lambert, Occum Fire Ray O’Connell, Yantic Fire Eng Co 1 Dan Auger, Taftville Fire Raymond Henry, Yantic Fire Robert Allen, Yantic Fire Frank Cilley, Yantic Fire James Marciano, Taftville Fire Michael Lattin, Laurel Hill Fire Aaron Westervelt, Laurel Hill Fire Damian Rickard, American ambulance I. Call to Order – Quorum Alderman Mark Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. It was determined a quorum was present. II. Approval of Minutes Alderman Jon Jacaruso motions to approve the March 11, 2009 Public Safety Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Alderman William Nash. All in favor, the motion passes unanimously. Public Safety Committee Meeting April 8, 2009 Page 2 III. Correspondence a) Alderman Mark Bettencourt submits an email that was sent to a master email list pertaining to a dinner for Red McKeon’s induction into the National Firefighters Hall of Fame. The dinner will be at the Aqua Turf in Southington on April 9, 2009, with a cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35. b) Alderman Mark Bettencourt submits an email from Chief Tim Jencks regarding the Dive Team. The email outlines the progress of the Dive Team classes and the divers’ accomplishments. IV. Citizen Comment None V. New Business a) Police Radio Issues. There have been talks with John Bilda about the communication difficulties and using the new infrastructure. In the rain there is a dramatic drop-off of quality. Dispatch transmits over phone lines and the speeds are slow. Anticipate implementing and using fiber optics by the end of the summer. Looking to the future and possibly using repeaters and the fiber optics would cover the dead zones. There also may be stimulus available to aid in funding this venture. Chief Scandariato says the changes are in phase 3. The time has been put in and he knows where they need to be and why. Patrolmen can’t make contact across the street in some areas. These dead spots are reducing response time globally (Police and Fire) throughout the city. And the dead spots differ from Police to Fire and from time to time based on weather and other factors. b) Chief Scandariato recommends withdrawal of the Forestry Unit as part of the plan. The department needs that unit to continue protecting the public safely. He needs that apparatus. Alderman Mark Bettencourt assures Chief Scandariato that this is going to be a continuous discussion and will remain on the agenda. VI. Old Business a) Dispatch issues. Chief Fusaro is under the weather and was unable to attend the meeting. City Manager Alan Bergren is working with NPU. There is a draft report that will be ready by the next meeting and includes their assessment and what functions they can assume and the costs it will incur. Captain Menard says these are personnel issues and will be dealt with by department heads. Public Safety Committee Meeting April 8, 2009 Page 3  b) Ladder Truck replacement. Chief Scandariato requests to withdraw this from the agenda. He is not ready to discuss this at this time and needs time to be properly prepared. -Assistance to Firefighters Grant 2009 – 18 month timeframe so the earliest would be September. Grants are not usually used for full funding and he’s asking for full funding. -Peer Group Review -Firematic will be doing a vehicle demo on April 10th at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend. So this will remain on the agenda for next month. Question from Alderman Jon Jacaruso to the City Manager – there is $100,000 in the capital improvement fund for a ladder truck. Does this carry over from year to year if it’s not used? City Manager says yes. Alderman Jacaruso also asks if this will be used as matching funds for the grant and Chief Scandariato is trying to lock down figures so he can make intelligent decisions since a truck would run from $800K to $1.2 Million. VII. Other. a) Chief Scandariato wishes to discuss the public safety issues regarding 196 Yantic Street, the property with the Art Form building and the scenic view of the waterfall. There are no fences or marking and it is a large drop-off which is dangerous to people and vehicles. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asks the City Manager what the fine situation is. It is in the $70,000 range. Alderman Jon Jacaruso mentions eminent domain as a possibility here as there is a scenic outlook that could make a park. The city would incur liabilities if they were to erect a fence on private property. Chief Martin, who is also the city blight officer, notes that fines are third in line on a foreclosure after the mortgage and taxes. Alderman Jon Jacaruso says the Building Department is working as aggressively as possible but they are following the necessary rules and procedures. Chief Scandariato reiterates that because of the scenic overlook and lack of fence this is a tourist magnet and remains a huge risk. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asks if the building is boarded and he is informed that the building is secure. Alderman Jon Jacaruso asks what benefit if any would there be if the City installed “Jersey Barriers” and he is reminded that if the City acts then the City assumes the liability. The Norwich Historical Society is looking to make it a park some day. The property had been sold to a developer who wanted to build condominiums but the deal fell through. b) Discussion regarding the 350th anniversary. Do you have volunteers? Answer – yes. c) Alderman Jon Jacaruso asks the Yantic Fire Department about the Norwichtown Green and whether they’re ready for the Encampment. He mentions Cathy Sherri and that there will be people living there with open fires. There will be support needed. Public Safety Committee Meeting April 8, 2009 Page 4  d) There was a tanker roll over in Plainfield. The Norwich companies were called on to lend assistance since Plainfield is short handed. Chief Scandariato compliments that Norwich is rich with volunteers and they respond in a timely fashion. They are of great caliber. They were the first called to assist as they have a foam trailer. The water supply couldn’t get in. This was a reminder that the surrounding Municipalities tend to lean on Norwich volunteers a lot. We are the first to be called when mutual aid is needed because of the greater numbers and fast response time. Alderman Mark Bettencourt congratulates Norwich on the nature and professionalism of their volunteers. It is impressive. e) Alderman Jon Jacaruso wishes to discuss Dangerous Buildings. What is the status of the “Do Not Enter” building list? Chief Scandariato has a list and was talking with other chiefs to combine all the lists into one concise list for all to have. Chief Scandariato is still working to move forward on this. Chief Frank Blanchard asked Chief Scandariato what the guidelines are for qualifying buildings as “Do Not Enter” buildings. Chief Scandariato states there are no set qualifications. They want to be able to push landlords to update and repair dangerous buildings to ensure the safety of the public as well as the volunteers who would have to enter the buildings in the event a rescue was necessary. Chief Scandariato is always working on the list. It is a slow process but it is being addressed and it seems to be working. The Building Department and the Fire Departments should work together and share information so as to improve the list and ensure the safety of the public and our volunteers. Dispatch knows the DNE buildings. Chief Martin states that the Fire Chief on the scene makes the decision whether to enter or not. Chief Jencks of Taftville hopes one day the DNE lists can be standardized and distributed but it is very difficult. Chief Scandariato says the DNE list is a case by case thing. That it is a judgment call based on many factors. It’s necessary to assess the structure in operation. Work with the Building Department and building owners. Assess the hazard it presents. Contact the owner of record to fix or close the structure. Check the structure for viability and position on property and accessibility. These are all factors that must be assessed. f) Alderman William Nash mentions that he is holding a Public Forum at the Central Baptist Church in Greenville on Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. He states that the forum is open for talking about anything and everything and that Chief Scandariato will be his special guest. Public Safety Committee Meeting April 8, 2009 Page 5 VIII. Adjournment Alderman William Nash motions to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Alderman Jon Jacaruso seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned.