Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Public Safety Committee Meeting Taftville Volunteer Fire Department September 9, 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 Timothy Menard, Police Captain Gene Arters, Emergency Management Director Ken Scandariato, Fire Chief Volunteer/Central Fire Departments and Others Chief Patrick Daley, East Great Plains Fire Department Chief Tim Jencks, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Chief Bob Riley, Occum Fire Department Darrell Dunnum, Lt Occum Fire Department Eric Benoit, Captain Taftville Fire Department Roland Frechette, Dept Director Norwich Emergency Management Damian Rickard, American Ambulance Roland Lambert, Occum Fire Department Brian Hubbard, Taftville Fire Department Ron Stolz, Yantic Fire Department Richard Benoit, Taftville Fire Department Dennis Slopak, 8 N 2nd Avenue, Taftville Charles Jaskiewicz, Chairman BOE I. Call to Order – Quorum Alderman Mark Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. It was determined a quorum was present. II. Approval of Minutes Alderman William Nash motions to approve the August 12, 2009 Public Safety Meeting Minutes amending that Alderman Peter Nystrom be added under a heading of Other Council Members Present. Motion was seconded by Alderman Mark Bettencourt. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously. Public Safety Committee Meeting September 9, 2009 Page 2 III. Correspondence No correspondence. IV. Citizen Comment a. Richard Benoit asks if and when Mohegan Park Road will reopen. Alderman Mark Bettencourt replies he believes it reopens mid November. b. Dennis Slopak speaks to the Committee about the lack of transportation for school children and the abundance of sex offenders in the area, especially within the walking distance of school children.. He submits a letter that his daughter wrote (about his granddaughter). He states that there are too many sex offenders right here. If the regulations state they have to stay more than 500 feet of a school they live 505 feet from the school. There should be guaranteed safe passage for every child. These kids (as young as 6 years old) have to walk quite a distance and cross several major streets with no crossing guards. V. Old Business Radio Status Update Chief Scandariato talks about the problems with the Low Band frequencies. He states that the system has chronic issues. Even the weather seems to have an affect on the transmissions. They’re trying to determine if this is a transmission problem (in the phone lines) or a Communication System problem. He says they are performing a scientific analysis trying to find the cause. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asks if this is a systemic issue. Especially since the weather has been great these past few days. Chief Scandariato says they haven’t been able to recreate the problems to aide in their tests. They’ve ordered a new antenna and are keeping the old as a backup. They simply can’t find the problem. The vendor, Tactical Communications, is involved in assisting in the testing. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asks when they estimate repairs will be done. Chief Scandariato is unsure. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asks what’s being done in the meantime. Chief Scandariato says the pager system has been hit or miss. This is part of the ongoing system problem. They’ve lost the amplifiers and are getting it repaired. Alderman Mark Bettencourt reminds all that this communication issue can lead to serious problems. Public Safety Committee Meeting September 9, 2009 Page 3  Chief Scandariato states that the siren system is working and responders are listening for the sirens and responding that way. They’re doing their best to ensure the public’s safety. Chief Daly talks about the flurry of calls that happened today. The quality and coverage was very scratchy. Coverage problem may be the amplifier. There are multiple facets to the system and determining which facet is the problem has been proving difficult. It could be the power. They are trying to track and trace the issue. They are working to find the weak link. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asks if the amp is still down. Chief Scandariato says yes but it is being repaired. It had to be sent out for repair (under warranty). He believes that fiber-optics is still most likely the best shot at fixing this issue but notes that it will take an investment in equipment. VI. New Business a. Route 97 Condo’s in Taftville. A discussion regarding safety issues and fire risks at the unfinished condos on Rt. 97. Chief Jencks made a picture presentation regarding the condition of the property. They are empty and it appears kids have been using them as hang-outs. All the windows have been broken out in the back and evidence of small fires has been found throughout some of the buildings. If the city was to take on responsibility of securing the property then the city would be liable for any injuries that happen on the property. It would be best to fine the owners and lien the property. Alderman William Nash suggests the blight office impose fines on the owner. City Manager Alan Bergren says the Blight Officer is working this property. Alderman Mark Bettencourt asked City Manager Bergren to follow up on the issue, have the bank that owns the property contacted and advise the concerned parties, including the committee, as the situation changes. b. Ordinance limiting certain sex offender residences. Alderman Bettencourt explained that he has been discussing the issue with Corporation Council and others after the issue was brought to his attention by a constituent. The subject of the legality of limiting where sex offenders can reside within Norwich was discussed. There are some cases where it was attempted, they were restricted so much that they couldn't live anywhere. Then they wind up homeless which leaves them unaccounted for. These types of ordinances are usually overturned when challenged. These offenders often live just outside the limits Public Safety Committee Meeting September 9, 2009 Page 4 placed on them regarding schools and playgrounds, which leaves them still very  close to young school kids. In order to survive legal challenges any ordinance would have to be narrow in scope, dealing with only certain types of offenders (crimes with children for example). It would also have to have exceptions built in to allow for custodial parents and public facilities. Even then it may not stand up. A recent Danbury ordinance only addressed where child sex offenders may be, not the area where they live. It established child safe zones, generally parks and schools. Anything more restrictive makes it more likely to be overturned in court. Police Captain Timothy Menard says it would be necessary to see the legislation to know how effective it would be. He also reminds that enforcement is difficult and that currently there is only a fine for breaking the rules, not imprisonment. Charles Jaskiewicz, Chairman of the Board of Education, submitted a document outlining the policies for the State of Connecticut regarding transportation of school children. The children in question don't walk by any child offenders on their route to school. He says that any ordinance should be drafted to mimic the laws and provisions. He states that the BOE is in compliance with state policy and handed out copies of the regulations Alderman Mark Bettencourt states that this is the Board of Ed’s purview. The committee requested that Chairman Jaskiewicz examine the situation - young kids having to walk to school, which leaves them open to these predators – and see if they can come up with a compromise. Charles Jaskiewicz is going to speak to Superintendent Pam Aubin to address this and will ask the BOE's Transportation Committee to review this. He is also going to ask the School Resource Officer’s to re-iterate the buddy system so everyone knows about it. Aldermen Nash and Bettencourt both state that they will continue to work on this. VII. Other. Chief Jencks wishes to discuss the Truck traffic on Lower Blissville Road (Route 12 to Route 97). There are many delivery trucks that are using this as a cut-through and they have been known to cut turns too close, damaging poles and property. There used to be no truck traffic allowed on this road. Alderman Mark Bettencourt states this is a PD issue and refers to Chief Menard to please check into this and get back to the committee and Chief Jencks. Roland Frechette also notes that many vehicles hit the telephone pole that is around one of the sharp curves. Could this be a routing problem? Perhaps diverting trucks down exit 84 rather than exit 83 may be a solution. Public Safety Committee Meeting September 9, 2009 Page 5 Chief Jencks says that although this road makes for a shorter trip for truckers, it should be closed to truck traffic. VIII. Adjournment Alderman William Nash motions to adjourn at 7:49 p.m. Alderman Mark Bettencourt seconds the motion and it passes unanimously. Meeting adjourned.