Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Public Safety Committee Meeting - Special Captains Quarters, Norwich February 18, 2010 Minutes Committee Members Present Alderman William Nash Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. Alderwoman Jackie Caron Administration and Staff Present Alan H. Bergren, City Manager Timothy Menard, Norwich Police Captain Ken Scandariato, Fire Chief Chief Tim Jencks, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Assistant Chief Tom Jencks, Taftville Vol. Fire Department Chief Frank Blanchard, Yantic Fire Department Chief Robert Patton, Occum Fire Department Emergency Mgmt Dep Director, Roland Frechette Captain Eric Benoit, Taftville Fire Department American Ambulance Supervisor, Lori A Ploof American Ambulance Assoc Supervisor, Matthew Duval Volunteer/Central Fire Departments and Others Roland Lambert, Occum Fire Department Ron Stolz, Yantic Fire Department Ray O’Connell, Yantic Fire Department Bill Eyberse, Yantic Fire Department Paul O’Connell, Yantic Fire Department Damian Rickard, American Ambulance Jennifer Reilly, 30 Huntington Lane, Norwich Mark Vesligaj, 30 Huntington Lane, Norwich Cindy Dasieka I. Call to Order – Quorum Alderman William Nash called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. It was determined a quorum is present. II. Approval of Minutes Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. motions to approve the January 13, 2010 Public Safety Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Jackie Caron. All in favor, the motion passed. III. Correspondence Alderman William Nash asks if there is any correspondence. There is none. IV. Citizen Comment Alderman William Nash asks if there is any Citizens who wish to address the Committee. There was none. V. New Business – None. VI. Old Business a. Burton Avenue Closure or travel reassignment – progress update. Alderman William Nash asks City Manager Alan Bergren for an update on the options. Public Safety Committee Meeting February 18, 2010 Page 2  City Manager Alan Bergren read a letter from the City Engineer to the Public Works Director regarding Burton Avenue. The letter states that it would be around $2,500 if the work is performed in house and around $4,000 if contracted out. There is widening of the road, grass, poles, and trees included in those figures. It is not indicated whether a gate is included or a simple closure apparatus. It is also stated that the City Council is the only body that can close a road. A recommendation would have to be made to the Council for a resolution. Chief Scandariato reiterates the need for an accessible fence for the police and fire department. That would eliminate having to find another way around and delays in responding to calls. City Manager Alan Bergren believes they would be turning the road into a cul-de-sac, including curbing, seeding, and landscaping. City Manager Alan Bergren will ask them to elaborate on what is included. He will ask for more details, including gate pricing and other alternative options. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. motions to forward this request on to the City Council. Alderwoman Jackie Caron seconds the motion. b. Safety Issues RE: Intersection @ Washington Street Extension, Huntington – Scotland Road – Informational Update. City Manager Alan Bergren addresses the idea of Sidewalks. There is a program to petition for them at the home owners’ expense. In order to get them in front of all the properties all the residents must agree to have them done. Alderwoman Jackie Caron asks what the stipulation was on West Thames Street – why was there no expense to the home owners there? Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. believes that maybe it was a grant. City Manager Alan Bergren believes it was a Community Development Block Grant. He will get a list for the Committee. Alderman William Nash asks Tim Menard tor the accident numbers from the last few years. Police Captain Tim Menard states that he checked the accident numbers from 2006 to 2009. There has been an increase in accidents over the course of those years. (2006 11 total 1 on lower portion, 2007 17 total 2 on lower portion, 2008 6 total 1 on lower portion, 2009 16 total 5 on lower portion) The total accidents City wide were 2006 - 1607, 2007 - 1783, 2008 - 1779, 2009 - 1672. He believes that parked cars are a large part of the problem. Alderman William Nash asks Captain Menard to conduct a traffic count in the spring and that they continue their enforcement work in the area. c. Fire Department Updates. Alderman William Nash compliments Taftville and Yantic for a successful dive rescue. Fire Chief Tim Jencks discusses the Dive Team and that successful rescue, so the dive training is paying off and will be continued and will branch into other departments. VII. Adjournment Alderwoman Jackie Caron motions to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Alderman H Tucker Braddock Jr. seconds the motion and it passes unanimously. Meeting adjourned.