Board of Public Safety

Approved by the Board of Public Safety MINUTES April 5, 2023 Vol. 7, Page 575 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM March 1, 2023 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Attendance was in- person and by Zoom. Present at City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Personnel Director Jaime LaMere Esq., Commissioners Molly Spino, Joseph McElroy, Gregg Cogswell, Darlene Battle, and Glenn McLeod, Fire Chief Eric Borden, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Police Chief William Baldwin, Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown, Trinity Health EMS Manager Jeff Ganung, and Torringford VFD Commissioner Scott Mills. Commissioner Doug Benedetto was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Gerald (Jay) Peters read a letter to the Board in which he outlined his whole case from start to finish. Charles M. Allen asked the Board after the scrutinizing investigation into Jay’s actions, and he was cleared, when will there be justice for Jay? Gerry Peters, Jay’s Father, spoke on the use of force within Police Departments, and how hesitating can cause a life-or-death situation. Kevin Jones spoke of Mr. Peter’s character and wanted the Board to recognize what Jay has done for the City. John Pierieoni reiterated that the City should be standing behind Jay. Robert Millette would like to see Jay back on the force by Monday. Tad Derouin spoke of the Officer safety aspect of the video, saying that the suspect was spitting at Officers, which is the use of the deadliest force, and that Jay used restraint in the cell. Douglas Mineo said that we need to support the Cops for the safety of the City and the local businesses. Chris DiBella spoke of Jay’s character and how the City should reinstate him. Linas Venclauskas said that appealing and dragging this case on is not fiscally responsible. He also said that he worked with Jay for many years and he is a great Officer. MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from February 1, 2023. Commissioner Spino abstained. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Special Meeting Minutes from February 21, 2023. SECTION B On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to add Section B to the agenda. EXECUTIVE SESSION On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to enter into executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §1-200(6)(b) regarding pending litigation (Gerald Peters v. City of Torrington, Case #2021-A-0330) at 7:23 p.m. They were joined by Atty. LaMere, Atty. Michael Rose, Police Chief William Baldwin, and Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown. OPEN SESSION On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 8:03 p.m. COMPLETION OF A PROBATIONARY PERIOD On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Alexander Zambetti, Officer Alexander Hubbard, and Officer Thomas Buzzi as regular members of the Torrington Police Department, after successfully completing their probationary period on February 20, 2023. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s report for January 2023. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Borden’s report for January 2023. EMS PROVIDER ACTIVITY REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS provider activity report for January 2023. MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 576 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM March 1, 2023 BUSINESS BY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS On a motion by Commissioner Spino, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. There was no business to be discussed. BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Police Chief Baldwin, Fire Chief Borden, and EMS Manager Jeff Ganung had no updates to provide to the Board. BUSINESS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety. There was no business to be discussed. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner Spino, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK