Board of Public Safety

Board of Public Safety MINUTES May 3, 2023 Vol. 7, Page 577 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM April 5, 2023 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Attendance was in- person and by Zoom. Present at City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Commissioners Molly Spino, Joseph McElroy, Doug Benedetto, Glenn McLeod, and Darlene Battle, Fire Chief Eric Borden, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Police Chief William Baldwin, Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown, Trinity Health EMS Manager Jeff Ganung, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, and Torringford VFD Commissioners Scott Mills and Gary Delmonte. Joining via Zoom were Comptroller Robin Stanziale, and Drakeville Fire Chief Mike Whittaker. Commissioner Gregg Cogswell was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the Public wished to speak. MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from March 1, 2023. Commissioner Benedetto abstained. COMPLETION OF A PROBATIONARY PERIOD On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Audrey Stepp as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department, after successfully completing her probationary period effective March 26, 2023. RESCUE PUMPER On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to utilize Sourcewell Supplier Contract #113021-RVG-1 for the purchase of one E-One Rescue Pumper for the Torrington Fire Department, in the amount of $660,000, from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, LLC of North Attleborough, MA to be paid from the Vehicle Replacement Fund, pending City Council and Board of Finance approval. Deputy Chief Tripp explained to the Board this is a two-year process, and the truck should be ready by June 2024. He went on to say that the Truck will be completely paid for in the FY 24/25 Budget. Commissioner Benedetto asked if this truck had an upgraded engine because the last truck purchased had issues handling the hills, Deputy Chief Tripp told him he wasn’t sure if it was a different engine. TFD SUV On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to table the Torrington Fire Department SUV, as it is already part of the Vehicle Replacement Plan. TFD PURCHASE RESCUE TOOLS On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to utilize the procurement process from NPP GOV (membership #M-5698164), contract #PS20035, to purchase Holmatro battery-operated rescue tools for the Torrington Fire Department, in the amount of $157,325.70 from MES/Shipman’s, of Waterford, CT. Ninety percent (90%) of these funds will be reimbursed by FEMA under the awarded Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), and the remaining 10% from the Fire Department Capital Reserve Funds, pending City Council approval. Mayor Carbone added that the Purchasing Agent wanted to assure the Board that while this procurement process is a little different, it is still compliant with the City. Commissioner McElroy asked if the Fire Department had any battery-operated tools yet, and Deputy Fire Chief Tripp told him that these will be the department’s first. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s report for February 2023. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Borden’s report for February 2023. Commissioner Benedetto shared his concerns regarding the EMS call on March 8, 2023, where the Fire Department responded to South Main St, and then received a structure fire call, he wanted to know what plan was in place if these situations arose. Fire Chief Borden assured him that when Trinity Ambulance arrives on the scene the Fire Department transfers care, then will respond to the working incident. He said that in the time it takes the second engine to arrive on the scene that they would just change the tactical approach until everyone arrives. He went on to say that you cannot predict the calls that will come in, and if the Fire Department can respond to an EMS call, they will. Commissioner McElroy wanted to know the number of calls from last year, he believes that the Fire Department should be increasing its personnel with the number of incidents that are coming in. Mayor Carbone let the Board know that at the May meeting, there will be a presentation from the Fire Department regarding the EMS calls that they have gone on, and the difference between a medical assistance call and an EMS call. She also said that the contract with Trinity is going to expire in May and that there will be a presentation with different options for the City to choose from. MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 578 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM April 5, 2023 EMS PROVIDER ACTIVITY REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS provider activity report for February 2023. Commissioner McElroy asked how many ambulances are in the City at once, and Mr. Ganung said three ambulances with a supervisor’s car. Commissioner McElroy also asked for a City with an estimated 35,000 population and how many ambulances there should be, Mr. Ganung said that an additional 12-hour ambulance would help Trinity not pass calls to other towns. BUSINESS BY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. Torringford VFD Commissioner Gary Delmonte let the board know that they received their new air packs, he also said that they are sending out a flyer looking for more volunteers. Drakeville Fire Chief Mike Whittaker said that they are continuing to work with FEMA to purchase equipment, he also said that the department had sent out a fundraising letter and asked for members. BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Police Chief Baldwin, Fire Chief Borden, and EMS Manager Jeff Ganung gave the latest updates from their departments. BUSINESS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety. Commissioner McElroy commended the Fire Department for the way they handled the structure fires and Police Department for apprehending the individual on Spencer Road. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Chief Baldwin reviewed the Police Headquarters budget, which is a 3.71% increase over last year, the Animal Control budget which is an 8.4% increase over last year, and the Traffic budget which is a 6% increase over last year. Currently, they are looking to hire another full-time Animal Control Officer to stagger shifts. The Traffic increase comes from building maintenance and the increase in electricity costs. He went on to say that overall, for the three budgets, it is a 4% increase over last year. Mayor Carbone did let the Board know that the 4% increase does not include any wage increases, and the Police Union is just beginning negotiations. Chief Baldwin went on to say that the Emergency Management budget increase is due to budgeting for Everbridge, the Alert System that the City uses. He did say that some of the funds are reimbursable through the EMPG grant. FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Chief Borden reviewed the budget for the Fire Department, he said that the cost of physical exams has gone up and mentioned purchasing new equipment this year. Deputy Chief Tripp went over in detail the largest reduction which is the Capital Reserve Line. He explained that starting next year they will be purchasing additional gear, so every firefighter will have two sets, he also said that the department will begin putting funds away to purchase a new air compressor. Mayor Carbone talked about budgeting for building repairs and how they separated what the Department is responsible for and the City is responsible for. Commissioner McLeod asked if it was necessary to have three Fire Marshalls since the number of fires has decreased, Chief Borden explained that not only do they investigate fires, but they also inspect 3 family and above homes, and all commercial buildings in the area. Chief Borden also talked about the Volunteers budget and how it decreased due to a lack of personnel. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK