Board of Public Safety

Approved by the Board of Public Safety MINUTES September 6, 2023 Vol. 7, Page 591 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM August 2, 2023 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Attendance was in- person and by Zoom. Present at City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Commissioners Molly Spino, Joe McElroy, Doug Benedetto, Glenn McLeod, and Darlene Battle, Fire Chief Eric Borden, Deputy Fire Chief Davi Tripp, Police Chief William Baldwin, Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown, Trinity Health EMS Manager Jeff Ganung, and Torringford VFD Commissioners James Potter, and Gary Delmonte, Drakeville Captain Tomasz Kalinowski. Commissioner Gregg Cogswell was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS On an amended motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board, on the recommendation of Police Chief Baldwin, voted unanimously to promote Officer James Foley to Sergeant, Officer Thomas Connolly to Sergeant, Sergeant Michael D’Autorio to Lieutenant, and Sergeant John Maiga to Lieutenant effective Sunday, August 6, 2023. SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR THE TORRINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANTS Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Jeremy Minard, Torrington Fire Department Lieutenant. Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Daniel Matthews, Torrington Fire Department Lieutenant. SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR THE TORRINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SERGEANTS Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to James Foley, Torrington Police Department Sergeant. Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Thomas Connolly, Torrington Police Department Sergeant. SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR THE TORRINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANTS Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Michael D’Autorio, Torrington Police Department Lieutenant. Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to John Maiga, Torrington Police Department Lieutenant. PUBLIC COMMENT On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. John Lemieux voiced his concerns about the unsafe operation of the Police Department and City vehicles, he said to audit the GPS on the vehicles and to take proper action. He also said that he has information regarding Officer Peter's habit of using excessive force, and has been ignored by the Chief of Police, the Mayor, and was told the Board of Safety is to have no contact with him, he again asked the Board to reach out to him. MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from June 7, 2023. On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Special Meeting Minutes from July 18, 2023. On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Special Meeting Minutes from July 24, 2023. POLICY COMMITTEE FOR BOARD OF SAFETY On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to establish a policy committee for the Board of Safety. Commissioner McLeod said that since he has been on the Board there have been no updates or policies in place for the Board to adhere to. He went on to say that appointing a Committee to look at policies and procedures would be a good idea. Mayor Carbone said that this would establish Board policies, procedures, and responsibilities for the Board to follow. It would be a Subcommittee of the Board of Safety that would work with the Corporation Counsel and the Chiefs to establish the guidelines for the Board to follow. Commissioner McLeod agreed with the Mayor saying that he likes the idea of being consistent with what the Board does. Mayor Carbone told the Board that she will have a schedule of meetings and a proposal for the Subcommittee members for September’s Safety Meeting. MANAGEMENT & REPORTING SOFTWARE SERVICES – TFD On a motion by Commissioner Spino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board, on the recommendation of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and the Purchasing Agent, voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer the purchase of Management and Reporting Software Services for the Torrington Fire Department from Locality Media dba First Due of Garden City, NY in the amount of $33,950. These services will be funded through the Fire Department Software GL Account, this is pending City Council MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 592 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM August 2, 2023 approval and is further explained in a letter from the Purchasing Agent dated July 27, 2023. Commissioner McLeod asked why they picked this company, Chief Borden explained that it meets the needs of the Fire Department now and in the future. Commissioner Benedetto asked if any other Departments in the City used this software, Chief Borden told him no, that it was specific to the Fire Departments. ADD TO AGENDA On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to add by a 2/3 vote the purchase of a Canine Officer. PATROL CANINE – TPD On an amended motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to waive the City’s Procurement Process requiring three quotes for purchases under $10,000 and authorize the Purchasing Agent and Police Chief to utilize the State’s Procurement Rules under General Letter Number 71 which allows for the direct purchase, without obtaining competitive quotations or bids, for the purchase of law enforcement service dogs and to enter into an agreement with Norbert Safko of Summitville, NY, for the purchase of a Patrol Canine for $9,500 as outlined in Norbert Safko quote dated July 24, 2023. Contingent on City Councils' approval. Chief Baldwin explained how Mr. Safko was highly recommended by the State Police as the best person to buy this dog from. Mr. Safko matches the best canine with the right Officer. He went on to say that the dog will be under warranty if anything should happen with the dog throughout training. Commissioner Benedetto added that he would love to see the Police Department rescue a dog from the Pound. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s reports for May and June 2023. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Borden’s reports for May and June 2023. EMS PROVIDER ACTIVITY REPORT: APPROVED On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS provider activity reports for May and June 2023. Commissioner Benedetto asked if the new ambulance was in service, EMS Manager Jeff Ganung said they do have a third ambulance in service seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and that it is an Advanced Life Support ambulance, making three for the City. BUSINESS BY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. Drakeville Captain Tomasz Kalinowski provided the Board with an update on the recruitment and training efforts for Drakeville. Commissioner Benedetto asked how many active members there were, and Captain Kalinowski told him Drakeville currently has 12 active members. Torringford VFD Commissioner James Potter said that recruitment efforts are ongoing for the Department. He also said that the car show is Friday, August 4, 2023, and if there is bad weather it will be moved to Friday, August 11, 2023. Commissioner Benedetto asked how many active members there were, Commissioner Potter told him that they have 12 – 13 active members. BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, 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. The Commissioners Congratulated the newly promoted Lieutenants and Sergeants for the Torrington Fire and Police Departments. They also thanked the Police Department for the National Night Out and said how successful it was. Commissioner Benedetto asked the Fire Department since they are working on upgrading the radio system, if they have a plan to communicate with LCD, Deputy Chief Tripp said that they are planning on using a patch to be able to communicate with LCD. Mayor Carbone thanked the Board of Safety for being so flexible to accommodate all the Special Meetings this past month. MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 593 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM August 2, 2023 ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Spino, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK