Board of Public Safety

Approved by the Board of Public Safety MINUTES March 5, 2025 Vol. 7, Page 629 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom February 5, 2025 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Attendance was in person and by Zoom. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Commissioners Tylar Young, Joe McElroy, Glenn McLeod, and Darlene Battle, Police Chief William Baldwin, Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown, Fire Chief Eric Borden, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Trinity Health EMS Manager Jeff Ganung, and Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora. Also present were Torringford Volunteer Commissioners James Potter and Drakeville Lieutenant Chris Beyus. Commissioner Gregg Cogswell joined via Zoom. Commissioner Doug Benedetto was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Police Department Award Ceremony Trooper Sierra Thibault from Troop L and Officer Kelly Shimo from the West Hartford Police Department received the Lifesaving Medal. Officer Daniel Stevens and Officer Vincent Powell received the Lifesaving Medal. Civilians Robert Undari, Dean Dibecelle, and Anthony Maraia were also recognized. Commissioner Battle arrived at 6:45 p.m. The meeting was called into recess at 6:50 p.m. The meeting was reopened at 6:55 p.m. Public Comment On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the public wished to speak. Accept Minutes On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from January 8, 2025. Executive Session On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to enter into an executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §1-200(6)(a) regarding personnel promotions, inviting Fire Chief Borden, and Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp at 6:57 p.m. Open Session On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to go into open session at 7:10 p.m. Vote – Fire Department Personnel On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to promote Firefighter Elliot Bickford to Front Line Driver effective February 9, 2025. Mayor Carbone said there will be an official pinning at the March 5th meeting. Facilities Presentation On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board unanimously voted to discuss a presentation by Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora on the condition of the Police Department, Fire Department Headquarters, and North End Fire Station. The reports, completed by Silver/Petrucelli & Associates, highlighted urgent repairs and associated costs: • Police Department: $680,231 • Fire Department Headquarters: $704,428 • North End Fire Station: Approximately $2,000,000 for the whole building. Commissioner McElroy inquired whether the city was considering replacing any buildings or relocating. Mr. Sykora explained that they are exploring a combined public safety complex, with the facility condition reports serving as the first step in evaluating needs. Mayor Carbone stressed the importance of planning and noted that last May, Chief Baldwin, and Chief Borden attended a conference on public safety complexes. She has since reached out to Ed Arum, Co-Chair of the high school building committee, to determine the initial steps for structuring a new facility. A proposal to establish a Building Committee followed by a Site Selection Committee will be presented at next month’s meeting. Mr. Sykora noted that identifying each department’s needs will be critical for site development. Mayor Carbone projected the project to be within the next five years, but planning must start now, incorporating input from Police, Fire, and EMS personnel. MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 630 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom February 5, 2025 Commissioner McElroy asked if anyone had toured a Connecticut Combined Safety Complex. Chief Baldwin responded that they visited Hartford’s facility, which is already inadequate due to insufficient storage, poorly designed dorms, and evolving state requirements. Mr. Sykora added that their goal is to "do it right the first time" and ensure room for future expansion. Mayor Carbone informed the Board that the Building Committee will consist of representatives from the Board of Public Safety, City Council, Fire and Police Departments, Facilities Manager, and members of the public. Police Department UTV Add On On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to approve additional items for the 2025 Polaris Ranger UTV that fall outside of the original RFP #PRX-023- 089XX24, from Chaves Brothers Management, LLC of Boca Raton, FL in the amount of $8,837.75. The original RFP, approved by the City Council on October 21, 2024, and the Board of Public Safety on November 6, 2024, was $41,426.99. This brings the total purchase amount to $50,264.74. The purchase will be funded through the Opioid Settlement Fund, pending City Council approval. Extension Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment FY 24/25 On a motion by Commissioner McElroy, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board, on the recommendation of Fire Chief Borden, voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract extension of Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the purchase of five (5) sets of PPEs at the price of $3,369.67 per set to Brigham Industries, Inc., of Paxton, MA. The total purchase price will be $16,848.35, pending City Council approval. The purchase will be funded from the Fire Department Capital account, as explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated January 23, 2025. Police Department Reports On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s reports for December 2024. Fire Department Reports On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Borden’s reports for December 2024. EMS Provider Reports On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity reports for December 2024. Business by the Policy Subcommittee On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Board of Safety Policy Subcommittee. Commissioner McLeod informed the Board that the Subcommittee recently held two productive meetings with Chief Baldwin and Chief Borden. He noted that while progress is slow, they are steadily moving forward. He also emphasized the importance of improving communication with the Fire Department and requested additional monthly reports to keep the Board informed. Add by 2/3 vote On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to add by 2/3 vote the request for additional monthly reports. Fire Department Monthly Reports On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to request additional monthly reports from the Fire Department, including a mutual aid/callback report, equipment and apparatus report, and the shift commander reports. Business by Volunteer Fire Departments On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. Drakeville Lieutenant Chris Beyus provided updates from the Department. Business by Department Heads On a motion by Commissioner Battle, 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. MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 631 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom February 5, 2025 Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and Members of the Board of Public Safety. Commissioner Battle congratulated the Officers who received recognition and the Firefighter who got promoted. Commissioner McLeod congratulated everyone. He asked the Fire Department when the new truck would be delivered, and Deputy Chief Tripp said in May. Commissioner McElroy offered his condolences to Mr. Ganung, a member of the EMS staff, he also congratulated everyone this evening. Adjournment On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK