Board of Public Safety

Approved by the Board of Public Safety MINUTES April 2, 2025 Vol. 7, Page 632 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 5, 2025 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Attendance was in person and by Zoom. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Commissioners Tylar Young, Joe McElroy, Doub Benedetto, Gregg Cogswell, and Glenn McLeod, Police Chief William Baldwin, Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown, Fire Chief Eric Borden, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, and Trinity Health EMS Manager Jeff Ganung. No one joined via Zoom. Commissioner Darlene Battle was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Swearing In Ceremony for The Fire Department Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Elliot Bickford, Torrington Fire Department Front Line Driver. Public Comment On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, 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 Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from February 5, 2025. Commissioner Benedetto abstained. Five-Year Plan for Police Department On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Young, the Board voted unanimously to open discussion on the five-year plan for the Police Department. Commissioner McLeod told the Board these are a discussion in progress with the Policy Subcommittee. Commissioner McElroy told the Board the Subcommittee is currently reviewing the plans. Mayor Carbone reminded the Commissioners that once something is presented to the Board it's open for discussion by the Board. Five-Year Plan for Fire Department On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to open discussion on the five-year plan for the Fire Department. Commissioner McElroy questioned whether Chief Borden only had bullet points because a full plan was not yet developed. Chief Borden explained that an outside agency creates the plan, which will take several months to complete, and that the current document is just a summary of the larger project. Mayor Carbone emphasized that once the full Board receives the plan, it becomes a Board-wide discussion. She suggested selecting one or two goals for further development. Commissioner McLeod noted that this overlaps with the Policy Subcommittee's work. Commissioner Benedetto asked if the full report would take until the end of 2025. Chief Borden confirmed that work remains, including sending surveys and selecting an outside company for the process. Mayor Carbone requested the Board's agreement to refer these five-year plans to the Policy Subcommittee. Commissioner McLeod stated that the next Subcommittee meeting would focus on reviewing these plans. Police Department Reports On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s reports for January 2025. Fire Department Reports On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Borden’s reports for January 2025. Commissioner Benedetto asked about the expected arrival date of the new truck, and Chief Borden confirmed it is scheduled for May. Commissioner McLeod thanked the Chiefs for providing additional reports in their packet but pointed out the absence of shift commander notes. Deputy Chief Tripp explained that shift commanders meet daily to review expectations, which is why separate notes were not included. Commissioner McLeod also asked about the installation timeline for the extractor. Deputy Chief Tripp stated that it is planned for the third week of March. EMS Provider Reports On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity reports for January 2025. TABLED: Business by the Policy Subcommittee On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to table business by the Board of Safety Policy Subcommittee. Commissioner McLeod told the Board the Subcommittee has had a couple of meetings, they are currently working on three different policies for the next meeting. He said both Chiefs have been attending, and they have had good discussions. MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 633 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 5, 2025 TABLED: Business by Volunteer Fire Departments On a motion by Commissioner Cogswell, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. Business by Department Heads On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Young, 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. Commissioner Cogswell asked if other towns have paid for certified officers, Chief Baldwin said there was one occasion the Department did not receive reimbursement. Mayor Carbone added there have been two recent cases where the City received reimbursement for a certified officer. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and Members of the Board of Public Safety. Commissioner Benedetto said a Cops vs. Kids basketball game at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2025, at Torringford School. Mayor Carbone informed the Board that they are proceeding with a feasibility study for the Safety Complex following the presentation of the Facilities Conditions reports at the last meeting. She stated that Chief Baldwin, Chief Borden, Captain Krzanowski, and Ed Arum met to discuss the next steps. Mr. Arum recommended five architects for the City to consider for the study. These architects would work with the Police and Fire Departments to assess their needs. Mayor Carbone emphasized that while this is still an early stage in the process, progress is being made. Adjournment On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McElroy, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK