MINUTES
DARIEN POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 4, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
The 2,196th meeting of the Darien Police Commission was held on the above mentioned date at Police Headquarters. Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Santarella, Chief Lovello, Lt. Anderson, and Jan Lesko (Commission Recording Secretary) were present. Commissioner Harrel monitored the meeting via telephone but did not introduce or vote on any motion. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Johnson motioned and approved the minutes of the special meetings held on October 20 and 21, 2009 and the regular meeting held on October 21, 2009. Commissioner Santarella abstained. The time was 5:02 PM.
3. COMMISSION BUSINESS
Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Harrel and Chief Lovello welcomed Linda Santarella to the Darien Police Commission. Commissioner Santarella was appointed to the Police Commission on November 2, 2009.
Commissioner Johnson took a few moments to express the sincere thanks of the Police Commission and members of the Police Department to Peter Truebner for his extraordinary service while serving on the Commission. Peter Truebner began his service in March 1994 and has served as Commission Secretary since January 2007. He also served as Chairman of the Police Pension Board and the Commission Representative on the Negotiations Committee. Commissioner Johnson stated for the record that Commissioner Truebner will be sorely missed and these sentiments were seconded by Commissioner Harrel, Commissioner Santarella, and Chief Lovello.
Commissioner Johnson nominated Commissioner Robert Harrel for the position of Secretary of the Darien Police Commission, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:10 PM.
4. DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY
a. The Department has obtained arrest warrants for two suspects allegedly responsible for 22 motor vehicle burglaries.
b. There was some mailbox vandalism this past week but otherwise it was a relatively quiet week.
c. Chief Lovello forwarded correspondence to the Town Administrator regarding a donation from the Darien Technology Foundation for the purchase of accident investigation software and equipment. Correspondence was also forwarded regarding the need for a Non-Emergency Interagency Agreement with Stamford and New Canaan.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
a. There was no correspondence to review.
6. OLD BUSINESS
Entry Level Police Officer Candidates
Chief Lovello advised that one entry level candidate has taken and successfully passed the polygraph test. Next week he will be having his psychological examination. Two additional candidates are scheduled to take their polygraph examinations on November 12, 2009.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Traffic Issues
Whole Foods Project
Lt. Anderson reported that to date the Whole Foods project is running smoothly and on schedule.
Middlesex Road/Leroy Avenue
Lt. Anderson reported that residents have requested stop signs as a measure to slow speeding vehicles. An effort is also being made to have the area posted as a School Zone. Lt. Anderson advised that a possible option would be the installation of a stop sign on the southbound side of Leroy Avenue. Speed counters are currently in place. This matter will be re-addressed once we have the necessary data.
Speed Sentries
Chief Lovello advised the Commission of the need for additional speed sentries. Lt. Anderson concurred and stated he has various locations in queue waiting for traffic analyses.
Goodwives River Road
Lt. Anderson reported he received a request for speed bumps from residents of Goodwives River Road. He explained to them that there is a current moratorium on speed bump installations. Also, the topography and sight lines on Goodwives River Road are not conducive to the installation of speed bumps.
Noroton Heights Railroad Lot
Signs and road markings are scheduled to be reinstalled at the Noroton Railroad lot, as they were in years past, to encourage drivers to stay to the right side in their direction of travel. Lt. Anderson will also be checking the timing of the traffic signals on Hollow Tree Ridge Road in the area of the I-95 bridge.
1077 Boston Post Road
Lt. Anderson advised that correspondence was sent to Planning & Zoning regarding concerns over the ownership of the sidewalk at that location. To date he has not received a reply.
SWRPA (Southwestern Regional Planning Agency)
Lt. Anderson will be attending a SWRPA Steering Committee meeting in regards to the Boston Post Road.
False Alarm Fund
Chief Lovello requested approval to use funds from the False Alarm fund for the following Department purchases:
a. An annual subscription to the Crime Reports/Command Central program from crimereports.com. The annual cost is $4296 which reflects a 10% discount. This program will provide the Department with tracking information and live updates, and also allows public access.
b. Field Training Officers program at Roger Williams University for four officers – Sgt. Winn, Officer Hudyma, Officer Benedetto and Officer K. Isaac. The cost for this training is $1440 plus meals and lodging.
c. Equipment and routine supplies for K9 Zulu and handler, Officer Aranzullo. Total cost for this equipment is $576.
d. Tactical Negotiator training for Lt. Osborne. This course covers SWAT Supervision and Command Decision-Making training and is sponsored by the National Tactical Officers Association. Lt. Osborne is the Department’s lead hostage negotiator and this course would be of great benefit. The cost for this training is $685.
Commissioner Johnson motioned to approve the purchase of an annual subscription to crimereports.com (Crime Reports/Command Central program), Field Training Officers program at Roger Williams University for four officers; equipment and supplies for K9 Zulu and Officer Aranzullo, and Tactical Negotiator training for Lt. Osborne, all to be funded by revenue from the False Alarm fund, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:25 PM.
Legal Traffic Authority Certification
Captain Gary Pavia received his Legal Traffic Authority Certification from UConn on October 29, 2009. The Commission extended their congratulations to Captain Pavia for a job well done.
Sacred Heart University Initiative
Citizen satisfaction surveys will be sent out in 3-4 weeks. Two types of surveys will be sent – one pertaining to routine services and one pertaining to arrests and traffic tickets. A sample set of 500-600 persons will be used. Surveys will be returned to Sacred Heart University and they will compile the resulting data.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson to enter Executive Session to discuss ongoing discussions taking place between the Department and the Police Union regarding the Ideal Squad policy and the vacancy created by the retirement of Sgt. Richard LaBella, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:38 PM.
Commissioner Johnson motioned to reconvene in Public Session, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:55 PM.
9. PUBLIC SESSION
The following motion was made by Commissioner Santarella:
Should the Police Union fail to offer a satisfactory resolution to the Ideal Squad
policy prior to November 18, 2009, and in order to comply with the terms and
conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Commission reluctantly
moves to abolish the sergeant’s position formerly held by Sgt. Richard LaBella
effective November 18, 2009.
This motion was seconded by Commission Johnson. All were in favor. The time was 5:56 PM.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to be considered, Commissioner Johnson motioned to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:57 PM.
Jan Lesko, Commission Secretary