MINUTES
DARIEN POLICE COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 21, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
The 2,198th meeting of the Darien Police Commission was held on the above mentioned date at Police Headquarters. Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Harrel, Commissioner Santarella, Chief Lovello, Sgt. Cirillo, and Jan Lesko (Commission Recording Secretary) were present. Also present was Jim Cameron of TV79 who was recording the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Santarella motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting held on December 2, 2009, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Commissioner Harrel abstained. The time was 5:02 PM.
3. DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY
a. Five arrests have been made in connection with the recent home invasion on Bailey Avenue.
b. The number of motor vehicle burglaries has greatly diminished recently.
c. The Department is experiencing a number of prank calls on the Underage Drinking Tipline. The message has been changed to advise callers that while serious tips will remain anonymous, prank calls will be dealt with accordingly.
d. Replacement of the communications console will be starting soon.
e. Lt. Bussell has returned to full-duty status. Officer Ehret will require surgery after being injured on duty.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a. No new correspondence was received. The Commission did review a letter from Lt. Anderson to ConnDOT rescinding the Commission’s request for No Through Trucks on Hollow Tree Ridge Road as discussed at the previous Commission meeting.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Police Department Building Project
Chief Lovello advised that letters were sent to the Building Department to extend the building permits should the project move forward.
First Selectman David Campbell and Selectpersons Jerry Nielsen and Jayme Stevenson were given a tour of the Police Department building today.
Commissioner Johnson noted that the original bid for the building project came in at $1 million under budget and that the Town has already invested $1 million in this project. Commissioner Harrel noted that this delay should be costed out as the costs of repairs and maintenance to the present building are increasing. The Commission plans to attend meetings of the Financial Strategic Planning Committee and the Board of Selectmen after the start of the new year.
2010/2011 Budget
Chief Lovello advised the Commission on the progress of the Department’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2010/11. The following items were noted:
· The current working contract for the police union expires June 30, 2010. Accordingly, salaries for officers covered by the CBA will remain the same pending a new agreement.
· Commodities projections received from the Finance Department show an increase in heating oil and gasoline.
· Fees for state permits have all increased (i.e. elevator).
· Last year the Uniform account was drastically reduced with the knowledge that such a reduction would not be sustainable in upcoming years. The Uniform account needs to be increased.
· As with the Uniform account, the Vehicle account was also reduced last year with the understanding this would not be sustainable in upcoming years. The Department is looking at a device called IdleRight which should cut down on some of the idle hours on patrol vehicles.
· The Training account has historically been underfunded. This account needs to be increased.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Traffic Issues
Healthy Sandwich Shop at 205 Boston Post Road
A traffic report from Adler Consulting was reviewed in regards to a proposed drive-through “healthy sandwich shop” at 205 Boston Post Road. Also reviewed was a report with recommendations from Lt. Anderson of this Department regarding this project. Of particular concern is the possibility of traffic queuing onto Richmond Drive and also the impact of traffic on the Post Road. A motion was by Commissioner Harrel that the Police Commission, as the Town’s Legal Traffic Authority, mandate that traffic queuing related to this proposed business cannot occur on Richmond Drive at any time during business hours and that the applicant, as a condition of any approval, be required to take any and all necessary corrective steps to alleviate on-street queuing if it occurs with regularity after the proposed business opens. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:31 PM.
False Alarm Fund
Chief Lovello requested approval to use funds from the False Alarm fund for electrical work needed for Marine I winter docking. Since 9/11 the police boat has remained in the water year round. There is no shore power at the Darien Boat Club where Marine I is docked. During the winter months agitators need to run to keep the boat free of ice. The boat club will assist with the installation of the needed electrical work. A total of $4,487 is needed to place shore power on the police slip.
Commissioner Harrel motioned to approve the use of $4,487 from the False Alarm account to be used to place shore power on the police slip at the Darien Boat Club, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. All were in favor. The time was 5:36 PM.
Swearing-In Ceremony
On December 30, 2009 at 5:00 PM at Police headquarters James Palmieri will be sworn in as a probationary patrol officer.
Update on Entry Level Candidates
Entry level candidates Theodore Garbera and Christopher Jimenez have thus far completed the testing process successfully. Background checks are currently being conducted on both candidates.
7. 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 5:45 PM.
Jan Lesko, Recording Secretary