MINUTES
DARIEN POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 20, 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER
The 2,200th meeting of the Darien Police Commission was held on the above mentioned date at Police Headquarters. Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Harrel, Commissioner Santarella, Chief Lovello, Lt. Osborne, and Jan Lesko (Commission Recording Secretary) were present. The meeting was taped by Channel 79. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Harrel motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting held on January 6, 2010, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:02 PM.
3. DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY
a. The annual Use of Force analysis for 2009 was reviewed. This report is required for the Department’s certification. There were four incidents, all of which involved alcohol. This is a reduction from the incidents reported in 2008.
b. Since the last Commission meeting there has been no unusual police activity.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a. A letter from a retired Belgium police officer commending the Darien Police Department and its website was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Police Department Building Project
A Building Committee meeting was held today at 3:00 PM at the request of First Selectman Campbell for the purpose of familiarizing the new members of the committee on the status of the building project. Also discussed were savings that would be realized if the project were to be re-bid soon, before construction costs begin to rise again. Commissioner Harrel noted that a late spring/early summer on the project would cause the least disruption for the operations of the Police Department.
2010/2011 Budget
Chief Lovello will be appearing before the Board of Selectmen on Saturday, January 22nd for his Performance Measures presentation. The proposed Department budget will be presented to the Board of Selectmen on February 1st.
False Alarm Fund
A request to purchase two mobile radios using funds from the False Alarm account was tabled until the next Police Commission meeting. Chief Lovello did request $1,300 to cover tuition costs to send two officers to a 3-day Vehicle Stops Instructor School being conducted at Westport Police Department in April. Commissioner Harrel motioned to approve the use of $1,300 from the False Alarm account to be used to send two officers to the Vehicle Stops Instructor School in April, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:15 PM.
Update on Entry Level Candidates
Christopher Jimenez has accepted the Department’s offer of employment as a probationary police officer and is scheduled to start at the Police Academy on February 19th. The background investigation has been successfully completed on candidate Theodore Garbera. Chief Lovello will be seeking approval from the Board of Selectmen on January 25th to hire Candidate Garbera in anticipation of Officer Knight’s retirement in order to retain the Academy seat the Department has acquired.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Traffic Issues
No Right Turn on Red at Camp Avenue/Hoyt Street
The Commission reviewed a letter written by Lt. Anderson to the Conn. Dept. of Transportation requesting the installation of ‘No Right Turn on Red’ signage at the intersection of Camp Avenue and Hoyt Street. Also requested are additional lane markings and signage at this location.
Leroy Avenue/Middlesex Road
A traffic report from Lt. Anderson regarding the Leroy Avenue/Middlesex Road intersection was discussed. Traffic counters showed a significant volume of traffic passing through this area. Having monitored the intersection on several occasions, Lt. Anderson requested that the Police Commission consider the installation of a stop sign at the east apex of Frate Park on Leroy Avenue. Residents have requested that the sidewalk on the westbound side of Leroy Avenue adjacent to Frate Park be extended. The current sidewalk stops approximately 25 feet north of the Leroy Avenue/Middlesex Road intersection. Although costly, extending the sidewalk up to High School Lane would be a safety enhancement for pedestrians.
Commissioner Johnson motioned to approve the installation of a stop sign at the east apex of Frate Park on Leroy Avenue, and to request that Department of Public Works looks into the sidewalk situation, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:22 PM.
Retirement Request
The Commission received a request for retirement from Officer Christopher Knight, with his last day worked being April 1, 2010. Commissioner Johnson motioned to accept Officer Knight’s request for retirement, expressed appreciation for his dedicated service to this Department and to the Town, and wished him the best in his future endeavors, seconded by Commissioner Harrel. All were in favor. The time was 5:28 PM.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson to enter Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:30 PM.
Commissioner Harrel motioned to reconvene in Public Session, seconded by Commissioner Santarella. All were in favor. The time was 5:43 PM.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to be considered, Commissioner Johnson motioned to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Harrel. All were in favor. The time was 5:45 PM.
Jan Lesko, Recording Secretary