CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING – 03/25/08
6:30 P.M.
Present: James McKenna, Victor Muschell, Mary Jane Gryniuk, Marie Soliani,
Ken Edwards, Rick DallaValle, John Ciesco, Jim Reginatto, Thomas
Telman, Stephanie Lauer.
Absent: Michael NeJaime, Gerry Zordan
Others Present: Corporation Counsel Weaver, Members of the Public
Chairman McKenna opened the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Minutes of the Special Meeting of March 11, 2008 were unanimously approved. Mr. McKenna, Ms. Lauer, and Mr. Telman abstained.
Fire Chief John Field addressed the Commission relative to the changes he had requested that we consider in the Charter. In regard to the change of name to “Torrington Department of Fire/Rescue Services, the Chief handed out a packet showing summaries of Incidents responded to by the Fire Department from 1996 through 2007. He explained what some of the designations were and noted that the incidences of fires had decreased over the years. He felt that by changing the name that the public would then know what services the Department offered.
Chief Field was questioned as to whether this was something that meant that the Fire Department was going to try to take over the ambulance services, and he said that he definitely was not interested in doing that. He noted that last year they did have 67 assists to Campion Ambulance.
There were numerous questions asked of the Chief regarding the proposal that the department have one chief. Members felt that addressing the volunteer departments might not be something that should come under the charter, and further, whether we could change the hierarchy that included the volunteers. Chief Field noted that there were huge liabilities issues as well as issues on responses, etc.
Mr. Muschell spoke in regard to the genesis of the volunteers, and also that there was a contract between the volunteers and the City, and that the volunteers could be legislated right out of business. Chief Field said that was not the intent at all, that they were very valuable to the city in a cost-effective manner.
Rick DallaValle felt that these issues needed to be addressed by a co-ordination committee and that we should not change the charter to control the volunteer fire departments. It was also the feeling of most of the members that this was a contract issue and should be worked out between the parties involved.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero then spoke on the revised proposal number one, noting that currently there are 85 people who have various terms on the City Boards and Agencies and wondered if term limits were going to be addressed for all of them. He noted that there are no term limits for the City Clerk’s office as that is set by State Stature.
Mr. James Marinelli and Mr. Raymond Mascetti brought up the proposal to have the budget go to a binding referendum without the need for petitions, etc. It was explained to both gentlemen that the Commission had deleted this proposal from their list. There followed a rather lengthy discussion on the history of these proposals and the reasons that they were rejected by the Commission. Mr. Mascetti noted that 72 towns have a right to vote on the budget.
There was a discussion again on the merits of changing the Board of Public Safety from elected to appointed. Some of the opinions offered included that the duties now set forth for the Board of Public Safety be given to the City Council. Others included that by doing away with that Board, we could get people who know what they are doing, which led to a discussion about who decides what the criteria was for “people who know what they are doing.” Marie Soliani also asked how we would assure that the Mayor doesn’t appoint someone who is not qualified.
The discussion of this matter continued with points being brought forth and opinions offered as to morale of the Chiefs and the rank and file, fear of recrimination by some of the members of these Departments by members of the Board of Public Safety, what the powers and duties of an appointed Board would be, would this be added to the Mayor’s duties, etc., etc. The question was also asked as to what would happen if the Board of Public Safety happens to be functioning well as opposed to the current situation.
A short discussion followed regarding the duties of constables and whether that should also become an appointed position.
Corporation Counsel noted that we have changed our meeting dates to the second and fourth Tuesdays, with our next meeting scheduled for April 8th. The next Public Hearing on proposed changes would be held at the end of May.
Upon Motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Gryniuk, Secretary
Approved ________________________
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