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Health Welfare and Public
Safety Committee Actions
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CITY OF NORWALK
HEALTH, WELFARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Michael Geake, Chairman; Laurel Lindstrom; Steven Serasis; Nicholas Kydes (by phone)
STAFF: Tim Callahan, Director, Norwalk Health Department;
Chief Dennis McCarthy
OTHERS: Frank Favano; Norwalk Police Officer
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Geake called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 28, 2008
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO TABLE THE MINUTES TO THE NEXT MEETING
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
FIRE DEPARTMENT
2009 EMPG PROGRAM
Chief McCarthy explained the request. He said that to receive the funds they need to meet certain criteria, which they do.
** MR. KYDES MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2009 EMPG PROGRAM
Mr. Geake asked that the amount and any cost to the City be provided to the Common Council. Mr. Callahan explained that he tries to leave it as a contract for a period of time. Many times they have received more finding than indicated. Chief McCarthy added that the State may send more. If they put in an exact amount it may not be accurate. Mr. Geake suggested using the wording “anticipated to be”.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MS. LINDSTROM)
POLICE DEPARTMENT
FIREARMS PURCHASE
Mr. Favano explained the item. He said that they are looking for authorization to purchase firearms. The existing ones are 10 years old. The funding to purchase the new firearms will be taken from the capital budget and has been approved by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Favano said that the other request is for holsters for the guns. This will go out to bid and the vendor will be named. This request has also been approved by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Serasis asked if the Police Department was going to request funding for tasers. Police Officer said that about 7/8 of the Patrol division is covered with tasers. They have made arrangements for all new hires to get tasers. Mr. Serasis asked how many tasers were close to their life span. He was told that it was hard to tell. They had more problems with the battery pack, but they expect the tasers to last 10 years. Mr. Serasis said that it is important for all of the Officers to have tasers.
Mr. Kydes asked why they were going to a single source. Mr. Favano said that this will reduce the cost of training. Mr. Kydes recommended that they bring this up to the Common Council, and anticipate certain questions being brought to the floor. He also suggested that they create a cost benefit analysis.
The Police Officer said that the guns have been good. Some people favored a Glock, but that would have taken two days of training, rather than 4 hours of training at $50.00 an hour. Ms. Lindstrom requested back up numbers as well as comparative prices so that she can get a sense that they are not spending an outrageous amount.
Mr. Geake said that it is a problem that the vendor for the holsters will be named later. Mr. Callahan said that it will delay the whole process if they have to come back for that. Mr. Favano said that Mr. Foley was comfortable with going out to bid tomorrow.
Mr. Geake asked why they needed new holsters. The Police Officer said that they were 11 years old and the new guns have a different frame configuration.
** MR. SERASIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE FIREARM PURCHASE
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MS. LINDSTROM)
OLD BUSINESS
NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE
Mr. Geake said that Rev. Bolden asked him to put this item on the agenda this evening. Mr. Callahan said that they have no jurisdiction over this issue. There is a clogged drain pipe there.
** MR. GEAKE MOVED TO TABLE THIS ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
FAA FLIGHT PLAN CHANGE
Mr. Geake said that Mayor Moccia asked him to co-chair a committee to address this issue. He distributed maps showing the change in flight plan, pointing out that it comes across Norwalk.
Mr. Kydes said that he personally noticed an increase in air traffic over his neighborhood and the Cranberry area in the late morning and early afternoon, up to 6:00 p.m. He also noted that there are a lot of low flying corporate jets. Mr. Geake said that he has noticed more flights coming over the Sound towards LaGuardia.
Mr. Geake said that this item was on the agenda for information only. He said that the Mayor is supposed to put out a press release and wants this to be a bi-partisan effort.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no members of the public present this evening.
** MR. SERASIS MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MR. KYDES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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