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1964/10/13Minutes of the Meeting October 13, 1964 T(~N 0~ BERLI~ OFFICE OF T~E SELECTMEN The meeting opened at 7~30 p.m. with the three Selectmen present. Minutes of the meeting of September 28, 1964 were accepted as written. Mr. Powers read letter from Dr. Robert Sultar, Chairman of the Committee for the Aging, in which he states that though this is premature, when and if a C_~unity Center is established consideration be given to the aged. Mr. Blackburn proposed names of William Clark and Jack Badera as alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Powers advised that Captain William Gruber, Executive Director of the Co_n_~ecticut State Safety C~ssion will speak at the Joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Police Commission, Safety Cc~mittee, and representatives of the Student Council. This meeting was called by the Board of Selectmen to discuss the various methods of maintaining safety in our c~unity. In executive session, the Board met with ~essrs. Blake, Dennehy, Bergstrom, Gurskis, Greco, and McCain of the Park & Recreation Committee, and Morgan Seelye, Director of Public Works to discuss the Town's ~creational program. Mr. Dennehy advised that at present there are three different groups who are trying to convince the Mar]ory Moore Fund Cca~aittee of the need for a Peol~ the Town, the Lion's Club, and the League of Women Voters. The Town has been thinking in terms of a Recreational Area for well over two years now, and the Lion's Club would like the Moore Fund to rebuild their pool on Norton Road. The League of Women Voters has never met with the Park & Recreation C~ttee so it is uncertain what they might want. Mr. Powers advised the group that the Conservation Commission has almost reached the point where only the signatures are needed to close the deal on an option of prime land, suitable for a recreational area. This land, o£f Southington Road, would be an ideal location for the type pool the Park a Recreation Committee suggested about two years ago. In discussing the survey with the MarJory N~ore Fund Cc~mittee, Mr. Powers has been assured that the Town's request will be given consideration. Mr. Dennehy advised that his Committee was meeting soon with the Lion's Club. ~ Mr. Powers suggested that the Moore Fund should be told to hold off making any decisions until we find out about the land deal the Conservation C~ission is working on. Minutes of the Meeting -2- October 13, 1964 It was agreed that in the very near future a meet~ be set up with the Board of Selectmen, the Park & Recreation C~muittee, and the Marjorie Moore Fund Committee. Mr. McCain described in detail the need for a new pool. It is his opinion that the present pool on Norton Road should be maintained as a family pool but that a new pool would serve a double purpose. All members of the Park & Recr~ion Committee and the Board of Selectmen are in accord in their feeling as to what is most practical for the Town and th~ will request it of the Moore Fund. Due to the danger inVolved in reaching Hungerford Park the Park & Recreation Committee is not interested in developing any- thing there but would rather develop areas in Town. It was agreed that in the future no softball league team can use any field in Town for l~ractice without first clearing use of it with the Park & Recreation Committee. Hr. Dennehy and Hr. Seelye will work together in obtaining prices for leveling off the Griswold Field. Gravel which is due the Town from Genoni may be used on this field. The meeting adjourned at 8t15 p.m. to allow Belectmen to meet with the Fire Department Officials and the Police Connission. cc~ A. B. Powers J. P. Lanzoni J. Blackburn Minutes of the Meeting OctOber 13, 1964 OFFXCE OF T~E SErmCTMEN At the request of the officials of the four Fire Departments, the Board of Selectmen met Jointly with the Chairma~ o~ the Police Co~ssion, WilliamMcKeon, Police Cmissioner S. Sam Valente, and officials of the Fire Departments, Anthony M. Rosso, Joseph Stankievitz, Charles Scheer, Chester Haber, Arthur France, Bill Skene, David Maule, Nocholas DiMaggio, Louis J. Prior, George J. Jedzini~, Bruno Ro~egialli, George Skene, ~r.,and Leno Corvi, at the Kensington Fire House. ~r. Rosso opened the meeting advising that there were a few questions firemen would like answered to promote better understanding between the Police Department and the Fire Departments. It was thought that Town Officials would like to knowwhat takes place at Joint meetings of Fire Officials and they had requested the Board of Select~en and Police Co~mission members to attend, thus avoiding any cross-firing. Mr. DiMaggio stated that at a past meeting the Police Cosneissionhad assured the Fire Department Officials of complete cooperation between the two departments. This cooperation was evident for a few weeks, but as ~:~me passed the Police Department became a little bit lax in their coop- eration. Mr. D//4ag~io related that at a recent major fire on Lower Lane it was requested that the Police Department patrol the area to keep the road open in case it became necessary for the Fire Departments to go in or out and to discourage sight-seers. Firemen asked Headquarters to request the Police Department of this and they were told by the Sergeant in charge to put on our Fire Police. Our Fire Police should not be asked to do this duty. We only protect the property at the scene. Mr. McKeon advised Mr. DiMaggio that this, doing traffic duty, was .the intent at the time that the Fire Police were appointed. Mr. Rosso stated that the intention of the Fire Police was that when Fire Police were first started their main purpose was that they would go to the home and check it out and board it up and then if a regular police officerhad not come on the scene they would do duty until the regular police could, or until they arrived at the scene. Mr. McKeon stated that most of the time the ~olice cru~,~ is the first one on the scene and they see if there is anyone involved in the fire who needs help and then when the Fire Departments come they are to take over the traffic duties. There was never anything ever said about '.-~.~oing to a house and blocking the doors. Mr. Rosso stated the thing originally started because there were many people going into the homes who did not belong there so the firemen wanted Fire Police for this purpose. Minutes of the Meeting -2- October 13, 1964 ~ Mr. McKeon reiterated that to his~owledge, and he has been a member of the Police Co~mission for nine years, this was not the intent and he is quite certain past m/nutes of the Police Commission will sub- stantiate this. If the cruiser was needed, a regular policemanwould be there to assist the Fire Police. Mr.~McKeon questionedwhat sergeant was in charge at this particular fire on Lower Lane. Mr. DiMaggio answered that Sergeant Skinner told them to put on Fire Police. Mr. DIMaggio related that this fire on Lower Lane was a major fire and the fire~en had their Jobs to do. Fire equipment had to be picked up and he requested that the Police Department keep these roads opened up in the event firemen had to go in again. Sergeant Skinner stated he could not call in a supernumery policeman. Mr. DiMaggio emphasized that it is not the place of the Fire Police to be on the road. Mr. ~-Keon stated that this was the intent that the badges were given to the Fire Police in the first place. Mr. DiMaggiowas not aware that the Fire Police had badges since the men in the Berlin Fire Department do not have them. Mr. Rosso clarified this and said all Fire Police should have them and they are chasedby the Fire Departments themselves. Mr. D/~aggio stated that his department (Berlin) would not put a man on to do traffic duty. Their manpower answers only the emergency, and continued that at the fire at the Jolly Fisherman he also requested both the State and Local Police for help but they sat is their cars, five cruisers, and no help was given to them. Offi~s Gerdis and Grazious were at this fire. Mr. DiMaggio concluded that in the event that the siren went off right now and knowing that East Berlin and Berlin have to c~e over to th~s end of Town, even if the cruisers were here you wouldn't find one at Upson's corner to open up the road for the fire- men. This does not include all the patrohaen. Mr. McKeon questionedwhether the -~]ority or the minority cooperate and Mr. DiMaggio said the minority. Mr. Valenti stated that so~e procedure should be set up to govern specific duties. Mr. DiMaggio stated that before the Police Department came into being and the firemen did things on their own, one of the Kens~ton firemen was always stationed at the underpass. ~ Mr. ~Keon stated that he is a lifelong resident of this Town and to his knowledge he had never ever seen a fireman doing traffic duty at the unde. rpass before the existence of the Police Department. This might have been by day when he was at work, but never at night. nutes of the Meeting -3- October 13, 1964 Mr. Roses stated that Julius Naldi always did this duty, and that Lens Corvi had also done this. Mr. Powers advised that ~e were two things to consider. The Police Department is made up of only so many men and how to best solve the problem. Both of these items tie into one problem. Mr. D~Maggio stated that the last t/Jue they met with the Police CGUmiseion they had two cruisers on the road and since both of them are on the air and if they are aware that a fire is a major one, they could easily get a supernumery to c~ne in. Mr. Corvi stated that at the Jolly Fisherman fire Ch*~ Strand called in the two Fire Police who had worked at the fire all night and expected them to do traffic duty all day. Mr. McKeon questioned Whether Chief Strand was aware of the fact that the men had been on all night. Chester Haber questioned as toW ho has the responsibility or authority to calling in su~ernmuery police. Sergeant Skinner stated that he could ot call them in. Mr. HcKeon advised that ~n the absence of tho Chief, the Sergeant in charge has the authority to call them in and he q~s quite certain that Sergeant Skinner was aware of this, and ~f he washer, he certainly should be. Mr. Roses went on to explain that the firemen are willing to help the police officers When they are asked for help but at a fire on Farming- ton Avenue the policeman sat in the cruiser and the Fire Police were doing all the traffic duty. If the Policema~ had been needed s~neWhere else that would have been different. This fire Nas at about six o'clock in the morning and people were going to work. The firemen donetmind helping but it should be helping one another. Perhaps frem this meeting we will have abetter feeling. Mr. Powers advised that this will be brought back to the Police Commission and they will come up with a plan and call a sl~okemuan from the Fire Department Officials and see if we can be in accord. If it is a fair and proper procedure then we can put it into effect. Mr. Scheer stated that chief Strand got on the air during the fire .~n Lower Lane and kept asking for Tony Roses, asking him to put bridges up so he could bring the traffic down Farm~ngton Avenue. There was a perfect detour through Seymour Road without using Farmington Avenue. .] ~linutes of th~ Meeting . -4- October la, 1964 ~' 1~. DiMaggio stated that if the firemen have to block the Berlin turnpike they can since at a fire there a Stats Trooper was insistent that they remove their ~ose and When Major Willimus of the State Police became aware of this he advised that should this ever happen again the trooper's badge number was to be reported to him immediately. Mr. McKeon felt that askingthemtoput bridges on was a reasGnnble request since he is sure this has to be done everywhere. All firemen present expressed, c~g~srn over the cost involved in putting up bridges since they very easily cut into the hose and render it useless. Hr. Powers stated that While the firemen are looking for police protection at fires so that firemen do not have to do traffic duty in an emergency, this should work both ways. We must reach a common under- standing so should there be a similar situation we would know the pro- ced=re to follow;. Mr. D~lSuggionfelt that in these two instances and at the fire at the Puritan Maid we did not have cooperation and since we did not know What kind of fire we were r~nning into we need our men to lay hose. ~'~ Mr Valenti agreed that the C~ssion should set up a set procedure and then meet with representatives to see if they can reach a cugunon agreement. Mr. DiMaggio felt that firemen are answering a fire and should not be doing traffic duty. Hr. powers questioned what are the requirements governing speed at Which firemen travel in answering fire calls. Mr. DiMagglo and Chester Haber answered that the rules of the road are to be observed. Mr. powers stated that this was an area in Which the £iremen are violating speed laws since they are speeding. This should be impressed ~pon all firemen. Mr. DiMaggio stated that this is stressed at all their monthly meetings. He stated that in answering a call to a fire at Mooreland H/ll the police cruiser was in the line of traffic on Feul&ngton Avenue with its radio on and Sergeant Skinner told the firemen to slow down but he did not aid in directing traffic. - time he too was turned in Mr. Powers advised that at this particu~ar on the radio and he heard Sergeant Skinner but he felt Mr. Skinner .was . . aware that it was a grass fire and that is w~y he advised them to slow aown Minutes of the Neeting -5- October 13, 1964 ~ Mr. DiMaggio related another incident ln wh~ch a fireman, his car plainly marked, was held up at the underpass by a policeman doing duty there. Acting as spokesman for Edward Haber, Fire Marshal for the Berlin area, Mr. Rosso related that at the fire at the Puritan Maid Mr. Haber asked Sergeant Skinner When the fire was out to ~vestigate the fire to wee what had caused it. Mr. Haber felt that it was a burglary and entry and arson. Sergeant Skinner refused and said there was nothing to it, it was Just a plain fire. In investigating Mr. Haber found it was a burglary and entry and i~mediately he called the State Fire Marshal and the State Police. Without even knowing the circumstances, the Fire Marshal questioned where the local police were. We have the records to prove this case and it certainly looks bad for the local police when the State Police are called in to investigate because you do not have the cooperation of the local police. It seems that When it is time for the local police to change shifts they are reluctant to stay but investigating these cases is the policeman*s Job. Pictures should have been taken but the local police have only one camera and only one policeman who knows how to operate it and he was not avialable and the camera was not even in operating order. Then Chief Strand called up and wanted to knowwhy the camera wash/t back. We eed more understanding for an investigation. Mr. DiMaggio related that a permit is required for ~atdoorburning an he aked the dispatcher if three different people Who were burning on Worthington Ridge had permits and he told him (Mr. D~Maggio) to go Up and tell them to put the fires out. How When Officer Zipadelll~-~e~t-4te sees a fire burning will inquire Whether a permit has been issued and if it has advises them to be sure it is out before sundown and if they do not have a permit he requests that they get one. The season for burning leave is coming up again and the public should be warned. The firemen have no idea when it is a grass fire how close it is to a house or any building. It was the feeling of the firemen that they do not receive proper press coverage. Mr. Hr. Rosso related that the firemen feel that at all times they are willing to cooperate and have been willing to hlep the police whenever they have wanted help. He related that during the recent black-out in Town the tre__n~.~n offered their generator and it was used at Police Head- quarters. When the black-out was over Chief Strand, instead of thanking the firemen, told them to get the thing the h--- out of there. Our fire- men had to struggle to get it out while the policemen stood by without offering to help them. · ~.'B Mr. DiMaggio stated that on this particular evening he was at the erlin Fire Department Headquarters during the black out and Sergeant Lennehan called and thold him that as C. D. Director his place was at Police Headquarters since this was an emergency. It was Mr. DiMaggio~s Minutes of the Meeting -6- October 13, 1964 ~pinlon that this was not an emergency and remained at the Berlin Firehouse. A brief discussion followed regarding who is actually in charge during an actual emergency and Mr. Powers advised that as First Selectman he is in charge, and then C.D. takes over. On this particular evening Mr. Powers was on vacation. Mr. ~.Ke~n and Mr. Valenti will discuss all points taken up this evening with the Police Ccamaission and they will c~ae up with a plan and call a spokesman from the Fire Officials and if procedure set up is agreeable, it will be put into ,ffect. Mr. Powers c_~-~, ended the Fire, eh for a job well done on the demostration of fire fighting on Sunday since it was enlightening both to the Town Officials and residents. Mr. Blackburn Joined Mr. Powers and stated he was not fully aware of the vast amount of equil~nent owned by the Departments and suggested that these demostrations be continued. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.