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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OCTOBER 21, 2005
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, November 21, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present from the Enfield Town Council were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Hilinski, Lee, Mangini, Maxellon, Nelson, Peruta, Ragno and Tallarita. Councilman Kaupin entered at 6:07 p.m. Also present were Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Director of Human Resources, William Mahoney; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Deputy Director of Public Works, Geoffrey McAlmond; Building & Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, David Tuttle; Director of Economic Development, Raymond Warren; EMS Director, Art Groux; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Assistant Town Attorney, Mark Cerrato and Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki.
MOTION #8086 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Crowley to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters, Real Estate Negotiations and Pending Litigation.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8086 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 6:06 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 6:07 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Hilinski, Kaupin, Lee, Mangini, Maxellon, Nelson, Peruta, Ragno and Tallarita. Also present were Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Human Resources Director, William Mahoney; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Assistant Town Attorney, Mark Cerrato; Director of Economic Development, Raymond Warren.
Personnel Matters, Real Estate Negotiations and Pending Litigation were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 7:06 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:07 p.m. and stated during Executive Session they discussed Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
DISCUSSION RE: EMS UPDATE
Mr. Vindigni stated the EMS Director is present this evening to provide the Council with a program update and a briefing on the cardiac monitors.
Mr. Groux stated the final group will be brought on board in the next week and a half. He noted that group will consist of three part-time EMT’s, one full-time EMT, one part-time paramedic, one full-time paramedic, and another volunteer. He pointed out this will bring them up to where they want to be, and they’re starting to review the staffing for their third unit during the peak times of day.
He stated they reviewed call volume for 14 days beginning November 7th, and during that period they had 196 medical calls in Enfield. He noted Enfield transported 91 of those calls, therefore, 46% of all the runs in town resulted in transport by Enfield. He pointed out this is a rather significant increase since they were averaging four transports per day in October.
Mr. Groux stated they are in the process of finalizing the volunteer program. He noted they’ve had a lot of citizens showing interest in getting involved as EMS volunteers. Mr. Vindigni pointed out this volunteer program will be placed on the Town’s homepage.
Mr. Groux then spoke about the cardiac monitor/defibrillator. He noted this is a manual machine used by paramedics, and the State requires the use of this equipment. He explained they tried three of these units from three different manufacturers on a trial basis to determine which machine they preferred. He noted they opted to go with the machine before the Council this evening. He stated price-wise, and function wise, they’re all the same, with the exception of some of the features. He explained they would like to have two of these machines on line this year, and the resolution before the Council would approve the lease of these machines. He noted the price for new machines, including the battery support system, is about $45,000. Mr. Vindigni pointed out the lease for these machines is $709 per month per unit.
Mr. Groux estimated the life expectancy of this machine would be about seven years.
Councilman Peruta questioned whether these units will be in the ambulances. Mr. Groux stated they will be in the paramedic level ambulances. Mr. Vindigni stated his belief they’re required to be in the paramedic level ambulance.
Councilman Crowley questioned whether there’s a battery pack with this machine. Mr. Groux responded yes and noted the batteries are part of the price.
Councilman Crowley questioned the amount of time for service if a unit fails, and Mr. Groux stated they will have a replacement within 24 hours. He noted he used this company in the past, and he never waited more than four hours for service personnel, and they come with a spare machine.
Councilman Maxellon questioned if the cost of the units are within the budget, and Mr. Groux responded yes. Mr. Vindigni stated they have the funding, but they still need Council authorization for the lease.
Councilman Nelson questioned what machines are being used right now if such machines are required by the State. Mr. Groux stated they have three of these units which have been on loan from three different manufacturers. He noted they were loaned to the Town for six months so that the Town could evaluate them and determine which unit they wished to lease.
FIELD MAINTENANCE PLAN
Mr. Kazmarski stated a memorandum has been distributed which outlines the field maintenance plan for the next year.
Mr. McAlmond stated they are putting in place the same plan that the Town has been using on municipal fields. He noted they will also be checking existing bleachers to see if they’re up to code. He noted they will also have an annual inspection program for playground equipment.
Councilman Peruta questioned whether they will be assessing fields, and Mr. McAlmond responded yes, and they’ll determine what needs to be done. He noted they’re focusing on the two high schools’ athletic fields. He pointed out the Town already uses a lot of the elementary school fields for recreational teams, therefore, they’re more familiar with those fields and have been taking care of them.
Mr. McAlmond stated the Town will also be taking care of the lawn areas around the schools.
Councilman Hilinski questioned whether the snowplowing plan is in place, and Mr. McAlmond responded yes and the transition of equipment is still in progress. He noted if it snows between now and November 28th, the Town will be available to assist the Board of Education. He stated after November 28th, the Town should be fully able to take care of snowplowing.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if the $101,000 for full-time payroll is just for the remainder of the fiscal year, and Mr. McAlmond responded that’s for the balance of the fiscal year. He explained that’s based upon four employees.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if the balance transfer is required this evening. Mr. McAlmond responded yes. Mr. Vindigni stated when the check from the School Department is received, it will be deposited into the Fund Balance.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #8087 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8087 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:30 p.m. |