Minutes 9/30/03
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM
Present: Duane Mosier, Mark Barba, and James Smith
Guest: David Martin, Reminder Publications
Appointment: Chief of Police Douglas Mellis
The board had called this meeting specifically to review with the chief the status of the department to date. The three board members expressed to Chief Mellis their appreciation for the job the chief has been doing for his first 10 months in office. There have been many positive comments by citizens and fellow employees on the job the department has been doing. The chief had given the board an update in July on some of the training the department has received to date. Chief Mellis indicated that he intends to have all training completed by the end of 2003.The chief brought forward to the board an article he would like included at the October special meeting. It was for the purchase of a new police cruiser to replace the Chevy Impala. The board told the chief they would put the article on the warrant to see it go thru the process of review by the advisory committee. The board went on to indicate that the fiscal outlook given by not only by our advisory committee but recent news events show that the funding for such a purchase at this time may not be possible. The outstanding issues that were discussed are the following:
The chief indicated that the guns had arrived and were going to be tested by Sergeant Farnsworth to see that they were working properly. There was a mechanical issue that needed to be resolved.
Traffic study Main St, Wilbraham Rd., Allen St.
The Chief had brought forward information back in the summer time about doing some research on the traffic flow in the center of town. It was agreed to try and get some imput from Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
The board had discussed with the Chief previously the manuals and procedures the department had and the status of their updating. The Chief indicated that what we have now is acceptable and as further updates are needed he will keep us informed.
The move to having a sergeant now on first and second shift seems to be working. When a situation arises on the third shift the senior officer has a paging network to contact either of the 2 sergeants or the chief.
When asked about the current financial status of the department the chief reported he is about six thousand dollars behind to date. The board reacted with great concern. Jim Smith asked the Chief to develop a plan to bring it back in line. Jim Smith also stated that there is no additional money for salaries and wants to be updated on the progress of balancing the police budget.
The chief informed the board that we will need to be purchasing new vest in the near future. The town has been fortunate so far to be able to get monies from grants to defray the costs of the vests. With the increasing lack of funds to go around the town may have to raise money for these purchases.
At the conclusion Duane Mosier said he will be following up with the Chief within the next week to clarify any questions that may arise from tonights meeting.
At 9:30 p.m. Jim Smith made a motion to enter executive session for the purpose of contract strategy in regards to the cell tower contracts. Also to be discussed will be impact bargaining negotiations with the IBPO without the return to regular session.
Roll call vote: Duane Mosier-yes,Mark Barba-yes,Jim Smith-yes.
ADDENDUM: The motion made to enter into Executive Session to discuss contract strategy for cell tower contracts was erroneously stated. There was no need to leave Open Session to discuss this matter.
Respectfully submitted:
Mark Barba
Minutes 9/30/03
Executive Session
Present: Duane Mosier, Mark Barba, and James Smith
After entering executive session it was determined that the cell tower contract strategy discussions should be held in open session and those discussions were not held.
The board decided to not wait any longer to implement the bi-weekly payroll for the town, including the police department. The board felt the IBPO has had several opportunities to respond to these proposed changes and to this date none have been received.
At 10:45 the meeting was adjourned