Town of Auburn

AUBURN POLICE COMMISSION MEETING

 (November 1, 2011 rescheduled)

October 25, 2011

 

Present: Kenneth Robinson, Police Commissioner, David Dion, Police Commissioner, Dennis McCarthy, Police Commissioner, Chief Edward Picard, Bill Herman, Town Administrator, Captain Gary Bartis, Russell Sullivan, Board of Selectman, Chairman and Lillian Deeb, Office Manager.

 

Guest: Officer Charles Chabot

 

D. Dion - called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.

 

REVIEW BILLS AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

D. Dion – no bills to review.

 

D. Dion – Department received (2) letters of correspondence. The first is a letter from the Candia Police Chief, thanking Officer Chabot for assisting in the qualifications of his officers as they do not have a firearms instructor.  The second was a nice portrait from a lady that hit a deer on the 16^th of October and was grateful for the assistance she received from the responding officer.   I’d like to recommend we send a thank-you note.  The art work is beautiful.

 

REVIEW THE OCTOBER 4, 2011 MINUTES

 

D. Dion – Reviews minutes, have (2) sets of minutes, sealed minutes and the regular minutes and asks if anyone has any issue with the approval of the minutes.  K. Robinson – Motion to accept the minutes.  D. Dion – Second.       D. McCarthy – abstain from review of minutes since he was not present on October 4, 2011.

 

Motion passes

 

D. Dion – now we have the sealed minutes (non-public session).  K. Robinson – Motion to accept the minutes. D. Dion – Second. 

 

Motion passes

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

Chief’s Report

 

D. Dion – Explains there in not going to be a Chief’s report and we are going to have a small Captain’s report regarding SOP’s.  Issue came up at the Selectman’s meeting and wanted to address this but first we asked Officer Chabot to come in and address commissioners about what the department would need by way of radios for both portable and for cruisers.

 

Officer Chabot – Presents the quotes from a vender, Ossipee Mountain Electronics.  Quote 4988, for the cruiser radios, is for P25 compliant and includes the installation.  By way of background he explains, present radios are Motorola who no longer support them.  These radios were purchases in approximately 1999.  When they need to be fixed they scrap around to find old used parts.  He is hoping the Department will be pro-active rather than wait till something catastrophic happens. The approximate cost they are looking at is $3000.  Motorola are more expensive than the Kenwood.

 

D. Dion – Asks about using a 50 Watt radio like the one presently used in unmarked cruiser.

 

Officer Chabot – Explains a 50 Watt radio can be used for some of the administrative purposes.  They are P25 compliant and he further explains why as suggested by Commissioner Dion there is a need to be P25 compliant and a band specification has been implemented.  Due to cell phone use the need has arisen to have these specifications in place.  Officer Chabot is questioned about the number of radios he feels would be necessary to begin this update of equipment and explains that he’d like to begin with possibly 5 radios.

 

D. Dion – asked if there has been an exploration in the possibility of getting Grant money to assist in this endeavor.

 

Officer Chabot – Indicates that after talking to Officer Goonan who takes care of the grants for the Manchester Fire Department there are indeed grants out there that the Police Department can apply for and we will move in the direction for applying for them but there is a lengthy process to apply.

 

D. McCarthy – asks if we have gotten quotes from anyone else besides Ossipee.

 

Officer Chabot – went on to explain had placed calls to Motorola but he basically looked to Ossipee because they had given us such a great price on the repeaters and that Motorola had to date not provided the estimates.

 

D. McCarthy – Suggest for budget purposed this is acceptable but suggested the department obtain additional quotes for actually purchasing radios.

 

D. Dion- asks Officer Chabot to explain about quote 4989 which deals with the portable radios that the officers use.

 

Officer Chabot – tells the commissioners that these radios are four and five watts and that smaller ones could be used for the administrators, whereas he expects the new ones to be used by the full-time officers and is hoping the budget would allow for the purpose of 7 to outfit all the full-time officer and possibly 5 for the part-time officers.

 

D. Dion- states that the budget committee approved last year $9400 over the normal line of $1000 to do repeaters and that the department has them done with the exception of one and wants to understand how much remains in the budget.

 

Officer Chabot – believes that there is approximately $1200 which doesn’t leave enough to cover the entire cost for the last repeater.

 

D. Dion – indicates that additional funds of $300 or $400 will be located in another line item so and the commissioners can agree tonight to appropriate those finds to complete the installation of the repeaters.

 

Captain’s Report

 

G. Bartis – has brought the original SOP’s that need to be signed.  The (4) SOPs all basically deal with the use of force, firearms, pepper spray/gas, tasers and spike strips.  He explains they have all been update and/or revised.

 

D. Dion – stated the biggest thing that he took from the Selectman last night was they wanted to make sure there was specific language dealing with weapons when the officer is not on the clock and wanted to make sure this was addressed.

 

G. Bartis – points to the last page on the weapons/firearms SOP, which reads:

 

 HOME SAFETY

 

The Auburn Police Department provides trigger locks for all issued pistols and will provide additional locks for personally owned firearms at the request of any employee.

 

At home, members shall keep their weapons unloaded and locked in a safe place when not under the direct control of the officer.

 

All reasonable precautions should be taken to keep the weapon away from children, retarded or mentally disturbed family members, or visitors to the home.

 

D. Dion – Explained to Dennis McCarthy “that the Selectmen were morally concerned” and presents that with the language presently in place regarding this issue he feels it has been addressed.  The SOP’s are officially dated and signed and they will be presented to the Town.

 

K. Robinson – would like to know if a report has been ever delivered regarding log in numbers to the laptops?

 

G. Bartis – explains a call is presently into Bob Jordon to see about pulling a report.

 

D. Dion – indicates that the meeting will now move into it’s discussions about the 2012 budget and that the commissioner should keep in mind as they go through the budget where the cost of the repeater might be considered and  begins with Uniforms line item 01-4210-2-290-1.

 

D. McCarthy – asks why we are not beginning with the operational budget and have no numbers on officers.

 

B. Herman – explains that it is something produced by the Town and due to additional factors like COLAs and social security, these numbers are not available until sometime in December at which time the final numbers for payroll are put together.

 

The Police Commissioners determine they are going to discuss the budget in sections and discussion opens with the Uniform Line, which will remain level. 

D. Dion - wishes to have time for continued discussion regarding the next line which is Computers while awaiting more figures.  D. McCarthy – feels that a figure should be put in place at the least and believes that figure should be $10,000.  They discuss a slight reduction in Custodial Services and move on to discussing a reduction in the Medical Services line.  D. McCarthy – believes there should be a reduction as it appears this line, this year and in past years, was left with a high remaining balance.  Chief – suggests reducing the amount by $400 which Mr. McCarthy feels in acceptable.  Discussion moves on to the Radar line.  D. McCarthy – refers back to the 2010 budget and is looking to have the 2012 budget more in line with those figures of what was expended in that year.  In addition, the Commissioner discussion the possibility of off-setting the radar line with grant money which is currently being explored.  B. Herman – suggests not add the proposed grant money into the line but that if the grant is denied, come back to the Selectman at a special session and ask then for additional funding if need be.

 

D. McCarthy –

01-4210-2-290-1 - Uniforms – level funded @ $7600.

01-4210-3-340-1 – Computers – requesting $10,000, down from $15,000.

01-4210-3-360-1 – Custodial Services – requesting $6710, down from $7140.

01-4210-3-370-1 – Medical Services – requesting $1275, down from $1675.

01-4210-3-390-1 – Radar – requesting $2,145, down from $3,640, YTD $2831

 

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept – K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

The Commissioners move on to discuss the next section of the budget and begin with Radio Maintenance which presently does not have a definite figure.  D. McCarthy – agree that to start the conversion process he is willing to do one of each (cruiser radio and portable radio) for a total of $5300 with a saving of $5100.  Discussion moves on to Training line.  D. McCarthy – would like to see it reduced to $4000.  Chief – raises the issue that one of the main training was not attended by the department this year due to it falling on the holiday.  With further discussion agreement is reached to reduce it to $4200.  Photography is discussed and agreed to a reduction.  Public Relations line has been significantly expended this year due to the Neighborhood Watch costs and discussions went on about a possible increase and what amount would be considered reasonable.  D. McCarthy –would consider $500 increase.  Telephone line was discussed and agreed it would remain level.  Electricity will also remain level.  Heating Oil line is split with the Fire Department and looking to level funded. 

 

D. McCarthy –

01-4210-3-390-2 Radio Maintenance – requesting $5300, down from $10,404.

01-4210-3-390-3 Police Training – requesting $ 4200, down from $4500.

01-4210-3-390-4 Photography – requesting $300, down from $700.

01-4210-3-391-0 Public Relations – requesting $3500, up from $3000

01-4210-5-510-1 Telephone – level funded @ 9,500.

01-4210-5-520-1 Electricity – level funded @ 6,175.

01-4210-5-530-1 Heating Oil – level funded @ 8,000.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept – K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

The Commissioners begin the next section with discussion of Plant Costs.  D. Dion – indicates that the line is presently at $5000 but looking to increase by $1680 due to the cost incurred in renting the storage units and also discussed the Capitol Improvement Program which deals with building a garage for the police department which contains storage space.  He asks about the two small rooms upstairs at the Safety Complex that contains a few twin mattresses and old ceiling tiles and wonders if the department could use this for its storage for a cost savings to the tax payer.  B. Herman – that space belongs to the fire department.  Discussion moves back to the CIP garage and decided the department will move toward the direction of making this a reality.  D. Dion – will increase the plant cost line by the $1680.  Then moving on to Police Equipment which has been requested to be levelly funded and Office Equipment is requesting a level, along with discussion on Postage and Subscriptions remaining level.

 

D. McCarthy

01-4210-5-560-1 – Plants Costs - requesting $6,680, up from $1680.

01-42010-6-610-1 - Police Equipment – level funded @ $3800.

01-4210-6-610-2 - Office Equipment – level funded @ $1260.

01-4210-6-630-1 – Postage – level funded @ $600.

01-4210-6-640-1 – Subscriptions/Dues – level funded @ $2100.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept – K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

The Commissioners begin discussion on the next section, which begins with Firearms. D. McCarthy – asks are they still budgeting for 2 tasers a year.  This is confirmed and they agree to keep it level.  After brief discussions, Police Supplies, Canine and Commissioners lines, will be levelly funded.  Office Supplies presently budgeted for $2500.  D. McCarthy – indicated $1868 was budgeted and wants to consider a reduction this year $250 and agreement is reached to reduce it to $2250.

 

D. McCarthy

01-4210-6-660-1 – Firearms – level funded $3200.

01-4210-6-660-2 – Police Supplies – level funded $2000.

01-4210-6-660-3 – Canine Supplies – level funded $1.

01-4210-7-710-1 – Commissioners – level funded $100.

01-4210-6-670-1 – Police Supplies – requesting $2250, down from $2,500.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept – K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

D. Dion – Moving right along to Advertising.  Discussions to keep it at a level funded line, along with Other Contingencies.  D. Dion – indicates that the cruiser line needs to more discussion as pricing for the new Taurus’ are not available and explains that Officer Chabot is presently getting all inclusive pricing figures together.  D. McCarthy – indicates that in the past we had firm numbers so it was easy.  They talk about the figures from last year as it relates to money being shift into the retirement line and only one cruiser being purchased.  B. Herman – that $52,000 pays for the lease of the two cruisers, there will be excess in that line.  You will only have three payments instead of the four.  The decision is made to keep the line the same.  The motorcycle and cruiser maintenance lines are discussed and a determination is made to keep them level.  The cruiser fuel has had much discussion as considerations have been made over the past few months.  Initial discussions had the cruiser fuel in at $35,000 but a decision was made to cut the increase in half and only increase it by $32,500.

 

D. McCarthy –

01-4210-6-680-1 – Advertising – level funded @ $100.

01-4210-6-690-1 – Other Contingencies – level funded @ $400.

01-4210-7-700-1 – Police Cruiser – level funded @ $52,871.

01-4210-7-700-2 – Motorcycle – level funded @ $4,500.

01-4210-7-710-1 – Cruiser Maintenance – level funded @ 8,000.

01-4210-7-720-1 – Cruiser Fuel – requesting $32,500, up from $30,000.  

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept – K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

The Commissioner’s recap and show the savings of approximately $13,009 and show an increase of approximately $5430.  They are anticipating by December to have firm figures on salary calculations from Adele.  Chief – explains the possibility of decreasing DWI – Sobriety Checkpoint Patrol.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept 01-4210-1-150-1 DWI/Sobriety Checkpoint Patrol $16,000.  K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

D. Dion – asks about the Selective Traffic Control line and the Chief – explains he’d like to keep it the same.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept 01-4210-1-150-2 Selective Traffic Control at $2,500.  K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

Discussion continues on to Police Witness Fees and agreement is reached to keep that level funded.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion to accept 01-4210-1-150-3 Police Witness Fees $7,500.  K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

Commissioners have a discussion regarding police detail coverage for town sponsored events.  The issue was raised at a Budget Committee Meeting.  D. Dion – asks that a motion is put into place to cover this policy.  D. McCarthy – asks if the intent is to cover it somehow with straight time and not at the detail rate.  More discussion ensues regarding what determines a town sponsored event.  It is decided the language will consist of Town Elections, Deliberative Sessions and E-Waste Day.

 

D. McCarthy – Motion that Town Elections, Deliberative Sessions and E-Waste Day details will not be billed to the Town but covered by the Police Department.

K. Robinson – second.

 

Motion passes.

 

Meeting closed at 8:45 pm.