Town of Mansfield
Draft Minutes
March 10, 2008 Meeting
Present: B. Paterson; M. Hart; K. Grunwald; D. Dagon; M. Kurland; B. Kennedy; L. Hultgren
Staff: F. Raiola; W. Jordan; J. Jackman
Chairperson Paterson called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM
Agenda Items:
1. Minutes of the February 16, 2007 meeting were approved.
2. Review of 2007 Spring Weekend
a. Community/Campus Perspective: By consensus Council members expressed the opinion that the 2007 UConn Spring Weekend was better than past years: as there was less destruction of property; and, better student/participant behavior. However, the large expenditure of public safety resources (police, fire and health care resources) was still at a greater level than the community was willing to devote to the activity.
b. Public Safety Perspective: D. Dagon and B. Kennedy reported that the increased communication and regular command level staff meetings helped with the coordination and control of resources. And that the process of developing a unified command structure is an effort that should be continued to be supported.
c. D. Dagon reported that the DPH command Post, and that regular staff meetings helped with the coordination and control of resources. During Spring Weekend 4 separate hospitals and 7 individual ambulances were utilized for the transportation and care of the injured.
d. B. Paterson reported that from her perspective the coordination between the University, State Police; DPH and Mansfield resources was outstanding.
3. 2008 UConn Spring Weekend Planning
a. Management Plan: The State Police and Fire Department are planning to utilize the same basic plan as in 2007 with a goal of improving the incident command structure.
b. Goals and Objectives: Through working and coordinating with the University of Connecticut staff the goal of each Spring Weekend should be to minimize unsanctioned events and to eliminate over time the traditional Spring Weekend.
c. Initiatives for 2008 UConn Spring Weekend: By consensus the Council would like to further the policing activities (DWI check points and increased enforcement of local ordinances) leading up to Spring Weekend to encourage appropriate behavior and to discourage outsider participation. In addition, B. Paterson and M. Hart will meet with University executives to express the communities concerns with allowing the existing Spring Weekend traditions to continue and to explore measures that can be implemented to end or diminish unsanctioned events.
Meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted by
John Jackman, Director of Emergency Management