Town of Mansfield

Public Safety Committee

October 14, 2009

Beck Municipal Building, Town Council Chambers

 

Draft Minutes

 

Members Present:   A. Barberet, R. Blicher, G. Cole, C. Lary, C. Paulhus, Warden M. Rinaldi, W. Stauder (Chair)

Staff Present:            Maria Capriola (Town)

 

I.    Call to Order       

      The meeting was called to order at 3:05pm

 

II.   Minutes of 7/15/09

A motion was made by Paulhus and seconded by Cole to adopt the minutes as presented.  The minutes were passed by members present with Blicher and Barberet abstaining.

 

III.  Introduction of Committee Members

Members introduced themselves to Warden Rinaldi, stated their affiliation, and talked about why they serve on the Committee. 

 

IV. Warden’s Report and Discussion

Warden Rinaldi provided an update on the population.  Currently there are 1,015 inmates and the overflow unit remains closed.  The population has been on a downward trend.  A general discussion occurred regarding the List of Offenses.  Warden Rinaldi stated that Bergin will not house sex offenders because they can not be housed in a facility below a Level III facility (Bergin is a Level II).

 

Inmates have been continuing to participate in the prison outreach program to share their experiences and talk with youth about the importance of making good decisions.  Recently, inmates spoke to 7th and 8th graders from Ashford at the Hole in the Wall Gang camp.  73 GEDs were awarded to Bergin inmates last fiscal year, the most of any facility in the state.  Bergin has filled a number of vacancies created by recent retirements and is back to a full complement of lieutenants and captains.  The notification test was conducted in August and no serious problems or deficiencies were noted.

 

V.  Chairperson’s Report

      None.

 

VI. Communications

      General discussion on list of offenses occurred (under Warden’s Report).

 

VII. 2010 Meeting Schedule and Committee Membership

The Committee agreed through consensus to approve the following regular meeting schedule for 2010: 1/13 @ 3pm, 4/14 @ 1pm @ Bergin, 7/14 @ 3pm, 10/13 @ 3pm.  Ms. Capriola will forward the meeting dates to the Town Clerk’s Office to be in compliance with state statute.         All Committee members present expressed an interest and willingness to continue to serve on the Committee when their appointments expire; Ms. Capriola agreed to forward their names to the Committee on Committees Chair.

 

VIII. 2009 Draft Annual Report

The Committee discussed elements to its annual report for the state.  Through consensus members agreed to Committee accomplishments and plans for next year.

Accomplishments:

·         Notified citizens that the emergency notification system would be tested;

·         Tested the emergency notification system;

·         Committee toured Bergin to observe programming and interact with staff; heard presentation on education programs and the culinary program;

·         Worked cooperatively to provide inmate work crews to aid in litter pick-up.

·         Razor wire along top of fence installed and project completed.

Plans:

·         Continue to monitor the population;

·         Tour DBCI;

·         Re-test the emergency notification system;

·         Continue to introduce new command staff to the Committee.

 

IX. Public Comment

      None.

 

X.  Adjournment

      The meeting adjourned at 3:40pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria Capriola, M.P.A.

Assistant to Town Manager