TOWN OF MANSFIELD/DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, August 24, 2005

Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building

Council Chambers

 

Minutes

 

Members Present:  A. Barberet, R. Blicher, G. Cole, R. Gergler, C. Paulhus, R. Pellegrine,

                               W. Solenski, W. Stauder, S. Thomas

 

Staff:  Assistant Town Manager M. Hart

 

I.                     CALL TO ORDER

 

            Chairman Stauder called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone present.

 

1.                  Mr. Hart volunteered to serve as the recorder/secretary for the meeting.

 

II.                   OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK - none

 

III.                  OLD BUSINESS

 

1.                  Security measures – the committee reviewed the proposal to install razor wire around the interior of the perimeter of the Bergin Correctional Facility.  After much discussion regarding the pros and cons of this proposal, the committee determined that it would need additional information from Warden Higgins and the Bergin staff in order to develop a recommendation for the town council.

 

In order to obtain this additional information, the committee asked Mr. Hart to draft a letter to warden, requesting the following information:

 

a.      An assessment of the current level of security at the prison, including a review of the current security system and measures in place.

b.      A statement of Bergin’s goals and objectives relating to security.

c.      An explanation of the various alternatives and options available to meet those goals and objectives relating to security.

d.      With respect to the specific proposal regarding interior razor wire, provide additional information concerning installation, cost, maintenance and risk factors for inmates.  Also, please discuss how the installation of the interior wire could effect the landscaping and how visible it might be from the road.  In addition, please address whether the DOC could provide assurances that the security level of the facility would not change, and discuss whether staffing levels would be modified as a result of this proposal.

 

Mr. Hart was also asked to provide the committee members with copies of the agreement between the town and the Department of Correction, as well as any related amendments.

 

IV.               ADJOURNMENT

 

Chairman Stauder adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Matthew W. Hart

Assistant Town Manager