TOWN OF SOMERS

REGULAR SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

10:00 a.m.

Town Hall Conference Room

 

I.          Call to Order:

            Chairman Donna Sepe called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

 

II.            Members Present/Absent:

            Donna Sepe, Connie Carenzo, Jim Jenkins, Bill Boutwell, Everett Morrill (10:20)

            Jim Kuhn, AFS&V, John Gamble, Webster, Ben Guillow, CIRMA

            Absent:

            David Ferracci, Joan Jaquith, Walter Summers

 

            Jim Kuhn awarded a prize (calendar) to Donna Sepe for knowing that today is

            Larry Byrd's birthday.

 

III.            Approval of Minutes:            September 7, 2005

            John Gamble made a motion to approve the 9/7/05 minutes, as amended.  This motion was seconded by Jim Kuhn and unanimously approved.

 

IV.            Workers Compensation Loss Review:

            John Gamble reported that there were (12) claims town-wide made during the past year.  One was from the Town and (11) were from the Board of Education.  Three claims

are still open - one for dust irritation and the other two for knee injuries.  Town-wide, about $3,000 was paid out for claims - which is a very small number considering the personnel involved. 

 

V.            Liability Claims:

 

            Jim Kuhn of AFS&V said the major liability claims this year involved:

            1.            skateboard park injury claim occurring on June 14, 2005

            2.            electrical fire in a 1994 Crown Victoria

            3.            windshield replacements - Ford van and Crown Victoria

            4.            vandalism in Men's Room at the Field Road park

            5.            water damage in the schools

 

VI.       Risk Management Claims:               Nothing was discussed.

           

 

 

 

 

Safety Minutes

12/7/05

Page 2

 

VII.     Safety Issues:

            a.            Standard Operating Procedures:            No discussion.

            b.            Sidewalk - Town Hall

                        The members discussed a recent fall on this sidewalk where no claim was filed.  The man who fell was embarrassed and said he was not watching where he was going.  However, it was the consensus of the members that this sidewalk presents a dangerous situation.  It is difficult to see that there is an additional step down before reaching the sidewalk.  Various solutions were discussed such as placing a railing in the middle of the sidewalk or replacing the entire sidewalk with a wide ramp using CIP funds.  Jim Jenkins has painted a bright yellow stripe before the final step down but people continue to trip over this last step.  Ben Guillow of CIRMA distributed a generic copy of a sidewalk policy.  Chairman Sepe will discuss options of eliminating this safety hazard with First Selectman David Pinney. 

 

            c.            Skateboard Park

                        Ben Guillow of CIRMA gave Connie Carenzo a copy of a booklet on standard operating procedures for a skateboard park and he said he would send additional copies for members of the safety committee.

 

Bill Boutwell asked if there were any vacant town-owned buildings that could be used for a skateboard park.  A building could be locked up effectively.

 

            d.            Other:

 

                        Bill Boutwell said that sometime in January, the schools are having a representative from the Department of Public Health come in to evaluate the tools for school program.

 

            John Gamble mentioned the availability of a defensive driving course.  It is a three to four hour program and a certificate is awarded to a person who successfully completes this course.  This certificate may entitle you to a deduction on your automobile insurance.  Chairman Sepe will discuss this with First Selectman David Pinney.

 

            Sometime in November, a number of town and school personnel attended NIMS (National Incident Management Systems) training courses.

 

            John Gamble said that OSHA requires Emergency Management plans and we have one in place, NFFPA 1600 of Massachusetts.

 

            Everett Morrill brought up CPR courses and the fact that they have revised the number of compressions required to help save a person's life.

 

 

 

Safety Minutes

12/7/05

Page 3

 

 

VIII.            Membership Vacancies:

            Public Works -David Ferracci has resigned from the Safety Committee and Bruce Urbon has volunteered to take his place.

 

            We still need more members from the Board of Education.

 

Donna Sepe made a motion to add the following item to the agenda; seconded by Bill Boutwell and unanimously approved.

 

IX.       Safety Committee Meeting Dates for 2006:

            The following Safety Committee meeting dates for 2006 were approved by unanimous consent:

                        March 1, 2006, June 7, 2006, September 6, 2006 and December 6, 2006.

 

All meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Town Hall Downstairs Conference Room.

 

X.            Adjournment:

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 a.m. by unanimous consent.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.