TOWN OF SOMERS

PRISON LIAISON/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

Regular Meeting Minutes

1/17/07 – 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          Call to Order:

            Chairman Robert Minch called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Members present in addition to Robert Minch were:  Former Chairman George VanTasel, Anthony Liquori, Stephen Minikowski, JoAnn Torres, Jerry Young, Osborn CI Warden David Strange and Northern CI Warden Jeff McGill.  Members Charles Colby and Raymond Laflamme called in for an excused absence and Edward Moylan was absent.  Northern District Administrator Wayne Choinski and Willard Cybulski CI Warden Esther Torres were also absent.

 

II.            Minutes Approval:               October 18, 2006

            George VanTasel made a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of October 18, 2006 as written after three amendments were made; seconded by Robert Minch and unanimously approved.

 

III.       Old Business:

            1.            A brief discussion relative to the membership status of Edward Moylan

was undertaken.  He has been absent from all of the 2006 meetings and was pointedly called in advance for this meeting; he however was again absent after stating he would be present.  It was noted that any possible removal action would have to be addressed through the First Selectman who annually authorizes all committee memberships.

            2.            The filing of Committee Annual Reports was entertained and all requirements at the state and town levels have been met.

            3.            It was noted that the firing of loud shots heard in the vicinity of the DOC gun range which was discussed at the last meeting did not in fact come from the DOC but rather from a private land owner on Bilton Road who hopefully has sufficient acreage since state law prohibits the shooting of a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling.  It is also hoped that that citizen is shooting into an embankment as a back-up.

            4.            It was noted that a DOC drill was conducted last month, in addition to a second Code Zebra Drill, and this committee was notified after the drill was completed as opposed to proper notification beforehand.  A new resident with small children was concerned after seeing emergency vehicles in action.  It is hoped that this oversight will be rectified in the future.  There is a two page system in place, one for DOC Staff and the other for the community, and the “glitch” came about when the community did not receive timely advance notice.

            5.            When the Somers Fire Department responds to an accident at a DOC facility and/or parking lot, it is protocol that only Fire Department vehicles, not personal vehicles, can be used in such an official capacity.

Prison Liaison Minutes

1/17/07

Page 2

 

            6.            Relative to a prior discussion concerning the possible resumption of inmate services at the Town Transfer Station, it was deemed inadvisable due to budget constraints both at the state and town levels.  Dual issues of transportation requirements to and from the DOC and the presence of DOC officer supervision or town sponsored supervision, the latter of which would require the taking of special training course(s), were the specific objections.

 

IV.       New Business:

            1.            The advance scheduling of a room in the Town Hall for committee meetings was discussed.

            2.            There was no news on a reported meningitis scare at the Cheshire CI.

            3.            While prison expansion is apparently not being discussed at this time, inmate population continues to grow and the Commissioner will apparently soon have to make a decision regarding the building and/or expansion of current facilities or the resumption of sending inmates out of state.  The pro’s and con’s of the latter were discussed and the town committee members were of the view that past statistical analysis compiled by former Commissioner John Armstrong showed the sending of inmates out of state was cost effective and in the favor of the State of Connecticut dollar-wise.  A DOC representative noted that that approach is still under review, particularly since there is still ongoing litigation in connection with past shipments of inmates.

            4.            It was noted that the legislature is looking at drug rehabilitation in halfway houses as opposed to institutionalization which would come under the purview of the Parole Board which has now merged under the umbrella of the DOC Commissioner.  One member commented it has been proven statistically that such inmates who are integrated into the community under the Offender Management Plan seems to be an effective alternative.

 

V.        Bed Count:

            Warden David Strange provided the bed count for Osborn CI and Warden Jeff McGill provided same for Northern CI and Willard Cybulski CI.  The numbers are as follows:

 

                                                #Beds              Increase/decrease            Maximum Capacity

            Osborn CI                    1958                            +4                                None set

            Northern CI                   415                              +34                              586

            Willard Cybulski CI            1157                            +55                              1104

                                                _____                          ____                            _____

            TOTAL:                     3530                            +93 since last meeting

 

 

 

 

Prison Liaison Minutes

1/17/07

Page 3

 

 

VI.            Adjournment:

            A motion to adjourn was made by George VanTasel, seconded by Stephen Minikowski and unanimously approved.  The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Anthony Liquori, Recording Secretary

                                                            TOWN OF SOMERS

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.