NEWINGTON POLICE COMMISSION MEETING

There was a meeting of the Newington Police Commissioners on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Police Department.

Prior to the meeting, Adin M. Sobel was sworn in by Chief Bilodeau as our newly hired full-time patrolman. Officer Sobel will be attending the 175^th Police Academy this January 2018.

PRESENT: Commissioner Steve Prefontaine, Commissioner F. Jackson Hoyt, Commissioner Ken Latchaw, Captain Michael Sullivan, Chief Michael Bilodeau and Admin Assistant Diana St. Laurent.

I

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Prefontaine called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

II

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the September 5, 2017 meeting as written.

There were no other minutes.

III

POLICE COMMISSION INFORMATION

1. Staff Update – The Chief told the Commissioners that candidate Cooper has decided not to take the position with the department.
2. Other Business –
3. The Commissioners reviewed and signed the purchase order file.
4. The Commissioners reviewed the 2017 budget printout.

IV

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Latchaw asked the Chief if he would include the traffic survey graph in the next Newington e-newsletter. The Chief said that he would submit it again.

V

NEW BUSINESS

1. 2018 Budget Review – The Commissioners were given a copy of the Draft 2018 budget for their review.
2. The Chief said he added a $10,000 line item for Accreditation. He also told the  Commissioners that he is looking into the possibility of a grant being available to cover the initial costs of the process.
3. The Chief said he added a line item for Education Initiative. This was met with approval by the Commissioners and the Chief said he would look into it further.
4. The Chief told the Commissioners that the department tazers are out of date and we are unable to get parts to repair the ones we have. The Chief said he is looking into a lease program that will provide all the tazers, equipment, replacement, etc., on a 5-year lease. Commissioner Prefontaine suggested the Chief do a warrant article for the money and the Chief said he would check with the Town Financial Officer.
5. The Chief told the Commissioners that the department rifles need to be replaced and he is requesting that the town purchase 14 rifles. That would provide each officer a rifle that can be sighted in specifically for him. The Chief said he will do a warrant article for the purchase.
6. The Chief said he will do a warrant article to add $20,000-$30,000 to the Communications Capital Reserve Fund. The Chief said that 3 cruiser radios need to be replaced and the State is discussing the possibility of obtaining funding from each police department to help fund the new E-ticket program.
7. The Chief said he would like to see if the Town will vote to approve funding for 2 more full-time patrolman positions. The Commissioners agreed that they would like to add the two positions to insure higher patrol and safety coverage for the residents on the evening and midnight shifts. At this time, there is one-man coverage during those shifts which causes the officer on duty to rely on assistance from neighboring police departments should an emergency occur. The Commissioners recommended that the Chief do a warrant article for the 2 positions.

The Chief reminded the Commissioners that he will be meeting with the Board of Selectmen on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to discuss the Draft 2018 budget. All 3 Commissioners said they will attend the meeting.

1. Non-Public Session RSA 91-A:3 II(c) Personnel Matter – not needed.

VI

NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION

The next meeting of the Newington Police Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Police Department.

VII

ADJOURNMENT

On a MOTION by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Latchaw, the Commissioners voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:00 p.m.

For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary

by Diana St. Laurent

NEWNGTON POLICE COMMISSION

MINUTES

There was a meeting of the Newington Police Commissioners on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

PRESENT:  Commissioner Steve Prefontaine, Commissioner F. Jackson Hoyt, Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, Chief Michael Bilodeau and Diana St. Laurent.

I

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Prefontaine called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

II

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted to accept the minutes from the August 1, 2017 meeting as written.

On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted to seal the minutes indefinitely from the Non-Public Session on August 29, 2017.

III

POLICE COMMISSION INFORMATION

1. Staff Update –  1. Full-Time Candidate – The Commissioners were introduced to the new full-time candidate, Greg Cooper. Officer Cooper was interviewed by the Commissioners. Chief Bilodeau told the Commissioners that Officer Cooper worked for Wolfeboro PD and is currently a Sergeant with the Tamworth police department; he worked 11 years as the school resource officer and has approximately 13 years of police experience.  The Chief said he would like to have Cooper in uniform and doing field training by the beginning of October 2017.  On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to hire Greg Cooper as a full-time patrolman, pending his successful completion of the background investigation, polygraph, and psychological exam, and that Cooper would be started at Step 5 of the Patrolman’s pay scale and begin employment on October 3, 2017.
2. Sergeant’s Appointment – Officer Brandon D. Smart took the Oath of Office, administered by Chief Bilodeau, as the department’s new Patrol Supervisor.

On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to start Sergeant Smart at Step 1 of the Sergeant’s pay scale.

1. Other Police Commission Business –
2. The Commissioners reviewed and signed the purchase order file.
3. The Commissioners reviewed the 2017 budget print-out.

IV

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Latchaw expressed his thoughts on the warrant article for a revolving account according to RSA 31:95-h – Revolving Funds. There was discussion and a determination that the Chief and Mrs. St. Laurent will look into whether other departments in Newington have accounts set up according to the RSA.

V

NEW BUSINESS

The Chief told the Commissioners that the Selectmen want to meet on October 30, 2017 to review the proposed 2018 budget figures. The Chief and the Commissioners discussed the operating budget briefly for 2018 and some proposed additions the Chief will need to make, to include expenses for the CALEA accreditation. The Chief told the Commissioners that all the tasers need to be replaced due to age and the tasers are outdated and no longer available for purchase. It was pointed out that there has been no increase in the police department operating budget for several years.

The Commissioners were told that on September 15, 2017 the upstairs meeting room is going to be dedicated to Retired Chief Stimson and named “The John K. Stimson Emergency Operations Center and Training Room. The time has not been determined yet. We are waiting to see what time Chief Stimson will be able to attend the dedication.

The Chief told the Commissioners that the annual Sunset Road Race is this coming weekend.

No Non-Public Session.

VI

NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION

The next meeting of the Police Commissioners is scheduled for October 3, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

VII

ADJOURNMENT

On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:17 p.m.

For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary

by Diana St. Laurent

There was a meeting of the Newington Commissioners on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

PRESENT: Commissioner Steven Prefontaine, Commissioner F. Jackson Hoyt, Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, Chief Michael Bilodeau, Diana St. Laurent and resident Meredith Hoyt.

I

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Prefontaine called the meeting to order at 4:05.

II

Commission Business

The purpose of this meeting was to appoint the best applicant to the Captain’s position here in the department. The Commissioners, along with Chief Bilodeau, had previously reviewed the results of the oral board and chose 3 candidates to be interviewed by the Commissioners. The interviews were conducted on June 15 and, after a discussion, the Commissioners agreed that Patrol Sergeant Michael Sullivan was the best candidate for the position.

On a MOTION by Chairman Steve Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, the Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Michael P. Sullivan Captain, effective immediately.

On a MOTION by Chairman Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to start Sullivan at Step 5 of the Captain’s pay scale.

The appointment to Captain was signed by the Commissioners and the Oath of Office was ministered to Sgt. Sullivan by Chief Bilodeau.

III

Other Business

The Chief told the Commissioners that he will prepare a formal appointment ceremony for Captain Sullivan in August where his family and other members can be present and a photo session done.

The Chief told the Commissioners that he will be advertising to fill the two vacant patrol officer positions created by the retirement of Officer John Garvin in August 2017 and the change from full-time Captain to part-time Prosecutor of Brian Newcomer. The Chief said that the qualifying candidates will go through the oral board consisting of personnel from the department, perhaps a Newington citizen and perhaps an officer(s) from another local police department. The Chief said the final candidates will be subject to all the necessary hiring procedures such as physical agility testing, polygraph, psychological, background, etc.

The Chief also told the Commissioners that he is working within the department to fill the position of Patrol Sergeant now open with the promotion of Sgt. Sullivan to Captain.

IV

ADJOURNMENT

On a MOTION by Chairman Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted to adjourn at 4:27 p.m.

For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary by Diana St. Laurent

NEWINGTON POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES

There was a meeting of the Newington Commissioners on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Prefontaine, Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, Commissioner Jack Hoyt, Chief Michael Biloeau and Diana St.Laurent.

I

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Prefontaine called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.

II

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

A. Accept Minutes – On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Prefontaine, the Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the May 9, 2017 meeting as written.

B. Non-Public Minutes – The minutes were previously signed and sealed as written.

III

POLICE COMMISSION INFORMATION

A. Staff Update – Commissioner Prefontaine asked the Chief how Officer Tim Gordon is doing. The Chief said that he is on midnights with Officer Appelbaum as his FTO until he attends the NHPS&TC at the end of August.

B. Other Police Commission Business –

1. The Commissioners reviewed and initialed the purchase order file.

2. The Commissioners reviewed the current 2017 budget print out – The Chief told the Commissioners that he has sent the application for the DOJ grant for the vests.

There was a discussion about the funding for CALEA; the Chief discussed the processes that can be started in 2017 and the actual funding can be put in the 2018 budget. Commissioner Latchaw suggested that it would be good PR for the Chief to put articles in the Newington newsletter to keep the residents informed of what is being planned for the police department.

3. Funding for the department website – Mrs. St.Laurent told the Commissioners that First Light, formerly Oxford Networks, formerly Bay Ring Communications has notified her that they will no longer host the department website. The website will be removed by August and the files will all be lost if we do not move the website. Mrs. St. Laurent explained that 17 years ago, when she built the website, she used FrontPage 2000 software and now Microsoft no longer supports that particular software. She asked the Commissioners to have the website done professionally and brought into the 20th century with the new technology. Mrs. St. Laurent said that she has received one estimate for $3,750. Commissioner Prefontaine said that he will have Helpful Website contact me for another estimate.

IV

OLD BUSINESS

A. Policy Revisions – The Chief told the Commissioners that he updated the SOP for DUI arrests. The Chief said he did some research through the DOJ and National Institute on Justice regarding overtime. The Chief said that officers are allowed to work 16 hours of straight overtime without any issues so he updated our SOP to reflect the change from 12 hours to 16 hours.

B. Speed Limit on Nimble Hill Road – The Chief said he contacted the DOT and was told that the town has governance over the town road to change the speed limit. They will need to do a traffic survey, the town engineer has to measure the roadway and basically it lies on the Selectmen to handle the issue. The Police Department has nothing to do with changing the speed limit. The Chief said he will contact the Town Hall.

V

NEW BUSINESS

A. Increase in Detail Pay – The Chief said that Newington has one of the lowest rates for details here in the Seacoast. The Chief recommended that the rate be increased from $40.00 to $50.00. On a MOTION by Commissioners Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to increase the detail rate to $50.00 an hour, effective immediately.

B. IACP Training for Chief – The Chief said that it is part of his contract to go to training and he would like to attend the four-day IACP training in Philadelphia this year. The Chief said he will get back to the Commissioners with the cost. The Chief said he is hoping to send the Captain next year, the Sergeant the following year and then the supervisory personnel the year after that. The Chief said he expects the training budget to be higher next year because he has plans for training for the officers.

C. Non-Public Session RSA 91-A:3 II(c) Personnel Matter – On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, on a roll-call vote of 3-0, the Commissioners went into Non-public Session at 4:50 p.m.

On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, on a roll-call vote of 3-0, the Commissioners came out of non-public session at 5:28 p.m.

There were no motions or votes taken in non-public session.

On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, on a roll-call vote of 3-0, the Commissioners voted to seal the non-public minutes indefinitely.

The Commissioners will interview the 3 candidates for the Captain’s position at the Newington Police Department on Thursday, June 15, 2017 starting at 2:00 p.m.

VI

NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION

The next Commissioners meeting is scheduled for August 1, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Newington Police Department. There is no meeting scheduled in July.

VII

ADJOURNMENT

On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the Commissioners voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:28 p.m.

For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary by Diana St. Laurent

NEWINGTON POLICE COMMISSION

MINUTES

There was a meeting of the Newington Police Commissioners on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

PRESENT: Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, Commissioner F. Jackson Hoyt, Commissioner Steve Prefontaine, Chief Michael Bilodeau, Patrol Sergeant Michael Sullivan, and Administrative Assistant Diana St. Laurent.

I

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Prefontaine called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.

II

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

On a MOTION by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Latchaw, the Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the April 3, 2017 meeting as written.

There were no other minutes.

III

POLICE COMMISSIONER INFORMATION

A. Staff Update – The Chief told the Commissioners that Officer Andrew Wood is attending the NH Police Standards & Training Council Academy in Concord. The Chief said that Officer Gordon got back to the States a few days ago and he will be on 28 days of earned leave from the military. He is still under active orders but is expected to be back to the department by June 1, 2017.

B. Other Police Commission Business –

1. Purchase Order Review – The Commissioners reviewed and signed the purchase order file.

2. Walmart Grant – The Chief told the Commissioners that the police department has been given a $1,000 grant from Walmart. The Chief said he is in the process of finishing the grant paperwork. The Chief said that the money will be used to update the crime scene equipment, fingerprint gear, casting for footprints and whatever else needs updating. Any money left over will be used for equipment for the cruisers.

3. Donation – The Chief told the Commissioners that town resident, Russell Jepperson, donated $2,500 to the police department. The Chief said he would like the money to be put towards the cost of the new ballistic vests. The Chief said that he will do a letter, for the Commissioners to sign, thanking Mr. Jepperson for his donation.

IV

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Latchaw asked the Chief if the vests have been ordered and the Chief told him that have been.

Sgt. Sullivan told the Commissioners that patrol is running smoothly; the officers are busy doing motor vehicle work; Officers Smart and Appelbaum are getting involved in the drug work; later this month, Officer Appelbaum will be attending horizontal gaze and nystagmus training and Officer Smart will be attending expandable baton training.

V

NEW BUSINESS

A. No new business.

B. Non-Public Session RSA 91-A:3 II(c) Personnel Matter

On a MOTION by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Latchaw, on a roll-call vote, the Commissioners went into non-public session at 4:32 p.m.

On a MOTION by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Latchaw, on a roll-call vote, the Commissioners came out of non-public session at 5:02 p.m.

On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, on a roll-call vote, the Commissioners voted to seal the non-public minutes indefinitely.

There were no other decisions or motions made during non-public session.

VI

NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION

The next meeting of the Newington Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

VII

ADJOURNMENT

On a MOTION by Commissioner Hoyt and seconded by Commissioner Prefontaine, the Commissioners voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:05 p.m.

For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary by Diana St. Laurent