Commission Minutes, December 6, 2017
NEWINGTON POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES
There was a meeting of the Newington Police Commissioners on Tuesday, December 6, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.
Prior to the meeting, Jessica Gregor was sworn in by Chief Bilodeau as a part-time police officer, effective January 1, 2018.
Commissioner Latchaw presented the department with a wall clock he made.
PRESENT: Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, Commissioner F. Jackson Hoyt, Chief Michael Bilodeau, Captain Michael Sullivan and Diana St. Laurent. Chairman Prefontaine was unable to attend the meeting. I
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Hoyt called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
II
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
On a MOTION by Commissioner Prefontaine and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the official acceptance of the November minutes was tabled until the January meeting. Commissioner Hoyt was not present at the meeting in November and could not vote to accept the minutes so the vote is tabled until Commissioner Prefontaine is present.
There were no other minutes.
III
POLICE COMMISSION INFORMATION
A. Staff Update – The Chief said that Officer Sobel is doing FTO training and will be attending the police academy in January. The Chief Officer Sobel is doing a good job and should be on his own a week or two after he graduates from the academy. The Chief told the Commissioners that Officer Gordon will be graduating from the police academy the middle of December and
will be back on patrol shortly after. The Chief told the Commissioners that the move of the downstairs offices is progressing. There was a discussion about when the CALEA process will begin.
B. Other Police Commission Business –
1. Purchase Order Review – The Commissioners reviewed and signed the purchase order file.
2. Budget Review – The Commissioners were given a copy of the 2017 budget print out. Commissioner Hoyt asked the Chief about the $2,500 donation given to the police department by a town resident to help defer the costs of the new ballistic vests. Mrs. St. Laurent told the Commissioners that Deb Zebkar has posted the donation directly to the “Uniform” line item in the budget to help defer the cost as intended by the donation. It was also noted that the 50/50 grant from the DOJ is in the workings and should be received shortly. Chief Bilodeau said that they are still looking into purchasing new rifles for the department from Sig. The Chief told the Commissioners that Sig offers the department a lot of range time and firearms training at no cost to the department. Cpt. Sullivan said he is still waiting to hear from Evolution Arms in Somersworth, N.H. to see what type of deal they may offer. The Chief said that he did not hear back from Wilcox about the rifle purchase.
IV
OLD BUSINESS
Review and discussion of 2018 draft Budget – The Chief said the draft budget has been sent to the Budget Committee and the police budget review is scheduled for December 13, 2017 at 7:45 p.m. at the town hall.
V
NEW BUSINESS
A. Commissioner Hoyt said he would like to see the Safety Committee consider putting a flashing red light at the stop sign by Shattuck Way and Nimble Hill Road. The Chief said there has been talk about putting a traffic light at the intersection of Fox Point Road and Nimble Hill Road by the fire station and Commissioner Latchaw said he heard something about possibly a 4-way stop at Little Bay Road and Nimble Hill Road.
The Chief asked the Commissioners to consider a monetary “thank you” for all the help Mrs. St. Laurent has given him during his transition period as the new Chief.
B. Non-Public Session RSA 91-A:3 II(c) Personnel Matter. Not needed.
VI
NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at the Newington Police Department.
VII
ADJOURNMENT
On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Hoyt, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary by Diana St. Laurent