NEWINGTON POLICE COMMISSION MEETING

There was a meeting of the Newington Police Commissioners on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

PRESENT:  Commissioner Steve Prefontaine, Commissioner Kenneth Latchaw, Chief Michael Bilodeau, Captain Michael Sullivan, and Diana St. Laurent. Commissioner Hoyt was unable to make the meeting.

I
CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Prefontaine called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.

II
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)

On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Prefontaine, the Commissioners voted to accept the minutes from the October 17, 2017 meeting as written.

III
POLICE COMMISSION INFORMATION

Staff Update – Captain Sullivan told the Commissioners that Officer Sobel is in his third week of field training and will be leaving for the NHPS&TC in January 2018. The Chief told the Commissioners that Officer Appelbaum will be out on medical leave beginning December 4, 2017 for 3 or 4 months. Captain Sullivan told the Commissioners that Officer Tim Gordon will be graduating from the Police Academy on December 15, 2017 and will do a couple weeks of FTO with Sgt. Smart and then he will be on his own by the first of the year.

The Chief introduced the new candidate, Patrick Costin, and told the Commissioners that he is a certified officer from Concord PD. All necessary background has been completed. The Chief told the Commissioners that Sgt. Harland did Costin’s background and got nothing but positive feedback from Concord PD. On a MOTION by Commissioner Latchaw and seconded by Commissioner Prefontaine, the Commissioner voted to hire Patrick Costin as a full-time probationary officer at Step 5 of the pay scale, to be effective November 27, 2017. In a small ceremony upstairs, Patrick Costin was sworn in by Chief Bilodeau.

Other Police Commissioner Business –

1. The Commissioners reviewed and signed the purchase order file.
2. The Commissioners were given a copy of the 2017 budget print out.

IV
OLD BUSINESS

The Chief told the Commissioners that he is waiting to hear from Jim Teetzel of Wilcox to see if he can help the department purchase the 14 new rifles. The Chief also said there is a possibility that there may be some monies in the 2017 budget to purchase the rifles before the end of 2017.

V
NEW BUSINESS

1. Review and discussion of 2018 Draft Budget –

Commissioner Latchaw asked if the budget account numbers for the town and the police department could be added to each of the 2018 Draft budget forms. Mrs. St. Laurent said that she would take care of it.

There was discussion about the warrant article for 2 new police officers. It was suggested by Commissioner Latchaw that the Chief present 2 separate warrant articles indicating exactly what patrol shifts need to be filled and the safety reasons at issue so the Town residents have a better understanding of the need for 2 officers. It also opens up the possibility that at least one warrant article could be approved. The Chief said that he would work on 2 separate articles.

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

VI
NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION

The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the police department.

VII
ADJOURNMENT

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

For Kenneth Latchaw, Secretary
by Diana St. Laurent