CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 7, 1990
A Special Meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00 P.M.
Roll Call present
Councilman Charbonneau
Councilman Laroche
Councilwoman Moreau
Councilman Vaudreuil
Quorum Present.
City Council President Albert O. Laroche presided.
Council President Laroche announced that Councilman Sienkiewicz was not present due to illness.
Council President Laroche read a prepared statement which summarized the nature of this meeting. The statement referred to the recent discontent in the police department, working conditions and the pending retirement of the Police Chief.
Motion to recess to Executive Session was made by Councilman Vaudreuil and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 7:03 p.m.
City Council President commented extensively.
Chief Choquette commented.
Councilman Charbonneau commented.
Debra Rice, Personnel Director commented.
Deputy Chief Fram commented.
Councilman Vaudreuil commented.
Councilwoman Moreau commented.
Mayor Lazieh responded.
Council President Albert O. Laroche reconvened the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Mayor Lazieh claified the retirement of the Police Chief and stated that the Chief's retirement should placed on a City Council agenda on or before the next regular meeting in June.
Council President Laroche read the editorial in the Pawtucket Evening Times of May 2, 1990 and commented that he didn't agree with everything in the Article. He commended the Police Department for their dedication to the City and he stated that the City Council and Administration would work to address the problems in the Department. He questioned the Mayor on the problems with the building, patrol cars, phones and equipment.
Councilman Vaudreuil asked if there is a janitor at the Police Station.
Mayor Lazieh answered that there is a janitor at the station and explained in detail the chain of command at the Police Department.
Deputy Chief John Fram explained some of the conditions at the police station.
City Council President Laroche asked the age of the Base Station.
Captain Sasso responded that the Base Station was installed in 1977 when the building was erected. He further commented that it was added to from equipment that came from the Fire Department.
Council President Laroche asked if there were any Federal Funds available to replace public safety equipment. He also asked if there was any money left for Capital Improvements.
Mayor Lazieh explained the phone system and commented that the City's current budget would not allow any expenditures for capital improvements.
Councilwoman Moreau asked the number of police vehicles in the Fleet and questioned their condition and the maintenance of them.
Captain Sasso responded that there are 13 vehicles and repairs were made when the vehicles needed them. He also stated that the Officers checked the oil and other necessary things before the vehicles are placed in service.
Council President Laroche questioned the Deputy Chief as to whether there was any truth in a statement made to him that on one particular Saturday Night only two police cars were in operating condition.
Deputy Chief Fram responded yes. He further explained that many vehicles in the fleet has over 100,000 miles on them.
Mayor Lazieh commented on the police vehicles and stated that last year when he was Purchasing Agent he used the $15,000 allocated for police vehicles to purchase 5 vehicles from the State Police. He further stated that the City cannot afford to purchase new vehicles. He stated that the purchase of one new police vehicle is more than was allocated. He complimented the Police Department on their efforts and stated that it takes time to correct all the things that need to be done. He further stated that there are procedures to be followed and that he is working with the Police Department to rectify the problems.
Councilman Charbonneau asked if it is possible to install tiles on the floor now and bill the City after the new budget.
Mayor Lazieh explained that this could not be done. That any bills incurred now has to be against this year's budget. He further stated that the work probably could be done in house utilizing summer help.
Councilman Charbonneau responded that the floor has to be addressed.
Mayor Lazieh responded that we don't have the money and that the majority of the restraints pertaining to the problems of the Police Department are financial.
Council President Laroche asked the Mayor if his car is available to the Police Department when there is a shortage of police cars for emergencies.
Mayor Lazieh responded that it always has been.
Mayor Lazieh commented on Police weapons and addressed the Article in the newspaper. He explained that the Police Department doesn't work by committee but that he does confer and discuss the Police Department with the Deputy Chief, Commander and Captain of the Department and he further elaborated that the Department is governed by a chain of command and that, in the absence of the Chief, the Deputy Chief is the person in charge of the Department, then the Commander and finally the Captain.
Captain Sasso commented that positive steps had to be taken.
Councilwoman Moreau stated that her concern was for the inside of the building and the safety of the police vehicles. She asked the Deputy Chief if the Municipal Court has given any Community Service to defendants.
Deputy Chief Fram responded no.
Councilwoman Moreau commented that the Police Station needed a thorough cleaning and stricker enforcement of janitorial services.
Officer Josesph Moran was allowed to speak by unanimous consent of the Council.
Officer Moran, President of the FOP commented on the bathrooms, base station, phone and police equipment.
Councilman Charbonneau questioned whether the police station was too large for 1 janitor to handle.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 8:30 p.m.
Elizabeth A. Crowley
Deputy City Clerk