REDDING SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, 9/5/2019
4:00PM
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Filed subject to approval.
Present:
Jeff Hanson, Chair, Highway Department
Captain Marc Deluca, Police Department
Chief Mark O’Donnell, Police Department
Alice Smith, First Selectman’s Office
Rob Blick, Park and Recreation
Michelle Stillman, Senior Center/Social Services
Mark Lubus, Building Department
Helen Gore, Redding Historical Society
Vicki Cram, Central Office
Ken Larkin, John Read Middle School (JRMS)
Cordy Crane, John Read Middle School (JRMS)
Tom Feroleto, Redding Elementary School (RES)
Eugene Burke, Veolia Water (WPCC)
Zachary Smith, Finance Department
Chair Hanson called the meeting to order at 4:05PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019 MEETING.
MOTION:
Chair Hanson made a motion to approve the minutes of the Thursday, June 6, 2019 meeting. Mr. Deluca seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chair Hanson updated the committee on the repainting of speed bumps on Hopewell Woods Road. He said this has not happened yet.
Chair Hanson updated the committee on the replacement of the Redding Historical Society’s cracked well head. He said that this is the Historical Society’s property and that the Highway Department is not responsible for fixing it. Ms. Gore said she was unaware that the Historical Society would be responsible. Chair Hanson suggested that Doug Hartline of the Health Department should get involved if the well is to be sealed.
Chair Hanson updated the committee on the removal of tagged trees along the Parade Path. He said the largest tree has been removed but some trees farther down the path still need to be worked on.
MOTION:
Chair Hanson made a motion to nominate Captain Marc Deluca as the co-chairman of the Safety Committee. Mr. Blick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, and the motion carried.
Chair Hanson updated the committee on the Long Ridge Railroad project regarding sidewalk or pedestrian crossing areas. He said until the MTA finishes their work on the railroad, no sidewalks or crossing areas can be established. He said that the project should be completed in November 2019.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Cram of Central Office informed the committee that no incidents occurred at any of the schools since the last meeting.
Mr. Smith discussed the nine incidents that occurred in the Town since the last safety meeting. He said five incidents were from the Police Department and the other four were spread across departments. They are as follows:
A Police Officer removed a bat from a residence which tested positive for rabies. The Police Officer was tested for rabies after exposure. Captain Deluca said this was a precautionary measure and that the officer was not bitten or scratched by the bat. This resulted in no lost time.
An Animal Control Officer was scratched by a screen that was holding a rabid raccoon. The raccoon had chewed on the screen, causing the officer to be exposed. Captain Deluca said the officer was wearing protective equipment and that this is a hazard in working with animals. This resulted in no lost time.
A Police Officer exhibited chest pain while at work. They were transported to Norwalk Hospital for evaluation. This resulted in no lost time.
A Police Officer scratched the top of their left leg on a metal wire fence during a crisis intervention. Captain Deluca said this can happen during pursuit of someone in crisis or during pursuit of a suspect. This resulted in no lost time.
A Police Officer exhibited chest pain while at work. Captain Deluca said that chest pains relate to cardiovascular health, and preventing this requires good fitness. This resulted in no lost time.
An EMT crushed their right index finger between their ambulance and a stretcher during a call. This resulted in no lost time.
A Park and Recreation Junior Counselor dislocated their left knee playing a game in the gym at the RCC. Mr. Blick said this can happen from time to time and that counselors should be mindful when playing games. This injury resulted in lost time.
A Facilities Worker was exposed to poison ivy. Mr. Smith said proper protective equipment and good hygiene following outdoor work can limit exposure to the Poison Ivy oils. This resulted in no lost time.
A Highway Worker reported a swollen elbow. Chair Hanson said the employee reported this but was unaffected at work. It was undetermined if it was work related. This resulted in no lost time.
Ms. Crane said JRMS was going to have a reunification drill in May but weather prevented this from happening. She said a reunification drill is a safety drill where students are taken from the Middle School to the Mark Twain Library. She said this would be in case of an emergency such as a fire. Chief O’Donnell said the drill is a process involving the closing of Route 53 as well as Police and Fire Department presence. Ms. Crane said there is a drill planned for May 2020 involving the 5th grade. She said the drills will only involve one grade at a time for logistical reasons.
Ms. Smith stated that there was an incident involving a broken rear passenger window due to a weedwacker kicking up a rock. She stated that weedwacking near the Town Hall building can be dangerous and suggested that the Facilities workers use a different tool to trim the grass. Chair Hanson suggested that the Facilities workers weedwack before Town Hall employees arrive or that they weedwack on Fridays when no workers are present, eliminating the risk.
Mr. Burke informed the committee about the Georgetown Sewer Plant. He said there are no safety issues or incidents at the plant. He discussed the lot nearby and the monitoring wells inside of it. He said there is overgrowth in the lot which could provide habitat for ticks. Ms. Smith informed Mr. Burke that the lot is not owned by the town and that the lot’s maintainer, Chris Lynch, should be contacted.
Ms. Gore informed the committee that the Redding Historical Society has a large field that needs haying. She said that if this does not get cut, it presents a fire hazard to the town. She said there used to be someone who hayed it but they no longer need the hay.
Ms. Gore informed the committee that a Redding Historical Society building needs window repairs. She said the windows are very old and brittle, presenting a broken glass hazard. Ms. Smith suggested that Ms. Gore takes photos and videos of the windows and presents them to the Board of Selectmen.
Chair Hanson asked the committee if Thursday, 12/5/2019 at 4:00PM would be a good day and time to meet. The committee agreed unanimously. He informed the committee that meetings would be held at Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Ms. Cram made a motion to adjourn. Captain Deluca seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30PM.
Submitted by,
Zachary Smith