Pledge: President Gerri Lewis
Prayer: Amber Scherber
Song: Bill McLaughlin
Brents Card Game Winner: Sam Fulginiti
Guest: Rosemary McLaughlin, Dr. Eugene Sapozhnikov
Brents Food Both Report:
Brent gave a report on our food booth at the Chamber Art Show last weekend. We grossed $2,450 with expenses of $500 so our net was $1,871. The first day gross was $1,575 and the second day $875. Thats a lot of hot dogs, soda and sno-kones! Thanks to all who helped out getting set up, working during the event and taking everything down. Ken Roche's grand children did a great job on the sno-kones!
Sargeants Report: Pete Zucco
Raffle Winners: Pete, Mark, Eugene
Happy Bucks: Lots for our successful food booth, Charlie Norz for moving into his new condo, breakfast wasn't just coffee and donuts, all warrants cleared!
Meals on Wheels: Pete and Raeleen
Program: Police Chief Michael Spera with help from Officer Roche and other officers gave a tour of the new police station
Police Chief Spera
We helped ourselves to a buffet breakfast provided by Mirsina's Restaurant - great food! We met in a large conference room with high tech communication capability. Here, the police can be briefed on issues concerning the town and view presentations on many large Hidef screens. Chief Spera gave an introductory talk about what went into the planning and construction of the new police station. Chief Spera said that despite a couple warranty issues, they are very happy here. Efficiencies were gained wherever possible. For example, the communication equipment and wiring in the room we sat in was budgeted to cost $30,000 but for $37K they did the entire building. The mindset when undertaking the project was to build a safe secure facility. The dynamics of law enforcement has changed with recent events and police have become targets for deranged individuals. Chief Spera talked about other issues and took questions. Concerning the size of our police force, Old Saybrook has 25 full time policemen which is less than Clinton and Madison. Even though the population of Old Saybrook is 10,000 they have to deal with a mobile population from out of town. 74% of arrests are for nonresidents. Last year, 3,314 citations were given, 895 of which were Saybrook residents (about evenly split between men and women). Of course the police department is a 24/7 operation and at 25 officers, its a bit tight. The new budget calls for the addition of 4 more officers.
Following breakfast and talk, we broke into groups and took a walking tour which included the call center, detention areas, locker rooms, outer area, interview rooms and more. The detail that went into the station is impressive. This station will serve as a model for other towns no doubt!
md
