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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 29, 2004
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Council Chambers of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, November 29, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Reveruzzi, Tait, and Tallarita. Councilman Peruta entered at 7:06 p.m. Councilman Dodd was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki
DISCUSSION RE: EMS PLAN
Chairman Tallarita stated everyone has had an opportunity to review the information. He suggested all Council members indicate the direction they are leaning toward and where, as individuals, they would like to see this head. He pointed out there are two directions they can go - contracting out/private services or development of a municipal plan.
Chairman Tallarita stated he was not looking to move this question tonight, but rather to give staff a definite impression of which way the Council wanted to go. He explained if they are looking at a July 1st start-up, there are a lot of details that have to be put together and these details need to be in place before going into the budget sessions.
He stated he gave this a lot of consideration and he firmly believes this is one of the most important things he has had to make a decision on. He stated his belief the bottom line is that the type of plan the Council puts together has to meet the needs of the community.
Chairman Tallarita stated he would have liked to see a fire department based plan, but they were unable to get there. He noted he feels the municipal plan is the best for this community because it provides the most control to insure they are providing the best service. He stated his belief the fire service has to have some role in this plan, i.e., acting as a back-up service rather than Enfield relying on other communities for additional services. He added they could somehow pay back the fire departments for their service. He noted perhaps the fire departments have some idea as to how they can fulfill that role. He stated he would like to investigate the idea of the fire departments acting as a supplemental service. He added his belief the police have to be the first responders.
Councilman Tait stated he really likes the idea of having the fire service involved. He added he also supports a municipal plan and feels it is best for the community. He noted he advocates phasing in this plan beginning with BLS service and working their way into ALS.
Councilman Tait stated the problem Enfield has with involving the fire service has to do with the fact that there are five fire departments. He noted in order to involve the fire
departments, they have to satisfy Dr. Bizilj's concerns in that there has to be a very straight line of organization in that the EMS Director has to be in charge. He added his belief that having the fire service as emergency back-up is a great idea. He noted it's important to have municipal officials responsible to satisfy medical services, i.e., the hospitals/doctors.
Councilman Tait pointed out many fire department personnel have worked very hard to get their EMT certifications and some are working toward becoming paramedics. He noted he would like to see those skills utilized.
Councilman Egan voiced her support of a municipal plan. She pointed out Dr. Bizilj is the expert and they have to be sure to satisfy his requirements. She agreed with Councilman Tait concerning the fire service and she believes there are a lot of qualified people in the fire service who could help with this effort.
Councilman Egan stated another reason she favors the municipal plan over a private service is because she does not want to shut the door on the Maciolek Post.
Councilman Kaupin stated he supports a municipal plan. He noted if the Town goes forward with the municipal plan, they would be starting a new service for the Town. He agreed they need to stay involved with the Maciolek Post. He pointed out a municipal plan would also allow them to waive the Medicare co-pay. He added his belief it's a great idea to use the fire departments as a supplemental service if the fire departments are willing to do this. He stated they should really consider phasing in BLS and ALS. He added he would like to have some discussion regarding contracting AMR for ALS service.
Councilman Kaupin stated his belief it was a very fragile grouping that tried to put together a fire department based service. He noted this is another incentive for the five fire departments to combine into one entity. He pointed out one fire department could manage an EMS service.
Councilman Fiore voiced his support for a Town managed municipal division. He stated his belief at this point there is no better option before the Council. He added his hope there could be fire department participation. He thanked the Town Manager and staff for providing the Council with some financial options they might be able to use to defer some initial start-up costs. He stated his opinion that until they hire a new EMS Director, most of these are just options and they shouldn't tie the hands of a new Director. He noted they should allow a new EMS Director an opportunity to review and provide input into the implementation plan.
Councilman Fiore cautioned the Council concerning the future financial support of this new division and service. He noted in next year's budget the Town's and Board of Education's combined costs in oil, gas, electricity, insurance and various employee obligations will be increasing significantly. He pointed out the new teachers' contract alone will increase the Town's budget by over one million dollars. He noted their bond payments for all the referendums that were passed are still on the rise and have not yet leveled out. He went on to note they are currently on target for having a near zero balance in their water sewage treatment fund due to the fact that the State has yet to reimburse the Town for the Water Treatment De-Nitrification project and the prison sewer usage. He stated being a non-election year, the most the Town can hope for from the State is continued funding at last year's levels - thus no increase. He noted it would be wishful thinking on the Town's part to believe that their own grand list growth will generate a revenue increase of over one million dollars.
Councilman Fiore stated in the current high-level EMS proposal, they are looking at a budget subsidy of approximately $255,000 which is an increase over last year of $125,000. He noted this is with budgeting for the paramedics and EMT-B's at the low end of the pay scale ($17 and $10 per hour). He stated in light of all of this, he advocates a phased-in approach and a higher collection rate calculation because at this juncture the Council is putting itself in a position for having no options left to it but to raise the mill rate and most likely in the one mill range in next year's budget. He concluded stating no one has ever stated that this new enhanced EMS service would be inexpensive to the residents of this Town, and he feels they've just seen the beginning.
Councilman Edgar stated it was his hope the fire department plan would go through. He added if the fire departments have another plan, he would like to hear it. He stated he would like the fire department paramedics to be a part of this system. He noted if there is no other plan, he would go with the municipal plan with fire service involvement. He stated Dr. Bizilj stated the plan has to be clearly defined, but he did not rule out fire department involvement. He pointed out his primary concern is patient care. He noted AMR holds the license for ALS for the Town.
Councilman Mangini stated she will not support a plan unless the fire departments are an intricate part of the plan. She stated she would like to see a partnership as concerns working with the fire departments. She noted patient care is her number one priority. She added her belief they still need to rely on AMR for ALS service. She noted she would like to see the Town have a contract with AMR.
Councilman Peruta voiced his support of the municipal plan. He agreed it's a good idea to use the fire departments as back-up or a supplemental service.
Councilman Crowley stated his belief everyone was hoping for a fire department plan, but that didn't happen. He noted he supports the municipal plan and thanks everyone involved in putting this plan together.
Councilman Reveruzzi pointed out the Town does have EMS service at this time and this evening they're discussing putting together an adhesive plan. He voiced his support for a municipal plan and agreed with Councilman Tait in that it should be a phased in plan.
He stated they will also have to determine where the EMS ambulances and personnel will be housed. He noted this will be an on-going service that will cost money and they are going to have to plan for that. He noted the service will expand and that will involve a cost. He pointed out they not only have to look at the service side of this issue, but also the fiscal side. He stated they should provide a service that's balanced in terms of the service it provides and the cost that it presents to the community that has to pay for that service.
Councilman Reveruzzi stated they will probably need back-up EMT personnel to fill in on holidays and when there's shift overflow. He pointed out this is an opportunity for police or fire personnel trained in these skills to become part of the EMS program.
He stated the Council is trying to coordinate the effort that they have now, putting a plan in place and putting a director in place so that there's a chain of command that dictates where all of these people go and what programs they follow. He added this is an opportunity to have the users of the service have a source where they can go to complain about the service.
Chairman Tallarita referred to Councilman Edgar's comment about the fire department paramedics being a part of this system and questioned if he foresees some type of contracting for those paramedics. Councilman Edgar stated he can see some type of contracting, however, if those paramedics want a full-time job in the new plan, he believes they should be given preferential treatment.
Chairman Tallarita requested clarification from Councilman Mangini as concerns her comment about the fire departments being an intricate part of the plan. Councilman Mangini explained that by "intricate" she means she would like to see the fire personnel more closely intertwined. She pointed out the fire departments have the equipment, personnel and knowledge, therefore, they should be brought to the table to communicate their ideas so that the Town can benefit from their expertise and perhaps realize a partnership with them.
Chairman Tallarita stated he foresees the municipal plan being self-reliant and able to stand on its own merit. He noted they can't depend on the fire departments, but rather the fire departments have to come to the table at their own will and participate in the roles that they believe that they can play. He stated they can't force the fire departments to be a part of this system. He acknowledged they have to include the fire departments because he believes they are a valuable resource.
Councilman Mangini stated she would not want to see the fire departments excluded or eliminated from the process and prefers they be an inclusive part of the process.
Councilman Tait emphasized the importance of a straight line of command and noted that was the biggest issue with Dr. Bizilj of the Johnson Memorial trauma center. He agreed with Councilman Fiore in that they need to get an EMS Director in place so they can design a system. He agreed with Councilman Edgar in that fire personnel should be given preferential treatment if they wish to apply for jobs.
Chairman Tallarita stated his belief the first step they are going to have to take would be the hiring of an EMS Director. He noted the EMS Director has to be an integral part of developing this plan. He stated the hiring of an EMS Director will be a month to two-month process. He noted they will have to structure a resolution to address this at the next regular meeting of the Council so that they can move forward.
Chairman Tallarita stated another question that needs to be addressed is what role does the EMS Commission play. He noted this Commission has done a great service to the Town and provided a lot of information.
He stated his belief the plan itself calls for a phased-in approach. Mr. Shanley stated a phased-in approach was discussed a couple years ago, however, the revenue picture the Council saw did not phase-in. He noted ALS is a revenue generator more so than the BLS.
Chairman Tallarita stated his impression it's pretty clear that the Council wants to see a role for the fire departments with the understanding that their role is to complement the system. He stated his belief they need to make sure that they take into consideration some of the things that have been suggested in the past, i.e., they need to review and make sure the pay scale is appropriate as they move forward and that the numbers are correct.
Mr. Shanley stated Mr. Vindigni did a review of those costs and they upgraded them a bit for the budget.
As concerns where to house this service, Chairman Tallarita stated his belief they need to consider some of the buildings that the Town owns, i.e., the Old Town Hall annex.
Chairman Tallarita stated the Council will also need a time line backing into the July 1st date.
Mr. Shanley suggested beginning the process of advertising for an EMS Director as soon as possible. It was the consensus of the Council that the Town Manager can begin the advertising process.
Councilman Fiore stated his impression they will eventually end up with five ambulances. He questioned whether any thought was given to being involved in the transport business. Mr. Shanley noted they couldn't do that without the R5.
Councilman Fiore stated he is anticipating that as they move forward with the municipal program, they will give first consideration to qualified Enfield residents. Mr. Shanley stated in order to do this the Council should pass, along with the plan, some specific function in the test, i.e., an automatic 20-point benefit for already practicing in Enfield.
Councilman Peruta questioned when they can get the fire departments involved. Mr. Shanley stated his belief there would need to be a contractual arrangement, and there should be clarity in that contractual arrangement. He added his belief it can be done, but it's just a matter of designing the structure so that it would work. He noted that cost is not included in the proposed budget. He stated if they're using an organization that is not the municipal organization, the Medicare co-pay can't be waived.
Chairman Tallarita stated they need to keep the Town Attorney involved in this process as they move forward.
Chairman Tallarita stated his concept with the fire department acting in a back-up role was that they would be paid in a case-by-case basis, as opposed to contracting them for an extended period to perform this service. Councilman Reveruzzi pointed out they'd still have to have some type of agreement. Mr. Shanley stated his belief they need to put together a document which shows the hurdles they need to get over, and they can work with the Town Attorney's office to learn how they can get over these hurdles.
Councilman Egan stated if they were to keep the EMS Commission, they would need to give them another charge.
Councilman Fiore raised the possibility of discharging the current EMS Commission officially. He noted if they need to reinstitute an oversight committee later on, they can come back with a new charge.
Councilman Mangini agreed with Councilman Fiore and suggested there be a resolution at the next regular meeting to officially discharge the EMS Commission and thank them for their hard work. It was the consensus of the Council to move in that direction.
Councilman Crowley noted a body such as the EMS Commission might be able to help a new EMS Director as far as letting the Director know where the Town has been and
where it's going. He stated his belief there needs to be something in place to advise the EMS Director.
Chairman Tallarita stated the initial charge given to the EMS Commission has been pretty much exhausted. He noted they could discharge this Commission and reconstitute another commission with other charges so that there would be oversight and perhaps involvement in the development process.
Chairman Tallarita requested the Town Manager produce a resolution to discharge the Commission and they then can consider how they wish to proceed.
MOTION #7475 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Tait to go into Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7475 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 8:10 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 8:27 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, Tait, and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki
Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 8:46 p.m. and stated during Executive Session they discussed Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
MOTION #7476 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Reveruzzi to waive the reading of the resolution.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7476 adopted 10-0-0.
RESOLUTION #7477 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Reveruzzi.
8-24 Referral/Lego Property
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #7477 adopted 10-0-0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #7478 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Mangini to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7478 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
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