Board of Police Commissioners - Minutes - 02/14/2022

MINUTES
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
February 14, 2022
Zoom Meeting ID: 895 6998 9286
PRESENT: 
Chairman M. Gelinas, Commissioner J. Dimmock, T. Sheridan Vice Chairman,
C. Gamble Secretary, R. Brule Commissioner
ABSENT:
PUBLIC: 
Susan Driscoll, Mary Childs
DEPARTMENT: 
Interim Chief M. Balestracci, Sgt. D. Ferland, J Nickerson, LT T. Silva, P Epps,
M Devine, E Fredricks, CSO Andrew Reed, Sgt. P Flanagan, N. Surdo
LEGAL COUNCIL: Attorney E Duggan
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH QUORUM:
Chairman Gelinas called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the General Meeting Room of the
Waterford Police Department. A Quorum was established.
MOTION: made by Commissioner Sheridan to move the meritorious award and Introduction of Intern
Aizhane Glenn, and Comfort Dog Hodges listed under New Business to the first item on the agenda,
the motion was seconded by Commissioner Brule, the motion passes.
a. 
Patrick Epps was presented with the Officer of the year award.
b. 
Intern Aizhane Glenn, who is a student at Mitchell College was introduced to the
Commissioners.
c. 
Comfort dog Hodges was Introduced by his handle Eric Fredricks.
MOTION: made by Commissioner Sheridan and seconded by Commissioner Gamble to accept the
minutes from the January meeting, the motion passed.

CHIEF’S REPORT
a.
b.
c.
K-9 Reports
January Reports were received.
Investigative Services & Youth Report
January Reports were received.
Training Report
January Report was received, Training Officer Surdo stated that we have 2 or 3 Candidates
that went through the Chiefs interview process and are ready to be interviewed by the
Commission.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Dimmock and SECONDED by Commissioner
Sheridan to set a Special meeting for the purpose of Interviewing Candidates on Thursday
February 17, 2022 at 1630 hours at the Waterford Police Department. Motion PASSED
unanimously.
Records Report
January Report was received
CSO Report
January Report was received
Patrol Report
January Report was received
. 
Animal Control Report
January Report was received
. Community Engagement Officer Report
January Report received
OLD BUSINESS:
Crash Data was sent to the Commissioners emails over the last month and they were able to review.
Commissioner Sheridan was concerned with Route 85 and asked about the feasibility of turning lanes.
Officer Nickerson explained the process of it being a state road and that most of the accidents on that
road are at intersections where there are traffic lights and a good portion are rear-end collisions.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
State of CT Local Traffic Authority Update: Interim Chief Balestracci presented the form for
the Commissioners to update their contact information.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Dimmock and SECONDED by Commissioner
Sheridan to name Interim Chief Balestracci as the Local Traffic Authority Representative. The
motion was voted on and PASSED Unanimously.
b. The Inter-local agreement draft with Ledyard Police Special Response team was discussed and
it was agreed to forward the Document to the Town’s Attorney for review.
c. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Brule and SECONDED by Commissioner Gamble to
enter into executive session, along with Attorney Eileen Duggan and, when appropriate, and
separately, Officer Mark Devine, Lieutenant Timothy Silva, and Interim Chief Marc
Balestracci, pursuant to 1-200 (6)(A), for the purpose of discussing the appointment process of
Chief of Police, meeting with new internal candidates and meeting with the Interim Chief to
discuss his job performance. The MOTION was voted on and PASSED unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Began 5:54 PM
RETURN TO PUBLIC MEETING: 7:24 pm, no motions or votes were taken during executive
session.
Chairman Gelinas stated:
Pursuant to the process adopted at the Board of Police Commissioners meeting held on January 10,
2022, The Board of Police Commissioners may decide to open the position to the consideration of
outside candidates. For purposes of efficiency and the ability to run a full process, the decision on
whether to appoint an internal candidate as the Chief of Police without further steps, or to open the
position .to outside candidates will be made no later than March 1, 2022.
MOTION: made by Commissioner Dimmock to hold a special Meeting on Thursday February 24,
2022 at 4 pm for the purpose of discussion on the process of the hiring for the Chief of Police, the
Motion was SECONDED by Commissioner Sheridan. The motion was voted on and PASSED
unanimously.
MOTION: made by Commissioner Sheridan and SECONDED by Commissioner Gamble to adjourn
the meeting at 7:26 PM. PASSED unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:
LY
Recording Secretary