Board of Fire Commissioners
Windsor Locks Fire Department
Minutes – Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Location: Safety Complex, 2 Volunteer Drive
1. Call to Order
-The meeting of July 8, 2015 was called to order by Commission Chairman Gragnolati at
7:36 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Input – None
4. Roll Call
-Commissioners Present: Dennis Gragnolati, Patrick Courtney and Mark Urso
-Commissioner Tardy: David Montemerlo arrived at 8:24 p.m.
-Chief Present: Gary Ruggiero and Frances DeBella
Fire Marshal Present: Michael Sinsigalli
5. Secretary’s Report
-Chairman Gragnolati entertained a motion to approve the Secretary’s Report for the
meeting of June 10, 2015. Motion was made by Commissioner Courtney and seconded
by Commissioner Urso to approve the minutes as submitted. All Commissioners voted in
favor of the motion.
6. Appointments and Promotions – None
7. Report of Officers
-Fire Marshal Report
-21 code enforcement inspections were conducted this period. Inspections included a
licensing inspection at the Italian Progressive Club. Construction inspections continue at
the High School and Days Inn.
-On July 2nd a fire was set at 8 Pleasant Street resulting in significant damage. One
suspect was apprehended and is being held on arson. He allegedly planned the fire as
revenge. The State Fire Marshal has been notified. Our Department did a stellar job. The
fire scene was left intact which made it easier for the Fire Marshal to gather evidence.
The Police Department was also of great help.
-2015 Fire Prevention Code, effective May 7, contains enabling provisions for a
municipality to charge for plan reviews and operation permits. Report in process and the
Fire Marshal expects he will have it sometime in the fall. We won’t know if this is
economically feasible until the study is completed.
-Chief Report
-There were 29 alarms and 4 drills. During the period May 2014 – June 2015 the
Department responded to 62 alarms and 7 drills.
-Finished up mandatory HazMat Refresher.
-Frances and John handled the ride to school in a fire truck for dollars for scholars.
McDonalds had a safety night, we brought up a fire truck and passed out pamphlets.
-There was a fire at FedEx on Old County Circle. The Department found a propanefueled forklift that was off the loading dock pinned between a tractor-trailer and the
loading dock, with the propane truck in a dangerous position. Situation was stabilized by
the Department without incident. There was a tractor fire at American Honda which is
being investigated.
-At the request of the Police Department the Fire Department assisted with the raiding of
a drug lab at Concorde Landing. There was a clandestine drug lab in one of the
apartments and the lab was involved with the manufacturing of BHO. The main area of
concern was the high concentration of Butane. The apartment building was evacuated,
power secured, metered and ventilated. The Department personnel worked closely with
the local police Department, Enfield Police Department, CT State Police and the DEA.
-During the month, CT was host to the Hal Bruno Comfort Camp at Camp Chinqueka in
Litchfield. The children ages 7 to 17 were children who suffered a Line of Duty Death for
one of their parents. Almost all of the CT arrangements were handled by Lt. Tony
Ruggiero, his wife and Susan Reardon went for training and were counselors and Big
Buddies for the weekend.
-During the month several warranty punch list items on Tower 1 were worked on by our
dealer. Tower 1 is in full service.
-Much work is being done by the Department in setting up for our Annual Carnival.
8. Standing Committee’s
Purchasing – Starting next week we will start with new budget. Everything we had for
bills had to be in by the 11th and some of the bills we wanted paid with this years’ budget
appear to have not made it. Gary will call down there and see if he can straighten it out.
Training – In the fall we want to bring in some training about the clandestine drug labs.
Human Resources – Two still going through the background check and physical.
Frances is a certified Fire Warden, he took the certification with the State.
Budget – Discussed previously
Truck Committee – The 1989 truck is still running well. Service van is a1992 and the
suburban is a 1989. All have passed the certification tests.
9. Old Business –
-John Donahue and Chief Ruggiero met with the people that are going to install the new
server. It will begin July 16th and should be completed the 19th.
10. New Business- Carnival is this Thursday – Saturday.
11. Correspondence – Letter regarding fixed asset inventory was received from Town Hall.
12. Public Input - None
13. Commission Comments - None
14. Announcements – None
15. Adjournment
Chairman Gragnolati entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. Motion made
by Commissioner Courtney and seconded by Commissioner Urso . All Commissioners voted
in favor of the motion.
Submitted by Susan Urso