Westfield Police cruiser.
WESTFIELD- The Westfield Police Commission met Tuesday evening to discuss resignations, appointments of new officers, and requests for a leave of absence.
The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with a roll call to confirm that all commissioners were present. A section for public participation followed with just one resident speaking to voice his displeasure about new LED street lights that are installed near his residence.
The resident stated that the brightness of the lights was a disturbance to his household. He says he has taken this issue up with several Westfield city boards and councils, including the City Council itself, to no avail.
The police commissioners and Captain Michael McCabe urged him that this was not a matter for the police, but that he should instead seek out a complaint with the courts at no cost to himself.
Following the public participation portion of the meeting was a discussion of an open meeting law violation claim. City Solicitor Susan Phillips states that the complaint was delegated to her office to answer.
“We did get an extension. We still have some time,” says Phillips, “I just want to report that the department has shared with me the audio recording.”
Phillips said that she believes her office has all the information it needs to answer the complaint and file it with the Attorney General’s office.
Part of the agenda for the night was accepting several resignations and confirming new appointments to fill the holes left by those who are leaving.
Jenna Swotchak was present to be confirmed by the commission as the city’s new full time Animal Control Officer. Swotchak was confirmed unanimously by the commission to take the position, effective Nov. 19, 2018.
Due to unforeseen time constraints, the commission was unable to approve the previous meeting minutes from Oct. 4, 2018 until approximately 20 minutes into the meeting.
The public portion of the meeting was briefly adjourned to discuss old business in executive session. Upon return, the commission reviewed and unanimously approved the resignations of Auxillary Officer Scott Henderson, Reserve Officer Jeremy MacDonald, assistant Animal Control Manager Margaret Terkelson and Animal Control Officer Renee Robichaud. It is Robichaud’s position that will be filled by Jenna Swotchak.
“Robichaud is a tremendous employee and she will be an asset wherever she goes,” says Captain McCabe of the outgoing Animal Control Officer.
The commission then considered requests from officers Timothy Fanion and Jeffrey Vigneault for a 30 day leave of absence, so they may both attend the State Police Academy in January.
“As much as I would love to see you get it, under the circumstances we’re in now it would be very costly,” says commission chairman Karl Hupfer. “At this point I would recommend against it, as much as you know my background, I would love to give it to you. But I just can’t see it financially right now.”
The same sentiment was shared by commissioners Leonard Osowski and Felix Otero. They argued that due to the number of officers on various types on leave, the overtime pay to ensure enough officers are working would be too expensive.
“We’re in pretty tough shape,” says McCabe regarding the number of reserve officers available. The commissioners and the Captain emphasized that the two officers were well deserving of the chance to join the State Police, however the financial situation of the department may not allow them time off.
Commissioner Osowski suggested allowing the officers 15 days to join the State Police academy. Chairman Hupfer agreed, stating that in his experience with the State Police, if one has made it 15 days in the academy, they likely know that they will succeed and are going to join anyway.
“In the first week there is at least 20 dropouts in a class of 200,” says Hupfer, “after two weeks there are usually another 10. So for somebody to reach 15 days in the academy, it is a 99% chance they will finish.”
The commission voted unanimously to grant Officers Fanion and Vigneault 15 days of absence to attend the academy. They reiterated that they would be accepted back to the Westfield police should they drop out of the State Police academy.
The commissioners then turned the discussion to the status of Reserve Officer Jon Bahre, who was present at the meeting. Because Officer Bahre was unable to meet the physical and technical requirements of the police department, Captain McCabe recommended that the commission vote for his termination. The commission voted unanimously to terminate Officer Bahre effective Nov. 14.
