Board approves promotion, personnel confirmations and routine procurement requests

The Torrington Board of Public Safety on Tuesday approved the promotion of a career firefighter, confirmed a police officer as a regular member following probation and authorized several purchases under state contracts that will proceed pending city council approval.

The board approved the promotion of Robert Schoppe to battalion chief, effective Oct. 5, after a motion from Commissioner McElroy and a second from Commissioner Benedetto. “All in favor?” the chair asked during the roll call; commissioners voiced assent and the motion carried.

The board also accepted Officer Sean Fenton as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department effective Sept. 10, 2025, after the officer completed the probationary period. That motion was moved by Commissioner Benedetto and seconded by Commissioner McLeod and carried with no recorded opposition.

Routine minutes for the Sept. 3, 2025 regular meeting and a Sept. 25 special meeting were approved without objection.

On procurement, the board authorized the mayor to execute contracts under state procurement vehicles: a uniform purchase under state contract 17PSX0024AB from Fairfield Uniform Company (to be charged to the uniform allowance line item), an ammunition purchase under state contract 19PSX0220 with an estimated budget of $34,577.03 charged to uniform allowance and special squads GL accounts, and the purchase of five Panasonic Toughbook systems under a DAS master agreement (contract 23PSX0163) for a total of $30,565 to be charged to police capital and IT capital accounts. All three procurements were described as pending city council approval and were moved and seconded by commissioners in attendance; each motion carried.

The board accepted the police and fire department reports for August 2025. The police report noted parking‑ticket collections for August were about 87% and cited a three‑year collection average in the high‑80s; the fire report covered recent operations and apparatus status. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about collection practices and the status of new and backup apparatus.

All approvals were taken by voice vote with no recorded nay votes during the meeting.