Torrington Board recognizes first certified driver, advances multi-department plans and funds feasibility study

The Torrington Board of Public Safety on March 5 promoted a longtime acting driver to the department's first formally tested driver, directed the police and fire five-year planning efforts back to the board’s policy subcommittee for development, accepted chiefs’ January reports and approved using $60,000 from capital reserve to start a facilities feasibility study.

The promotion recognized Elliot Bickford as the department’s first candidate to pass the written and oral exams for the driver position. Chief Bridal told the board that drivers “have to check the trucks out in the morning to make sure they're DOT safe” and that the pay difference “is not substantial compared to being a firefighter, but it's still something recognizing what they do.” Bickford stepped forward to receive a plaque and was sworn in during the meeting.

Why it matters: the five-year plans and the feasibility study shape staffing, apparatus needs and building investments across public safety departments. The board’s decision to refer draft plans back to the policy subcommittee and to fund a study signals movement from assessment toward concrete facility and staffing planning.

Five-year plans and policy referral

Commissioners reviewed summary bullet points of draft five-year plans submitted by the police and fire chiefs and agreed, by board consensus, to send those proposals to the policy subcommittee for further development and timelines. The chiefs said completing a full strategic plan will require outside facilitation and both internal and external surveys.

Chief Bridal said the fire plan “is going to take several months to complete” and that the department expects to hire a consultant to run surveys and facilitate the process. The board discussed a target timeline and a goal to present more detailed plans at the next meeting; the chief described an anticipated completion date of the end of 2025 but added the process could finish sooner depending on survey response and consultant scheduling.

Facilities feasibility study and funding

Mayor announced that, following a Facilities Condition Assessment Report, the city will solicit a scope of services and hire an architectural/feasibility firm to evaluate combined or new police and fire facilities. The mayor said $60,000 is set aside in the current year's capital reserve to cover the feasibility study.

Department reports, staffing and apparatus

The board accepted the police and fire chiefs’ January reports and the EMS provider activity report. Police Chief Baldwin reported staffing movements: one officer graduating from the New Haven academy in March, three hires to be sworn in on March 25, and four officers entering academies or recently sworn. Fire Chief Bridal said new recruits are in the Fire Academy and that department members participated in community events including a St. Jude telethon and a Penguin Plunge demonstration.

Fire apparatus updates mentioned the delivery schedule for a new truck expected in May and a tractor scheduled for installation the third week in March.

Training reimbursement and legislation

Commissioners discussed reimbursement of training costs when certified officers leave for other towns. Chief Baldwin said reimbursement practices vary and that current state law for police training reimbursement is not mandatory; he reported having discussed the issue with state legislators, including Senator Honig and Representative Cook. Fire Chief Bridal noted that, unlike police, there is no equivalent statutory reimbursement for fire training and said he had spoken with Representative Joe Cannano about potential legislative options.

Volunteer departments, policy subcommittee and other business

Business concerning volunteer fire departments was tabled after volunteers were absent; the Board of Public Safety Policy Subcommittee similarly tabled business with a goal of delivering three draft policies by the next meeting. Commissioners briefly noted community events, including a “Cops versus Kids” event and a local comedy fundraiser tied to department fundraising.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to open meeting to the public — moved by Commissioner Benedetto; seconded by Commissioner McElroy. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: passed. - Motion to accept regular meeting minutes (02/05/2025) — moved and seconded; Vote: majority aye; Commissioner Benedetto recorded an abstention. Outcome: passed. - Referral of police and fire five-year plan drafts to policy subcommittee for further development — by board consensus; no formal roll-call recorded. Outcome: referred for further development. - Motion to accept Police Chief Baldwin’s January 2025 report — moved by Commissioner Bennett; seconded by Commissioner McLeod. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: passed. - Motion to accept Fire Chief Borden’s January 2025 report — moved and seconded. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: passed. - Motion to accept EMS provider activity report (January 2025) — moved by Commissioner Benedetto; seconded by Commissioner McElroy. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: passed. - Motion to table Policy Subcommittee business — moved by Commissioner McLeod; seconded by Commissioner Cogswell. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: tabled. - Motion to table volunteer fire department business — moved and seconded. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: tabled. - Motion to adjourn — moved by Commissioner Benedetto; seconded. Vote: all in favor. Outcome: passed.

The board signaled next steps: the policy subcommittee will refine the five-year plan drafts with chiefs and aim to return more detailed goals and timelines at the next regular meeting, and city staff will begin drafting a scope of services to solicit an architectural feasibility study funded by the approved capital reserve allocation.