FROM THE NEWSROOM: The Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has set its legislative priorities for 2014. NECCOG Executive Director John Filchak said that at the start of each legislative session, the Council isolates approximately six issues of importance to present to the region’s legislative delegation at a meeting. This year, two items of particular focus involve public safety. One of these priorities pertains to the controversial State Police consolidation. Specific concerns raised by NECCOG and its member towns included the hours the police barracks is open, and the number of state troopers available to respond to emergencies. The other public safety priority involves a discussion of the appropriateness of towns issuing pistol permits if they do not have a police force of their own. William Rose IV, First Selectman of Chaplin, said that in smaller towns the First Selectman is actually considered the Chief of Police, and has the authority to approve pistol permits. However, Rose said that the First Selectman does not have the resources or ability to do background checks, run fingerprinting, or ensure that the permit is going to someone who should be getting it. As a result, he suggested that the authority be moved from the Office of the First Selectman to the State Police or Resident State Trooper. Rose noted that the Resident State Trooper is currently involved in the process, but added that the First Selectman’s role in issuing pistol permits feels like a rubber stamp process. Other legislative priorities isolated by NECCOG involve allowing additional flexibility for towns wishing to share code-enforcement personnel, and encouraging state lawmakers to pass their budget on time. Tune in for the details.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 19:29:35 +0000
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