Thanks for your help with the AMR billing

Hi All:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of people that help develop this idea of bundled billing. I could take full credit but it must be shared, as my colleague from the 5th ward – Jorge Perez – pointed out this was mentioned in finance committees a few years before I joined.
In addition I had conversations with Pat Eagan – the head of the Firefighters Local – about this issue as well and these conversations were one of the impetuses that made me move on this issue. Pat should be recognized for his help. CAO Smuts deserves a big thank you for moving so quickly and not waiting for the order to pass last night but started working on the AMR bundled billing and getting us ready to bring in a new revenue stream when it is so desperately needed.
Lastly, I must thank my colleagues – BOA President Carl Goldfield and Alderman Roland Lemar for all of their work and input on this project for this was a joint effort in every aspect.

Yours,

Moti Sandman

My comments to the Public Safety Committee Regarding home heating

See the Register Story Here by Liz Benton

Home Heating Safety Hearing
November 5, 2008
Public Safety Committee
Alexander Rhodeen – Chair

Mr. Chair & Members of the committee,

Thank you for giving this important issue a public hearing. I would like to start by giving a bit a background on how this item came up. Alderwomen Jones & I were discussing the concerns and calls from constituents’ regarding paying their home heating bills this winter season. We came to the conclusion that many of those with the least ability to cover their traditional home heating costs will turn to unconventional methods of heating their homes.

We both know from news reports and 1st hand accounts of people heating their homes by turning on the oven and opening the door or burning charcoal briquettes or propane gas grills in the house as well as wood. These are known dangers as they all give off the silent killer Carbon Monoxide.

Other folks will use electric or kerosene space heaters. These heating methods are a bit safer but still pose a danger if the resident is not vigilant in turning off the heating element when leaving the home or in refilling the kerosene.

The good new is that there some programs available to help out those in need Community Action Agency (CCA), the Federal LIHEAP as well as the State of Connecticut.

The problem is how we get the message out to the residents to inform them of:

The dangers in alternative home heating
The resources out there to help folks heat their homes this winter season.

Therefore Alderwomen Jones and I called for this hearing to hear from CAO Smuts & Chief Grant on how we – as a City – can get both messages across to the public.

Thank you,

Mordechai Sandman
Alderman Ward 28

Fire Department reoganization hearing

There will be a hearing on the re-organization of the New Haven Fire Department on October 7th at 6:30pm in the aldermanic chambers at 165 Church Street, 2nd Floor.

NHI Coverage

NHRegister Coverage

September 1, 2008

Carl Goldfield, President
New Haven Board of Aldermen
165 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510

Dear Mr. President:

We would like to call upon the CAO’s office, for a plan from of action report on the possibility of reorganizing the New Haven Fire Department in order to achieve cost saving.

Yours truly,


Carl Goldfield Mordechai “Moti” Sandman
Alderman – Ward 29 Alderman – Ward 28


WHERAS the City of New Haven in it’s FY 2008-2009 budget allocated over $31million dollars for the Fire Department line item

WHERAS the City of New Haven has publicly announced the strong possibility of layoffs in the very near future

WHERAS According to the 2005 data (the latest figures available) calls for service to the City of New Haven Fire Department were 85% for medical service and 15% for fire suppression.

WHEREAS due to this inequality we as that the CAO look at the cost saving – if any – in removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement. While it would not be a decision made lightly to reduce the staffing in the Fire Department, it is critical to provide the information necessary well in advance of the next contract negotiation to ensure that the best decision is made for public safety and public finances.

WHEREAS MMA Consulting Group, Inc. of Boston Mass issued an Operational Review of the New Haven Fire Department in August 2002

WHEREAS in the above mentioned report there were a number of options for the New Haven Fire Department to follow

WHEREAS both the recommended options included the expansion of our medical services currently provided by the Fire Department

WHEREAS the City of New Haven has a limited amount of Fire Department employees trained in Advanced Life Saving (ALS)

WHEREAS the City of New Haven currently does not bill medical insurers for medical services provided

Therefore be it resolved that the CAO or his designee report to the appropriate committee of Board of Aldermen of the City of New Haven regarding the refocusing of the Fire Department. Options should include the status quo, refashioning the department into a “First Responder” Department, reducing the size of the department, and such other options as might make sense.

Further be it Resolved that the Chief Administrative Officer or his designee report to the committee who the City can create a system for billing for services rendered, both currently and in any proposed new services.

Further be it resolved that with any restructuring appropriate consolidations be made and looking at the possibility of removing or reducing the minimum staffing requirement

Further be it Resolved that the CAO or his designee should present the requested report within 90 days of the passage of this resolution.