April 20, 2016

The meeting was called to order.  

 

In attendance were our two guest speakers, LT Thomas Duncan and State Trooper Matthew Hogan.

Dave Richards was also in attendance as a guest of Jackie Richards.   Rotarians Wendell Avery, Kimberly Harper, Joseph Introvigne,Stephanie Irving,

Francis Moriarty, Jackie (Pixie) Morosani-Richards, Bruce Posocco, Peter Rossi, Tony Scussel and Ilene Whitmarsh were in attendence.

 

Lt. Thomas Duncan spoke about the drug issues in Stafford.  He said that the department has just purchased a Drug dog and they are excited to start training . Stafford will be one of the few departments in the area to have a dog like this. The dog is a Labrador Retreiver and was purchased by a grant from Norcross .

Because of the danger of Heroin deaths he noted that all the police and State Police are carrying the drug which saves the lives of heroin addicts who overdose.   He also stated that Stafford has been in the news due to recent drug busts and that the State Troopers, Matthew Hogan and Michael Buck have been very diligent in trying to track down offenders...     Trooper Hogan spoke and said that the Troopers have been conducting several investigations and that the majority of drug use starts from the students (and sometimes parents) smoking pot or from prescription drugs that relieve pain which are used for injuries or found in parents medicine cabinets and escalating onto stronger drugs.   The cost of heroin is pennies compared to prescription drugs.  Both noted that the kids (and adults) seem to need to go out of town now to purchase for themselves or resale and the State Troopers are actively trying to catch them before they can distribute the substances.

 

LT Duncan noted that the budget per person for Stafford is $59 where the average budget per person for police protection is $260._

The town currently has Two Resident State Troopers and 4 Police Officers.  The budget is very tight and of course they could use more.

Selectman Frassinelli is putting together a Drug Task Force and if anyone is interested get in touch with him . The schools and the town have speakers coming in 

to speak to the drug issue......     If anyone knows of any illegal drug activity please contact the Barracks.....you can remain anonymous.

 

We adjourned for our meal..... and thanked Lt. Duncan and Trooper Hogan for coming to speak with our club.

 

Rotarians Tony Scussel and Pete Rossi spoke to the status of the tournament.  Golfers are already calling in.....  The envelopes were stuffed by members and the labels were put on the envelopes and names of businesses were read so members present could personally drop them off to businesses that they had contacts with.   The golf tournament if June 6th at Cedar Knob in Somers.   The letter and sponsor and golfer forms can be downloaded from our website . 

 

Fran Moriarty reported that they prepared 92 meals at the soup kitchen on April 8th.

 

Ilene Whitmarsh reminded all that the Rotary Track meet at Stafford HIgh is April 29th

Birthday Balloons will be distributed up  at Evergreen on May 4th

 

Meeting was adjourned.