MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JULY 1, 2002
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, July 1, 2002, in the Council Chambers.
Present were Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Anne L. Ruwet, Paul F. Samele, Jr., Marie P. Soliani, David M. Bascetta, Richard E. Dalla Valle, and James D. Reginatto; Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, Public Works Director, Gerald Rollett, and City Engineer Ed Fabbri.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund.
MINUTES: #250
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted 5-1 to approve the minutes of special meeting held May 13, 2002. Councilor Ruwet abstained.
MINUTES #270
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of regular meeting held 5/20/02.
MINUTES #280
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of special meeting held 5/21/02.
OPEN TO PUBLIC #290
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
J. MINOR
Jami Minor, 44 Forest Street, asked the Council for advice about a lien placed on her home in connection with a sewer user fee that was sent to her old address in Bethel and arrived late at her new Torrington address.
She pointed out that the same thing occurred on her second sewer fee, however, a lien was not placed on her home this time because she had a large enough window to make the payment. When she asked the Tax Collector to waive the lien and fees because she was making an earnest attempt to correct the situation, he refused. In fact, he took the fees from her second payment, leaving that payment short.
Mayor Quinn said he asked the Tax Collector for a written explanation when it was brought to his attention but had not yet received a response. Verbally, he was informed that the second bill from September to January went to her old address and her attorney should have told her that the second portion would be due and payable in January.
Mayor Quinn will respond to Ms. Minor once he receives a response from the Tax Collector on the circumstances as he knew it from his perspective.
M. BROPHY #640
Mike Brophy introduced himself as a Boy Scout from Troop 23 attempting to obtain his merit badge.
J. FAZZIO
Julio Fazzio inquired whether the city emblem on city vehicles would be magnetic or a sticker. Mayor Quinn said they would be stickers.
SOUTHWEST SCHOOL
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, discussion took place in regard to the reimbursement of $97,638.00 from Contingency to the Southwest School Building Committee that was used for off site improvements to the project.
Corp. Counsel Vasko informed the board that the Treasurer had concerns over this matter. Bond Counsel had informed Atty. Vasko that SW School could probably get more funds if necessary, but this wasn’t the proper way to do it because the money was for off site plan approval which was part of the referendum process for 12.75 million dollars.
Councilor Bascetta disagreed, saying they were off site improvements recommended by the city to the Building Committee after the referendum. They were added on to the plans, and not part of the initial building process that went to a referendum.
Mayor Quinn said Corp. Counsel Vasko thought he had a way of doing it that would be legal, prudent, and not cause any difficulty with Bond Counsel. He also looked into whether we could use interest money and we couldn’t.
Corp. Counsel Vasko said it was his understanding that most of the improvements on the list were included in their application for a zoning permit for their site plan, i.e., the drainage requirement, which was part of the building project. Even if a drain is installed across the street, it’s still part of the project, whether it’s on a site or off site.
Councilor Bascetta wanted Corp. Counsel Vasko to be aware that there were curbs on the corner Litchfield Street and Albert Street, sidewalks on Seymour, and driveways they improved for residents across the street that was not proposed at the time of construction. In regard to any other information, Councilor Bascetta requested an executive session.
Corp. Counsel Vasko said he should have a response by next week so the matter could move forward.
MOTION: TABLE #900
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted unanimously to table the reimbursement of $97,638.00 from Contingency to the Southwest School Building Committee that was used for off site improvements to the project. (Tabled on 6/17/2002.)
SET PUBLIC HEARING: SMALL CITIES #920
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, discussion took place in regard to scheduling a Public Hearing for July 15, 2002, in order to obtain citizens’ views on the City’s Community development and housing needs and to review and discuss specific project activities in the areas of housing, economic development or community facilities which could be a part of the City’s Application for funding, and to review the status of its current Small Cities projects and programs in anticipation of this submission.
Since Councilor Ruwet, Chairman of the Small Cities Subcommittee would not be in attendance of the July 15 meeting, the board voted to set the date at a convenient time when the Chairman could attend. Councilor Soliani made that motion. Councilor Samele seconded it. Unanimous.
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the July 22 meeting to July 29, 2002 and schedule the public hearing for July 29.
PUBLIC HEARING: STILLWATER POND #1100
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to reschedule a Public Hearing to July 29, 2002, to consider changing the name of Stillwater Trail and a portion of Brass Mill Dam Road to Stillwater Pond Road.
FINAL ACCEPT: PONDSIDE LANE #1300
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the board voted unanimously to approve the City Engineer’s recommendation for the final acceptance of Pondside Lane, a roadway approximately 780 feet long, extending from Highland Avenue northerly to a cul-de-sac in the Pondside Phase 2 subdivision.
Councilor Bascetta inquired about possible inland wetland problems.
Mr. Fabbri indicated there was a problem with the dam, however, the requirements were met when the DEP oversaw the reconstruction of the dam and spillway, and the DEP signed off on it.
PJF CONST. #1400
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted unanimously to authorize the final retainer of $3,157.37 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund #490 to P.J.F. Construction, Inc. for the water service installation project on Charles St., Yorkshire St., Crestwood Rd., Hemlock Rd., Whitewood Rd., E. Main St., and Simmons St., and referred it to the Board of Finance. (The city will be reimbursed by the Ct. DEP.)
CARDINAL ENG. #1420
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $11,088.75 from the Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Budget, Acct. 0066023360 to Cardinal Engineering, Inc. on the Sanitary Sewer Infiltration / Inflow & Evaluation Study, and referred it to the Board of Finance.
GAYLORD LANE #1440
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, discussion took place in regard to Gaylord Lane.
Mr. Fabbri explained that he went before the Board of Public Safety to discuss the Council’s suggestion to make Gaylord Lane a seasonal, one way road. He stated that it would qualify as a recreational road under the new 2002 edition of the policy on geometric design adopted throughout the country. Under recreational use, the criteria would include a width of 12 feet, a 20 mph speed limit and one-way passage.
The Board of Public Safety didn’t want to put any more money into the road and agreed with the concept. They would go along with a final recommendation from the City Council. He was now requesting the Council’s approval to make Gaylord Lane a one-way, recreational, seasonal road. The Board of Safety would be responsible for signs, i.e., closed and opened following the parking ban.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired about the change from one lane to one way.
Mr. Fabbri said the problem with a 12-foot one lane road is that there are no provisions for two way traffic, and the feedback he had received from both, the City Council and the residents of Gaylord Lane, was that they didn’t want to see the trees cut down, drainage ditches, etc. to ruin the natural environment.
Councilor Dalla Valle noted that Gaylord Lane had always been one lane and asked why it would have to change.
As far as Mr. Fabbri knew, there were no one lane roads in town. If the Council was to retain two way flows, he would recommend making provisions to pass.
Councilor Ruwet didn’t think the Council should restrict Mr. Corelli or his family from building homes on the south side should they select to do so in the future. She reminded her colleagues that their intent, originally, was to upgrade Gaylord Lane, and should they select to turn it into a recreational road, the landowners won’t have the opportunity to develop their property. She also reminded them that they had already voted not to abandon the road.
Mr. Fabbri noted that the recommendations from the Council included wording like “passable, one-way, recreational, and seasonal road.” He took those recommendations and came up with an idea that could work and be least destructive to the environment, and less expensive.
Mr. Fabbri’s proposal was bare bone’s reconstruction to get it to a passable condition as well as something that’s manageable, and making it a seasonal, twelve foot wide road, seemed reasonable. Basically, the road would function as a drainage ditch. They would put in stone that water would percolate and serve as the drainage conduit. It’s not the common practice, but there’s no other alternative but to let the water run down the road.
Councilor Ruwet inquired how people would have access to their homes if the land was developed and the road was made seasonal.
Councilor Soliani inquired whether it was up to the city to develop the road if someone decided to develop the land on either side.
Councilor Ruwet thought it was the city’s responsibility since it was a city road.
Mr. Fabbri stated that present property owners have access to both sides of the unapproved section to paved sections of the road so they are not totally cut off from access. If they were to develop their property, the section where there are wetlands would not be touched and, in his view, if he was the developer, they would be connected to the paved section of the road. The 200-foot section directly in the middle is in a wetland area that wouldn’t be given access to, so there would be a limited frontage that would actually be connecting to a new road if a subdivision was built.
Councilor Dalla Valle merely wanted the road the way it used to be. He said, “Get rid of the tree, get rid of the tires, grade it, gravel it and leave it alone.”
MOTION #1980
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to make Gaylord Lane a passable, one lane gravel, graded road. Councilor Ruwet seconded the motion.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated there would be no need to go back to the Board of Public Safety if the motion carried as presented.
Under discussion, Councilor Reginatto inquired how long it would be before the city would see the road made passable.
Mr. Fabbri noted that there was presently no money in the budget for this year. He reiterated how skeptical he was, as a professional engineering, to design a one lane road where the city becomes open to all sorts of liability issues.
VOTE #2080
On a 5-1 vote, the motion carried. Councilor Bascetta opposed, because he agreed with Mr. Fabbri’s proposal to widen the road.
VEHICLE USE POLICY
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to accept the Vehicle Use Policy.
RECOMMENDATION: STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE #2120
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, discussion took place on recommendations from the Street Light Committee.
WEIGOLD ROAD
Councilor Reginatto pointed out that this issue was addressed four times. The fourth request included a report from the Traffic Unit and a request from Officer Shopey for some consideration to install several overhead illumination devices (street lights) on the street.
The committee was split. Councilor Reginatto opposed the recommendation to install street lights because the city was attempting to strategically place street lights where safety was an issue, i.e., intersections, curves, etc., and reduce them on straight roads. He also considered the traffic report which listed only one accident involving a deer and the fact that it had been voted down on three previous occasions.
Councilor Bascetta was in favor of the request because residents had been persistent with their request.
Mr. Fabbri didn’t feel it was a problem area. An option was offered for the resident to install a security light on personal property at a cost of $8.00 a month.
Councilor Reginatto made a motion to deny the request to install street lights on Weigold Street. Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion. On a 5-1 vote, the motion carried with Councilor Bascetta opposing.
BUSINESS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #2530
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
A brief discussion took place on the matter of the Burrville Fire Department’s request for city owned land adjacent to their firehouse.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2630
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Reginatto inquired about the cuts to Vehicle Replacement.
Mayor Quinn noted that a percentage cut (22.11%) was taken across the board.
Councilor Dalla Valle requested adding an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the additional cuts to the budget.
Councilor Reginatto inquired about the Data Processing Department.
Mayor Quinn noted that software had been eliminated from every department and placed in the Data Processing budget to see if any cost savings could be realized.
Not knowing how much the city will receive from the state, Councilor Ruwet thought further cuts may be necessary.
Mayor Quinn noted that the city was at about the same rate as last year in terms of ECS funds. Reductions will probably result in town aid for road repairs. The Council merely needed to formalize the additional cuts of $220,000.00 that the Board of Finance was looking for.
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to add the item to the agenda. Councilor Ruwet seconded the motion. Unanimous.
MOTION: ACCEPT BUDGET CUTS #2830
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted unanimously to accept the cuts as recommended. Unanimous.
Councilor Ruwet expressed her concern over the memo she received, from Martin Connor in regard to the Iffland Pond Road blighted property.
Councilor Bascetta felt it was a Litchfield matter.
Councilor Dalla Valle suggested looking into the city’s license for networking.
ADJOURN #3300
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:32 p.m.
ATTEST:__________________________
JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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