MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
FEBRUARY 18, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Tuesday, February 18, 2003, in the Council Chambers.
Present was Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Paul F. Samele, Jr., David M. Bascetta, Richard E. Dalla Valle, and James D. Reginatto, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, City Treasurer Richard J. Friday, and WPC Administrator Raymond Drew. Councilor Marie P. Soliani was absent.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held January 7, 2003. Councillor Jerram abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held February 3, 2003.
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted to accept the minutes of the special meeting held February 10, 2003. Councillor Samele abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #060
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted to open the meeting to the public. No public participation.
ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING SANITARY SEWER PROJECTS #110
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Board of Councilmen, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to
adopt a Resolution approving the following sanitary sewer projects. (The unanimous vote included Councilors Jerram, Samele, Dalla Valle, and Reginatto. Councilor Bascetta arrived after the vote at 6:38 p.m.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Planning & Zoning Commission of the City at meeting held January 29, 2003 approved the projects described below pursuant to the provisions of Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut;
NOW, THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the Board of Councilmen of the City of Torrington, acting as its Water Pollution Control Authority, approves the following sanitary sewer projects:
Replacement of approximately 3200 lineal feet of sanitary sewer lines in East Main Street generally from Columbus Road to New Harwinton Road to eliminate existing deteriorating sewers, such existing sewers to be abandoned and removed from service; including any related appurtenance construction or installation, land or easement acquisition and other work.
Replacement of approximately 4500 lineal feet of sanitary sewer lines in New Harwinton Road generally from East Main Street to Norton Street to eliminate existing deteriorating sewers, such existing sewers to be abandoned and removed from service; including any related appurtenance construction or installation, land or easement acquisition and other work.
The projects will be funded from the $9,500,000.00 appropriation approved at referendum held December 13, 1988.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that public hearing be held on February 10, 2003 with respect to such projects in accordance with the provisions of Section 7-247a of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice of such hearing having been published and mailed in accordance with the provisions of said Statute.
RESOLUTION: HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT #130
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution designating Town Clerk, Joseph L. Quartiero, as the city’s applicant to file an application with the State Library for an Historic Preservation Grant in the amount of $12,000.00 for the year 2004.
RESOLUTION
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, Town Clerk of the Municipality of Torrington, do hereby certify that the following is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Councilmen duly held and convened on February 18, 2003, at which a constituted quorum of the Board of Councilmen was present and acting throughout.
RESOLVED, that Owen J. Quinn, Jr., Torrington Mayor, or the Town Clerk as his designee, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, an application and contract with the State Library for an Historic Preservation Grant.
In witness thereof, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the town seal this 20th day of February, 2003.
RESOLUTION: EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS #200
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution for the Mayor to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of the City of Torrington for a grant from the Department of Public Health of the State of Connecticut for (2) automatic external defibrillators for the City of Torrington.
Under discussion, it was noted that two defibrillators would be sought and placed in areas most accessible to the public. The Senior Center and the Armory were chosen.
The grant included training on the unit, however, the units were self explanatory.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated that every recertification in CPR, starting in 2002, included the use of a defibrillator.
Councilor Bascetta inquired whether it would be better to make one of the units more mobile, whereby it could be rolled in case of emergencies.
It was noted that all ambulances had such a unit.
Mayor Quinn indicated that choosing the locations were deferred to Chief Field and emergency personnel, however, he would ask Chief Field to provide him with a brief memo on the thought process that was used.
RESOLUTION
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, City and Town Clerk of the City of Torrington, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut, hereby certify that the following is a true copy of a resolution adopted at a meeting of the City Council of said corporation, duly held on the 18th day of February, 2003.
RESOLVED, that Owen J. Quinn, Mayor of the City of Torrington is authorized to make, execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all contracts or amendments thereof with the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health to provide a grant for the purchase of two defibrillators.
AND I DO FURTHER CERTIFY that the above resolution has not been in any way altered, amended or repealed, and is now in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of said City of Torrington this 20th day of February, 2003.
GRANT APPLICATION: LIFT-EQUIPPED VAN #340
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Services for the Elderly Commission to authorize Mayor Quinn’s signature on a grant application to ConnDOT for Section 5310 funding to replace one lift-equipped van for the Sullivan Senior Ctr.
EXPENDITURES #360
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, a discussion took place on the following expenditures over $2,000.00:
File Maker Pro Software Filemaker, Inc. $4,750.00
Repair pump at Police Dept. West State Mechanical $2,776.00
Firefighter work pants Security Uniforms $6,075.00
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to table the aforementioned expenditures.
T.H.S. PAYMENTS #450
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torrington High School Building Fund #285:
Register Citizen Legal Notice - Paving $ 332.40
Register Citizen Legal Notice - Kitchen $ 322.96
Gordon, Muir & Foley Invoice 109830 (Neg. w/Worth Const.) $2,860.00
SCOTTSDALE INS. CO. #490
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $407.90 from Contingency to Scottsdale Insurance Company for the deductible in the Carpenter matter.
MURDOCK CLAIM MGMT, FBO THE HANOVER INS. CO. #520
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $967.07 from Contingency to Murdock Claim Management Corporation FBO, The Hanover Insurance Company for the deductible in the Zavatkay matter.
MURDOCK CLAIM MGMT, FBO THE HANOVER INS. CO. #550
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $2,925.80 from Contingency to Murdock Claim Management Corporation FBO, The Hanover Insurance Company for the deductible in the Williams matter.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired about reducing deductibles.
Mayor Quinn noted that a host of options to change deductibles were discussed with the Insurance Commission. The cost would be forthcoming.
BUILDING DEPT REPORT #600
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for January, 2003.
PROCLAMATION #610
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Proclamation: Holocaust Days of Remembrance for Your Freedom and Ours, April 27, 2003 - May 4, 2003.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #630
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by department heads.
WPC Administrator Raymond Drew stated that Torrington performed exceptionally well in a credit exchange program put together by the state and as a result would be receiving an income revenue check in the amount of $76,000.00.
BUS: MAYOR & COUNCIL #680
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram inquired about the budgets.
Mayor Quinn indicated that the Council would be handed preliminary budgets from all department heads before the end of this meeting.
Councilor Reginatto commended the Street Department for a fine job on the latest snowfall.
Mayor Quinn would have a report from Mr. Rollett on the effects of this storm in regard to the related budgets.
Councilor Samele inquired about the procedure to replace mailboxes knocked down during snowstorms.
Mayor Quinn indicated that said complaints should be referred to Mr. Rollett.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated that his original request for a 15% cut across the board included a 6 to 7% increase in contractual obligations and a 7 to 8% anticipated loss in state revenue. That would result in a zero increase to the budget.
Mayor Quinn stated that he informed department heads about Councilor Dalla Valle’s proposal to cut 15% across the board, however, he had not demanded it from them.
Councilor Dalla Valle noted that the Board of Education recently advertised for a $97,000.00 position and inquired whether they were included in the hiring freeze.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired about getting a badge similar to those given to Litchfield officials.
Mayor Quinn indicated that the Police Department could supply the Council with an identification card that could be used in conjunction with the badges they already had. A combination of the two would clearly identify them during any emergency.
Councilor Dalla Valle suggested that the Ordinance Committee look into the possibility of adopting an ordinance that would ban smoking in public gathering places in the City of Torrington such as bingo halls and restaurants. He noted that the state was giving each town the option of adopting an ordinance on its own.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired about the status of appointments.
Mayor Quinn noted that he was working on them.
Councilor Bascetta spoke in regard to the middle school. Contaminated carpeting in room 320 was scheduled to be replaced with tile over the upcoming holidays.
Mayor Quinn noted that data collected from parents was forwarded to Mr. Rokos for his follow up.
Councilor Reginatto indicated that the Board of Education had a three-year plan to remove all the carpeting in the school.
Mayor Quinn stated that they were looking into the possibility of a more rapid transition from carpeting to tile. He pointed out that recent communication between O & G, the school administrators, and the parents had proven to be valuable. Additionally, Mayor Quinn reported that the angled roofs wouldn’t be assessed until spring, however they were presently evaluating the flat roofs. The humidity problem will be corrected and the Board of Education had what they needed to do that.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired whether they were looking for reimbursement from the contractors via warrantees.
Councilor Bascetta indicated that there was no designated leader as to who would be paying the bills but they were working on it.
Mayor Quinn stated that the Board of Education was digging into its own pocket to facilitate the changes, however, O & G and Borghesi were providing services and making adjustments. The goal for everyone involved was to get the roof fixed.
PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing that commenced on January 21, 2003, was continued to consider entering into a sewer line extension agreement with MBI, Inc., for property located on Torringford Street. The proposed sewer line extends from Technology Park Drive northerly approximately 970 feet on Torringford Street.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Quinn called the public hearing to order at 7:15 p.m.
John Phillips, Professional Engineer for Borghesi Building & Engineering spoke on behalf of MBI, Inc.
Mr. Phillips explained that they were proposing to extend the sanitary sewers on Torringford Street (Route 183) to serve four residential building lots approved by Planning & Zoning. The project is located adjacent to the new Industrial Park on Route 183. The proposal is to extend the sewers from Technology Park Drive approximately 970 feet north along the west side of Route 183. The work will be done as part of a Developer’s Agreement with the city. There is ample capacity in the pipe for this development as well as any other adjacent property owner who wished to tie into that sewer. The plans were reviewed and approved by the city’s Engineering Department as well as the Department of Environmental Protection.
Pam Kingsley Brida, 2519 Torringford Street, stated that their septic system was only a year and a quarter old at this time.
Mr. Phillips stated that another property owner in the area recently tied into the sewer line in Technology Park Drive, so the two properties on the west side of Torringford Street should be adequate with the services they now have for some period of time, but the sewer will be there in the event they need it.
Mr. Phillips stated that the homeowners would not be required to hook into the sewer either by the city, the state, or the health department. The system would be infinitely available to them, however if they tied into the sewer within a ten-year period, the pick up fee assessed will be collected by the city and passed onto the developer, MBI, Inc. on a prorated basis. After ten years they would have to pay the city’s standard hook up fee.
Councilor Reginatto inquired why they would be charged 150% of the 967 feet.
Corp. Counsel Vasko stated that if two sides of the road tie in, the charge is 200%, but because there’s probably no properties on the other side that are going to tie in, it’s the same thing as we did on East Main for the car dealers, we took 150% of the 970, so the cost would be less than if it was 200% of the 970.
Mr. Phillips said “It’s typically what you would see if there was developable property on both sides of the road, usually that number would be 200% of, or in the case if there was nobody on the other side, it would be 100%, it would be the full value based on the actual frontage that’s available to the sewer.”
Pam Kingsley Brida inquired as to where exactly the line was going to be installed in the town’s right-of-way.
Mr. Phillips indicated that it would be located in the shoulder of the road off the pavement in the grassed area approximately 25 to 30 feet off the edge of the road.
Mrs. Kingsley Brida noted that it would be about half way through the right-of-way.
Mr. Phillips said that was correct.
Mrs. Kingsley Brida expressed her main concern was the water content in the town’s (sic. State’s) property, specifically, the right-of-way. Mr. Brida indicated that water comes through both sides of the property, cuts right through his driveway to the front of the yard and pours down that end of the street. He asked if a culvert was planned and whether there would be any erosion.
Mr. Phillips indicated that they were going to reestablish the grass and the present grade, but no culvert was proposed. Short term until the grass is established, there may be some potential for erosion, but long term, grass will be established and it will go back to its present condition. The sewer is going to be deep enough (7 feet or more below grade) where it’s not going to be exposed to any running water.
Mrs. Kingsley Brida inquired whether there would be any accommodations for drainage.
Mr. Phillips said drainage wasn’t part of this project.
Councilor Bascetta asked if the square footage and frontage of the lots would be equal to or exceeding those of the present owners and whether the proposed homes would add value to the Brida’s home.
Mr. Phillips stated that the lots were zoned R-25 (25,000 square foot lots). The smallest lot was 6/10's of an acre. The Brida’s property was between 1 1/3 and 1 ½ acres.
Councilor Bascetta hoped the developer realized the Brida’s had a nice piece of property and wouldn’t devalue their property by building a lower grade home nearby.
Mr. Phillips indicated that he was uncertain about those plans.
Mrs. Kingsley Brida pointed to one lot on the map saying that it had been offered as vacant space.
Mr. Brida inquired whether a curb would be installed.
Mr. Phillips said no, that the edge of the road would be left exactly as it is now.
Councilor Bascetta pointed out that the sewer line would be relatively unnoticeable on the grassy level except for exposed man holes. (Mr. Phillips indicated that there would be four man holes.)
Mrs. Kingsley Brida inquired whether the sewer line running along the right-of-way would affect the expansion of the road in the future.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that the state had mandated the widening of that road.
Mr. Phillips said the sewer would have no effect in extending or widening the road north of Technology Park Drive. The only thing that may be affected is the final elevation of the man holes, whereby they may have to be adjusted pending upon the final grades established for the road. It was noted that the road can be extended over a sewer line.
When Mrs. Kingsley Brida reiterated her concern over the wetness of the area, Councilor Bascetta stated that the engineers on the job would be able to establish any drainage problems that occurred and repair them.
Mr. Phillips indicated that the DOT had required bonds be put in place to make certain the work gets done in the right manner. Any areas in poor condition would be addressed by the installers of the pipe. The intention of this project is not to improve drainage, but rather to install a sewer line and reestablish conditions to the present level.
Driveways will be repaired according to the town’s criteria.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the subdivision had been approved. Mr. Phillips said yes.
Councilor Bascetta inquired whether laterals were going to be provided for every lot when the sewer line is installed.
Mr. Phillips indicated that every lot on the west side of the road, including the occupied lots, will be left with a lateral.
Having no more questions or comments, Mayor Quinn called the public hearing to a close at 7:33 p.m.
VOTE ON SEWER LINE EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH MBI, INC. #2380
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve a sewer line extension agreement with MBI, Inc., for property located on Torringford Street. The proposed sewer line extends from Technology Park Drive northerly approximately 970 feet on Torringford Street.
ADJOURNMENT #2400
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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