MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
APRIL 7, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, April 7, 2003, in the Council Chambers.
Attending were Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Paul F. Samele, Jr., Marie P. Soliani, David M. Bascetta, Richard E. Dalla Valle, James D. Reginatto, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Tax Assessor Brian Lastra, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Director of Social Services Yvonne Adorno, Deputy Police Chief Robert Milano, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Park & Recreation Director Richard Calarco, Superintendent of Streets Robert Lizotte, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, and the City’s Labor Negotiator, Atty. Victor Muschell.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m., immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES #1140
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held March 17, 2003.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1150
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Timothy Schapp, Gaylord Lane, was looking for some answers in regard to Gaylord Lane, since the Council had voted to install a gravel apron at the beginning of Gaylord Lane before the winter and it had never been done.
Mayor Quinn stated that the city would get back to Mr. Schapp on his situation.
Phyllis Waldron introduced members of Boy Scout Troop #three who were working toward their citizenship badge. They included Tim Waldron, Dave Kirschner, Vincent Chaigne, Nolan Ceuch, Matt Bielfield, Nick Ulvich, Cory Valiquette, Brandon Starr, Alex Carpenter, Jeff Seiser, Steven Canciari, Matt Gould, Tyler Kaineg, Seth Durette-Olson, Justin Roy, and Jason Fredsall.
Councilor Dalla Valle invited the scouts to attend a meeting of the Mayor’s Committee on Youth.
The board moved Item #33 (Review budgets.)
REVIEW BUDGETS #1460
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to table the review of budgets.
MOVE ITEM 30 #1480
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to move Item #30 (Vote for executive session under contract negotiations.)
EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS #1510
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to go into an executive session under Contract Negotiations at 7:22 p.m., inviting Personnel Director Thomas Gritt and the City’s Labor Negotiator Atty. Victor Muschell.
OPEN SESSION #1540
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to go into Open Session at 7:42 p.m.
MOVE ITEM #27
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to move Item #27 (Vote on Charter Revision questions and set the date for a referendum.)
CHARTER REVISION QUESTIONS #1580
Atty. Muschell gave his approval on the questions and explanations of the Charter Revision questions prepared by Corp. Counsel Vasko and urged the Council to accept them and set a date for the referendum. He suggested that they appear on the November ballot.
Councilor Soliani made a motion to approve the Charter Revision questions and to place them on the November ballot. Councilor Samele seconded the motion.
During a discussion, Atty. Muschell explained that the “purpose” of each question would not appear on the ballot.
The bid process was discussed.
Atty. Muschell assured the Council that the Charter Revision Commission wasn’t suggesting the elimination of the bid bond, but merely the “requirement” for a bid bond. The revision would allow bid bonds to be discretionary rather than mandatory. In addition, raising the threshold for competitive bidding from $3,000.00 to $10,000.00 would allow for more flexibility.
Councilor Jerram expressed his concern over any ambiguous language.
Atty. Muschell noted that the language used in the questions was not the language that would appear in the Charter. The actual language was contained in the Charter Revision’s report.
Councilors Samele, Soliani, and Bascetta voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Jerram, Dalla Valle, and Reginatto opposed the motion. Mayor Quinn voted in favor of the motion,
breaking the tie and carrying the motion.
ADD TO AGENDA #2530
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to add expenditures over $2,000.00 to the agenda by 2/3rds vote.
CUSTODIAL FEES #2550
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted unanimously to transfer $17,025.00 from the Recreation budget to the Board of Education budget for custodial fees incurred during basketball games.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that it was not his intention for the Council to oversee or manage any department head’s budget for items already budgeted that occurred on a continual basis throughout the year. The spending freeze was to include “purchases” over $2,000.00 in order to justify and monitor the spending during these hard economic times.
FUEL OIL & DIESEL FUEL #2770
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Dime Oil bids for Fuel Oil at .8384 and Diesel Fuel at .8791.
SOUNDPROOF PANELS #2910
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted, with the exception of Councilor Reginatto who abstained, to waive the bid process and purchase soundproof panels from W. B. Mason for the Comptroller’s Office at a cost of $3,525.00. Ms. Proulx indicated that funds from her wage line item could be transferred at the end of the year to make up the overage.
BULLET PROOF VESTS & FILE MAKER PRO SOFTWARE: POLICE DEPT. #3130
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of bullet proof vests from New England Uniform for $2,036.00 and File Maker Pro Software from Filemaker, Inc. for $4,750.00 for the Police Department. (See Tape #2 #1230 in regard to Vision Appraisal.)
2002-2003 VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT PURCHASES #3150
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following for Equipment Maintenance:
Street Department 4 plows at $5,818.00 each, total of $23,272.00
Traffic Division 1 Van at $25,000.00
Canine Division 1 Van at $25,000.00
Building Department 1 car at $14,033.00
Park & Recreation 1 Infield Pro at $11,920.00
1 tractor at $40,000.00
Planning & Zoning 1 car at $16,971.00
Total $156,196.00
SLUDGE PUMP REBUILD #3470
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request to Rebuild Sludge Pump #92J89 for $2,361.88.
SLUDGE PUMP REBUILD #3490
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request to Rebuild Sludge Pump #92J88 for $2,645.58.
SEWER MANHOLE ADJUSTMENTS #3520
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request for sewer manhole adjustments for $2,975.00.
TRANSFER FUNDS #3610
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted, with the exception of Councilor Reginatto who abstained, to authorize the transfer from Line Items 0010.0044.5759.0000 and 0010.0044.5753.0000 per calculations listed on memo dated March 17, 2003, in regard to the Local 1579 Contract, and referred it to the Board of Finance.
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS #3640
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of the following invoices from #0312.5900.0000 General Obligation Bonds in regard to the Connecticut General Obligation Refunding Bonds of 2003:
Moody’s Investors Service $ 9,500.00
Bernard J. Waters, Consultant $ 1,500.00
Causey Demgen & Moore, Inc. $ 1,850.00
Wells Fargo Bank $ 2,250.00
Dixworks LLC $20,169.60
$35,269.60
FOOD STAMP EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING CONTRACT #3660
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Department of Social Services Food Stamp Employment & Training Contract in the amount of $40,000.00 and to adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Quinn to sign as grantee on behalf of the City.
RESOLUTION
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, City of Torrington, a Connecticut Corporation (the “Contractor”) 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 of the Contractor duly held and convened on Monday, April 7, 2003, at which meeting a duly constituted quorum of the Board of Councilmen was present and acting throughout and that such resolution has not been modified, rescinded, or revoked, and is at present in full force and effect:
RESOLVED, that the Mayor, Owen J. Quinn, Jr., is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of this Contractor with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for the Federal Food Stamp Employment & Training Program, and to affix the corporate seal.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the corporate seal of the Contractor this 8th day of April, 2003.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CCMC, CTC
City Clerk, Torrington, Ct.
POLICE UNIFORMS BID #3820
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Board of Public Safety’s recommendation to award the Police Uniforms Bid to the current supplier New England Uniform of Danbury, Ct.
TELEPHONE SYSTEM: FIRE DEPARTMENT #3840
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Board of Public Safety’s recommendation to award the bid concerning the NEC Electra Elite Telephone System for the Fire Department to NECC of Rocky Hill, Ct.
RENTAL OF PORTABLE TOILETS: TAPE #2 #120
Councilor Reginatto made a motion to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid concerning the Rental of Portable Toilets for the 2003 Season to the only bidder, Mr. Septic of New Milford, Ct. Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion.
Councilor Reginatto amended his motion to include the installation of an additional portable toilet in Coe Park.
Councilor Reginatto further amended his motion to award the bid concerning the Rental of Portable Toilets for the 2003 Season to the only bidder, Mr. Septic of New Milford, Ct., including the installation of an additional portable toilet in Coe Park contingent upon the approval from the Coe Park Committee. Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion. Unanimous.
CLEANING SERVICE #240
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to exercise the Option to Renew clause for the upcoming year concerning the Cleaning Service for the Street Department, Rec Hall, and Armory Buildings.
GUARD RAIL INSTALLATION #260
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Superintendent of Streets and the Purchasing Agent to waive the bid process and purchase guard rail components from the State of Connecticut Bid.
Robert Lizotte, Superintendent of Streets, pointed out that the request included the installation of the guard rails by the contractor, and not merely the purchase of guard rails.
(The wording in the motion was changed from “guard rail components” to “installation”.)
GREENRIDGE ROAD SANITARY & STORM SEWERS #350
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to award the Greenridge Road Sanitary and Storm Sewer Installation project to the low bidder, P & G Pepper Construction Services, Inc. in the amount of $55,699.00.
SMALL CITIES: CITY OF TORRINGTON #420
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $75.00 each (total of $225.00) from Small Cities Fund #258 to the City of Torrington for partial title searches in regard to 119 Dartmouth Street, 33 Brooker Street, and 24 Dewey Street.
SMALL CITIES: THE REGISTER CITIZEN #430
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $459.88 from Small Cities Fund #258 to the Register Citizen for a legal ad placed in regard to a combined notice for Small Cities activities.
SMALL CITIES: SAFE HOMES #440
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $300.00 each (total of $600.00) from Small Cities Fund #258 to Safe Homes, Inc. for risk assessment done in regard to 20 Ticonderoga, and 119 Dartmouth.
MOVE ITEM #29
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to move Item #29 (Vote on Small Cities’ recommendation in connection with renovation work for Mr. & Mrs. Ted Dreger at 817 Migeon Avenue.)
SMALL CITIES’ RECOMMENDATION #470
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee to proceed with roofing work to be performed at 817 Migeon Avenue, by O’Connor Construction for $15,350.00.
SMALL CITIES: EDWARD DREGER #530
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $6,165.00 from Small Cities Fund #261 to Edward Dreger / O’Connor Building & Remodeling for roofing work performed at 817 Migeon Avenue.
FRIAR ASSO. #530
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $15,050.00 from the Torringford School Building Acct. #314 to Friar Associates for pre-referendum professional services rendered from 2/1/2003 to 2/28/2003.
FAIR HOUSING POLICY STATEMENT & RESOLUTION #550
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to re-adopt the City’s Fair Housing Policy Statement and Resolution for 2003.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, All American citizens are afforded a right to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice; and
WHEREAS, State and Federal Fair Housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, lawful source of income, sexual orientation, and familial status, be given equal access to rental and home ownership opportunities and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and,
WHEREAS, The City of Torrington is committed to upholding these laws and realizes that these laws must be supplemented by an Affirmative Statement publicly endorsing the right of all people to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Board of Councilmen of the City of Torrington hereby endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent, purchase and obtain financing for adequate housing of their choice on a non-discriminatory basis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Torrington or his designated
representative is responsible for responding to and assisting any person who alleges to be the victim of an illegal discriminatory housing practice in the City of Torrington.
Adopted by the Board of Councilmen on April 7, 2003.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE / CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 #560
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the Statement of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
PROCLAMATIONS #570
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Proclamation: National Youth Service Day, April 15, 2003.
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept a Proclamation and adopt a Resolution concerning National Community Development Week: April 21, 2003 - April 27, 2003.
MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION #610
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to approve the revisions to the Management Resolution dated 4/7/2003.
A discussion took place on the following recommended changes:
1. Life Insurance: Add: language that conforms to the practice that life insurance is reduced upon retirement to $5,000 dollars.
2. Personal time: Add: two personal days per year for management employees. You must use these two days by December 31, 2003. There will be no carryover of unused personal days from one year to the next.
3. Vacation Change to vacation accrual system as with Local 818, Supervisors Union. Change vacation schedule to provide three weeks vacation for employees with one year through five years of service. Add: policy language stating elected officials will not be paid for unused vacation time at the expiration of their term.
4. College Tuition: Add: college tuition reimbursement policy.
5. Cleaning/Shoe Add: $500 annual allowance for Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs of Police
Allowance and Fire Departments.
6. Educational Add: language that conforms to the practice that the Police Chief
Incentive and Deputy Police Chief receive a $500 annual stipend for their Bachelor’s Degrees. Recognize this practice ends with the separation of their employment.
7. Wages Update wage schedules for 2002 and 2003. Implement a 3.5% wage increase effective 7/1/03.
8. Misc. Comp. Increase stipends for Registrars of Voters and City Clerk.
APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT #1110
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted unanimously to approve the revisions to the City of Torrington Application for Employment.
Mr. Gritt reported that recent legislation mandated language in regard to an applicant’s obligation to report whether they had been arrested or convicted in the past and language was added to provide a notice for drug testing.
DRUG TEST EMPLOYEES #1150
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Personnel Director to drug test all new, regular full-time employees hired through the Personnel Department.
GORDON, MUIR AND FOLEY #1170
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $2,667.50 from the Southwest School Building Acct. #110 to Gordon, Muir & Foley, LLP for professional services rendered.
ADD TO AGENDA (VISION APPRAISAL AND OTHER EXPENSES) #1230
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to paying Vision Appraisal Technology for annual software maintenance fees.
The Council noted that this $4,800.00 expense to Vision Appraisal, as well as the others mentioned below, had already been approved by the Council when they voted on the Police Department’s software and no further vote was needed. (See #3130)
Polymers, monthly expenditure for chemicals at WPC, for $2,205.00.
Replacement of broken heat pump at Police Department, West State Mechanical at $2,776.00.
Work Pants, Fire Department at $75.00 each, for $6,075.00.
Annual Physicals, 27 firefighters at $4,351.00.
HALLORAN & SAGE #1280
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,206.00 from Contingency to Halloran & Sage for professional services rendered in regard to the DECD Downtown Redevelopment Master Planning Grant and referred it to the Board of Finance.
TORRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL PAYMENT #1340
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $540.00 from the Torrington High School Building Acct. #285 to CAPP, Inc. for invoice #098383.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #1370
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for March, 2003.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #1380
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Rollett informed the Council that the President’s Day storm was eligible for reimbursement from FEMA and it was his best guess that the city would receive $62,000.00 and the Board of Education would receive $9,000.00 in reimbursements.
Not counting the impact of today’s storm, Mr. Rollett noted that they were approximately $100,000.00 over budget.
Mr. Rollett spoke in regard to the recent break-in at City Hall and requested $1,500.00 from Contingency to install a basic alarm system in the building. Additionally, he requested authorization to go out to bid for a security monitoring system to be positioned at every entrance at a cost of approximately $11,000.00.
ADD TO AGENDA #1580
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to add Mr. Rollett’s request for a basic alarm system to the agenda by 2/3rds vote.
BASIC ALARM SYSTEM #1590
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to purchase a basic alarm system at a cost of $1,500.00 from Contingency and referred it to the Board of Finance.
Councilor Dalla Valle amended his motion by increasing the amount to $2,000.00, since the Council felt the fire escape should also be monitored. Mr. Rollett noted that Sound Works & Security would do the work.
ADD TO AGENDA #1710
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to add the security monitoring system to the agenda by 2/3rds vote.
SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEM #1900
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Public Works Director to seek bids and/or proposals for a security monitoring system.
BUS: MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL #1920
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the locked doors in the back of City Hall could be unlocked.
Mr. Rollett indicated that the doors were locked at the request of the Police Department as a means to heighten security.
Councilor Dalla Valle requested an updated report on blighted properties and a list of zoning violations.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked for the courtesy of being informed of meetings well in advance.
ADJOURNMENT #2140
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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