MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MAY 5, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, May 5, 2003, in the Council Chambers.
In attendance 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, and James D. Reginatto, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Treasurer Richard J. Friday, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Superintendent of Streets Robert Lizotte, and WPC Administrator Raymond Drew.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #040
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held April 7, 2003.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC # 050
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
TORRINGTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION #070
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve, in principle, a grant of drainage and related easements to the Torrington Library Association in connection with improvements to the Municipal Parking Lot.
Under discussion, Senator Andrew Rohrback introduced Karen B. Worrall, Director of the Torrington Library, Ferdinand Vergaro, Chairman of the Torrington Parking Authority, and Ron Barrante, member of the Parking Authority.
Senator Rohrback noted an unprecedented cooperation between the Parking Authority, the Torrington Library, the State of Connecticut and the City of Torrington in making the parking lot between the river and the library more usable by providing an entrance off South Main Street. He pointed out that the Parking Authority and the Torrington Library would each share one half of the cost for doing the conversion. In return for paying half, the Torrington Library will ask the Parking Authority for drainage and/or easements from the library property to the river when they reconfigure their entrance to face the river to allow for handicapped parking places, drop off areas and walks.
It was noted that Corp. Counsel Vasko had researched the matter and confirmed that the city owned the parking lot.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired as to why the Council was voting to approve the recommendation on principal only.
Corp. Counsel Vasko noted that the easements were not specific at this time.
Senator Rohrback indicated that the matter may have to go before the Planning & Zoning Commission for a Section 8-24 referral.
Councilor Dalla Valle pointed out that a blanket approval from the Council at this time would alleviate the need to re-approve the matter after it went through another agency.
Senator Rohrback further indicated that additional legal work would be needed to determine the exact placement of the pipe. The reconfiguration of the library may not take place for several years.
Senator Rohrback and Mr. Vergaro indicated that construction would be held off until after the Memorial Day parade to avoid any safety hazzards.
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS #350
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of the following bills from Fund #0312 General Obligation Bonds regarding the City of Torrington’s General Obligation Bonds, Issue of 2003.
I-Deal, LLC $ 1,146.82
Pullman & Comley, LLC $10,000.00
Day, Berry & Howard $32,950.00
W. W. MANCHESTER #420
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $33,994.56 from Bond Fund #302 to W. W. Manchester Construction Co., Inc. for the East Main Street Sanitary Sewer Installation.
H.C. PLANNING #450
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $5,500.00 from the Torringford School Building Acct. #314 to H.C. Planning Consultants, Inc. for professional services rendered on the 10-Year School Enrollment Projections.
STATE BIDS #480
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and accept the following State Bids for roadway work and road salt for the fiscal year 2003-2004, based on the following State Contracts:
(Contract No. 001-A-11-0514-C Crushed stone, screened gravel, and replacements) processed aggregate and rip rap
loaded at plant and delivered.
(Contract No. 023-A-06-0021-C Bituminous concrete materials, and replacements) complete in place.
(Contract No. 023-A-06-0018-C Bituminous concrete materials, and replacements) loaded at plant and delivered.
(Contract No. 012-A-20-0710-C Sand, gravel, & topsoil.
and replacements)
(Contract No. 012-A-13-0455-C Guide railing parts.
and replacements)
(Contract No. 012-A-20-0712-C Pavement milling.
and replacements)
(Contract No. 023-A-12-0401-C Road salt for snow & ice replacements) control.
SELECT ENERGY #530
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Purchasing Agent and the Board of Education’s Business Services Administrator to enter into a contract with Select Energy for the supply of Natural Gas, contingent upon the assumption that the Nymex price at the date of contract signing does not exceed an additional $.20/Dth and the basis price remains $1.79/Dth.
Mrs. Antonelli indicated that she and Mr. Murphy could, if given the authorization, lock in with Select Energy in the morning and that price would be based at what the market closed out that afternoon. (The $1.79 was the price the day of the bid opening a week ago. Last year’s average price with Yankee Gas was $11.285.)
Mrs. Antonelli indicated that this was the first time the city was going out to bid for natural gas and the first time to share services with the Board of Education for this particular commodity.
Councilor Dalla Valle amended the motion to lock into the 12-month rate.
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PUBLIC HEARING: SEWER USER FEE #890
Mayor Quinn called the Public Hearing to order at 7:02 p.m. to set the sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2003 and ending June 30, 2004 as follows:
For residential use: $155.00 per unit
For all other users: $155.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Quinn inquired whether anyone present, including the City Council, wished to speak for or against the proposed sewer user charge. No one spoke.
Mayor Quinn called the public hearing to a close at 7:05 p.m.
SET SEWER USER CHARGE #960
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor
Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to set the sewer use charge
for the year beginning July 1, 2003 and ending June 30, 2004 as
follows:
For residential use: $155.00 per unit
For all other users: $155.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow.
It was noted that the sewer user charge increased from $147.00 to $155.00. The bulk of the increase was to offset the additional costs for the East Main Street, Harwinton Road and Highland Avenue capital improvement sewer projects.
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SMALL CITIES: SAFE HOMES, INC. #1030
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $580.00 from Small Cities Fund #261 to Safe Homes, Inc. for two risk assessment tests, three soil sample tests and one fed-Ex charge in regard to 22-24 Dewey Street.
SMALL CITIES: L. WAGNER & ASSO. #1040
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $4,500.00 from Small Cities Fund #276 to L. Wagner & Asso. for professional services rendered in connection with the City’s preparation and submission of the 2002 Small Cities Block Grant Program application and environmental review record.
SMALL CITIES: L. WAGNER & ASSO. #1060
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $2,437.50 from Small Cities Fund #276 to L. Wagner & Asso. for professional services rendered from January 1, 2003 through March 31, 2003.
SMALL CITIES: L. WAGNER & ASSO. #1070
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $8,437.50 from Small Cities Fund #265 to L. Wagner & Asso. for professional services rendered from January 1, 2003 through March 31, 2003.
DELETE FROM AGENDA #1080
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to delete items 15, 16, and 17 from the agenda.
The items excluded from the agenda included 1) Recommendation of Small Cities Committee for renovation work at 40-42 Berry Street, Torrington, Ct., 2) Recommendation of Small Cities Committee for renovation work at, 173 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, Ct., and 3) Recommendation of Small Cities Committee for an emergency project at 322 New Litchfield Street, Torrington, Ct.)
ADD TO AGENDA #1100
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to add the following Small Cities’ projects to the agenda by 2/3rds vote: 143-166, 143-154, and 143-182.
SMALL CITIES’ PROJECTS #1140
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following Small Cities’ projects: 143-166, 143-154, and 143-182.
GORDON, MUIR & FOLEY #1160
On a motion by Councilor Bascetta, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $609.00 from the Southwest School Building Fund #110 to Gordon, Muir & Foley, LLP for professional services rendered.
STREET LIGHT RECOMMENDATION #1200
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Street Light Committee to remove three existing lights off pole numbers 115, 104, and 88 on Torringford West Street that were realigned by CL&P.
BUS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #1300
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mayor Quinn presented City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero with a certificate nominating him to the Municipal Clerk’s Honor Roll section of the General Code Web Site on behalf of the City Clerk’s Office in appreciation of his work and dedication to his community in restoring the Veterans’ Memorial Honor Roll Board.
Public Works Director Gerald Rollett and Superintendent of Streets Robert Lizotte spoke in regard to the brush clean up in the City of Torrington.
Mr. Rollett noted that the city had two crews and two chippers working full time during their regular working hours on a predetermined program and that their work was approximately one/third complete to date. At the rate they were proceeding and the rate that the brush was being brought curb side, they had two more months’ worth of work ahead of them. The problem was that homeowners were clearing their yards of debris not related to the ice storm and the street department was getting behind on their regular work.
Mr. Rollett requested permission from the Council to add another chipping crew and to rent another backhoe in order to cut the time to five or six weeks. He noted that the brush was so entangled that it was more efficient to use a backhoe to place the brush in the chipper than to do it by hand.
Mr. Rollett reported being about $100,000.00 over budget for storms and he estimated a reimbursement of approximately $60,000.00 from FEMA for the President’s Day storm.
ADD TO AGENDA #2140
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to add Mr. Rollett’s request for a chipping crew and a backhoe to the agenda by 2/3rds vote.
CHIPPING CREW AND BACKHOE #2150
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize “up to $20,000.00" from Contingency for an additional chipping crew and backhoe for the storm cleanup with a cap of $20,000.00, and referred it to the Board of Finance.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2260
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram noted that he had been informed from a tenant of the Torrington Industrial Park that signs concerning the public right-of-way were down.
ADD TO AGENDA #2310
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the purchase of a copy machine for the City Clerk’s Office. Councilor Jerram seconded the motion. Unanimous.
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $7,500.00 for a copy machine for the City Clerk’s Office.
Under discussion, City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero noted that the slower copy machine presently in use in his office would either be sold or taken over by someone else in the building who was willing to take over the remainder of the payments. He noted that the copier that was purchased about a year ago didn’t do the job of the one it was meant to replace, and he wanted to go back to that model, a Canon ImageRunner. He noted that funds were available within his budget to make the purchase.
Councilor Bascetta inquired whether there was any way to get personnel from other departments to help the Street Department clear the city of brush from the ice storm.
Mayor Quinn noted that that would have to be referred to Corp. Counsel Vasko and the city’s Labor Negotiator, Atty. Muschell.
Mayor Quinn congratulated the City Council on a successful Torringford School Building Project. It was his belief that its overwhelming success in such a hard economy was due to the bipartisan support of everyone involved.
BUDGETS #2860
TREASURER’S BUDGET
Alice Proulx noted that the Treasurer’s Budget had been tabled on March 10, pending more detail on the wage line item.
Mr. Friday indicated that he thought $10,000.00 had originally been budgeted to train the Assistant Treasurer’s replacement. However, the amount was only $7,592.00 which represented thirteen weeks. His recommendation was to reduce the training time to ten weeks, thereby reducing the wage line item by $1,752.00 and $134.00 for FICA. Ten weeks would give the individual two “end-of-the-month’s” worth of training. He noted that five and a half vacation days during the ten weeks would cut the time down to nine weeks of training.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired whether any thoughts had been given to consolidating the Treasurer’s Office with the Comptroller’s Office.
Ms. Proulx noted that she wouldn’t be able to commit to anything until a review could be accomplished and responsibilities determined. She stated that cross training would be implemented in her office so that constant coverage would take place.
Mr. Friday indicated that the work in his office had changed dramatically with the new accounting procedures. He noted that his assistant spends many hours posting revenues into the computer, and when she is out, the work piles up because he is unable to perform the work on the new system.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that consolidation was the goal.
Ms. Proulx noted that the budget would have an increase of $12,640.00 or 25.21%, without the lump sum retirement.
Councilor Soliani agreed that training was necessary, but opposed the idea of training someone for ten weeks. She didn’t think the city could afford ten weeks of training for someone who should be qualified for the position in the first place.
Mayor Quinn said it was obvious that the person who had been doing that job for twenty years would have to conduct the training.
The Council felt they should discuss the matter with Tom Gritt. The consensus was to either table the matter or vote to approve four weeks of training.
Councilor Reginatto indicated that they would have four months to find out how much training the position would require if cross training started in June or July.
Ms. Proulx noted that wages would be $2,336.00 for four weeks at the same pay grade as what was in the budget for thirteen weeks.
Mr. Friday reminded the Council that December had several holidays and they were talking of spending less then $5,000.00 to run a department when an employee leaves.
Four weeks of training would reduce the wages line item by $5,256.00 and FICA would be reduced by $402.00. Four weeks of training would cost the department $2,336.00. Bottom line for the budget is $77,732.00.
MOTION: TAPE #2, #210
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the Council voted, with the exception of Councilor Samele who abstained, to tentatively approve the Treasurer’s budget as it stood with adjustments.
BOARDS AND AGENCIES #230
Councilor Reginatto inquired whether the Economic Development Coordinator would remain under contract.
Mayor Quinn said he wasn’t certain what would happen through the Personnel Department in regard to that position. It may remain contractual, however, if it changed it would be included in the Management Resolution.
Councilor Reginatto indicated that his recommendation was to incorporate the Economic Development Coordinator’s position with the Mayor’s Assistant’s position.
Councilor Jerram made a motion to tentatively approve the Boards and Agencies budget, subject to further findings and support from Ms. Proulx. Councilor Bascetta seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Councilor Reginatto recommended deleting Line Item 5505 (Economic Development) and including it in the Mayor’s budget. Although it wasn’t the Council’s jurisdiction to appoint the Mayor’s Assistant, he recommended Christina Emery very highly.
Mayor Quinn said he didn’t think that was a wise position to take and he didn’t think the Council should be attempting to put someone into the Mayor’s Office where the Mayor’s Assistant has to work for the Mayor, at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Economic Development Coordinator had extensive training and experience and was currently pursuing a Master’s Degree and Mayor Quinn’s needs were more of a clerical nature. He didn’t think it was a good precedent for the City Council to try to foist an appointment on the Mayor’s Office who needed to work independently. He indicated that he had shown his approval for cross training and moving people together where there are like-minded operations, but this one didn’t necessarily fit the bill.
Mayor Quinn noted that there was a motion to tentatively approve the Boards and Agencies budget, and it was seconded by Councilor Bascetta, there was a recommendation from Councilor Reginatto that he didn’t necessarily agree with.
Councilor Jerram said “The motion on the floor was for that, (to tentatively approve the Boards and Agencies budget, subject to further findings and support from Ms. Proulx) and that’s not to say that we can’t go and revisit the issue that you brought up (of the Economic Development Coordinator’s position), and certainly understand the Mayor’s expressions that he has made to us tonight, or perhaps we could look at other avenues and get a determination of what’s going on before we act on that.”
Councilor Reginatto inquired whether the Council would be automatically approving the Economic Development Coordinator’s contract by approving this budget and whether they would need to vote on her contract in July.
Mayor Quinn said he didn’t know at this point.
Councilor Jerram said “I’m not suggesting that we approve any future contracts or any positions that are contractual.”
Mayor Quinn noted that the motion was merely for a tentative approval and that it would have to come back before them for final approval.
Councilor Jerram indicated that they probably had greater decisions to make in terms of revenue.
VOTE #650
The Council voted 4-2 in favor of the motion. Councilors Dalla Valle and Reginatto opposed.
For clarification, Councilor Dalla Valle said, “On that last vote, it wasn’t only that issue that I opposed it on. There are other issues in that budget.”
Councilor Jerram added that there was more forthcoming information from Alice on some of the other items (in the Boards and Agencies budget.)
BUILDING DEPARTMENT #680
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to table the Building Department budget until further information could be received from Mr. Cardello.
MAYOR’S OFFICE #710
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Bascetta, a discussion took place in regard to the Mayor’s budget.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired whether the vacant position of Administrative Assistant would be entitled to a 4% raise.
Ms. Proulx indicated that she didn’t think to change the wage line item after Ms. Peacock left and removing the raise would result in a reduction of $1,581.00 in the wage line item.
Mayor Quinn said “The person that leaves, that got a raise last year, that money is still in there, they don’t go back in city government.”
Councilor Dalla Valle said he wasn’t asking to go back, but merely to eliminate the raise.
Mayor Quinn noted that a cut of $1,500.00 was a small piece of an $85 million budget and felt it should be left untouched.
After a lengthy discussion, Councilor Reginatto requested that Mayor Quinn get the city budgets to zero.
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to tentatively approve every budget that hadn’t already been tentatively approved, with the exception of Building which had been tabled, and put them in Mayor Quinn’s lap to let him deal with them. Councilor Jerram seconded the motion.
Mayor Quinn reported that he had given the Board of Public Safety the directive to go back to a zero budget increase, plus contractual, and see what zero across the board would mean. After some deliberation, the Board of Public Safety indicated that further cuts would be too devastating for the departments and that they would rather be instructed to get to a zero before they would do it themselves.
The vote was unanimous.
The increase in the budget on the city side was $1,772,589.00.
ADJOURNMENT #1050
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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