MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
OCTOBER 6, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, October 6, 2003, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Paul F. Samele, Jr., Marie P. Soliani, Drake Waldron (newly appointed) Richard E. Dalla Valle, and James D. Reginatto, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Republican Registrar of Voters Amelia K. Waldron, Deputy Registrar of Voters Roberta Waldron, Police Chief Roger Janelle, Officer Thomas Vannini, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Board of Public Safety Commissioners James Potter, Robert Zordan, and Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad, and Board of Finance member Bruce Cornish.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
APPOINTMENT OF DRAKE WALDRON # 220
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Republican Town Committee to appoint Drake L. Waldron as Councilman to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of David M. Bascetta.
Councilor Waldron was given the oath of office by Roberta Waldron, Deputy Registrar of Voters.
MINUTES #270
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held 9/02/2003. Councilors Soliani and Waldron abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held 9/15/2003. Councilors Samele and Waldron abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #290
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
The registrar of Voters Amelia K. Waldron and her husband, the former Mayor Hodges Waldron congratulated their son Drake Waldron on his appointment to the City Council.
JANITORIAL SUPPLIES BID #330
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Janitorial Supplies Bid to the low bidder Eastern Bag & Paper of Milford, Ct. for all janitorial supplies except barrels of glass cleaner, 24 oz. cans of teflon lubricant, and dust mop treatment.
During discussion, Mrs. Antonelli indicated that the three items eliminated from the bid would be quoted out individually to the people who bid on it.
CARDINAL ENGINEERING #380
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,155.00 from the Northwest Interceptor Bond Fund #302 to Cardinal Engineering Associates, Inc. for sewer design and inspection services performed on the sanitary sewer improvements on Highland Avenue.
CARDINAL ENGINEERING #390
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $13,350.00 from the Northwest Interceptor Bond Fund #302 to Cardinal Engineering Associates, Inc. for sanitary sewer improvements performed on East Main Street / New Harwinton Road, Phases 1 and 2.
TRUMBULL CONSTRUCTION #400
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to authorize the payment of $92,132.14 from the Northwest Interceptor Bond Fund #302 to Trumbull Construction Co., Inc. for sanitary sewer improvements, Torrington Phase III Sewers, Contract 4 - Highland Avenue.
STERLING LAND SURVEYING #420
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to authorize the payment of $350.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund #490 to Sterling Land Surveying, LLC for services performed on the Tara Drive Pump Station Removal Project and referred it to the Board of Finance.
SMALL CITIES: REGISTER CITIZEN #430
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to authorize the payment of $129.80 from Small Cities Fund #253 to The Register Citizen for an Invitation to Bid ad.
SMALL CITIES: THE INQUIRER #440
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to authorize the payment of $92.63 from Small Cities Fund #253 to The Inquirer Newspaper Group for an Invitation to Bid ad.
SMALL CITIES: L. WAGNER & ASSO. #450
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to authorize the payments of $4,087.50 and $467.50 from Small Cities Fund #276 to L. Wagner & Asso. for professional services rendered from April 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003, to be paid upon receipt of drawdown #2.
SMALL CITIES: EXPERIAN #470
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to authorize the payment of $7.16 from Small Cities Fund #274 to Experian for a credit report.
SMALL CITIES: CHANGE ORDER #490
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to authorize the payment of $1,800.00 from Small Cities Fund #265 for a change order on project 143-166.
During discussion, Councilor Reginatto pointed out the reason for the change order was for unforeseen structural damage.
SMALL CITIES: HARTFORD COURANT #545
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to authorize the payment of $293.22 from Small Cities Fund #276 to The Hartford Courant for a Request for Design / Build Proposal ad, to be paid upon receipt of drawdown #2.
SMALL CITIES: CITY OF TORRINGTON #560
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to authorize the payment of $225.00 from Small Cities Fund #253 to the City of Torrington for performing three limited title searches.
SMALL CITIES: 0% DEFERRED LOANS #570
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to authorize the following 0% deferred loans from Small Cities for Housing Rehab:
$24,510.00 Project #143-173
$33,301.60 Project #143-173
$24,200.00 Project #143-169
$34,700.00 Project #143-154
$ 7,400.00 Project #143-192
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL BLDG FUND #620
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
Friar Associates $ 125.00 Invoice #2 - Consultant fees
Friar Associates $ 762.00 Invoice #3 - Advanced Reprographics
Friar Associates $109,364.00 Invoice #5 of 11 equal installments
MURDOCK CLAIM MGMT: WILLIAMS #640
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to authorize the payment of $2,337.12 from Contingency to Murdock Claim Management Co. F/B/O The Hanover Insurance Company for the city’s deductible in the Williams matter and referred it to the Board of Finance.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that the city had filed a motion for summary judgment and was waiting for the court to decide. The matter should then be resolved.
PUBLIC HEARING: PYTHIAN AVENUE #700
Mayor Quinn called a public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to consider an ordinance to abandon a portion of Pythian Avenue.
Asst. City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the ownership of the portion of the street that was to be abandoned would become municipal parking or parking for the Police Department.
City Engineer Edward Fabbri explained that it was normal for property owners abutting an abandoned street to take over half of the street, however in this case Mr. Zeller had signed an agreement to quitclaim his portion back to the city.
Chief Janelle expressed his desire to use the additional parking for Police Department employees, freeing up parking spaces on the East Elm side of the building for public use.
Councilor Reginatto inquired whether the sidewalk on the north side would remain or become parking.
Mr. Fabbri indicated that the entire right-of-way, including sidewalks, would become the city’s property.
Councilor Reginatto inquired whether a fence would be installed.
Mr. Fabbri indicated that no fence was proposed.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the city had given up anything in the agreement with Mr. Zeller in order to get his half of the street from the abandonment.
Corp. Counsel Vasko explained that Mr. Zeller would be developing that entire corner, and by abandoning the street, he would be able to put the building closer to the Pythian Avenue property line.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired about the exits.
Mr. Fabbri indicated that the area would function as it presently functions with no access to Main Street. He explained that the business presently has two driveways. One will be closed and made into extra parking in front of the new business, and the other will remain open. The DOT recently inquired whether they could close another entrance, however, he was uncertain of the status of this matter. As far as Planning & Zoning was concerned, the entrance closest to Zeller’s parking lot on Main Street would remain open for the new business.
Councilor Jerram made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilor Samele. Unanimous.
MOTION ON PUBLIC HEARING: PYTHIAN AVENUE #950
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted to approve the ordinance to abandon a portion of Pythian Avenue.
PUBLIC HEARING: POLICE DEPARTMENT BLOCK GRANT #960
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted to open a public hearing at 7:06 p.m. to explain and meet the requirements for a Torrington Police Department Block Grant #2003LBBX1886.
Asst. City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Officer Vannini explained that Police Departments were eligible for federal law enforcement block grants. Funding was coming from the federal government. In recent years the city had been awarded money through the state because the city’s crime rate didn’t meet the required standard. Officer Vannini was requesting the Council to approve the matching funds of $1,351.00 from Contingency in order to move forward with the grant which would be used to move manpower and replace officers conducting special investigations.
Chief Janelle added that the grant had already been approved in the amount of $13,554.00 (sic $13,514.00). Part of the requirement included the city’s commitment to pay 10% of the grant before they could proceed with the application. Additionally they would be required to set up a panel of people from the community with educational, religious and law enforcement background to discuss how the grant money would be used. The panel’s approval of their proposal would also be required.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked Chief Janelle if the Police Department had lost approximately $100,000.00 worth of grants in the past year because the Council didn’t put up matching funds. It was his belief that one grant, in particular, was for $50,000.00, with an $8,000.00 match.
Chief Janelle indicated that his numbers were probably correct.
Councilor Soliani inquired why the Council didn’t vote to approve matching funds for Police Department grants.
Councilor Dalla Valle explained that the grants never made it to the Council. Personally, he was curious as to why the city would have lost grants in the past, noting that he would never pass up a grant for a little bit of matching money. He wondered if this particular grant had made it to the Council because it was federal money versus state money.
Chief Janelle indicated that this grant had a requirement to come before the Council for a commitment of matching funds.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that most of the other grants had been “in-kind.”
Chief Janelle agreed. He explained that the Council had approved a $175,000.00 grant from the federal government three or four years ago to pay for the hiring of a federal officer. Requirements included a commitment from the City Council to match the funds needed and a commitment to retain the officer for one year after the grant expired.
Councilor Dalla Valle pointed out that the city also lost a grant for a vehicle.
Chief Janelle indicated that he was correct. Matching funds were required and they hadn’t followed through with the grant.
Councilor Dalla Valle said his point was merely to find out why some grants had to go before the City Council and some didn’t. It was evident that grants had different criteria to meet.
Councilor Jerram made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Councilor Samele seconded the motion. Unanimous.
MOTION ON POLICE DEPARTMENT BLOCK GRANT #1260
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Torrington Police Department Block Grant in the amount of $12,163.00 and the city’s match of $1,351.00, and referred the matching portion of $1,351.00 from Contingency to the Board of Finance.
FIRE DEPARTMENT’S APPARATUS REPLACEMENT PLAN #1280
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, a discussion took place on the Fire Department’s Apparatus Replacement Plan and the purchase of a new rescue.
Chief Field made his presentation. For complete details, please refer to Tape 424. The presentation showed the City Council exactly what the Board of Public Safety had already approved as the revised Apparatus Replacement Plan, and the Fire Department’s plan for its future. It provided detailed information on the former plan as well as the present plan, including the purchase of a rescue for the Fire Department.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked Chief Field to explain the minimal use of the current rescue vehicle.
Chief Field indicated that it was in the best interest of the city to limit the use of the current rescue vehicle because of its present condition, however if it was in better condition it would definitely be used more often.
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired whether bids for the new rescue had been received.
Chief Field indicated that the rescue vehicle didn’t formally go out to bid. Quotes in the $200,000.00 range were received instead.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that the agenda item included a vote on the plan as well as the purchase of a rescue. In order to approve a purchase, a dollar amount would be required.
Chief Field explained that quotes received were based on a generic package. It was his belief that they would have to officially go out to bid to meet certain specifications once they received approval from the City Council.
Commissioner Potter indicated that the Board of Public Safety had not seen any official prices. They had approved the Vehicle Replacement Plan and were looking for the City Council to approve the funding plan and to allow them to go out to bid for the rescue.
MOTION
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to accept the Vehicle Replacement Plan as presented by Chief Field, and to allow him to go out to bid for a rescue vehicle. There was no second at this time.
Councilor Soliani asked Chief Field if funds were readily available for the rescue.
Chief Field indicated that $473,000.00 was currently in that particular account. He explained that originally, under the old plan, they would have gone out to bid for a new pumper this year, however the new plan included the purchase of a rescue instead.
Councilor Jerram inquired about the rotation schedule to the volunteers.
Chief Field indicated that the new plan did not call for any rotation to the volunteers but rather an allocation of funds.
Councilor Jerram inquired about the staffing of the rescue. He thought the rescue vehicle would benefit the city by handling 60% of the smaller incidents.
Chief Field indicated that current staffing would be rearranged.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo explained that currently the ladder truck is being utilized as a vehicle to get personnel from point A to point B, and much of the equipment on the ladder will be dispatched to the rescue. People will be transferred from one vehicle to another. Obviously it will make sense to dispatch the rescue to calls that the ladder doesn’t need to respond to. That type of operational policy change will benefit the longevity of the ladder.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that the Fire Department had been criticized in terms of sending the ladder to each call. Could Chief Field attach a dollar amount in terms of savings by sending the rescue instead of the ladder?
Deputy Chief Giampaolo explained that the savings created by using the rescue would be long term rather than immediate. In working with Board of Finance member, Roger Dickinson, and making the changeover from dispatching large apparatus to smaller apparatus, it’s apparent that it’s going to cost the city more money in the near future because the smaller vehicles will have to be purchased, however in the long run, a savings will be realized because 20 ton vehicles won’t be sent to incidents that won’t require them.
Given the issue the Council recently faced in regard to spending more than $100,000.00 that isn’t included in the budget, Councilor Jerram said he didn’t recall seeing the planned purchase of a rescue in the current budget and inquired whether they were being asked to spend $220,000.00 on a non-budgeted item. If they were to approve a plan and go out to bid, would the rescue be budgeted in the next fiscal year?
Mayor Quinn stated that the Fire Department had received approval of the plan from the Board of Public Safety and was presently bringing the plan before the City Council for their approval in general, not in specific money terms, and then it would go before the Board of Finance for their approval.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated that the Fire Department already had more than $400,000.00 in their vehicle replacement account.
Chief Field indicated that the bid process would probably take a month or two and construction would take eight to twelve months.
Mayor Quinn stated that they were talking about a future budget item that’s planned.
Councilor Dalla Valle repeated that $400,000.00 was allocated in the account for fire apparatus, whether it’s for a ladder, an engine or a rescue. He didn’t think it would take a budgetary item in the future budget because it was already in the budget.
Mayor Quinn disagreed, stating that it would require a budgetary item in the future.
Councilor Jerram said he was in favor of the rescue vehicle and its entire concept. He said, “I want to make sure we’re on firm ground when we go ahead and say ‘Let’s move forward’, or if it’s an issue of delivery dates and budgeting that has to go through the budget process. I just want to make sure that we’re going forward in the proper direction, understanding if it’s something that we’re all in favor, that it’s done properly and there’s no criticism beyond that.”
Councilor Dalla Valle said “I don’t see this any different than buying a vehicle for any other department in the city and taking it out of the vehicle replacement account. I don’t see that as a budgeted item every year if the money has been allocated yearly. Not to disagree with you, I’m just saying, that if the money is there for fire apparatus, I think the money should be able to be spent for fire apparatus.”
Councilor Dalla Valle put his original motion back out for a second.
Councilor Samele seconded Councilor Dalla Valle’s previous motion.
Councilor Waldron inquired whether they could spend funds from the new plan that were appropriated under the old plan.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he felt they could. The money was there for apparatus, regardless of the plan.
Mayor Quinn indicated that they weren’t purchasing the rescue vehicle tonight. They were looking at a plan to take to the next step and that’s to go to the Board of Finance.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that the agenda item read “Discussion / vote on the Fire Department’s Apparatus Replacement Plan and the purchase of a new rescue.”
Councilor Dalla Valle reiterated his motion, (To accept the Fire Department’s plan as presented by Chief Field and allow them to go out to bid for the rescue vehicle). He pointed out that his motion had been seconded.
Mayor Quinn said “I don’t have a problem with that because the specifications can go forward and will take more work. The area that I want to make sure that we do is, that there is a budgetary item that is addressed, and the chiefs are working on doing that and this matter will then go to the next step, which will go to the Board of Finance to talk about the financing of this plan. So I don’t have any problem with the motion made by Councilman Dalla Valle with that understanding, or the second by Councilman Samele.”
Councilor Dalla Valle said “I would respectfully request that my motion does not include that understanding. My motion is just what I said, it has nothing to do with budgetary items or anything of the sort. My motion is very clear.”
Mayor Quinn said “The budget process will be the budget process. That has nothing to do with your motion, however, I agree with you.”
During further discussion, Councilor Reginatto inquired whether the staffing level would remain the same.
Chief Field indicated that his plan was to utilize the current staffing level by doing some re-arranging.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that the staffing level was an important consideration long term, because if they are going to change the department from using large 20 ton apparatus to smaller apparatus, then changes will be necessary in the way fire department individuals are deployed. Although we have contractual obligations, in the long term you would want to consider how the Fire Department responds to all incidents, not necessarily less firefighters, but different ways of being deployed.
As a point of clarification, Councilor Dalla Valle stated that the $300,000.00 allocated to the volunteers was part of the plan that he had made a motion to accept.
Chief Field indicated that it was.
VOTE #2840
The Council voted unanimously to accept the Fire Department’s Vehicle Replacement Plan as presented by Chief Field, and to allow him to go out to bid for a rescue vehicle.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #2860
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2890
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Reginatto informed Mayor Quinn that the Street Light Committee was in need of a replacement for former Councilor Bascetta.
Councilor Jerram thanked Chief Field for his presentation. He indicated that he was still waiting for an inventory list of vehicles owned by the city.
Mayor Quinn indicated that the list was in the Comptroller’s Office.
Councilor Jerram requested the dollar amount for arbitration costs in regard to Fire Department negotiations versus the dollar amount they were seeking in pay raises in order to determine the impact on the budget.
Councilor Dalla Valle referred to the Board of Education’s memo dated September 25, 2003, whereby they were committing everything necessary to get the Middle School roof repaired, thanked the Mayor’s Office for their continued support and stated that they wanted the city to pay for the capital project, since they considered it a city project and not a Board of Education project. Councilor Dalla Valle said, “I would think that after nine years or more that we’ve had problems at the Middle School, if we’re going to have to pay for the problem anyway, we might as well just take the building and take care of it ourselves and not worry about the Board of Education. At least we’ll get it done right this time as opposed to ten years of doing nothing and then
telling us that we’re going to pay the bill for the inadequacies that have been put forward there. So, just a suggestion, we should just take the building and fix it.”
Councilor Samele inquired about the status of Mr. Alciati’s easement on Charles Street.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that the key person needed for the project had signed his easement and Mr. Alciati was sent his copy of the easement to sign last week.
Councilor Waldron indicated that he was looking forward to working with everyone on the Council.
ADJOURNMENT #3120
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:58 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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