MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 3, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held
in the Council Chambers on Monday, November 3, 2003.
Attending included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Paul F. Samele, Jr., Marie P. Soliani, Drake L. Waldron, Richard E. Dalla Valle, and James D. Reginatto, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, Building Official Francis Cardello, and Supervisor of Elderly Nutrition Project Winnie Machuga.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held October 6, 2003.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to open the meeting to the public.
Bridget Beauchaine, 113 Sharon Avenue, stated that she appeared before the Council on 10/20/03 to express her concern over the Sharon Avenue project and stated that many other residents were present this evening to share similar concerns. She has repeatedly been told that the project was under way and to give it time. She presented the Council with recent photos taken after the last rainstorm on 10/28/03, and pointed out that water was still sitting there days later.
Ms. Beauchaine said she was told at the last meeting that she would be given a report by Mayor Quinn, following his discussion with Mr. Rollett. To date she had not heard from Mayor Quinn and had been told that Mr. Rollett and Mr. Lizotte were too busy to speak with her. As a taxpayer she demanded some answers. She thanked Councilmen Jerram, Samele, Waldron and Reginatto for taking the time to look at the situation. (For the record, Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that he was unable to assess the situation because he had been in the hospital.) Mrs. Beauchaine stated she has also spoken with Councilwoman Soliani by phone. Councilwoman Soliani was sympathetic to her plight and stated that there wasn’t any money to solve the problem on a temporary basis. She said “I was also advised if I needed to seek legal counsel that would be an answer which horrified me because I’m thinking, if that’s the way the city solves problems, I’m not so sure that’s the answer.”
Councilwoman Soliani stated that seeking an attorney was Ms. Beauchaine’s suggestion and not hers.
Ms. Beauchaine listed her concerns. The list is attached to the official minutes.
She asked Mayor Quinn what was going to be done in the next two weeks to solve these mounting problems. She asked Mayor Quinn if he had a report for her.
Mayor Quinn said he did not.
Edie Mallick, 135 Sharon Avenue, also thanked the Councilmen who visited the sight and showed some concern about what was being done. She wished the project hadn’t progressed to this point because it was almost complete and it wasn’t right. She thought it was ridiculous to spend so much money on this project and not install a drain. She still had a pool of water in front of her house and her vehicles wouldn’t have enough clearance to make it in and out of her driveway if things weren’t put back the way it was. She also pointed out that icing would occur at the end of the street causing a safety issue for children taking the bus.
Michael Mallick, 135 Sharon Avenue, stated that he called Mayor Quinn last Wednesday morning to see if he could drive by on his way to work. He noted that eighteen city vehicles went up and down the street that day and only one of the drivers stopped to talk to him. He didn’t divulge the man’s name from the Street Department; however, the man stated that the whole road was wrong. Mr. Mallick thanked Mr. Fabbri for
visiting the site. He pointed out that Mr. Fabbri threw a blade of grass in the water and it didn’t move one way or another, showing that there was no drainage.
The city had already taken grades five or six times and Mr. Mallick was told there was a quarter of an inch pitch per foot, totaling 2 ½ inches in 10 feet, which should make water flow easily. That wasn’t happening. He said he was going on vacation next week and wanted to know what was going to be done with the water problem and what would happen to his driveway. He didn’t want to come home to any unpleasant surprises.
Mr. Mallick asked Mayor Quinn when he could expect an answer to his questions.
Mayor Quinn indicated that there was no representative present from the Public Works Department to answer those questions.
Mr. Mallick asked Mayor Quinn if he could get back to him tomorrow.
Mayor Quinn said, “Yes, I can.”
Ethel Zelonis, 27 Sharon Avenue, reported that she had water in front of her house for three or four days after any given rainfall, and in the winter it turns to ice. She furnished the Council with a drawing of where she thought a drain should be installed.
Rosemary Davis, 87 Sharon Avenue, reported that water flowed directly “around” a storm sewer in front of her house and flowed down to her neighbor’s property instead of collecting the water. She wondered what the situation would be like when the road project was completed.
Councilor Reginatto said he was told that curbing would be installed to direct the water into the catch basin.
David Darby, 90 Sharon Avenue, presented the Council with photos of the front of his property. He expressed a concern over the large drop off that resembled a moat in between his property and the road and wanted to make sure it would be taken care of. He inquired whether the entire road would be curbed and if they would clean up the mess when they cut into the street.
Shane Ashe, 4 Sharon Avenue, reported that, water flows directly in front of her house and the drain freezes creating a concern at the bus stop. She pointed out that her sidewalk had a rise, which it no longer has, to keep the water from flowing into her yard, and she was concerned over the possibility of having her yard wash away from the rain. She said that a child fell on her property because it wasn’t prepared smoothly. When her father tried to help the child, he also fell because of the curb location.
Judy Belli, 106 Sharon Avenue, said she appreciated the resurfacing of the road, however, it appeared to be worse than it was previously. She said it appeared that a manhole, just before the park, had been tarred over and made higher than it was so the water couldn’t drain beyond the manhole to the catch basin.
Lorraine McGibben, 145 Sharon Avenue, stated that she has developed a water problem since the road work began that she never had to before. She also reported having a one-foot drop off that she never had before and wondered how that situation would be corrected.
Emil Berti, 153 Sharon Avenue, said he always had a water problem. When it rains a lot the water goes through his cellar, down his driveway, and heads off to Eggleston Street where it freezes in the winter. He reported that there are no drains and was told by Engineering that drains weren’t needed because it was all gravity fed.
Barbara Jansson, 105 Sharon Avenue, reported that the street is two inches lower where her driveway meets the street than it was previously.
She also reported that the Street Department had crowned the street nicely to separate the water in the middle. However, the pitch was so steep that she was concerned about getting her RV in her driveway. She expressed her concern about standing water, and the possibility of West Nile Virus.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated from what he read, a report was going to be given and an update presented in two weeks, which was at this meeting. He asked if the report had been done.
Mayor Quinn indicated that he hadn’t seen one.
Councilor Jerram stated that the Council received a letter in their packet that basically stated the project was not yet complete.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he read that letter, but was curious about the report from Mr. Rollett and Mr. Lizotte that was requested. He didn’t consider Mr. Rollett’s memo to be a report or a solution to the problem. He said he didn’t take kindly to the fact that someone was told that a budget cut would stop a road from being fixed. He asked to get a report some time tomorrow and asked Mayor Quinn to look into that.
Mayor Quinn said he would certainly ask Mr. Rollett and Mr. Lizotte for a report, as he had indicated to Mr. Mallick.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked Mayor Quinn to let the Council know what was going on, as well as Mr. Mallick.
Mayor Quinn said he would have someone contact the Council.
Councilor Reginatto thought part of the problem was a lack of communication. People had good cause to be uneasy about what was going on with their road and it was his belief that talking to the residents would help considerably. He understood that the road was under construction, but they needed to be told by Mr. Rollett or Mr. Lizotte what was going to take place. Since the asphalt plants would be shutting down soon, he imagined that everything needed to be completed within the next couple of weeks. He confirmed the fact that Mrs. Beauchaine’s car was bottoming out going in and out of her driveway.
BLIGHTED PROPERTIES #960
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the following blighted properties:
10 Highland Avenue, Dominick Visciotti
Mayor Quinn pointed out that the Council had received an update from Mr. Visciotti dated 10/27/03. Mr. Visciotti attended the last City Council meeting as directed, and was showing some progress, however, he has recently encountered a financial hardship.
476 Main Street, Robert Wardle. Corp. Counsel Vasko stated Mr. Wardle was cited for blight several months ago and the Council authorized the beginning of fines. Since he has not cleaned up the property, the next step was to foreclose on the blight liens.
Since there were no tax liens on the property, the city would have to decide how to get that property back on the tax rolls based on some type of re-development or an extension of city property from the previous State Theater.
MOTION #1040
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted for the city to initiate foreclosure proceedings on 476 Main Street.
Old Firehouse, Water Street, J.R. Laliberte - update on progress (missed last meeting).
Mr. Laliberte stated that a death in the family had occurred.
Councilor Reginatto asked Mr. Cardello if the city furnished Mr. Laliberte with a letter stating which blight issues he was to address.
Mr. Cardello said “No, Mr. Laliberte was going to get back to us to tell us what he was going to do.”
Mayor Quinn said, we asked him for a progress, and he was going to tell us the time frame when he was going to clean up the property.
Councilor Reginatto pointed out that Mr. Laliberte was trying to lease the building.
Councilor Jerram added that he was probably withholding any investment until he had a tenant.
Councilor Dalla Valle thought he had effectively given himself a two-month extension from the last one given to him. He thought it was time to send him a letter telling him:
At the next Council meeting, bring in a plan we requested three months ago, that he has yet to give us except this letter, saying he’s looking at this and looking at that. They needed a plan now. The Council accepted the fact that he cut the brush, but that’s all he’s done, and Councilor Dalla Valle didn’t think that was acceptable.
Councilor Jerram agreed. Mr. Laliberte’s action plan should have been in Council’s hands right after Labor Day.
Councilor Dalla Valle said Mr. Laliberte should be sent a registered letter stating that “We accept a plan in writing by the next Council meeting, or we will take the same steps we took on Main Street. Time’s up, I think on this.”
Mayor Quinn thought Councilor Dalla Valle was right. He would have the Corp. Counsel send a letter to that effect.
YANKEE PEDLAR #1120
Councilor Jerram inquired whether any progress has been made on the Yankee Pedlar building.
Mr. Cardello indicated that they were still waiting for several bids to qualify for the grant money for the facade.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that the property owner was actually acquiring bids to apply for the facade money. Several contractors looked at the building and work was ongoing to get the job done.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that there were more issues with the Yankee Pedlar building itself than just the facade.
MEALS-ON-WHEELS #1160
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to accept the recommendation from the Services for the Elderly Commission to waive the bid process and purchase two Meals-on-Wheels vehicles from the sole vendor for this specialized equipment, Delivery Concepts East at a cost of $30,740.00 each.
SPECIAL DIETS GRANT #1180
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to authorize the Mayor’s signature on the Special Diets Grant application and to adopt a Resolution to enter into a contract with the Department of Social Services, for the October 2003 to September 2004 fiscal year, contingent upon approval from the Services for Elderly
Commission.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE COMMITTEE #1200
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted to accept Deputy Fire Chief Giampaolo’s memo in regard to changing the Memorial Day Parade Committee to the Torrington Veteran’s Action Committee or TVAC;
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to accept it’s mission statement;
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to approve the Proclamation: Veteran’s Recognition Month, November 10 to December 7.
APPOINTMENT: I.W. #1250
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to approve the appointment of Rick Bette to replace Fred Rodgers on the Inland Wetlands Commission, effective immediately for a term ending on September 5, 2004.
SMALL CITIES: #1250
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to authorize a 0% deferred loan in the amount of $15,200.00 from Small Cities Fund #275 for Project 143-161.
SMALL CITIES: SAFEHOMES #1260
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted to authorize the payment of $300.00 from Small Cities Fund #275 to SafeHomes, Inc. for performing a risk assessment.
SMALL CITIES: REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN #1270
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted to authorize the payment of $180.40 from Small Cities Fund #275 to the Republican-American for two Invitation to Bid ads, to be paid upon receipt of drawdown #2.
SMALL CITIES: STAPLES #1290
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted to authorize the payment of $449.18 from Small Cities Fund #276 to Staples Credit Plan for copying specs.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #1300
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted to consider business presented by Department Head.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero informed the Council that scanning land records had begun in his office and invited them to come look at the operation. It’s expected to reduce the cost of each volume from $75.00 to $2.25 and will pay for itself in a year or two.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1375
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram told the residents of Sharon Avenue that the Council shared their concerns. He suggested waiting until they defined “complete” and address the issues as they come up. He stated they tried to get them all done ahead of time where they wouldn’t have to go back and expense those additional funds, but if that’s what they to need to do, they’ll make sure they are addressed and solved.
Councilor Jerram thanked Deputy Fire Chief Giampaolo for taking charge of the former Memorial Day Committee. He noted that the veteran’s had expressed a concern regarding decorating the graves of the veterans who had passed away with appropriate flags and inquired whether there were any plans for that.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that part of the mission of the committee would be to establish a budget line item in the next budget year to have money to place flowers on every grave and continue with the recognition program. The impetus is to recognize the veterans outside of Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. The mission of the committee is also to assure that every veteran is treated equally throughout the city. We need to recognize veterans at home so the youth in Iraq know that we support them in every way.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether Mayor Quinn could elaborate any further on the courthouse.
Mayor Quinn indicated that he was not able to elaborate except for what had been reported in the newspapers.
Councilor Samele told the residents of Sharon Avenue that the Council would work to address their problems and that they would be watching things very closely.
Councilor Dalla Valle requested adding 113 Linton Street to the list of properties having drainage problems. It was previously reported in May of this year and still no resolution has been reached.
Councilor Soliani agreed with Councilor Jerram in regard to waiting for the end result of the Sharon Avenue project, and if it didn’t meet the resident’s requirements, they could readdress the Council.
Councilor Waldron said the Council could see that residents of Sharon Avenue still had needs to address.
Mayor Quinn echoed the sentiments of the Council in that they would be monitoring the Sharon Avenue situation very closely, and that 113 Linton Street would be added to the list of projects they would be monitoring.
Mayor Quinn and the Council wished each other well in tomorrow’s election.
ADJOURNMENT #1750
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to adjourn at 7:27 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
| 
