MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 17, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, November 17, 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, and James D. Reginatto, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Building Official Francis Cardello, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery, and Councilmen Elect James McKenna and Virginia Kovaleski.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
MINUTES #030
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to
accept the minutes of the regular meeting held October 20, 2003.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #040
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to
open the meeting to the public.
Bridget Beauchaine, Michael Mallick, and Edie Mallick spoke again in regard to drainage problems on Sharon Avenue, as they had on 10/20/03 and 11/03/03. They wanted the problems solved as soon as possible. Councilor Samele volunteered to work with residents of Sharon Avenue, Mr. Rollett and Mr. Fabbri to help resolve the situation.
State Representative Anne Ruwet thanked Councilors Reginatto and Dalla Valle for their years of service on the Board of Councilmen, and congratulated Councilors Jerram, Samele, Soliani and Waldron for their re-election to the Board of Councilmen.
UPDATE ON BLIGHT #800
Old Firehouse, Water Street, J.R. Laliberte: Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that he had sent Mr. Laliberte a certified letter and had received the green card back, indicating that Mr. Laliberte was aware of the Council=s request. Atty. Vasko suggested resuming Mr. Laliberte=s appeal hearing begun on July 7, 2003, during the next
City Council meeting. The Council could take action at that time.
10 Highland Avenue: It was reported that the property owner had completed the roof on the large building.
RESOLUTION: CHILD CARE CENTER #860
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to
adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Quinn to execute the 2004 contract for the Torrington Child Care Center #143-CDC-26 in the amount of $159,276.00.
RESOLUTION:I, Joseph L. Quartiero, Secretary for the Board of Councilmen of the City of Torrington, a Connecticut corporation (the AContractor@), 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,
November 17, 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 a Child Day Care Program, and to affix the corporate seal.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the corporate seal of the Contractor this 18th day of November 2003.
COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION CO. #900
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to pay $209,062.50 from the Northwest Interceptor Fund #302 to Complete Construction Company for sanitary sewer improvements to East Main Street / New Harwinton Road and Phase 1 from Columbus Road to Torrington Heights Road.
SMALL CITIES: RECORD JOURNAL #920
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to
pay $290.16 from Small Cities Fund #276 to Record Journal for an Invitation to Bid ad.
SMALL CITIES: RECORD JOURNAL #925
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to pay $352.00 from Small Cities Fund #275 to Record Journal for two Invitation to Bid ads.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORTS #930
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to
accept the Building Department Reports for July, August & September 2003.
GORDON, MUIR & FOLEY #960
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to pay
$1,479.00 from Contingency to Gordon, Muir & Foley, LLC for professional services rendered in the Southwest School matter and referred it to the Board of Finance.
WARNER THEATER #1000
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted to
authorize the reimbursement of $9,754.20 from the Tax Abatement Acct. to the Warner Theater for property taxes paid upon its purchase of 84-94 Main Street pursuant to Chapter 197 of the Torrington Code and referred it to the Board of Finance.
MURDOCK CLAIM MGMT: ZAVATKAY #1015
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted to pay
$60.50 from Contingency to Murdock Claim Management Co., F/B/O The Hanover Insurance Company for the city=s deductible in the Zavatkay matter and referred it to the Board of Finance.
RESOLUTION: STILL RIVER GREENWAY #1040
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Quinn to execute the Agreement between the State of Connecticut and the City of Torrington for the maintenance of the Still River Greenway.
RESOLVED, that Owen J. Quinn, Jr., Mayor, be, and hereby is, authorized to sign the agreement entitled AAgreement Between the State of Connecticut and the City of Torrington for the Maintenance of the Still River Greenway.@
SRSNE #1140
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the board voted to pay $407.65 from Contingency to SRS Removal Action for Assessment #17 in the SRSNE Superfund Action and referred it to the Board of Finance.
WIMBLEDON GATE NORTH #1180
Councilor Reginatto made a motion to give final acceptance to Wimbledon Gate North and release the project=s construction bond. Councilor Jerram seconded the motion.
During the discussion, Mr. Fabbri indicated that the city usually holds a $5,000.00 bond for one year. If the entire amount is released, there would be nothing left for repairs.
Corp. Counsel Vasko recommended giving final acceptance to Wimbledon Gate North and releasing the construction bond.
Atty. Vasko explained that the road was supposed to have been finally accepted in 1998 or 1999. The former City Engineer had stated that the road was ready to be accepted, but for some reason it was never approved. Upon Mr. Fabbri becoming City Engineer, he found a number of issues with the road that had not been done or had failed since the time the former City Engineer stated it was ready for approval. The developer agreed to do certain things, one of which was to repair depressions in the street apparently caused from water piping. Mr. Fabbri was suggesting holding back $5,000.00 from the bond to cover the cost of those repairs. Had the road been accepted in 1999 when this new work was done, the city would have required the contractor to do the work and post a separate
bond, as opposed to using the construction bond for the roadway.
It was noted that the developer was expecting to get his full bond money back. Retaining $5,000.00 was a new development.
AMENDED MOTION #1390
Councilor Reginatto amended his motion to give final acceptance to Wimbledon Gate North and to release the bond, holding a $5,000.00 retainer for one year. Councilor Jerram amended his second. Unanimous.
SECTION B #1410
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to
consider business in Section B.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL BUILDING #1420
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to
approve the following payments from the Torringford School Building Acct. #314:
Friar Assoc. Invo#6 (equal payments) $114,224.00
Friar Asso. Invoice #4 Cons Exp. - Welti Asso. $ 8,600.00
Friar Asso. Invoice #5 Cons. Exp. - Couch & Asso. $ 3,000.00
SMALL CITIES: THOMAS CHRISTIANO, INC. #1430
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted to
authorize the payment of $36,507.93 from Small Cities Fund #276 to Thomas Christiano, Inc. for work done in regard to the Senior Center Garage project.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #1440
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted to
consider business presented by Department Heads.
Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery informed the Council that the city had an application in progress with the EDA for a federal grant for a Brownfield Assessment Program. The city will be able to apply for up to $200,000.00 for hazardous substance property and another $200,000.00 for petroleum sites, with no cost share on behalf of the city. It will help us develop a long range strategy for re-using some of these sites and it could be made part of our downtown planning effort. The city will be working with the City Planner and the City Engineer to identify sites of top priority. The grant will target the downtown as a whole and actual sites will be inventoried. A public notice will be published in the newspapers.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1570
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Reginatto, the board voted
to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
The board commended Councilors Reginatto and Dalla Valle for their years of service to the city.
Mayor Quinn and those returning to the Board of Councilmen, as well as those newly elected to the Council were congratulated by everyone.
Councilor Jerram spoke in regard to the trip wires that set off the change in traffic lights during a slow traffic pattern. He pointed out that the worst ones were City Hall Avenue and Mason Street.
Councilor Jerram stated that he had previously requested an update on the city=s expense in regard to the arbitration with the Fire Department=s union. He asked that it be made available for the next meeting.
Councilor Jerram said it was his understanding that the city would have to own property if it planned to propose it for a future state project. He thought there should be an agency in place and funded in order for the city to be ready.
Mayor Quinn said he and Mrs. Emery had spoken to the DECD on that very issue.
Councilor Dalla Valle, through Councilor Reginatto, stated that it had been a pleasure to serve the City of Torrington.
On his own behalf, Councilor Reginatto said it had been an honor and a privilege to serve the city.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that Councilor Reginatto should be recognized for his bipartisan efforts with the Torringford School Building project. He demonstrated leadership as the Council=s liaison to that committee. Mayor Quinn had asked Councilor Reginatto to remain on the committee as a member in his own standing.
Mayor Quinn reported that he was involved in a minor automobile accident and that he and Christina Emery, who was also in the car with him returning from a meeting at the DECD, were not hurt and that there was very little damage to the city vehicle.
Mayor Quinn congratulated the recently elected Board of Councilmen and welcomed Virginia Kovaleski and James McKenna to the Board. The commitment of people from all boards and agencies would make the City of Torrington a better place to live, work, and raise a family. He enjoyed running for Mayor with Councilor Dalla Valle, he hoped his health problems were over and wished him continued success.
ADJOURNMENT #2000
On a motion by Councilor Reginatto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted
to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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