MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JUNE 21, 2004
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, June 21, 2004, 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, James F. McKenna, Paul W. Summers, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Building Official Francis Cardello, Park & Recreation Director Richard Calarco, and State Representative Roberta Willis.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special joint meeting with the Board of Finance held on May 27, 2004.
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special meeting held June 1, 2004 on budgets.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Michael Driscoll, 26 Alvord Street, stated that he was personally in favor of the Council taking some action on the blighted issue before them this evening in regard to property located at 7 George Street.
The Old Firehouse owned J.R. Laliberte, was moved to later in the meeting.
SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM / PARK & REC. #130
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, a discussion took place to authorize Mayor Quinn to enter into an agreement with the Connecticut State Department of Education to implement the Summer Food Program with the Parks & Recreation Department. The Program is to be administered by the city and reimbursed with state and federal money.
State Representative Roberta Willis said she started having dialogue with the food banks in Torrington about three years ago because they were running out of supplies during the summer months. The reason they were running out appeared to be because they were serving children who would otherwise be in school and getting school lunches. She looked into an organization called End Hunger Connecticut to see what could be done, and found that the Vogel Wetmore neighborhood qualifies under a federal summer food program, which is basically an extension to the lunch program that is offered during the school year, where kids get free or reduced lunches.
Mrs. Willis indicated that setting up such a program usually takes a year, but seeing the need was immediate, they received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture who administers the program, and were urged to move forward with something for the summer. It was discovered that all three Park & Recreation locations were in the neighborhood of Vogel Wetmore and qualified for federal dollars reimbursement. Education Connection agreed to prepare the breakfasts to see how it would work. The Department of Agriculture, the State Department of Education, the City’s Park & Recreation Program, and the Education Connection had all the elements required to move forward. The City Council’s approval is required to complete the paperwork and submit it to the Department of
Education.
Park & Recreation Director Richard Calarco explained that each child registered in the Oak Ave, Durand St. or Bannon Street Playgrounds will be offered two breakfasts in a four-week period. The meals will be served at Coe Park to approximately 60 children registered in each playground.
Mrs. Willis further explained that Education Connection will prepare the meals and deliver them to the site each day. The City’s Park & Recreation employees will serve the children.
Councilor Jerram asked if the reimbursement from the Federal and State grants would cover the wages and benefits for city employees as well as monies allocated to Education Connection for the cost of preparing and delivering the food.
Mrs. Willis said she believed the cost was either $1.75 or $1.85 for each breakfast and more for a lunch. However, the city will not serve lunches at this time. The city will receive $0.25 in administrative costs for each meal served. Education Connection will get reimbursed for the exact amount of what it costs them.
Mr. Calarco said they weren’t looking at a tremendous staff increase other than a couple of extra hours for the administrative staff. They will maximize the staff on hand and put them to the fullest working capacity.
Mr. Calarco said the policy set forward at this time, since this is a pilot program, is to accept children registered in the playgrounds. The information will be evaluated, and perhaps they can work closely with the school system to enhance the program to include lunches during the summer in the future. Park & Recreation’s goal is to increase attendance by reaching out to the entire community, as well as offer the children free breakfasts.
Mrs. Willis stated that Kevin Purcell informed her that the Torrington Rotary generously offered to assist, should additional costs arise such as the need for an extra milk cooler, etc.
The Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Quinn to enter into an agreement with the Connecticut State Department of Education to implement the Summer Food Program with the Parks & Recreation Department.
TORR. POLICE DEPT. / CARDINAL ENG. #570
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following invoices from the Northwest Interceptor Fund #302 in regard to the East Main Street/New Harwinton Road Sewer Improvements and Phase 2 from Torrington Heights to Norton Street:
Torrington Police Department $ 407.80 Traffic Control Services
Cardinal Engineering Asso. $1,795.62 Engineering Services
CARDINAL ENG. #580
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $7,397.50 from the Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund #490 to Cardinal Engineering Asso. for engineering services in regard to the Tara Drive Pump Station removal, and referred it to the Board of Finance.
TORR. MIDDLE SCHOOL PUMP STATION UPGRADE #590
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the City Engineer’s recommendation to reject both bids received on the Torrington Middle School Pump Station Upgrade Project and ask both companies to provide the City with lower cost alternatives through value engineering. If alternatives are satisfactory, it is further recommended to ask both companies to submit a new price based on the preferred alternative.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the city was eligible for any reimbursement from the original bond package, and whether the problem was the fault of the original design or something that had worn out after ten years of use by 1,500 school children.
WPC Administrator Raymond Drew said it was difficult to say for sure, but it was their impression that the system was a poor design to begin with. The problem is that there isn’t enough sewage generated at the school to provide adequate flushing in the force main, resulting in the decomposition of solid settlement in the pipe and significant odor problems for residents along Country Club Road where it is being discharged in the pump station. The recommendation is an effort to correct design flaws in the original installation.
Councilor Soliani inquired if the original contractors who installed the faulty design system could pay for what needs to be done since it wasn’t right from the very beginning.
Mr. Drew said he wasn’t certain if that recourse was available to us.
Mayor Quinn stated that, in all probability, it had passed the statute of limitations.
Councilor Soliani asked why we didn’t move on this problem before.
Mr. Drew said that it wasn’t under the guidance of the WPCA, since the Board of Education manages that facility. In December of 2002, the Board of Education set up a special project fund to correct the problem, and the WPCA has been working closely with them since then.
One of the Board of Education’s solutions was to run the water twenty four hours a day to help dilute the solids. They stopped in the spring of 2003 when the city set up the chemical trials at the school.
Councilor Samele inquired whether the problem will be rectified after this proposed solution that is costing the city $219,000.00.
Mr. Drew said they evaluated several alternatives. One was to eliminate the pump station altogether and install 6,000 feet of gravity line to the Technology Park. That usually proved to be cost prohibitive at close to $1 million. They looked at two options; the chemical addition at the school, and the potential for modifying the pump station and slip lining the force main whereby a smaller pipe would be installed inside the existing pipe to allow for increased velocities, and eliminate solids from decomposing in the pipe. It was determined that the most cost effective way to eliminate odors was the chemical addition which would kill the bacteria causing the odors. He informed the Council that the chemical addition was not a 100%-guaranteed fix, however it was their belief that it will solve the
problems. To the best of his knowledge the city has not received any odor complaint during the past eighteen months.
Mayor Quinn said it was necessary to remedy the problem no matter whose responsibility it was. He noticed that there had been a workable solution during the past year and a half, however, it needed to be a long term fix. It was his understanding that the Board of Education put $200,000.00 in an account governed by the City to alleviate that problem.
Mr. Drew informed the Council that Jerry Rollett had been instructed, and given the authority to act as the Project Manager by the Board of Education, to manage the project and disperse the funds for the renovation of that pump station.
Mayor Quinn said “There’s $200,000.00 that’s been shipped in by the Board of Education, the city has been monitoring it, putting man hours in, it looks like a compromise. What I want to make sure is that the smell goes away for the neighbors.”
Mr. Drew said it was his belief that this will correct the problem.
Mr. Drew further explained that a number of bid specs had been picked up, but only two bids were received. He informed the Council that engineering fees already paid out totaled $16,600.00, and an additional $6,000.00 was paid for the chemical trials. A balance of $179,000.00 remains in the special project fund. He and Ed Fabbri felt the bids came in higher than anticipated for the amount of work needed. They didn’t anticipate going any higher than what was left in the fund, and consequently it has led them to this point.
Mr. Fabbri explained value engineering. It meant asking each bidder to submit alternatives that would be more cost effective. They hoped to get the project done when school is out of session but going back out to bid would stall the project past September. The second alternative is to wait until next summer.
The council voted unanimously to accept the City Engineer’s recommendation to reject both bids received on the Torrington Middle School Pump Station Upgrade Project, and ask both companies to provide the City with lower cost alternatives through value engineering. If alternatives are satisfactory, both companies will be asked to submit a new price based on the preferred alternative.
Councilor Jerram left the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING: NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE ACT #1060
Mayor Quinn called the Public Hearing to order to review and discuss proposals for participation in the 2004 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Administrative Aide for the Mayor David Rivera informed the Council that nine (9) nonprofit organizations had submitted applications to participate in the 2004 Neighborhood Assistance Act. The list included United Way of Northwest Ct., Inc., Norwest CT YMCA, City of Torrington Fire Department, City of Torrington Office of Economic Development, City of Torrington Social Services Department, Torrington Area Health District, Boy Scouts of America, the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Ct., Inc. The requests totaled $540,000.00 worth of tax credits. By State Statute, the Council, as the governing body, is required to review the proposals prior to submitting them to the State Department of Revenue Services, who makes the final decision.
Mayor Quinn explained that these nonprofit organizations, if accepted, would be eligible for tax credits from businesses or industries who would be interested in making donations. It’s a tool that nonprofit organizations can use to encourage donations. He further explained that the Neighborhood Assistance Act was not grant money and that neither of the applicants was competing against each other for funds.
William Egan, Executive Director of United Way stated that funds donated from businesses can be applied to their state income tax filings, and that there was a spillover to the IRS as well.
Councilor Summers inquired whether the programs had to be specific for each nonprofit organization.
Mr. Rivera indicated that the applications were very specific. They have to meet federal tax credits, must have federal I.D. numbers and have nonprofit status in order to apply. The applications were available for review.
Mr. Egan stated that United Way had been applying for Neighborhood Assistance tax credits from the onset of the program and they had never encountered any problems with being accepted by the state.
Mayor Quinn recognized the following individuals for being present: Greg Brisco, Executive Director of the Northwest CT YMCA, Larry Hepburn, Training Officer from the Torrington Fire Department, Jackie Alongi and Dan Edison from the Torrington Area Health District, and William Egan from United Way.
Having no further questions or comments from the City Council or the public, Mayor Quinn closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED APPLICATIONS # 1360
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the proposals submitted for participation in the 2004 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT #1400
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the Statement of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
FAIR HOUSING RESOLUTION #1430
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the City’s Fair Housing 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, 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 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.
SMALL CITIES CHANGE ORDERS #1440
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following change orders from Small Cities SC-2002 Grant:
Project #143-190 $ 850.00 Unforeseen plumbing and roofing repairs
Project #143-189P2 $1,950.00 Chimney liner
ANTI-BLIGHT FINES: WEISMAN #1450
On a motion by Councilor Summers, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the imposition of Anti-Blight fines in the amount of $198.00 per day on property located at 7 George Street owned by Sherman I. Weisman.
BUS: SECTION B: #1490
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
SECTION 8-24: LINTON & HASSIG ROAD #1510
On a motion by Councilor Summers, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to refer to Planning & Zoning for a Section 8-24 referral, the matter concerning the extension of public sanitary sewer beginning at the intersection of Linton Street and Hassig Road, extending sewer line approximately 3,854 feet to serve properties along Linton Street and the proposed Country View Estates Subdivision.
TORRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL INVOICES #1540
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of the following invoices from the Torrington High School Building Fund #285:
Builders Hardware Inv. 101687 $1,719.32
Builders Hardware Inv. 091539 $ 290.95
Bell Electrical Contractors Inv. 12195 $ 399.60
Bell Electrical Contractors Inv. 12178 $ 159.40
Bell Electrical Contractors Inv. 12199 $ 165.90
West State Mechanical Inv. 9219 $1,260.00
West State Mechanical Inv. 9241 $ 387.00
West State Mechanical Inv. 9243 $ 996.71
J.R. LALIBERTE, THE OLD FIREHOUSE #1580
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the Old Firehouse owned by J.R. Laliberte.
Mr. Laliberte indicated that he was surprised to hear that the City Council had taken a vote at their last meeting to foreclose on the old firehouse. Since then, he appeared before the Blight Committee and requested time to meet in front of the entire Council. He assured the Council that his letter previously sent to them and his failure to attend their last meeting was not intended to stall this project any further. To the contrary, there has been a lot going on at the firehouse. He pointed out that some serious work had been done to the structure since June 7th when the Council voted to fine him with the understanding that the fines could be waived if he seriously did some work on the firehouse. He thought he was communicating well enough through the Anti-Blight Committee,
but since then learned that he needed to communicate to the Council as well. Now that he had a clear understanding on that point, his intentions were to follow through. His hope was that the Council would not proceed with the foreclosure action which they voted in favor of during their last meeting after they heard his presentation.
He furnished the Council with a progress report that he just received from his architect, Joe Alicata, and brought the Council up to date on what occurred with the firehouse during the past four months.
The firm Enco, from Waterbury, totally removed the asbestos in the basement which the Building Inspector pointed out, which consisted mostly of pipe insulation and insulation on an old boiler that was abandoned 25 or 30 years ago. During that time, they were not able to freely enter and exit the entire building, which caused a delay in other work.
Mr. Cardello informed the Council that no permit was necessary to do the asbestos abatement. However, he would receive notification of said abatement when he applies for a permit to renovate the building.
Daten Carpentry was hired to remove all the non-bearing partitions on the second floor. They needed to expose the way the building is currently taking water. This was a slow process. The debris filled twelve thirty-yard dumpsters.
Mr. Cardello was familiar with Mr. Daten. He stated that Mr. Daten should have had a demolition permit to do this work. Mr. Cardello said he will need an evaluation of the roofing material when they start working on the roof.
Mr. Laliberte presented a drawing of the building showing the work that’s scheduled to be done. He stated that the drawing was labeled A for the upper part and B for the lower. Everything above the B would be a primary target for repair work. Any work done below the B line may be a waste of money and time because construction may be done on the sides of the building.
Mayor Quinn said that was suggested when Mr. Laliberte came to his office and he was put in contact with Jed Hayes, who is known as the preferred developer for Downtown Torrington.
Mr. Laliberte said “That work should not affect the structural repair work that we need to do to be able to go forward with the roof work. But, we are going to price out that work at the same time, so, if we don’t see in a reasonable time that this is going forward, then we’ll know what the numbers are in advance to repairing the masonry below this B line on this drawing.”
Mr. Laliberte stated that the facade of the firehouse will need to be taken apart instead of repaired because there is structural problems in the interior of the building. Steel reinforcements used for the bell tower put extra stress and strain on the building and that’s what caused some of the deterioration in the front of the building. That is being addressed.
Councilor Soliani asked Mr. Laliberte if he had any time lines for the completion of either the roof, the facade, of anything, other than a plan.
Mr. Laliberte said Mr. Alicata was expecting to have bid packages withing two to three weeks from now. Bids will be in our hands within thirty days. Mr. Laliberte was expecting to award the work within fifteen days after receiving those bids, unless they are far beyond expectations or no bids are received at all.
Councilor Soliani inquired whether the city could expect to see actual work being done on the roof and/or the facade by the middle of August.
Mr. Laliberte said it would be more toward the end of August.
Mayor Quinn said the board wanted to see realistic, concrete dates, in English, that would eliminate any problem of whether or not Mr. Laliberte had met the deadlines, as stated.
Councilor McKenna said Mr. Laliberte was supposed to have furnished the Council with a plan by June 1st, and to date, there was still no plan. He said, “A plan to me is telling me and telling the city what it is you’re going to do, and the time frame in which you’re going to do it.” After all this time, the Council still didn’t have a time frame.
Mr. Laliberte hoped the Council could look at the progress that’s been done within the last six months rather than the past five years. He had a plan to fix the brick and do the roof, but he didn’t have it defined yet on how the work was going to be done. The hiring of Joe Alicata was to help him with that plan. He said he would provide them with a time calendar based on the facts that he had received from Joe Alicata today. He was relying on the architect because there were things that were beyond his capability of doing on his own.
Mr. Laliberte again invited the Council and Mr. Cardello to walk through the building to see what progress had taken place. Mr. Laliberte said “by Joe’s commitment to me today, three weeks from today, he feels he can have a plan defined for me. Not maybe all the details written out, which I don’t need the details written out to come before the City Council, or the defined plan on dates. We’re able to, in three weeks from today, have some kind of drawings with the scope of work visual enough for me to be able to plan on doing the work.”
Mayor Quinn suggested that perhaps Mr. Laliberte could stress upon Mr. Alicata how important it was for the city to have a plan.
Mr. Laliberte asked the Council to give him three the weeks that Joe Alicata needs to finish his evaluation in order to have a more defined work schedule from him. By that time, they should be preparing the documents to go out to bid.
Mayor Quinn indicated that the Council already authorized the Corp. Counsel to start foreclosure action. Those issues are ongoing and will not be ceased until such time as this Council sees action that would warrant the reversal.
Mr. Laliberte said he was told when fines were imposed that they would be alleviated if he seriously did the work on the firehouse. He thought he had demonstrated that effort, but no one attempted to see the progress that’s been made. He said he didn’t realize that the Council imposed a June 1st deadline upon him.
Councilor Soliani wanted to see some action from Mr. Laliberte.
MOTION #2750
Councilor McKenna made a motion to hold off on the foreclosure for three weeks, but would not hold off on the fines. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion. Councilor McKenna assured Mr. Laliberte that this would be his very last deadline.
Councilors McKenna, Summers and Waldron voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Samele and Soliani opposed. On a 3-2 vote, the motion carried.
Because the Council won’t be meeting for three weeks, Councilor Summers requested that Mr. Laliberte meet the three week deadline by submitting the plan directly to the Mayor’s Office within that period of time.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #2920
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2930
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Samele inquired whether the city had an ordinance against placing advertisements on telephone poles. He was informed that Officer Shopey removes them whenever possible and so does Planning & Zoning.
ADJOURNMENT #3120
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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