MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 1, 2004
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, November 1, 2004, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, James F. McKenna, Paul W. Summers, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Senior Account Clerk Emily Barbero, Building Official Francis Cardello, Park & Recreation Director Richard Calarco, and Zoning & Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Kimberly Barbieri. Absent was Councilman Paul F. Samele, Jr.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to accept, with the exception of Councilor Soliani who abstained, the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 18, 2004.
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.
Bridget Beauchaine, 113 Sharon Avenue, brought photos that showed the pooling of water in front of her home.
Mayor Quinn repeated that all work on Sharon Avenue had been completed and no further work was anticipated with the exception of the curbing around a telephone pole.
Ms. Beauchaine said she was very pleased to learn that Mayor Quinn’s Assistant had phoned Gary Bonaldi, the Acting Postmaster for the City of Torrington, and that Mr. Bonaldi had taken the time to go to her home to look at the problem. Mr. Bonaldi informed Ms. Beauchaine that he had submitted a letter to the Mayor’s Office. She asked Mayor Quinn if he had seen this letter and requested a copy of it.
Mayor Quinn stated that he had a letter similar to the one she had just read. (The letter in reference stated “At times, mail can not be delivered to 113 Sharon Ave. due to ice and water in front of this residence and in the road.”)
Ms. Beauchaine said she hoped the city would follow through with the city’s ordinance about removing garbage cans from the sidewalks after it’s been collected, because they will cause an imposition to pedestrians.
Mayor Quinn stated that all questions and concerns in regard to waste collection should be referred to Public Works.
FORECLOSURE: OLD FIREHOUSE
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, discussion took place on the foreclosure of the Old Firehouse: J.R. Laliberte (Tabled on 7/19, 8/16, 9/7, 9/20, and 10/4.)
J.R. Laliberte, 416 West Wakefield Blvd, Winchester, informed the Council that the building mortar joints were power washed on three sides of the building, the back roof was demolished and three main trusses were cut out. Mr. Laliberte explained that he spent $35,000.00 more than he had to on replacing the trusses because they weren’t rotted out like they thought they were. New trusses were ordered for the back bump-out building. The clay caps on top of the main roof have been removed and new ones will be installed upon arrival. The caps need to be installed before the roofer starts demolishing the main roof, which is expected to occur some time next week or the following week.
Mr. Laliberte indicated that Rick Reynolds, the representative from CL&P, did not foresee anything being done with the telephone pole until the first of the year. CL&P’s web site was down for maintenance so he was unable to check the status of this matter.
MOTION TO TABLE #350
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to table the matter until the second meeting in December (12/20/2004).
INCREASE IN SALARY: REGISTRARS #390
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, a discussion took place in regard to the request to increase the salary for the Registrars of Voters by 5% for each of their two-year term, effective January 2005 and January 2006. Previous vote on 10/4/04 did not specify an increase for each year.
Councilor McKenna said it was his belief the last time it came up that the request was for 5% over the two years.
Asst. City Clerk, Joline LeBlanc, stated that the wording of the 10/4 request was incorrect, that it should have specified 5% for each of the two-year term. The Registrars stated that the increase was justified due to an increased time commitment in redistricting and new mandates in voter registrations.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that 2 ½ /3's were where most of the sentiments had been in Union wages.
Councilor McKenna suggested spreading the 5% over the two years at 2 ½ and 2 ½ to be in line with the managers.
Councilor McKenna made a motion to that effect. Councilor Summers seconded the motion.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that he already had a motion on the floor at 5% per year, and Councilor McKenna had seconded the motion. Councilor Jerram would have to modify his motion or withdraw it.
Councilor Jerram stated that 5% for someone earning $5,000.00 a year is much less than someone earning $40,000.00 a year. He pointed out that recent state mandates to canvass registrations every year and the addition of two new polling districts had increased the Registrars’ responsibilities and workload.
Councilor McKenna withdrew his motion. Councilor Summers withdrew his second.
Councilor Jerram’s original motion and Councilor McKenna’s second to increase the salary for the Registrars of Voters by 5% for each of their two-year term, effective January 2005 and January 2006 remained on the floor.
Councilor Jerram voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Soliani, McKenna, and Summers opposed the motion. Councilor Waldron abstained. On a
1-3-1 vote, the motion failed.
Councilor McKenna made a motion to spread the 5% over two years (2 ½ and 2 ½ for each year of their two-year term.) Councilor Summers seconded the motion. Councilors Soliani, McKenna, and Summers voted in favor of the motion. Councilor Jerram opposed and Councilor Waldron abstained. On a 3-1-1 vote, the motion carried.
CHAIN LINK FENCE REPAIR/REPLACEMENTS #650
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid entitled “Chain Link Fence Repair/Replacements” to Eagle Fence & Guardrail of Plainville, Ct. for $17,375.00.
THOMAS CHRISTIANO, INC. #680
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $19,421.05 from a Department of Social Services grant obtained by the Sullivan Senior Center to Thomas Christiano, Inc. for payment #6 in regard to the Sullivan Senior Center Garage Building Project.
CARDINAL ENGINEERING #700
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $380.00 from Northwest Interceptor Fund #302 to Cardinal Engineering Asso., Inc. for engineering services on the Highland Avenue, Oakbrook Lane/West Horace Street, Perkins Street sanitary sewer project.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE: FORD LANE #710
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to grant final acceptance to 1,143 feet of Ford Lane, a cul-de-sac street that will serve twenty residential lots.
PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE: CIDER MILL CROSSING #730
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to grant provisional acceptance to 1,000' of Cider Mill Crossing and a 500' extension of Silver Fox Lane in the Torringford Ridge Estates Subdivision.
PERMIT TRACKING SOFTWARE #770
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the request to purchase Permit Tracking Software from which $2,000.00 could be used from budgeted software, $2,000.00 from computer hardware, and the remainder from Contingency.
Prior to any discussion, Mayor Quinn stated that the remainder of the funds could be divided amongst those departments using the software rather than using funds from Contingency.
Mayor Quinn reminded the Council that his intention in the Smart Growth he started approximately a year ago, was to make the departments within City Hall more user friendly. Upon becoming Mayor, he realized that we needed a system that could be shared by all users, be more customer savvy, be more timely in record keeping, and streamlined to keep track of particular projects. He pointed out that the proposed software was compared by a number of key personnel, including Ed Fabbri, Frank Cardello, Kim Barbieri, Gerry Rollett, Marty Connors, Christina Emery and the Mayor’s staff.
Councilor Jerram inquired about the after costs, including annual licensing fees, updating and support fees, etc.
Mr. Fabbri indicated that both companies submitting a proposal had a $700.00 a year support charge.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that BMSI was more well known in New England and looking to establish itself in the Connecticut market. Black Bear was nationally known. References for both companies were excellent. He pointed out that Frank Cardello had voiced his opinion that Black Bear would better serve his department, while the other departments felt the software at the lesser expense would be palatable to the taxpayers as well as to the existing budget. BMSI could do the job, it was just a matter of learning how to use it. From Mayor Quinn’s perspective, the least costly software was preferred.
Councilor Waldron inquired whether there was a difference between the two companies as far as training was concerned.
Mr. Fabbri stated that Black Bear had a slight edge over BMSI in terms of learning how to use the software. BMSI wants to establish themselves in Connecticut and that’s why their price is so much less.
Councilor Soliani asked where the support would come from.
Mr. Fabbri indicated that BMSI would send someone here for a couple of days of training. There will be some work involved in customizing the permit forms to our liking.
Black Bear’s support would be internet related and toll free phone service from the west coast. The negative aspect is that their phone service would only be available to us from noon on, due to the time difference.
Mr. Fabbri felt that the Building Department would use this software the most, then Planning & Zoning. Engineering would use it the least.
Kim Barbieri stated that she and Marty Connor were really impressed with BMSI because the multiple items shown on one window would help them monitor Engineering and Building’s work, which they needed to do before they could issue their permits. Black Bear seemed to be more segmented, but they could work with Black Bear if it was the chosen one. She thought Mr. Fabbri had done and excellent job in getting a $22,000.00 package from BMSI for a total cost of $4,500.00.
Mr. Cardello indicated that Black Bear had 1,000 users and been around for eight years; BMSI only had seven users. He stated they would have to go to Vermont or New Hampshire to actually see how the BMSI program works. He stated that Bill Hoffman felt Black Bear was the easiest program to learn. Black Bear was Building’s choice even prior to Mr. Hoffman becoming our Data Processing Manager. They went to the Walsh system upon Mr. Hoffman’s arrival.
Dean Pergola, Mechanical Inspector in the Building Department added that the Walsh program had never been developed and they weren’t able to get any use out of it. He stated that the Black Bear program could be lap topped and brought to the construction site, then downloaded into the main computer. They could print out code violations, etc. from the lap top and eliminate some of the paperwork. He felt they needed to think about the future and BMSI had no plans on making it lap top accessible. The Building Department was reluctant because their previous program was useless and it never turned out any permits. Granted, BMSI is a bit more advanced than Walsh, but it isn’t proven like Black Bear. Black Bear is already customized to the City of Torrington because it’s been around
that much longer than BMSI. He didn’t feel the reduction in price from BMSI was a good enough reason to sacrifice the things that he had just outlined.
Mayor Quinn indicated that funding was available for BMSI. There was no additional funding available and there would be no support from the Mayor’s Office to find additional dollars for Black Bear. He pointed out that he had not seen any computerization in the Building Department since he had been Mayor and that it certainly lagged behind almost every other department in city government and, therefore, the only funding available, in his estimation, was the BMSI program.
Mayor Quinn noted that the Walsh program was supposed to have been built and developed by the Building Department, but was unused.
Mr. Pergola stated that his department didn’t build computer programs, they inspects buildings.
Mayor Quinn said, “For that reason, I find the reference of ‘easy to use’, when it isn’t being used, is not a compelling argument.”
Mayor Quinn reiterated that funding was available for BMSI. Getting a program that puts everyone on the same page had been long overdue. Consultants will be here for two days. He thanked the committee for their hard work. This goes a long way to the Smart Growth initiatives that they’ve been talking about. This will be a great step forward for the City of Torrington and we will be leading the State of Connecticut in this model.
Mr. Cardello pointed out that the Building Department brought in $33,000.00 more than their expenses in the first three months of this fiscal year. At this rate, they will probably be bringing in $120,000.00 more per year. He asked why they couldn’t use some of that money to purchase the program they want rather than get the one they don’t know will do the job.
Mayor Quinn said he hadn’t heard that BMSI wouldn’t do the job except from Mr. Cardello. Mayor Quinn informed Mr. Cardello that the revenue from his office did not have the ability to be re-directed, it had to go into the General Fund.
Mr. Cardello stated that building permit fees were set to cover their expenses, not to make extra money. People building homes shouldn’t be paying this extra money, it should come out of our general tax.
MOTION TO TABLE #1540
Councilor Jerram made a motion to table the matter until such time as a consensus could be reached. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
Councilors Jerram and Waldron voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Soliani, McKenna and Summers opposed. On a 2-3 vote, the motion failed.
MOTION TO APPROVE BMSI
Councilor Soliani made a motion to purchase the BMSI tracking system with $2,000.00 from budgeted software, $2,000.00 from computer hardware and the remaining $500.00 from departments using the software. Councilor Summers seconded the motion.
Councilors Soliani, McKenna and Summers voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Jerram and Waldron opposed. On a 3-2 vote, the motion carried.
SMALL CITIES: CHANGE ORDER #1610
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a change order in the amount of $1,094.00 from Small Cities SC-2002 grant for plumbing and electrical work on project 143-190.
SMALL CITIES: DEFERRED LOANS #1615
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following 0% Deferred Loans from Small Cities SC-2002 grant for housing rehabilitation:
$24,200.00 Project #143-192 P2
$32,350.00 Project #143-207 P2
SRS REMOVAL ACTION #1620
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $944.30 from Contingency to SRS Removal Action for Assessment #18 and referred it to the Board of Finance.
GORDON, MUIR & FOLEY #1640
On a motion by Councilor Summers, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,440.00 from Contingency to Gordon, Muir & Foley, LLP for professional services rendered in the Southwest School matter and referred it to the Board of Finance.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORTS #1650
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Reports for August and September, 2004.
REC. SMALL CITIES #1650
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve only the boiler and radiator repair on Project #205.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the entire scope requested for Project #208, however, the loan would be for ten years instead of the usual fifteen years.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve only the roofing and electrical work on Project #212.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to take Project #215 out of rotation because of its emergency situation relative to a health and safety issue and approve this project. There are no encumbrances on this property so the city will be first in line for repayment.
BUS: SECTION B #1820
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
FOOD STAMP EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING GRANT #1825
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the submission of an application to the Department of Social Services for the Food Stamp Employment & Training Grant for the period from January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2008 in the amount of $40,000.00 each year totaling $109,989.00 for the period covered.
LITCHFIELD FORD #1850
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to waive the bid process and purchase a 2002 Ford Taurus from Litchfield Ford for $11,774.00 for use by the Building Department. (This is an additional vehicle for the department. Funds were budgeted and will come from the Vehicle Replacement Account.)
MAROLA MOTORS #1920
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted 4-1 to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid entitled “Plow Truck” to the low bidder, Marola Motors for $95,700.00. Councilor Jerram opposed for consistency purposes. Funds were available from Town Aid.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1990
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero requested adding an item to the Agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the purchase of a new bank of fluorescent lights for the vault in the City Clerk’s Office. He reported that a burning odor had recently resulted in a call to the Fire Department and that an entire bank of lights had to be permanently shut off due to the situation.
ADD TO AGENDA #2080
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to add the item to the Agenda by 2/3rds vote.
VALMARK ELECTRIC #2090
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the $1,579.72 expenditure to Valmark Electric from Contingency to purchase and install eight 8-foot wraparound fluorescent light fixtures in the City Clerk’s vault and referred it to the Board of Finance.
BUS: MAYOR AND MEMBERS #2120
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
The entire Council congratulated Chief Milano for being chosen as the Chief of Police for the City of Torrington. They all thought he was a fine choice and they all whole-heartedly supported him.
Councilor Jerram suggested having Chief Milano look at the post card which the City Council had received.
Councilor Waldron informed the Council that there was a problem with the street lights recently approved by the Council on Weigold Road and that the matter may be brought back before the Council in the near future.
Councilors Soliani and McKenna encouraged the citizens to vote in tomorrow’s election.
Mayor Quinn personally thanked the Register Citizen for posting the list of streets and polling places to help direct the citizens to their respective polling places, especially since there was confusion due to the renovation of Torringford School.
He thanked the Registrars of Voters’ Office and the City Clerk’s Office for their professionalism and hard work during this arduous election. He also urged everyone to vote.
ADJOURNMENT #2360
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
| 
