MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
FEBRUARY 7, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, February 7, 2005, 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, Zoning & Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Kimberly Barbieri, Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund.
MINUTES #120
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held January 3, 2005, and the minutes of the special meeting held January 24, 2005. Councilor Soliani abstained from voting on the January 24th minutes.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #130
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Sgt. Major Len Dube, Ret. requested consideration from the Council for larger quarters to run the Veterans’ Office due to a greater amount of clients requesting services on a daily basis. He suggested that perhaps they could move to the former JTPA Office at Fuessenich Park. He pointed out that the City & Town Clerk, by state statute, will administer the Soldiers, Sailors & Marine Fund, and offers assistance to veterans and their families in the event that there is no Veterans’ Service office available. He urged the Council to support the move to Fuessenich Park.
Bridget Beauchaine, 113 Sharon Avenue, complained about the twenty-seven inches of water/ice that she had to walk around in order to get to her house.
J. R. LALIBERTE - OLD FIREHOUSE #380
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to discuss the foreclosure of the Old Firehouse: J. R. Laliberte (Tabled on 7/19, 8/16, 9/7, 9/20, 10/4, 11/1, & 12/20.)
J. R. Laliberte gave the Council an update on the work recently done on the Old Firehouse. Because of the inclement weather, most of the work has now come to a halt, but would resume in April. CL&P informed Mr. Laliberte that, weather permitting, the pole would be moved shortly.
Inland Wetlands & Zoning Enforcement Officer Kimberly Barbieri indicated that Mr. Laliberte still faced a building code violation by not having a covered pedestrian walkway in front of the building.
Mr. Laliberte said he thought installing the fence and placing orange barrels along the divider strip four feet away from the fence resolved the walkway issue. Additionally, he made certain that the walkway remains clear of snow and ice, and that it gets sanded when necessary.
Mrs. Barbieri explained that Officer Shopey originally approved the walkway when Mr. Laliberte was working on the project during the summer months,
but the Building Inspector became concerned that pedestrians were forced to walk in the roadway in the winter, and therefore requested a covered walkway.
Officer Shopey agreed with the Building Inspector that a covered walkway should be installed, since the project grew from two to three weeks, to five to seven months.
Mayor Quinn said it seemed like Mr. Laliberte would have to address the scaffolding issue, and only needed to furnish the new Building Inspector with a one-page update on what he expected to do in order to become compliant.
Mr. Laliberte stated he was instructed to put up an eight-foot high fence with scaffolding that’s covered and well lighted. He estimated the cost would be about $10,000.00.
Mrs. Barbieri thought Mr. Cardello would have called for scaffolding similar to what was installed in front of the Yankee Pedlar.
MOTION TO TABLE: J.R. LALIBERTE #820
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to table the matter to April 18, 2005.
DOMINICK VISCIOTTI : 10 HIGHLAND AVENUE #830
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, a discussion took place on the anti-blight appeal from Dominick Visciotti, 10 Highland Avenue.
Mr. Visciotti said one of the following would occur by June:
1. Monetary Funding Group would give him money to finish the project.
2. He could win a $500,000.00 lawsuit against Monetary Funding Group.
3. Mr. Nejaime could take the building back.
He stated that he and his family have been installing siding on weekends, and would continue to do so on weekends only. He stated that he has an interested buyer and was hoping to sell the building before June.
Mrs. Barbieri stated that the Council was being asked to address Mr. Visciotti’s appeal. This was not a request for fines, but rather to put the blight notice on his property. The city would not impose fines on Mr. Visciotti as long as he continued to work on the building.
Atty. Vasko stated that Mr. Visciotti based his appeal on the belief that the property was not blighted. The Council did not need to levy fines at this time.
Mr. Visciotti inquired about his Small Cities’ application.
Christina Emery , Economic Development Coordinator, informed him that the Blight Committee felt the scope of his project on its own would have used up most of the Small Cities’ funds. They encouraged him to apply for a smaller project through Small Cities, as well as to apply for a Facade grant for the business portion of the property.
On a previous motion, the Council voted unanimously to deny Mr. Visciotti’s anti blight appeal. The property was determined to be blighted. No fines were issued at this time.
BOWLING DEVELOPMENT LLC: 518 MAIN STREET #1550
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to impose anti blight fines of $99.00 per 1,500 sq. ft. ($1,031.18) per day against the owner of Bowling Development LLC, 518 Main Street.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL: GREENWOODS & WINSTED RD. #1570
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to approve approximately $7,000.00 from Contingency to fund a traffic signal at the intersection of Greenwoods and Winsted Roads, and to allow Officer Shopey to contact the Department of Transportation to proceed with the project, and to refer the matter to the Board of Finance.
GRIEVANCE #04-07 #1630
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to deny Public Works Grievance #04-07, which stated that the city was in violation of the working agreement included, but not limited to Article 4, Section 6ab, Section 7.
For the record, Councilor Soliani added that the Personnel Committee recommended that Local 1579 attempt to negotiate any overtime issues they have during contract renewal time.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR #1710
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council, after a brief discussion, voted unanimously to authorize the inclusion of the Director of Economic Development position into the Management Resolution as an exempt position, and to hire Christina Emery effective 2/7/05 at an annual salary of $44,558.00.
CARDINAL ENGINEERING #1870
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $5,470.00 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund #490 to Cardinal Engineering Assoc. for engineering services on the East Main Street/New Harwinton Road sanitary sewer improvements, and to refer it to the Board of Finance.
PENNY LANE #1880
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to grant provisional acceptance to 250 feet of Penny Lane beginning at the intersection of Auburn Way heading in a northwesterly direction to serve house lot #28.
WHITE PINE ROAD #1890
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to grant provisional acceptance to the first 125 feet of new roadway beginning at the end of the existing White Pine Road cul-de-sac heading in a southerly direction to serve house lot #46.
SMALL CITIES: SPACE AGE COPY #1900
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $879.74 from Small Cities Fund #276 to Space Age Copy for ten sets of plans & specs for the Sullivan Senior Center, to be paid upon receipt of drawdown number eight.
SMALL CITIES: RECORD JOURNAL #1910
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $223.20 from Small Cities Fund #276 to The Record Journal for publishing an Invitation to Bid ad in regard to the Sullivan Senior Center.
SMALL CITIES: CITY OF TORRINGTON #1920
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $150.00 from Small Cities Fund #275 to the City of Torrington for two limited Title Searches .
SMALL CITIES: DALY, INC. #1930
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $6,154.00 from Small Cities Fund #256 to Daly, Inc. for the installation of a 4" double-check detector assembly and fire department connection.
SMALL CITIES: REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN #1950
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $193.20 from Small Cities Fund #275 to the Republican-American for publishing two Invitations to Bid ads.
SMALL CITIES: CHANGE ORDER #1960
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a change order in the amount of $311.00 from Small Cities HRLR Grant for the emergency heating system on Project #143-218.
PUBLIC HEARING: SEWER MASTER PLAN #1970
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for 7:00 p.m. on February 22, 2005 in regard to the Sewer Master Plan.
PUBLIC HEARING: SMALL CITIES PROGRAM #1980
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for 7:00 p.m. on March 7, 2005 to review and discuss proposed applications to the State DECD for funds under the Small Cities Program and to review and discuss specific project activities in the areas of housing, economic development or community facilities which could be part of the city’s application for funding.
REFUND: LINDSLEY COLLIGAN #1990
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a refund of $52.00 from Contingency to Lindsley Colligan for a building permit and a CO for a deck that was never built, and to refer it to the Board of Finance.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORTS #2000
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Reports for October, November, and December, 2004.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL PAYMENTS #2010
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
O & G Industries Invoice #6 Dec Req $1,371,037.00
Friar Assoc. Invoice #17 Admin. #4 $ 15,691.00
Adv Reprographics 16329 Misc Rebid $ 336.69
Eagle Leasing 201547 Container $ 780.00
GORDON, MUIR & FOLEY 2020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,170.00 from Contingency to Gordon, Muir & Foley, LLP for professional services rendered in the Southwest School matter, and to refer it to the Board of Finance.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #2040
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2060
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.
Councilor Waldron inquired why the recent suspension of the Deputy Fire Chief wasn’t brought up before either the City Council or the Board of Public Safety. According to the City Charter, it should have been brought before those boards in a timely manner, either for a hearing or for their consent and approval.
Mayor Quinn stated that Corp. Counsel Vasko rendered a legal opinion on the matter and he would be happy to share it with the Board of Councilmen.
Councilor Waldron also inquired why Mike Michaud’s new title of Fleet Manager hadn’t been brought up before the City Council.
Mayor Quinn said the only thing that changed besides Mr. Michaud’s title, was that he would now report directly to the Mayor instead of Public Works. Because his duties a number of years ago has gone from working solely for the Street Department to doing work for the Fire Department, Police Department, and the Board of Education, it was more effective to have him report directly to the Mayor’s Office and it was corrected administratively. It was merely a housekeeping issue for the CEO that goes on a day-to-day basis and it didn’t affect anyone’s work environment.
Councilor Jerram inquired how the city would account for days off with pay and transportation for volunteers participating in the crusade against cancer, and whether the city was creating an issue with the Union by giving workers something that’s not in their contract.
Mayor Quinn indicated that a number of Mayors in the state were encouraging their employees to participate in the crusade against cancer, and anyone doing their twelve hours of training on a Saturday would be allowed to go to Hartford during a working day and get paid for the day. The union affiliated with any employee wanting to participate would be issued a memorandum of agreement stating that he/she will be compensated for the hours he/she is in Hartford. Other than that, it will not be a Union issue and will not set a precedent. The American Cancer Society will provide transportation.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that uniformity was a goal of the new trash collection program, however, he reported seeing numerous trash bins laying on their sides.
Mayor Quinn stated that he would talk to Mr. Rollett about the matter.
Councilor Jerram indicated that the Council should be supplied with back up material when properties are cited for blight.
Mrs. Barbieri stated that detailed documentation would be supplied to the Council in the future.
Christina Emery, Torrington’s Economic Development Coordinator was congratulated for becoming a city employee and for a job well done.
Mayor Quinn and the City Council thanked the following city employees for their many years of service to Torrington and wished them a very happy and healthy retirement: Building Inspector Frank Cardello, Social Services Director Yvonne Adorno, Senior Secretary Caroline Minard, and Assistant Treasurer Barbara Samele.
ADJOURNMENT #2580
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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