MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MARCH 21, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, March 21, 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, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, & Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW SUPT. OF SCHOOLS #020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council allowed Dr. Susan W. O’Brien to introduce herself as the new Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Susan W. O’Brien introduced herself as the newly appointed Superintendent of Schools for the City of Torrington. Although today was her official first day as Superintendent, she pointed out that she had already worked on the budget and assured Mayor Quinn and the City Council that the budget presented to them would be very responsible, and it would recognize the importance of stewardship of public funds, while at the same time, serving the needs of the children and young adults of Torrington. She thanked interim Superintendent Thomas Jokubaitis and the Board of Education for involving her in the budget process prior to this day so that she could already be acquainted with the budget as well as the needs of the children and young adults of Torrington and thanked Mayor Quinn for the opportunity
of getting acquainted.
Mayor Quinn congratulated her for being selected from an exhaustive process that has borne some very professional and experienced results. He wished her godspeed on a very difficult mission of training the next generation of Torringtonians to be world class students. He hoped that she would monitor educational outcomes very closely and hire the very best and brightest educators for Torrington. He was looking forward to a partnership with her in making sure that Torrington students can be the best and brightest and challenged her to think “outside the box”, as he had done with the department heads within the city government.
GIS PRESENTATION #260
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to hear a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Presentation by the University of Connecticut’s land use NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials).
City Engineer Edward Fabbri introduced John Rosen and Emily Wilson from the University of Connecticut. Mr. Rosen and Ms. Wilson had been part of the city’s Land Use Group and responsible for some workshops since last fall when U-CONN selected Torrington as a city to make their NEMO program initiative.
Ms. Wilson explained that a GIS is a computer based information system designed to capture, manage, update, analyze, and display spatial data and information to be used in making good decisions. Towns use the GIS system to plan, manage, and regulate the uses of land, to provide services, and to make accurate data available.
Ms. Wilson further explained how the GIS worked and how it would be beneficial for many department heads, including the Assessor, Planning & Zoning, Engineering, Health, Registrars, Police, Fire etc.
Some of the costs associated with a GIS include hardware and software, data acquisition, and in the case of Torrington, perhaps a conversion from a CAD to a GIS, staff, either hiring someone new or training existing personnel, re-engineering the business processes, application development, and on-going maintenance.
Potential pitfalls include the lack of strategic planning, costly initial development and constant funding on a yearly basis, and inadequate planning for data maintenance.
A major benefit is integration, which reduces redundancy, work load and the need for training. It creates easy access to people in the town hall as well as the public. It improves information for decision making processes.
Ms. Wilson noted that the DEP and the DOT provide a lot of free data. U-Conn has a web site that’s available for free. There are state programs for training that are very inexpensive or free. Other towns that have gone through the process can be of great help. The CT GIS User Network is a great resource for all levels of GIS users. She pointed out that she and Mr. Rosen were from the U-Conn Center for Land Use Education and Research called CLEAR, and that they could offer their assistance because Torrington is a municipal town of NEMO.
Mr. Fabbri indicated that the city had been trying to implement a GIS system for several years. NEMO had helped in giving the city some direction. Mr. Rosen and Ms. Wilson felt they could use the GIS component in the new permitting/tracking software that was recently purchased. It will be a tool used by Building, Planning & Zoning, Assessor’s, Police, etc. Mr. Fabbri indicated that staffing was looked at in-house, and eventually, his department would like to consider a position solely dedicated to GIS work. Mr. Fabbri indicated that a student from Central working on his Master’s Degree had already been working on putting together the Assessor’s maps.
Mayor Quinn explained that department heads from various boards and agencies were meeting on a regular basis and aiming for Smart Growth as their target. One item discussed was the possible re-configuration of staff in Engineering to accommodate someone working on the GIS Program.
Mayor Quinn and the Council thanked the University of Connecticut and John Rosen and Emily Wilson for their presentation. The meetings that the Chief Elected Official and members of the Planning & Zoning Commission had been attending in regard to NEMO had been tremendously helpful in understanding municipal resources and how to make land use decisions in a progressive way.
PUBLIC HEARING: IMPROVEMENTS TO WPCF #975
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Quinn called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to describe the proposed improvements to the City’s Water Pollution Control Facility.
Public Works Director Gerald Rollett explained that many presentations and
public informational meetings were held in regard to what the City of Torrington is facing with the necessary improvements of the treatment plant, the sewer system extension area and the plant’s capacity. An update of the facilities’ entire program as well as the sewer system’s master plan was given in detail approximately one month ago. A public hearing was held strictly on the sewer system on February 22. Tonight’s intention is to hold the public hearing portion of the facilities plan, looking at the needs of the Water Pollution Control Facility in terms of odor control, solids handling, and sludge disposal. The next step is to submit the document to the DEP so discussions can take place on the city’s priorities and how to proceed. He introduced John Braccio and
Keith McHale from Wright Pierce to make their presentation.
John Braccio indicated that the Facilities Planning Study was a comprehensive evaluation of the treatment plant. The purpose of the plan is to look at all the components including the physical, biological, and chemical processes and to consider the plant’s ability to meet the current and future regulations, to consider the future sewered growth, to consider the plant’s equipment reliability and its safety codes, and to research DEP and federal grants that may be available.
Mr. Braccio explained that the current facility is licensed for 7 million gallons per day and the current flows are around 5 million gallons per day. The projection from sewered growth over the next twenty years is not a substantial increase, however, the issue at hand is that we have peak flows in the 12 million gallon range, which exceeds the licensed amount. Peak flows will limit our hydraulic limitations and the ability to handle future flows as time goes by. The wet weather is the limiting factor on the hydraulic capacity of the plant. The additional flows from sewered growth and wet weather flows are going to impact our ability to meet our nitrogen discharge standard. The sewer growth areas will have to be defined as well as the sewer avoidance areas as we look forward at the wastewater plant.
Mr. Braccio explained how they evaluated the treatment plant. The process includes going through all the different components of the plant. They look at the ability to meet the current and future permit limits of all the pumps and tanks, they look at the age and condition of the existing equipment, and they look at all the systems in terms of process and energy efficiency for ways they can be improved in terms of labor, power and operating costs. Wright Pierce determined that a lot of the processes were adequate for the present flow rates, but their age will become a liability over time and will need to be rehabilitated or upgraded.
In terms of nitrogen reduction, Wright-Pierce evaluated the construction of new tanks versus new technology. Emerging technology allows you to get more bang out of the existing tankage as opposed to constructing new tanks. Those options were reviewed. They looked at the life cycle costs of doing improvements or purchasing nitrogen credits. Mr. Braccio explained that the city has to pay a fee, a credit cost, for every pound of nitrogen that’s discharged above the limit. The nitrogen discharge limit is being reduced and becoming more and more stringent while our ability to meet that limit is steadily increasing as our flows increase. Our credit costs are going to increase over time.
The options that Wright-Pierce looked at for the recommended plan included whether there were ways to make improvements to the existing equipment and facilities versus the total replacement of that equipment or process. They looked at whether there were ways to increase the efficiency of the existing system in order to improve the performance and to reduce the operating costs.
Wright Pierce’s recommendations included a combination of making the best of the existing equipment and provide new systems and processes where they were absolutely necessary. Antiquated equipment that have cause for concern over liability will have to be upgraded. They had a listing of those components. They also had a listing of ways to improve flexibility within the system to make the best use of the operating staff. During their evaluation, they determined that the best approach in regard to nitrogen removal will be to provide some additional tankage. A revenue source for Torrington at the present time is the handling and treatment of septage and grease. The state is in the process of implementing general permits requiring all restaurants to discharge their grease.
Torrington is designated as a regional facility to accept grease. If Wright Pierce’s projections are correct, the revenue generated from grease would more than pay for the improvements to those systems.
Mr. Braccio explained that one of the largest budget items in the plant’s operating budget is the disposal of bio solids or sludge bi-products and that Wright-Pierce had identified ways to improve that process with a goal of reducing the solid handling costs as much as possible. Their recommendation for odor control was to provide it only on those unit processes that are the most offensive.
Mr. Braccio also indicated that we had approximately $100 million worth of infrastructure and many systems to take care of. Maintenance activities are spread out and squeezed into a whole bunch of different places, and Wright Pierce saw a real opportunity to consolidate all of them into one place and improve the efficiency of the staff.
If Torrington was to do everything Wright Pierce recommended, the estimated cost would be $24.4 million. By the time we were actually ready to do the work, the costs would increase to $27.5 million. The city could construct one single, large project all at once or construct multiple phases in a prioritized manner. Should the city decide to use the multiple phase method, Wright Pierce would recommend starting with the improvements related to nitrogen removal and grease receiving. Future phases would include going down the list, item by item, of the things that will eventually have to be done.
Mr. Braccio indicated that our facility would qualify for 20% grant and 80% loan for the design phase, and an additional 10% grant would be available for anything related to nitrogen removal. In the past, the state had provided communities such as Torrington, which is considered more economically distressed, with federal monies called Federal Long Island Sound Restoration Act for the design phase, however, there are more projects asking for that money than money is available. It would behoove us to educate our representatives to keep these programs funded.
The same type of programs are also available for the construction phase, to the extent that the money is available. Revenue will be generated from septage and grease. Ultimately, there are other sources that can be tapped.
Mr. Braccio indicated that this Public Hearing was a check list item in the process of doing a Facilities Plan. The plan needs to be finalized and submitted to the DEP for approval. Once the plan is approved, Mr. Braccio said he would encourage the city to submit a Clean Water Fund application to get on the list for funding so that we can get our fair share of those funds when they become available.
Councilor Summers inquired whether Mr. Braccio had touched upon all the recommended improvements to the facility.
Mr. Braccio said he had merely given the Authority a generalization of the specific improvements. The study included a whole detailed list of improvements.
Mr. Rollett indicated that improvements would include the solids handling, sludge disposal, different ways of handling gritt as the landfill is closed, odor control, plant security, and the age of the equipment. The largest improvements would be the pre-treatment parts, the gritt, skimmings, and the solids handling.
Councilor Jerram inquired which items would be at the top of the list to address if they had to prioritize.
Mr. Braccio indicated that the city should address the enhancement of nitrogen removal and the grease removal system.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether there were any attempts by our state Legislators to regulate where haulers take their grease loads.
Mr. Rollett indicated that he and Raymond Drew testified at a public hearing today in regard to a bill whereby the Legislators and the Environment Committee are concerned about not having enough disposal sites available. There was nothing mentioned in the legislation about regulating or controlling where the grease gets disposed of. He expected it to be cost driven, a hauler would bring it to where it’s least expensive. There are only two or three grease disposal facilities in Connecticut at the present time.
Mr. Braccio indicated that the DEP had identified eight locations where they would like these facilities to be, but it was his understanding that not all eight locations were necessarily willing or able to accept that material, or that they are even interested in doing that process. Therefore, there are a limited number of places to deposit grease.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the lengthy, 300 page report could be converted to an Adobe document and be made available on their web site or e-mailed to them.
Mr. Rollett indicated that it could be placed on the web site.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether Wright Pierce had been able to estimate a concrete number by say the year 2014 on what the credits would be, should there be a lack or delay in action on the nitrogen reduction improvements.
Mr. Rollett indicated that they themselves don’t know the numbers from one year to the next. In fact, this year’s numbers were different from what they expected them to be. We actually sold credits this year totaling $55,000.00 because we haven’t dropped off the graph yet. Last year we received more than $55,000.00. Next year, we’ll receive less than this year. At some point in time, the red line will cross the blue line forcing the city to purchase credits. He explained that the DEP will take a second look at the whole program next year. No one can predict where it’s going.
Councilor Samele inquired about the general time frame for this project.
Mr. Rollett indicated that they would have to look at all resources available, prioritize the phases and bring those recommendation back to this Authority. If we decided to move forward today, nothing would actually begin until 2008. There was no time schedule at this point.
Councilor Jerram noted that Mr. Braccio had mentioned that some of the improvements could be managed with above ground tanks or equipment that wouldn’t require a lengthy construction period.
Mr. Braccio indicated that initial improvements could be made to the existing tanks for nitrogen removal that would carry us over for a few years.
Having no more comments or questions, Mayor Quinn called the public hearing to a close at 7:38 p.m.
ACCEPT PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO WPCF #2250
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the proposed improvements to the City’s Water Pollution Control Facility.
MINUTES #2290
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held March 7, 2005.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #2300
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mayor Quinn recognized Danielle Ponte and Kelly O’Haren, students from Torrington High School attending the meeting to fulfill their requirement for their American Citizenship class.
TDC - DEVELOPMENT AGENCY #2460
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously, after a brief discussion, to designate the Torrington Development Corporation (TDC) as the development agency for the downtown redevelopment project and allow the TDC to amend the preferred developer’s agreement with Downtown Torrington Redevelopment LLC.
Councilor Jerram indicated that the city retained the right to approve all issues coming before the redevelopment agency when the Council originally approved the development agreement with Mr. Hayes as the preferred developer. He inquired whether they would still be required to come before the City Council for their approval on major projects or if they would have independent authority to proceed on their own, if they designated the TDC as the lead agency to sign the agreement with the preferred developer.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that they would have some independent authority for smaller projects as long as they weren’t using public funds or acquiring property by eminent domain. Presently, we have an agreement with Mr. Hayes to develop the downtown development project. When the project goes to construction and it’s further down the line, Council approval would be required.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the projects pursued outside the realm of the preferred developer’s agreement would be identified on the current mapping of the three areas, including Phases 1, 2, & 3.
Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery explained that once the TDC has their 501c4 status, they would most likely form a sub committee of the board to look at properties that may be available to purchase, rehabilitate them and turn them over to private use. It was her belief that those properties, once identified, will not have to come before the City Council. On the other hand, once the results of the McGuire Group Study are ready, the city will create a municipal development plan that will go to Planning & Zoning as well as the City Council.
Councilor Jerram said “O.K., so if it’s within those phases, they come to us. If it’s outside of those phases.....(unfinished) I want to be clear on what our commitment is with the preferred developer, if it’s within the phased area that’s part of the McGuire Report and I just want to make sure that..... (unfinished), I don’t know what the impact or repercussions would be if we start working within those phased areas in the McGuire Report in funding.”
Mrs. Emery indicated that they would have to come before the Council for anything using public funds. They would also have the right to purchase property just like any other property owner or investor outside of the development authority. They would use the conceptual plan as a guide when purchasing a property. So, I think they would be working within the confines of the plan, but not using public funds at this point.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that Mr. Hayes had asked the Council for a one-year extension in December of 2003. He asked if we would have a new term for this agreement that will be negotiated.
Mrs. Emery indicated that a term had not been established. It was her understanding that it will be established by the TDC if this Council designates the TDC as the authority. The one year extension was established a year ago last December in anticipation that the EIE had taken longer than expected to do the courthouse issues.
For background information, Mayor Quinn said, “Last February, the statutory power designating the Economic Development Commission as the development agency was removed by the City Council. The EDC still has broad role for economic development policy initiatives within the city of Torrington. It is largely advisory to the Mayor and the Economic Development office. Since that time, several significant developments have occurred, most notably is the agreement to construct the Litchfield County courthouse within the City of Torrington that had been a hope, a wish, a prayer for thirty years, is going to become a reality. The environmental impact evaluation work being done by the McGuire Group is awaiting a decision from the Department of Public Works on a location for the court house. I would
like to strongly say that this, although this is a delay, it will result in a better evaluated plan and that I am not seeing this as a negative thing. I have always felt that a courthouse and a downtown project needed to be considered together. That’s what we argued when we went to Litchfield in a public hearing with the Department of Public Works when they wanted a site in Litchfield. The fact that we are now arguing that the two should be considered as one plan is where we were largely three years ago, so, although at times it is frustrating for people to talk about delays, I’m saying it’s better to have that plan evaluated with all its component parts so it is not outmoded the minute it is published. I was recommended to the City Council to designate the TDC as the development agency for the downtown redevelopment project and allow the TDC to amend the preferred nedevelopment’s agreement with Jed Hayes. The original agreement
with the downtown redevelopment organization was extended for one year and I did form with the City Council the Torrington Development Corporation made up of the Board of Directors that were previously stated here and I think it’s important to note at this point that it is made up of City Council members, it is a cross section of the community and it is an a-political group that’s real mission is to transform our downtown into a vibrant twenty four hour place. And the TDC is now in a position of establishing itself as a 501c4 entity and that we are now in a position where all the pieces are ready to go the next step.”
Mayor Quinn reminded the Council that a public hearing on the courthouse was scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 2005.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT #2900
Councilor Jerram made a motion to adopt a Resolution designating the Town Clerk as the city’s applicant to file an application with the State Library for an Historic Preservation Grant in the amount of $12,000.00 for the year 2006. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
Councilor Jerram amended his motion to reflect the Town Clerk’s correction that the grant was for the year 2005. Councilor Waldron amended his second. Unanimous.
RESOLUTION:
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, Town Clerk of the municipality of Torrington, do hereby certify that the following is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Town Council duly held and convened on March 21, 2005 at which a constituted quorum of the Town Council was present and acting throughout.
RESOLVED, that Owen J. Quinn, Jr., Mayor, or the Town Clerk as his designee is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, an application and contract with the State Library for an Historic Document Preservation Grant.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the town seal this __ day of ____, 200_.
REPAIR LANIER MACHINE #2940
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to approve the payment of approximately $1,500.00 from Contingency for the repair of the Lanier Recording Machine in the Council Chambers. Request approved by the Board of Finance on March 15, 2005.
PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE: WHITE PINE RD. #2990
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to grant Provisional Acceptance to a new segment of White Pine Rd serving lots 1 through 12 and lots 36 through 46.
SMALL CITIES: COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS #3000
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $5,000.00 from Small Cities Acct. #9417732507 to the Community Health & Wellness Center in regard to the sub-recipient agreement executed on February 8, 2005. To be paid upon receipt of drawdown #1.
SMALL CITIES: REGISTER CITIZEN #3010
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $190.90 from Small Cities Fund #250 to The Register Citizen for a public hearing notice in regard to the Small Cities Program.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORTS #3020
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Reports for January and February 2005.
SELL POPPIES #3040
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to allow the Polish Army Veterans’ Association to sell poppies on May 5, 2005.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL INVOICES #3060
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following invoices from the Torringford School Bldg. Acct. #314:
O & G Industries Application # 0008 $956,122.00
Friar Asso., Inc. Invoice #19 $ 15,691.00
RECOMMENDATIONS: ORDINANCE COMM. #3070
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor McKenna, discussion took place in regard to the recommendations from the Ordinance Committee.
Chairman of the Ordinance Committee Councilor McKenna recommended making changes to Chapter 194 Vehicles & Traffic. They included the following:
1. Delete all reference to Parking Authority.
2. Change amount of fines for parking violations. Double all current fines for parking violations except for handicapped parking which will remain the same.
3. Add a section for Wheel Immobilization Device for people who have unpaid fines of $100.00 or more.
Secondly, the Ordinance Committee recommended a new ordinance in regard to special events to help the Police Department relative to the permitting process and planning of special events in the City of Torrington, many of which require the closure of roads. The ordinance would streamline the events.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to schedule two public hearings for May 2, 2005 beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the aforementioned ordinance recommendations.
STREET LIGHT RECOMMENDATION #3290
On the City Engineer’s recommendation, Councilor Summers made a motion not to re-install the light on Pole 207 on Newfield Spring Road. Councilor Jerram seconded the motion. Unanimous.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #3340
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Public Works Director Gerald Rollett indicated that he and Raymond Drew had the pleasure of testifying today in front of the Legislative Committee on the Environment concerning the FOG Program. He noted that they testified against the bill in front of the legislation because it will essentially take all the teeth away from the DEP’s general permit. Their major concern was that it would apply to brand new facilities and any facility getting a 30% renovation. In essence, every existing facility in Torrington would not be able to apply to this general permit. It seemed like all were in agreement in regard to the need but the logistics will have to be defined better to know who qualifies and who has to do renovations in what period of time.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #3470
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram requested an update on the Weigold Road issue.
Mayor Quinn said he was unaware of anything new but asked Councilor Jerram to call him during the upcoming week.
Councilor McKenna congratulated the Torrington High School basketball team for a fine season.
Mayor Quinn said he was honored to have Peggy Quinn sit in as Lord Mayor for the day on St. Patrick’s Day.
ADJOURNMENT #3730
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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