MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
OCTOBER 3, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, October 3, 2005, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Paul F. Samele, Jr., James F. McKenna, Paul W. Summers, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, and Director of Elderly Services Nancy Gyurko. Absent was Councilwoman Marie P. Soliani.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held September 19, 2005.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Councilor Summers, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Frank Pennington, 61 Revere Street, asked about the status of the street sweepings being recycled. He reported having gone to the DEP concerning this matter and they were to investigate.
Mayor Quinn said he shared the information that Mr. Pennington had brought to the City Council with the Public Works Director and the Street Superintendent and was informed that they were trying to find a way to efficiently take debris out of the street sweepings. In reference to the syringe that Mr. Pennington found, one can’t absolutely be certain that it wasn’t tossed from a passing car. Mayor Quinn said he had been informed during the budget presentations that 25% of the street sweepings would be mixed in with the sand. Since then, he had gone back to the Public Works Director with Mr. Pennington’s discovery and said he didn’t think it was a good thing to do. Hopefully, the DEP can give the city some guidance and he will continue to furnish Mr. Pennington with
updates.
Bridget Beauchaine, 113 Sharon Avenue, reported a problem with her garbage can filling up with water and wanted to know the proper procedure to file a waiver for someone who is unable to handle the weight of the can.
Gabor Pinter, 337 Torringford West Street, informed Mayor Quinn that he objected to the way he was treated when he tried to pay his taxes by credit card.
Mayor Quinn stated that the Tax Collector has a long standing policy not to accept payment of taxes by the use of credit cards. Mr. Pinter had an altercation in city hall because he was angry that the Tax Collector wouldn’t accept his credit card as a form of payment.
Mr. Pinter further stated that Mr. Crovo has no right to charge interest if he is not willing to accept his method of payment (credit card.)
Councilor McKenna stated that Mr. Crovo is an independent contractor for the city who can run his office and accept payments in any method he chooses, and he chooses not to accept credit cards.
Mayor Quinn invited Mr. Pinter to meet privately in his office with the principals involved. He couldn’t guarantee that Mr. Pinter would like the answer any more than the one he was being given at this time. Mr. & Mrs. Pinter agreed to meet with Mayor Quinn.
SPECIAL DIET MEAL PREPARATION #1125
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Services for the Elderly Commission and the Purchasing Agent to award the Special Diet Meal Preparation Bid to the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.
NORTH END BOILER REPLACEMENT #1130
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Board of Public Safety’s recommendation to award the “North End Station Boiler Replacement Bid” to Midland Building Services, Inc. of Sandy Hook, CT in the amount of $12,200.00.
TRANSFER FUNDS: TRAFFIC CONTROL #1140
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the transfer of $593.17 from Sanitary Sewer Improvement Fund #490 into the revenue account for extra duty police in the General Fund for traffic control on Torringford West Street and referred it to the Board of Finance.
SMALL CITIES: CITY OF TORRINGTON #1145
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $75.00 from Small Cities Fund #250 to the City of Torrington for performing a limited Title Search.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #1155
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for August 2005.
WAGE INCREASES: ELECTED OFFICIALS #1165
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, a discussion took place in regard to the wage increases for the city’s elected officials: Mayor, City & Town Clerk and Treasurer.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that the Town & City Clerk’s salary is the lowest paid position in the city in terms of a managerial function. He proposed that the salary for the position of Town and City Clerk with no formal Town & City Clerk education should be set at $49,168.00 and receive a 3% wage increase. A Town & City Clerk having CCTC designation should have an annual salary of $51,336.00, (7.54% wage increase), and a Town & City Clerk having CCTC and IIMC certification should have a salary of $54,936.00,
MOTION #1360
Councilor Jerram made a motion to approve the aforementioned schedule for the Town & City Clerk’s position. (He would also suggest tabling the salary increases for the Mayor and Treasurer’s position until the next meeting when he would have a chance to crunch some numbers.) Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
Councilor McKenna inquired whether certification was a requirement.
Mr. Quartiero said certification was not required in Torrington, however, it may be required in towns where town clerks are appointed. He added that most town clerks and assistants get certified.
Corp. Counsel Vasko explained that the Council needed to set the salary for the three elected positions prior to the upcoming election, and that those salaries are set for the position and not on the condition of whether or not they have certifications, degrees, years of experience, etc. There is no set criteria to run for any office.
Councilor Jerram withdrew his motion. Councilor Waldron withdrew his second.
Councilor Jerram made a motion that the salary for the city clerk’s position, regardless of training, be increased to $54,936.00 per year so that it will be more in line with the other city managers’ salaries. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
Mayor Quinn asked what percentage increase this would be.
Councilor McKenna indicated that it would be a 15.08% increase.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that the revenue from the City Clerk’s office more than covers the wage increase.
Mayor Quinn stated that revenue from certain departments wasn’t a consideration for him, since he had been holding the spending down and the fact that all managers, as well as Police & Fire Department bargaining units had all received 3%. He felt a wage increase of 15.8% in this day and age was irresponsible. Although he understood the impetus, this would set a dangerous precedent. A better solution would be to look at how the positions are evaluated and compensated in the next budget. He urged the Council to vote against this motion and vote for something that’s in line with the managers and union people.
VOTE #2200
Councilors Jerram and Waldron voted in favor of the motion. Councilors McKenna and Summers opposed the motion. Councilor Samele abstained. On a 2-2 tie vote, Mayor Quinn voted to oppose the motion. The motion failed.
MOTION #2240
Councilor McKenna made a motion that the Town & City Clerk, Mayor and Treasurer each receive a 3% wage increase. Councilor Summers seconded the motion.
So that each position may be voted on separately, Councilors McKenna and Summers withdrew his motion and second respectively.
MOTION #2265
Councilor McKenna made a motion for the Town & City Clerk to receive a 3% wage increase for each of the next two years. Councilor Summers seconded the motion.
Councilors McKenna and Summers voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Jerram and Waldron opposed. Councilor Samele abstained. On a 2-2 tie vote, Mayor Quinn voted in favor of the motion. The motion carried.
MOTION #2300
Councilor McKenna made a motion for the Mayor to receive a 3% wage increase for each of the next two years. Councilor Summers seconded the motion. Unanimous.
MOTION #2315
Councilor McKenna made a motion for the Treasurer to receive a 3% wage increase for each of the next two years. Councilor Summers seconded the motion. Unanimous.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #2340
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Nancy Gyurko, Director of Elderly Services, indicated that the construction of the Thrift Shop should begin this week.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2380
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Summers pointed out that construction was beginning on the skate park.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the skate park would have any surveillance equipment.
Mayor Quinn didn’t believe it would have any surveillance equipment; however, it would have police surveillance and security fencing.
Councilor Summers commended everyone involved on the recent Street Fair.
Councilor McKenna noted that he, Councilor Samele and Mayor Quinn had been given the opportunity to participate in the golf tournament for the breast cancer awareness sponsored by the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.
Mayor Quinn recognized Bridget Beauchaine for being instrumental in working with that committee to raise cash for breast cancer awareness.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #2505
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to go into executive session under Pending Litigation.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO
CITY CLERK
On a motion by Paul Samele, seconded by James McKenna, the Board went into Open Session at 7:55 p.m.
On a motion by Paul Summers, seconded by James McKenna, the Board authorized the Corporation Counsel to obtain appraisals on 7 George Street, 518 Main Street, and 260 Riverside Avenue in conjunction with the city’s foreclosure actions on those properties.
On a motion by James McKenna, seconded by Tom Jerram, the Board adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
ALBERT G. VASKO
Corporation Counsel
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