MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
SEPTEMBER 19, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, September 19, 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, and Comptroller Alice Proulx.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:23 p.m., immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund.
MINUTES #675
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held August 15, 2005.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held September 6, 2005.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #690
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Frank Pennington, 61 Revere Street, reported that the Street Department, in the process of paving his street, used street sweepings to fill the one foot void between the coping and his lawn, and that these sweepings consisted of all kinds of garbage, including a used syringe which he found on his property. He noted that he had called the street department about the matter and that they had attempted to clean up the garbage in his immediate area.
Mr. Pennington said he was informed that the city was stockpiling the street sweepings and would use it in the winter to sand the roads. He thought this was a terrible idea and was concerned about public exposure and the spread of disease.
Mayor Quinn said he would discuss the matter with the Public Works Director and the Street Superintendent and report back to Mr. Pennington.
VALMARK ELECTRIC #790
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $118.70 from Sanitary Sewer Improvement Fund #490 to Valmark Electric, LLC for repair services on the New Harwinton Road Sanitary Sewer Improvements and referred it to the Board of Finance.
BUDGET TRANSFERS #800
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Comptroller’s year end budget transfers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and referred them to the Board of Finance.
Comptroller Alice Proulx noted that they included the increased costs for the sand, salt, and overtime for snow removal. She noted $100,000.00 in additions and deletions in the Tax Collector’s Office for the IBM Corp., however, the city was reimbursed by the state, so it was a wash. Most of the transfers were within the departments themselves for wage contracts approved prior to this date.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL PAYMENTS #900
On a motion by Councilor Summers, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
Friar Associates, Inc. Invoice #25 Installment #12 $ 15,691.00
Test-Con, Inc. Invoice #3625 Inspection $ 4,918.00
O & G Industries, Inc.Invoice #14 Services provided $1,356,093.00
SECTION B #900
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
BYRNE & BYRNE #910
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $2,450.00 from Contingency to Byrne & Byrne for professional services in connection with the appeal of Dziedzic Properties, LLC from a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and referred it to the Board of Finance.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #920
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #930
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 Waldron noted that the Skate Park had been approved by Planning & Zoning and asked about its final outcome.
Mayor Quinn indicated that a new driveway would simulate the opening at the top of the parking lot so traffic could flow pretty much the same way.
Councilor Summers further stated that the driveway would be more towards the school and the old one would be closed off, so one would have to go up and around to get to the park.
Councilor Waldron still felt that traffic would have to be funneled into one line. Presently, it flows in two parallel lines, one from the upper lot and the other by the tennis courts.
Mayor Quinn said the feedback he received from the Board of Education was that the compromise was well received. Councilor Waldron’s concerns were noted and traffic continues to be a problem in and out of the high school, however, he was hoping that other options would be suggested. Officer Shopey and the engineers viewed the matter and offered other solutions; whether or not they will be utilized is another matter altogether.
Councilor Jerram pointed out that the Middle School was closed today due to a power outage and expressed his concern that there was no alarm or notification of any kind.
Mayor Quinn said he was not aware of the issue, but indicated that the school does have a generator on site because it’s a back up shelter in case of emergency.
Dave Rivera noted that the Mayor’s Office was notified that the school was not opening due to a defective transformer.
ADD TO AGENDA: SMALL CITIES #1100
Councilor Samele made a motion to add a recommendation from the Small Cities Committee to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to Project #143-227.
Councilor McKenna seconded the motion. Unanimous.
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve Small Cities project #143-227 in regard to an emergency roof replacement. ($7,400.00.)
Councilor Samele congratulated the Police Officers who were honored at the Awards Banquet recently held at the Elks Club.
Councilor Jerram requested an update on the blighted properties during the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT #1180
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:40 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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