MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 19, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, December 19, 2005, in the Council Chambers. (Minutes taken in shorthand because the Lanier Recorder was broken.)
Attending included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors James F. McKenna, Thomas C. Jerram, Rick E. Dalla Valle, Andrew J. Slaiby, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan O’Brien, Chairman of the Board of Education Paul Cavegnero, member of the Board of Education Douglas O’Connell, and the City’s Labor Negotiator Atty. Victor Muschell.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council with the exception of Councilor Dalla Valle who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held December 5, 2005.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Karen Paganini, 114 East Pearl Street, wanted an update on whether the city would pay for the repair of the exposed sanitary sewer pipe and a collapsed wall on her property caused by the recent heavy rains.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated a letter has been sent to FEMA and he is awaiting a return letter with contract prices, at which time the City Council will vote to authorize the funds.
Ms. Paganini indicated that she has not received copies of the paperwork she requested.
City Engineer Edward Fabbri said it was his understanding they were mailed, but he would see that they get hand delivered.
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT (BOE & TEA)
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted with the exception of Councilor Waldron who abstained, to accept the Tentative Agreement between the Torrington Board of Education and the Torrington Education Association (TEA) for a three year term beginning 7/1/06 and ending on 6/30/09. A discussion took place prior to acceptance.
The tentative agreement calls for an increase in the teacher’s cost share for health insurance. The current 12% share of insurance cost paid by teachers will increase by 4% to 16% for the duration of the contract. This was estimated to save the city approximately $200,000.00 during each year of the contract. The committee negotiated a better deal for early retirement for some teachers which will save the city millions of dollars over the next few years. Mr. Cavegnero stated that they were able to do away with certain language that tied teachers to a block schedule, and because of this, the schedule will be back in line with the way things were done in the past to optimize and increase performance in a way that it hasn’t been done in years.
In return, teachers will receive a general wage increase averaging 2.7%, 2.6% and 2.5% during the next three years. Mr. Cavegnaro stated that they realized the salary account was expensive. However, it was not out of line with what they were seeing across the state and Litchfield County, and the
contract will generate a significant savings for the City of Torrington.
Bruce Cornish, the Board of Finance’s liaison to the Board of Education, didn’t think the contract would be a burden on the budget development.
Mr. Cavegnaro thanked everyone involved in the process.
FIREFIGHTER TURNOUT GEAR
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, a discussion took place with regard to the Board of Public Safety’s recommendation to award the bid entitled “Lease/Purchase of Firefighter Turnout Gear”, to Total Fire Group, for a total of $23,183.55, which will include the basic purchase cost, the cleaning and maintenance fees, along with the lease interest of 6.490%.
Because no one was present to answer any questions to the financing of this matter, Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to table the item until further information is obtained.
Councilors Jerram and Slaiby withdrew their motion and second.
Councilor Jerram seconded the motion to table. Unanimous.
FRANKSON FENCE COMPANY
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Board of Public Safety’s recommendation to award the bid entitled “Chain Link Fence for new Impound Lot” to The Frankson Fence Company for $25,980.00.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE: STONEHOUSE WAY & ROCK CREEK LANE
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to grant Final Acceptance to Stonehouse Way and the extension of Rock Creek Lane in the Heritage Farms Subdivision, and to release the developer’s security bond.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE: MISC ROADS
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the City Engineer’s memo dated December 13, 2005 and to grant Final Acceptance to Hillandale Boulevard, Wysteria Court, Magnolia Court, Rockwell Drive, and Auburn Way in the Pleasantview Subdivision, upon the condition that punchlist items, which cannot be verified at this time because of snow cover, have been completed to the city’s satisfaction by May 12, 2006.
PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE: ROOSEVELT AVE.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to grant Provisional Acceptance to a 446' extension of Roosevelt Avenue.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for October 2005.
BYRNE & BYRNE
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,300.00 from Contingency to Byrne & Byrne for the Dziedzic Properties, LLC vs Torrington Zoning Board of Appeals matter and referred it to the Board of Finance.
Corp. Counsel Vasko informed the board that the fees were leading up to the trial scheduled for either January or February. Corp. Counsel Vasko is not handling the matter due to a conflict of interest.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL BUILDING INVOICES
On a motion by Councilor Slaiby, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
Friar Asso., Inc. Invoice #28 Installment #15 $ 15,691.00
O & G Ind., Inc. Invoice #17 Svcs through 11/30/05 $574,225.00
EnviroScience Invoice #6 PCM & TEM Analysis $ 4,498.00
BCI Invoice #2 Furniture $ 5,000.00
APPOINTMENTS & RE-APPOINTMENTS: EDC
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following appointments and re-appointments to the Economic Development Commission for five year terms:
Michael McGuffie Re-appoint through 2007
Carl Muller Re-appoint through 2008
Karen O’Donnell Appoint through 2008
Roland Spino Re-appoint through 2009
Bill DeDominicis Appoint through 2009
Nancy Sieller Appoint through 2010
JoAnn Ryan Appoint through 2010
Gary Giordano Re-appoint through 2011
Gerald Zordan Appoint through 2011
Mayor Bingham said he was confident that this dedicated group of people would offer suggestions to move the city forward in economic development.
BUS. IN SECTION B
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
APPOINTMENTS & RE-APPOINTMENTS
Councilor Jerram made a motion to accept the appointment of Fletcher Waldron as Sealer of Weights and Measures. Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion.
Councilor Dalla Valle suggested amending the motion to include the following: the Sealer of Weights & Measures, the Torrington Housing Authority and the NW CT Transit District.
Councilors Jerram amended his motion; Councilor Dalla Valle amended his second to include the Sealer of Weights & Measures, the Torrington Housing Authority and the NW CT Transit District. Unanimous.
A. SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES (With the advice and consent of the City Council)
Fletcher Waldron, 2 year term to expire December 15, 2007
B. TORRINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY (By Mayor with Consent of Council)
Appoint Esmond Burnier to a 5-year term to expire September 1, 2007
Re-appoint John McCarthy to a 5 year term to expire September 1, 2009
Re-appoint Atty. Samuel Slaiby to a 5 year term to expire September 1, 2010
C. FYI (No vote necessary) NW CT TRANSIT AUTHORITY (By Mayor)
Roberta Waldron, 4 year term to expire July 2007
Laurie Abbott, 4 year term to expire July 2009
RE-OPEN MEETING TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to re-open the meeting to the public for agenda items only. There was any public participation.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero requested funds from Contingency to repair the Lanier Recorder which malfunctioned during this meeting.
The Council suggested getting it repaired and bringing a definite dollar amount to the Council for approval.
Councilor Jerram thought it would be an appropriate time to look into voice recognition technology to transcribe minutes.
Mr. Quartiero informed the Council that packets being delivered to the boards will be replaced by First Class e-mail service in the near future. He explained the process involved.
Mr. Quartiero stated he has spoke to the Personnel Director about hiring a part time person in his office to help with the overload of work. He noted that two staff members were having health problems, and another was leaving in January. Her replacement would receive two weeks training on half day basis prior to becoming a full time employee. He informed the board that he didn’t have any funds budgeted for this extra help, but, even if he overdrew his salary line item, he still believed he could stay within his entire budget.
The Council suggested that he get the proper procedure from Mr. Gritt, estimate how much he would need from Contingency, and place the item on the next agenda.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Dalla Valle congratulated the winners from the November 8th election and looked forward to working with his peers on the City Council.
Councilor Dalla Valle was hesitant in changing the manner in which they receive their packets. It was a normal thing for him to spend hours reading the back up material furnished within the packet and was skeptical that the e-mail would arrive in enough time for him to do his homework.
Mayor Bingham suggested doing it both ways for a while to make sure the e-mail worked adequately.
Councilor Jerram requested adding an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the removal of street lights.
ADD TO THE AGENDA
Councilor Jerram made a motion to add the removal of street lights to the agenda by 2/3rds vote. Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion. Unanimous.
REMOVE STREET LIGHTS
Councilor Jerram made a motion to remove the following five street lights from city service because the areas already have ample lighting:
Pole #317 Norfolk Road
Pole #797S Norfolk Road
Pole #54 Migeon Avenue
Pole #1413 Mason Street
Pole #4399 Kennedy Drive
Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion. Unanimous.
Councilor Jerram reminded the public that sidewalks and hydrants had to be cleared from snow and ice.
Councilor McKenna wished everyone happy holidays.
Councilor Slaiby inquired whether the skate park had set up a committee to raise funds so that more ramps could be installed in the future.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated that, to his knowledge the skate park was merely at a starting point and funds would be welcomed by any group
wishing to donate. The skate park is now part of the Parks and Recreation Department. The idea behind opening the skate park at its present size was merely to get it open and to get the public interested. They anticipate filling the gaps and utilizing the entire parking lot in the future.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he heard complaints about the ramps being slippery and reported that it was the result of the manufacturer’s oversight not to remove the protective film that caused it to be slippery.
Councilor Slaiby congratulated Councilor Dalla Valle and wished him a speedy recovery.
Councilor Soliani said she received complaints about removing snow and where to put it once it’s removed. She added that the complaints had a lot of merit because getting over the snow banks was treacherous. This topic should be discussed again by the Council at some point in the future.
Councilor Waldron wished Councilor Dalla Valle well and Happy Holidays to all.
Mayor Bingham announced the membership of his sub committees.
He agreed with Councilor Soliani that the topic of snow removal should be discussed. Public safety and cost should be the topic of discussion. He asked Mr. Rollett to research the matter and gather some figures.
Mayor Bingham said he thought the court house hearing went well. He hoped the citizens of Torrington would accept the state’s decision as to where it will be located.
He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:37 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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