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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
AUGUST 21, 2006
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, August 21, 2006, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors James F. McKenna, Thomas C. Jerram, Rick E. Dalla Valle (arrived at 6:39 p.m.), Andrew J. Slaiby, and Marie P. Soliani, and Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver. Councilor Drake L. Waldron was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #010
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board, with the exception of Councilor Slaiby who abstained, voted to approve the amended minutes of the regular meeting held August 7, 2006. (Please refer to the attached amended minutes, Pages 1 and 8, where noted in caps, bold lettering, and underlined.)
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #035
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING #045
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 5, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. on freezing the property tax for senior citizens age 70 and over, on fixed incomes.
REFUND: JOB ANNOYTOLLA #050
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a refund of $11.16 from Contingency to Job Annoytolla of Marshal Lake Road for work not performed in regard to a deck and referred it to the Board of Finance.
SMALL CITIES: ROOF REPLACEMENT #060
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Jerram, a discussion took place in regard to a request to authorize an emergency roof replacement through the use of Small Cities funds, estimated between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00 for Project #143-240.
Councilor Soliani pointed out that this item didn’t follow standard procedure, which is to go before the Small Cities Sub Committee prior to the City Council. She noted that many Small Cities issues have personal information that should be kept confidential. She felt the item could have been approved by Mayor Bingham since it didn’t go through normal channels.
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the emergency roof replacement through the use of Small Cities funds, estimated to be between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00 for Project #143-240.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #120
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for July 2006.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION: GRANT FOR STREET SCAPE PROJECT #130
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution and to authorize Mayor Bingham to apply for a $5,000.00 grant from the State of Connecticut for a city Street Scape Project.
RESOLUTION:
My signature below, for and on behalf of The City of Torrington, indicates acceptance of the following and further certifies that:
1. I have the authority to submit this grant application;
2. I have read, understand, and will comply with the General Grant Conditions;
3. I understand that funding associated with this grant application is one-time in nature and that there is no obligation for additional funding from the Office of Policy and Management or the State of Connecticut;
4. I understand that should this grant application be approved, such state funds shall be expended no later than June 30, 2006;
5. I understand that requests to extend the grant end date shall be submitted in writing to the Office of Policy and Management no later than thirty (30) days before the grant end date of June 30, 2006;
6. I understand that unexpended funds shall be returned to the State of Connecticut within sixty (60) days of the grant end date;
7. I understand that if this organization meets the requirements of the State Single Audit Act, Sections 4-230 through 4-236, as amended, of the Connecticut General Statutes, the organization is required to submit a State Single Audit, at its own expense, no later than six (6) months after the end of the audit period. If this organization is not required to submit a State Single Audit, the organization is required to submit a final accounting of the grant expenditures within
(60) days of the grant end date; and
8. I hereby certify that the statements contained in the responses to this application and accompanying documents are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I know of no reason why the applicant cannot complete the project in accordance with the representations contained herein.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CMC
City of Torrington
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL PAYMENTS #150
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
(See next page.)
Vendor |
Invoice Date |
Invoice Number |
Description |
Amount |
Friar Associates |
7/31/2006
|
#36 |
Professional services |
$15,691.00 |
O & G Industries
|
7/31/2006
|
#25 |
Professional Services |
$461,811.00 |
Insalco Corporation |
7/18/2006
|
Application #1 |
Snowblower, Trimmer, Mower |
$5,284.23 |
E-Z Way Products |
7/17/2006
|
258790 |
Janitorial Supplies |
$24,692.30 |
Industrial Safety & Supply |
8/3/2006 |
731598 |
“ |
$6,605.32 |
Advanced Corporate Networking |
8/1/2006 |
24357 |
60 Printers |
$7,740.00 |
Hewlett-Packard Co |
8/3/2006 |
40753744 |
4 color Printers, 2 Scanners |
$2,582.00 |
Hewlett-Packard Co |
8/8/2006 |
40777752 |
10 Data Cartridges |
$420.00 |
R & S Rentals & Sales |
6/20/2006
|
44940 |
Tractor, Mower, Snowblower |
$16,000.00 |
Soundworks & Security, LLC |
7/24/2006
|
4048 |
Commercial Repair Service Call |
$170.00 |
Soundworks & Security, LLC |
7/24/2006
|
4049 |
Commercial Repair Service Call |
$135.00 |
KI %BCI |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
Furniture |
$220,284.28 |
Bartholomew Company |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
Furniture |
$6,960.00 |
Insalco Corporation |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
Music cabinetry |
$4,831.99 |
Insalco Corporation |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
Classroom desks, chairs |
$87,003.12 |
Insalco Corporation |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
Wood bench, drawer unit, |
$1,669.50 |
Insalco Corporation |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
K Furniture |
$9,660.05 |
Insalco Corporation |
8/9/2006 |
Application #1 |
Bookcase, sand & water center |
$6,193.86 |
Micro Computer Sys, Inc. |
8/7/2006 |
0379230-IN |
Projector & Misc |
$4,657.00 |
Micro Computer Sys, Inc. |
8/8/2006 |
0379356-IN |
213 Computer Arrestors & Misc. |
$7,858.00 |
RECOMMENDATIONS: SMALL CITIES COMM. # 155 On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to hear recommendations from the Small Cities Committee.
Councilor Soliani made a motion that the full Council approve a Loan request from L & L Transportation, LLC in the amount of $25,000.00. Councilor Slaiby seconded the motion. Unanimous.
RE-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #200 On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public on Agenda items only. There was none.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #210 On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #220 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Slaiby inquired about traffic control on Torringford East Street.
Mayor Bingham said he did not receive any feedback on the matter and would inquire about it in the morning.
Councilor McKenna commended the work being done at Torringford School.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether Torringford School was scheduled to open on time.
Councilor Dalla Valle arrived at 6:39 p.m.
Mayor Bingham informed the Council that the city helped the Chamber of Commerce, LARK, the McCall Foundations, Susan B. Anthony and United Way apply for grant requests totaling over $300,000.00, which were all approved by the DECD.
RECESS # 300 At 6:44 p.m., on a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to recess until 7:00 p.m.
RECONVENE #340 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to reconvene to the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.. PUBLIC HEARING #345 Mayor Bingham called a public hearing to order in regard to increasing the income level to qualifying military veterans by $25,000.00 in accordance with Connecticut General Statute 12-81. A single person’s income level would increase to $52,700.00 while a married couple would increase to 58,900.00.
Assistant City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Len Dube, Commander of American Legion Post 38, stated that the matter at hand was the latter segment of legislation passed in 2003 that provides for an increase in property tax abatements for eligible veterans and their surviving spouses.
He believed the wording for the legal ad should have included “surviving spouses”, per Public Act #03-44, Section 1 which has to do with veterans and Section 2 which has to do with surviving spouses. Any legislation pertaining to eligible veterans who receive tax credits, includes the surviving spouses.
In accordance with the CG12-81 statute, the income levels would also increase in each year when there’s a Social Security COLA.
He urged the Council to support the proposal and grant the tax abatement for those who need it the most, including widows.
Thomas Preato, Commander of Veterans’ of Foreign Wars, 1895 Norfolk Road, stated that the VFW also supports the proposal. He asked the city to look into Statute Section 12-81 G ( c ) which states “The state shall reimburse each town, city, borough, consolidated town, and city and consolidated town and borough by the last day of each calendar year in which exemptions were granted to the extent of the revenue laws. Represented by additional exemptions provided for in Sub Section A of this Section.” He believed this section could be beneficial for the City of Torrington.
Jonathan Grohs, 1229 Winsted Road, Joseph Pathe, Post 38, 71 Holley Place, Donald Heuschkel, 226 Northside Drive, and George Sabolcik, 152 Hyde Street, also spoke in favor of the proposal.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he fully supports the proposal, but will not vote, due to a conflict of interest since he is a veteran. He urged his peers to vote favorably.
Mayor Bingham said he also supports the proposal. He thought the veterans should be thanked and this was a way to show appreciation.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to a close at 7:16 p.m.
MOTION # 895 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board, with the exception of Councilor Dalla Valle who abstained, voted to increase the income level by $25,000.00 to qualifying military veterans and their surviving spouses in accordance with Connecticut General Statute 12-81, commencing fiscal year July 1, 2007.
ADJOURNMENT #915 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK |
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