MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 3, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, December 3, 2007 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Michael Colangelo, Elinor Carbone, Thomas C. Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Acting Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Republican Registrar of Voters Amelia K. Waldron, and Chairman of the Torringford School Building Committee John Calkins.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council with the exception of Councilors Colangelo and Carbone who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held November 19, 2007.
OPEN TO THE MEETING #030
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
UPDATE: TORRINGFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT #040
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to hear an update on the Torringford Elementary School Project from John Calkins, Chairman of the committee.
Mr. Calkins reported that the project is 99% complete, and he expects to turn it over to the Board of Education shortly after the first of the year. In most instances, the board has already taken over and is maintaining the facility. He was very pleased to announce that the project will be at least $500,000.00 under budget; however, it was his understanding that the excess funds will be returned to the State of Connecticut. So far, the project has been universally well received.
FUESSENICH PARK CONCESSION BID #140
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the Acting Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to extend the current bid and permit the Torrington Collegiate Baseball Inc. to run the Fuessenich Park concession stand for the 2008 season. (Tabled on 11/19/2007)
MOTION TO TABLE #150
In light of the correspondence from Pat Fairchild, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, asking that the matter be tabled, Councilor Jerram made a motion to table the Acting Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to extend the current bid and permit the Torrington Collegiate Baseball Inc. to run the Fuessenich Park concession stand for the 2008 season. Councilor Soliani seconded the motion. Unanimous.
WAIVE SEWER CONNECTION FEE #160
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Assistant City Engineer’s recommendation to approve the waiver of $21,250.00 sewer connection fee for additional flow to be generated by the change of use from retail space to restaurant space at 1902 East Main Street.
Public Works Director Jerry Rollett explained that the Target area project built a portion of the sanitary sewer which was taken over by the city. That allowed us to eliminate the pressure sewers in the Rock Creek Development. The estimated construction cost of that project was more than $100,000.00. Their calculated connection fee back when this project was performed was about $70,000.00.
Because the developers are now putting in a Panera Bread Co., more flow will be generated, therefore, they requested that the city revisit the waiver of connection fees, and add a little more flow to allow for Panera Bread. It’s still less than the value of the project we took over for the sewers that were given to the City of Torrington at no cost.
SECTION 8-24 NAUGATUCK RIVER #230
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, a discussion took place in regard to the favorable Section 8-24 recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission concerning the Implementation of the Naugatuck River Maintenance Deficiency Correction Plan (MDCP), Torrington Local Protection Project (LPP).
Mr. Rollett asked that the matter be tabled because he and Mayor Bingham are looking for additional funds.
MOVE TO TABLE #250
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to table the favorable Section 8-24 recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission in regard to the Implementation of the Naugatuck River Maintenance Deficiency Correction Plan (MDCP), Torrington Local Protection Project (LPP).
SMALL CITIES: RJB CONTRACTING #255
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $3,408.34 from Small Cities Fund #279 to RJB Contracting, Inc. for Application #5 concerning the City’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Improvements Project.
SMALL CITIES: INDEPENDENT MATERIAL TESTING LAB #260
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $580.00 from Small Cities Fund #279 to Independent Material Testing Laboratories for concrete testing done in regard to the City’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Improvements Project. (Invoice #7967-A)
SMALL CITIES: REPUBLICAN AMERICAN #265
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $113.00 from Small Cities Fund #250 to the Republican American for an Invitation to Bid Ad for Project #143-231. (Invoice #263898)
REAPPOINT JAMES ZELLER - BD OF FINANCE #275
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint James Zeller to the Board of Finance for a six-year term to expire December 2013.
ESTABLISH A CHARTER REVISION COMM. #290
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to establish a Charter Revision Commission.
APPOINTMENTS: CHARTER REVISION #300
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the board voted unanimously to accept the following appointments to the Charter Revision Commission:
Rick Dalla Valle Victor Muschell
John Ciesco Stephanie Lauer
Marie Soliani Gerald Zordan
Michael Nejaime James McKenna
Mary Jane Gryniuk Bruce Cornish
F. Kenneth L. Edwards Thomas T. Telman, Jr.
SECTION B: #310
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
RESOLUTION: REGIONAL PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT COOP #315
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the Resolution for the Regional Public Works Equipment Cooperative.
RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE A LITCHFIELD HILLS PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT COOPERATIVE.
Whereas, Section 8 of Public Act 07-239 provides for the establishment of the Regional Performance Incentive Program to be administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management; and
Whereas, under the provisions of Section 8, Regional Planning Organizations may submit a proposal for regional provision of services to the OPM on a form prescribed by OPM in order to increase the participating municipalities’ purchasing power or provide cost savings; and
Whereas, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Torrington participate in the proposed “Litchfield Hills Public Works Equipment Cooperative “ as described in the attached proposal;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Torrington endorses the “Litchfield Hills Public Works Equipment Cooperative” as proposed under the Regional Performance Incentive Program of Public Act 07-239 and that such proposal be attached to and made part of this record.
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, Town Clerk of Torrington, do hereby certify that the above resolution is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the governing body of the Town of Torrington on the 3rd day of December, 2007. In witness thereof, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the town seal this 4th day of December 2007.
Mayor Bingham explained that this request was in response to our regional grant through LHCEO in order to purchase equipment to be used by regional towns.
APPOINTMENT: WENDY TRAUB - BD OF FINANCE #340
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Wendy Traub to the Board of Finance for a six-year term to expire in December 2013.
Mayor Bingham informed the board that Mrs. Traub has resigned from the Board of Education in order to be on the Board of Finance.
REOPEN TO THE MEETING #370
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public for “Agenda” items only. There was none.
BUS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #380
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Republican Registrar of Voters, Amelia K. Waldron asked for suggestions on how to dispose of the old lever voting machines. Suggestions made included giving one to the Historical Society, and two or three to the schools. Some towns have sold them as scrap metal.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero said the Secretary of State has no problem getting rid of them in any way we can. He noted that the schools may not have room to store them.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #490
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
The Council welcomed Councilors Carbone and Colangelo to the board.
Several members commended James Patrick, Executive Director of the Warner Theatre and others who were involved in putting together the Inaugural Ceremony.
Mayor Bingham thanked Councilor Jerram for his part in putting together the Inaugural Ceremony.
Mayor Bingham noted that a parade will take place on Sunday at noon for the opening of Christmas Village. He invited the Council to walk with him.
ADJOURNMENT #640
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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