MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JANUARY 22, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Elinor Carbone, Thomas C. Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Superintendent of Streets Robert Lizotte, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt. Councilman Michael Colangelo was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #135
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held January 7, 2008.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: NEGOTIATIONS #140
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to go into an executive session under Negotiations at 6:36 p.m. Personal Director Thomas Gritt, the city’s Labor Counsel Atty. Victor Muschell, Alice Proulx, and Rob Heustis were invited to attend.
OPEN SESSION #150
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to reconvene into Open Session at 6:50 p.m.
BOE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR’S CONTRACT #155
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, a discussion was held in regard to the Torrington Board of Education School Administrator’s Successor Contract commencing July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2011.
The city’s Labor Counsel Atty. Victor Muschell indicated that the Teacher Negotiation Act requires contracts to be forwarded to the City Council, whereby they have the right to approve or reject it within thirty days of receipt.
Atty. Muschell stated the major portion of the contract is the cost. It calls for salary increases of 3% effective July 1, 2008; 3 1/4% effective July 1, 2009; and 3 ½% effective July 1, 2010. In addition the High School and Middle School Assistant Principals will be given a one-time increase of $1,750.00 effective July 1, 2008 because it was determined that these positions were considerably underpaid compared to other people in similar positions.
Atty. Muschell indicated that the contract also calls for increases in medical insurance paid by administrators. It will remain at 17% the first year but will increase to 18 and 18½ % of their share of medical insurance in 2009 and 2010.
Other changes include language in regard to the reimbursement of course work to extend their education criteria. In the past this was pretty much open-ended; it will now be based on the Connecticut University System up to 12 credits per year.
The cost of the contract is $77,000.00 for the first year, $67,000.00 for the second year, and $74,000.00 for the third year.
Atty. Muschell stated that it is the Board of Education’s recommendation that the Council approve the contract, or at least not reject it within 30 days. He said, “We think it’s a reasonable contract; it’s pretty much in line with a lot of the other city contracts.”
Councilor Dalla Valle inquired how the cost of the contract could be less in the third year than it is in the first.
Atty. Muschell explained that it was due to the $1,750.00 bump being given to (five) Assistant Principals in the first year.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he was all for education but wasn’t certain the city could afford this contract with the current state of affairs. He said this was purely a financial statement, and had nothing to do with education.
VOTE ON CONTRACT #355
Councilors Carbone, Jerram, and Soliani voted in favor of the motion; Councilor Dalla Valle opposed, and Councilor Waldron abstained. The motion carried.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #360
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one spoke.
CONSOLIDATE DEPARTMENTS #380
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the consolidation of the Comptroller’s Department, the Purchasing Department and the Treasurer’s Department into one department titled “Department of Finance” as authorized by the City Charter. The Board of Finance approved this item on 1/15/2008.
FUNDS FROM VEHICLE REPLACEMENT CONTINGENCY #395
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request from the Street Department for funds not to exceed $10,000.00 from Vehicle Replacement Contingency in order to go out to bid to replace/purchase a 2 to 5 ton vibrating roller. The Board of Finance approved this item on 1/15/2008.
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS #405
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid entitled “Thermal Imaging Cameras” to the only responsive bidder, Brigham Industries, Inc., for $41,408.61.
Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo indicated that they cameras will replace their ten year old cameras which are starting to show signs of wear. To repair the units is cost prohibitive, plus technology improves, and the cameras get smaller and more detailed. The bid included the opportunity to trade the cameras in next year without a huge loss.
Councilor Carbone asked if there was a time limit to take advantage of the 3rd and 4th year warrantees.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo said he thought it was 60 days, and they will exercise that option immediately.
PUBLIC HEARING #525
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order to consider repealing Chapter 122 of the Torrington Code, entitled Flood Damage Prevention.
Judy Tellier, 316 Church Street, informed the Council that the wall in back of her property was devastated by the April flood. Since then, she has been trying to get the problem resolved. After receiving a permit from both, Inland Wetland and Building Department, she was told she needed to have an engineer draw a plan. Now she was told that she can’t do the wall using the original plans approved by the Building Department because it goes out toward the river and she has to dig fourteen feet between her house and the wall. If the wall goes, she will lose her back yard and possibly her house.
Ms. Tellier indicated that she has made her home handicapped accessible for her husband who is wheelchair bound and paralyzed, and they are on a limited budget. After paying more than $1,000.00 for an engineer and permits, she was informed that she has to pay for another set of plans. She was aware that the city will be replacing some of the levees, but this is not considered a levee because it’s part of the Heritage Land Trust, and considered private property.
Mayor Bingham said he wasn’t familiar with her situation, but didn’t believe the proposed ordinance would affect her in any way. If anything, it would take away some of the stringent rules that exist in regard to flood walls. He told her that he would familiarize himself quickly with her situation and set up a meeting with her and all departments involved to try to figure out the best solution with the least amount of impact for her.
With no further comments from either the public or the City Council, Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to a close at 7:10 p.m.
VOTE: REPEAL CHAPTER 122 #740
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to repeal Chapter 122 of the Torrington Code, entitled Flood Damage Prevention.
PAYMENTS: TORRINGFORD SCHOOL #750
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following invoices from the Torringford School Building Committee, Fund #314:
O & G Industries Application #34 $208,954.93
Sonitrol Inv. 56751 $ 1,545.00
CONTINGENCY: KOREAN HONOR ROLL BOARD #760
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $500.00 from Contingency to restore the Korean Honor Roll Board, and refer it to the Board of Finance.
Councilor Soliani asked if this would be in line with the restoration of City Hall.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero said it was his understanding that they will use the same boards, however the frames will be sanded and left as natural wood.
Councilor Carbone commended the civic organizations who donated $1,200.00 to defer some of these costs.
SEWER JETTER & CLOSED CIRCUIT TV BID #815
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council, acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Purchasing Agent, Fleet Manager and WPC Administrator to award the bid titled “Truck Mounted Combination Sewer Jetter and Closed Circuit Television Inspection System” to Marola Motor Sales, Inc. for the truck chassis and primary equipment package offered by Bahr Sales for the lump sum price of $229,500.00.
REOPEN TO PUBLIC #840
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public for “Agenda” items only. No one spoke.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #855
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #865
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham noted that the Tax Assessor will update the Council on the revaluation during their next meeting.
Mayor Bingham said he will be participating in his third Penguin Plunge in February and encouraged everyone to jump in with him, or at least support him in any way possible.
ADJOURNMENT #970
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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