MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
FEBRUARY 23, 2009 *** ADJOURNED FROM FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ***
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, February 23, 2009 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Michael Colangelo, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel ErnestineYuille Weaver, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Stephen Nocera, Comptroller Alice Proulx, and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
MINUTES #29
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held February 2, 2009, and the special meeting held February 18, 2009.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #42
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mayor Bingham read a proclamation for Parent Leadership Month, Februa 2009.
“Whereas Torrington’s children represent our future, they are our most valuable resource and they deserve the best guidance and support that we can give them so they can become productive and responsible citizens.
Whereas parent leaders play an invaluable role in providing that guidance and support, these leaders can be a biological parent, grandparent, foster parent, or anyone else in a parenting role. They can come from any background and the only requirement is a strong commitment to nurture and mentor a child.
Whereas meaningful parent leadership occurs when parents and caregivers gain the knowledge and skills necessary to function in meaningful roles and present a parent voice to help shape the direction of their families, programs and communities.
Whereas parent leadership is successfully achieved when parents receive support and training in order to share their responsibility for the planning, implementation and evaluation of policies, practices and programs that affect families and communities.
Whereas the nationwide Parent Leadership Month initiatives recognizes, honors, and celebrates parents for their vital leadership roles in their homes and communities and local, state, national and international arenas…
Now therefore, I, Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor of the City of Torrington do hereby proclaim February 2009 as Parent Leadership Month in the City of Torrington.”
Debora Ferrier received the proclamation and said it’s important for the City to recognize the parents who step out and get things done.
COE MEMORIAL PARK #150
Susan Coe Holbrook addressed the proposed contract with Still River Gardens. She said the Subcommittee did not unanimously approve it, nothing in the contract refers to deadheading the plants, weeding the park once a week is inadequate, and requested the council postpone their decision on this contract.
SECTION B #212
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: L. TIPALDI #215
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Lorraine Tipaldi to the Conservation Commission to fill a vacancy left by Elmer Patrick.
MRC INVOICE #223
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment in the amount of $24,805.00 from Municipal Renovations Fund #0316 to Torrington Business Park, LLC, for Invoice #21909 dated 2/19/2009.
CONSTABLE: J. REGINATTO #227
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Republican Town Committee to appoint James D. Reginatto as Constable to replace John Maiga, whose term expires on 12/07/09.
SEWER: CEDAR LANE #235
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment in the amount of $3,392.72, Invoice #80048 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Account #0490 to P & G Pepper Construction Services for Sewer Line Force Main on Cedar Lane.
SEWER: BELLEVIEW AVE #242
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment in the amount of $85,976.90 to P & G Pepper Construction Services from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Budget Acct. #0490 for Sanitary Sewer Repair at .Belleview Ave.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION #250
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo the Council
voted unanimously to accept the following as members of the Arts & Culture Commission, effective 2/6/2009 for terms listed as below.
To serve until 12/31/2010: Jacque Williams, Gail Kruppa, Davyne Verstandig
To serve until 12/31/2011: Aurora Daly, Ron Alexander, Lynn Gelomino
To serve until 12/31/2012: Tim Wallace, Steve Criss, Jessica Hodorski
Ex officio members:
From Economic Development: Cindy Donaldson
From the Mayors Office: Rose Ponte
WATER METER REPLACEMENT #282
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and authorize Torrington Water Company to replace approximately 2/3 of the 95 water meters requiring replacement on city-owned Torrington Water Supply at an estimated cost of $25,000 from Torrington Water Supply capital reserve funds.
HORTICULT. SVCS. COE MEM. PARK #288
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo the Council
voted unanimously to accept Purchasing Agents Recommendation to approve the contract between the City of Torrington and Still River Gardens, LLC for Horticultural and Related Services to Coe Memorial Park Gardens.
Councilor Dalla Valle said if there were concerns about the contract they should have been addressed at the meeting the committee held, there had been a unanimous consensus of the committee that day.
Corporation Counsel Weaver said there were a few changes to the contract, but not any that affect the dead-heading of the plants, which is still a portion of the contract. The contract says that routine maintenance may be needed a few times per week, not only once a week.
Councilor Soliani said we need to give them a chance.
ADD TO AGENDA #372
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3 vote.
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to Judge Blick of the Litchfield Probate Court petitioning the Court to allow Torrington City Council to explore other banking options through a formal selection process to keep with the wishes of the Coe family descendents.
RE-APPOINTMENTS: PETRICONE, BATE, PEROSINO #428
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve the re-appointment of Joseph Petricone, Jr. to Torrington Area Health Dist. for a 3 yr term expiring 1/9/2012, John
Bate, Jr. – Chairman, Nancy Schroeder-Perez and Jane Bakker to the Inland Wetlands Comm. for a 3 yr term expiring 9/5/2011, and Gregory Perosino to the Planning & Zoning Comm. for a 5 yr term expiring in 12/1/2013.
BLDG DEPT REPORT #436
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of January, 2009.
MRC INVOICE #443
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Municipal Renovations Fund #0316:
Friar Assocs. |
Inv. # 270162001 |
$65,000.00 |
City Hall Redesign |
Corporate Express |
Inv. # 93029757 |
265.47 |
Office Safe |
Corporate Express |
Inv. # 93086362 |
24.70 |
Labels |
Corporate Express |
Inv. # 93086359 |
585.00 |
Banker Boxes |
Corporate Express |
Inv. # 93086361 |
390.00 |
Banker Boxes |
Republican American |
INV000421326 |
76.56 |
Invitation to Bid- relocate City Hall |
Torrington Business Park |
20409 |
33,073.00 |
Deposit request for materials |
WILLOW GARDENS ROOF: #451
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of $409.28 to Preiss/Breismeister PC from Fund #250 for roof replacement for the Willow Gardens Senior Housing Project. Councilor Waldron reported that this item had already received Small Cities Committee unanimous approval.
POLICE CAR BUMPERS: #472
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of $1,075.50 to MHQ of West Hartford, CT for (5) Police Car Push Bumpers from Vehicle Replacement Continency, line item #0309.888.5900.0120, and refer it to the Board of Finance.
OPEN TO PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS #504
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on agenda items only.
No one wished to speak.
BUS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #512
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
No business was presented.
BUS: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL #523
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Colangelo asked for information on the revaluation assessment.
Mayor Bingham explained that a clearer picture will develop all the way up to when the Grand List is signed.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked what the chances are of the Grand List coming down based on all the Assessment Appeals.
Councilor Soliani and Councilor Waldron discussed the same issue.
ADJOURNMENT #802
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:27 p.m.
ATTEST: CAROL L. ANDERSON, CCTC
CITY CLERK
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