Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Elinor Carbone, Thomas Jerram, Marie Soliani, Drake Waldron and Rick Dalla Valle, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Building Official Brett Zuraitis, Supt. Of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Recreation Director Donna Winn, Treasurer Arthur Mattiello, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Patricia Fairchild, Director of Public Works Gerald Rollett, and Elderly Services Director Nancy Hodkoski. City Councilor Paul
F. Samele, Jr. was absent. Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
MINUTES #38 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held February 17, 2010. Councilor Dalla Valle abstained.
MINUTES #45 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 22, 2010. Councilor Dalla Valle abstained. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #51 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one who wished to speak.
FIREWORKS 2010 #60 (TABLED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010) On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to award a contract to Pyro Engineering, Inc. d/b/a Bay Fireworks for Torrington's 2010 Fireworks Display in the amount of $14,000.00. Councilor Waldron said that with the tight budget and our economy the way it is, this is far too expensive especially should jobs be lost. Mayor Bingham said he'd do his best to raise necessary funds through sponsorships and donations. Councilor Dalla Valle said since the economy is worse this year than last, the money could be much better spent in the city to help citizens with the tax burden. Councilor Jerram said it's the one time of year the community comes together to provide a great Independence Day celebration recognizing our nation's birthday. Although it's costly, he said, it's very well attended and is something we do as a city for our residents. Councilor Soliani said she wants a better feel for what it will cost us and isn't sure its in the best interest, or if we're spending taxpayer's money wisely. The motion was defeated 1 to 4 with Councilor Jerram in favor. Mayor Bingham clarified that this vote was on the fireworks contract only. He'll meet with the fireworks committee to find other ideas.
BLIGHT LIEN, 117 WATER ST. #220 (TABLED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010) On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council considered the release of a blight lien and forgiving the subsequent fines for 117 Water St. (Old Firehouse) as the property was removed from the blight list. Mayor Bingham suggested the fines be reduced to $40,000, which could be released based on proposed tenants, completion of work, etc. and the future release would be brought to City Council for their approval. Councilor Dalla Valle said there should be some consideration to offset the time our Inspectors spent. Atty. Weaver said the procedure is to reduce and subordinate the lien. Councilor Waldron amended his motion to "reduce" the blight lien, rather than "release" it, and "reduce" the subsequent fines" to $40,000. Councilor Dalla Valle said he would amend his second but clarified that they are reducing the fine, not the lien. Atty. Weaver added that modifying the lien can be done through a motion, stating that it's based on the action of the City Council taken this evening to reduce the total fines on this lien to $40,000. She added that we have ceased charging the additional $742.50 per day as of the date in 2006 when the property was brought into compliance, the fine amount is being set to $40,000 and we're modifying an existing lien, not creating a new one. Mr. Laliberte requested language specifying the terms for the lien release. Mayor Bingham said they will work together on creating standards for a contract to go in front of City Council. Councilor Dalla Valle said that recouping City expenses should be part of it. The amended motion is to keep a blight lien and reduce the subsequent
fines for 117 Water St. (Old Firehouse) to $40,000, with a contract to be agreed upon in the future. The motion was unanimously approved.
HOME MANAGEMENT GRANT #687 On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following Resolution empowering Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, as the authorized signatory for the Home Management Grant 143-SBG-33/08DSS5002AD. RESOLVED that the Mayor, Ryan J. Bingham, is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of the City of Torrington with the Department of Social Services of the
State of Connecticut for a Social Services Block Grant program, and to affix the corporate seal.
HOME MANAGEMENT CONTRACT #694 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the Home Management Contract 143-SBG-33/08DSS5002AD in the amount of $ 93,521.
GRANT APPLIC: CHORE, MEDICAL TRANS., WELLNESS PROGRAM #698 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the following: 1)Torrington Chore Program grant application to the Western CT Agency on Aging for the FFY October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2012, 2)Medical Transportation Program grant application to the Western CT Agency on Aging for the FFY October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2012, and 3) the Sullivan Senior Center Wellness Program grant application to the Western CT Agency on Aging for the FFY October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2012.
FELICITY LANE PUMP STATION #705 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to authorize payment of $3,971.22 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Account #490 to Wright Pierce for Invoice #68653 for Inspection Services Felicity Lane Pump Station.
REGIONAL FOG RECEIVING FACILITY #713 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Clean Water Fund Project CWF-611-C“ for Torrington Regional FOG Receiving Facility”: 1)Wright Pierce Invoice #68586 dated 2/9/2010 in the amount of $1318.11 for Construction Admin. Services January 2010 and 2) US Bank Invoice #2573191 dated 2/4/2010 in the amount of $500.00 for IFO Admin Services January 27, 2010.
REPLACE PLAYSCAPE EQUIP. #720 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to waive the bid process and award the Replacement of Playscape Equipment for Area Playgrounds to Creative Recreation of West Hartford, CT in the amount of $20,298.00, funded through the Parks Capital Program. Councilor Jerram asked if playground equipment should be purchased when we can't afford
fireworks. Mayor Bingham said some of the current equipment would probably pose liabilities & safety hazards that would exceed the $20,000. Mr. Simmons said this is one of our last remaining wooden playground structures and a lot of the elements are outdated and not up to current standards. Councilor Waldron said this is a permanent improvement rather than a one day event. Councilor Dalla Valle questioned the labor cost and Mr. Simmons explained the labor will be done by Parks staff.
CHARLES ST. STORM SEWER #853 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's and City Engineer's recommendation to award a unit price contract to YB Paving of Seymour, CT for the Charles Street Storm Sewer Relief Line in the amount of $47,684.00 from line item 0010.0031.5818.0000.
DONATION OF TREES #861 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered the donation of trees to the Town of Winchester per the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation's Memo of February 25, 2010. Mayor Bingham said ZEO Kim Barbieri has offered to find a place for the trees within the City. Councilor Dalla Valle said members of subcommittees should not be speaking to other municipalities on our behalf. Councilor Carbone said she would prefer to have the trees remain in the City, and suggested an offer be made to nurseries to purchase them. Mayor Bingham said he'd work with the Parks Dept. and Mrs.
Barbieri to find an amenable solution to keep the trees within the City limits. He added that in no way is this meant as slight to the City of Winsted. The motion was unanimously denied.
MRC INVOICES #1071 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of the following invoices: |
