Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Thomas Jerram, Marie Soliani, Drake Waldron, Elinor Carbone and Rick Dalla Valle, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPC Administrator Ray Drew, and Public Works Director Gerald Rollett. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent. Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #21 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 19, 2010.
MINUTES #26 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Special meeting held on April 26, 2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #32 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Maureen Hubert, Executive Director of Friendly Hands Food Bank, said she was disheartened to read in the newspaper about the City's nonprofit grants, never knowing they existed for 19 years, finally requesting one in 2009, and then being told she was the only nonprofit being denied. She said Friendly Hands is in deep trouble, increasing 35 - 40% already this year. Previously she helped two new families per month, but is now helping five new families per week. We can have all the food drives we want, she said, but if you don't have a building to put the food in, it's very hard to run a food bank without a building. If you can't pay for the lights or heat, you will not have a building. She said she is very disheartened as the food bank does a lot of its own fundraising, receiving only $36,000 from DSS, but having a
budget of $115,000. Mrs. Hubert said she has to raise the rest and would like to hire more people to help run the food bank but doesn't have the money for it. She said she would like to know why Friendly Hands was the only one who applied and was denied. Mayor Bingham explained that all other stipends had been reoccurring ones with no other new stipends. In an effort to keep everything neutral, he said, everything was brought back to last year's funding level. Since Friendly Hands didn't receive a stipend last year, the amount was zero. Mayor Bingham said he did propose a recommendation in an effort of equality, to take half FISH's $10,000 stipend for Friendly Hands, but that didn't work. He pointed out that this is a tough budget year for the City as well. Mrs. Hubert said the City is going to
have one less food bank, and it will have to take the responsibility to feed people, because Friendly Hands is running on empty right now. She said she needs help as it’s a City food bank that feeds all Torrington constituents and would like to know if the City would help them.
(#150) Mike Zordan spoke on behalf of 1054 New Litchfield St. saying the road was built 58 years ago, his grandfather built a home there 74 years ago. He said he has not heard of any problem with fire, medical or police response. If the street is renamed, it will be an inconvenience for everyone on the street to update addresses, driver licenses, household accounts, credit cards, etc. It may actually make it harder for first responders who rely on GPS units today to find locations as the new street name may not be updated in their GPS units. He strongly opposes the street name change. Zordan and Sons Plastering Contractors has been there since 1927 he said, and there's never been a problem. He also opposed City Council voting on this issue this night, recommending it be pushed back four to six weeks.
(#208) Marie Zordan of 1054 New Litchfield St. asked if the street was ever taken over by the City, since it was State-owned. City Engineer Ed Fabbri said although the City maintained the right of way, it was never deeded to the City, which has maintained it ever since New Litchfield St was relocated. Ms. Zordan said ambulances have found her house twice with never a problem, and pointed out that people will think she's moved. She asked if she has a voice in the naming of the street. Mayor Bingham said there were two or three recommendations, one of which was Zordan Lane. Ms. Zordan said she's seen signs in other towns that have the
name of the street with the numbers located there listed underneath. She suggested the name Old Litchfield Rd like it used to be, years ago. Mayor Bingham said the City Council is only setting a public hearing date, not putting it to vote.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Continued #298 (#300) Beret Woodworth of 1040 New Litchfield St. said the street name has been a problem. She said she's been there 45 years, no one can ever find her and she's concerned about ambulances and police being able to find them. She said the name needs to be different and suggested New Litchfield Street Extension.
Proclamation: Municipal Clerks Week #351 Mayor Bingham read the following Proclamation: WHEREAS: The Office of the Municipal Clerk, a time honored and vital part of the local government exists throughout the world; and WHEREAS: this Office is the oldest among public servants; and WHEREAS: the Office of the Municipal Clerk provides the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and the agencies of government at other levels; and WHEREAS: the Municipal Clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community; and WHEREAS: Municipal Clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all; and WHEREAS: Municipal Clerks continually strive to improve the administration of their office through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops and the annual meetings of their state, province, county and international professional organizations; and WHEREAS: it is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the Office of the Municipal Clerk NOW THEREFORE, I, Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor of the City of Torrington, together with
the members of the City Council, do hereby recognize the week of May 2 through May 8, 2010 as Municipal Clerks Week and further extend appreciation to our Municipal Clerk, Joseph L. Quartiero, and his excellent staff, and to all Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent.
Presentation: City Treasurer Update on Bond Redemption #424 City Treasurer Mattiello reported on the Bond Redemption maturity dates. He said the City budgets almost 6 million each year for debt service. He said 85% of current debt, including City Hall renovations, will be retired in ten years. In terms of total budget and total debt, he said, we are not in bad shape.
BUILDING PERMIT REFUND #594 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously against the authorization of a building permit fee refund for a cancelled project at 37 Winsted Road, to property owner EJB Trust Torrington LLC of Norwood, MA in the amount of $482.92. Building Official Brett Zuraitis said permits are the property of either the owner or his authorized agent. In this case, the contractor or authorized agent lost the job. Mr. Zuraitis urged him to talk
to the owner to transfer these costs. He explained that since the person requesting the refund is not the owner, he recommends not refunding the permit.
PARKS DEPT. TREE TRIMMING, REMOVAL SVC #650 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend the current bid contract with Precise Landscaping, Inc. of Cheshire, CT for FY2010/11 for Tree Trimming and Removal Service for Parks Department, at current pricing.
TORO I AND II, HOT DOG VENDING #658 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend the current bid contract with Casual Cart of Torrington, CT for FY2010/11 for Hot Dog Vending at Toro I and Toro II.
COMBINED DISPATCH CENTER UPGRADES #667 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to waive the bid process and make additional purchases and continued upgrades for the Combined Dispatch Center from Northwest Communications of Torrington in the amount of $30,129.00 pending approval by the Board of Public Safety. Mayor Bingham explained this is in preparation for the two grants we're receiving. Deputy Brunoli further
explained that gear purchases in the past were made by borrowing from the Capital Fund and repaying from the budget. He informed the Council that he wants to put money away in the Capital Account to prepare for future gear replacement purchases. Part of the purchase will allow a second repeaterized frequency which is a safety issue.
LITCHFIELD, WINTHROP, WATER & CHURCH STS. PAVEMENT REHAB #831 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's and City Engineer's recommendation to award the Pavement Rehabilitation of Litchfield St., Winthrop St., Water St. & Church St. contract to Pierce Builders Inc. of Granby, CT in the amount of $812,229.45. Mayor Bingham said they are trying to work within the grant system to get the full benefit of the 1.2
million dollar grant they were approved for.
WATER ST STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS #932 On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's and City Engineer's recommendation to award the Water Street Streetscape Improvements contract to Pierce Builders, Inc. of Granby, CT in the amount of $294,400.00. City Engineer Fabbri said this project will last from July through August. Mayor Bingham said they are coordinating with Torrington Development Corp. to ensure the designs all work together.
TABLE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE #992 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to table the scheduling of a Public Hearing to consider the proposed street name change from New Litchfield Street to Lily Lane per the City Engineer's Memo of April 27, 2010, until more information is available. Councilor Jerram suggested alternatives be explored before the street name is changed, especially whether or not we have legal authority to make the change. Atty. Weaver
said she'd look into it.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING #1096 Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for May 17, 2010 at 6:30 p.m., to set the Sewer User Fee for the period from July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011.
MRC & SMALL CITIES INVOICES #1138 On a motion by Councilor Jerram seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of the following invoices: |
