Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Rick Dalla Valle, Thomas Jerram, Marie Soliani, Drake Waldron, Elinor Carbone and Paul Samele, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, and Comptroller Alice Proulx.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m.
TAR WARS PRESENTATION Note: The Tar Wars Poster Contest winners were acknowledged at the beginning of the Board of Trustees of City Employees Retirement Fund meeting at 6:30 pm.
MINUTES On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on May 10, 2010. Councilors Samele, Jerram and Waldron abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on May 13, 2010.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 17, 2010. Councilor Dalla Valle abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 7, 2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Mr. Bill Knight of Torrington, Regional Coordinator for NW CT Disability Advocacy Collaborative, spoke about the new bus stop behind the library. He's concerned about its placement, especially its lack of visibility, benches or shelter and is concerned about pedestrian safety. Mr. Barrie Soucy of Torrington said that it's difficult for the visually impaired to find the bus stop. He requested a shelter, a garbage pail, and a permanent sign with the schedule on it. He said crossing that street is scary and could be worse for someone in a wheel chair or on crutches. He requested audible stop signs. Mayor Bingham said he spoke with Carol Dean about some of these concerns, that NW CT Transit District is working on some solutions, and he will issue a formal response.
Torrington Water Company Presentation Susan Suhanovsky of the Torrington Water Company explained what the City pays for Fire Protection and Water. The three pieces they charge for are fire protection, sales to public authority (including swimming pools, city parks, irrigation, schools and ice rinks), and public works, a flat charge used for sewer and street cleaning, and firefighting training. The costs are determined by a consultant, based on average system demands including pumping stations and tanks. She added that, based on firefighting capabilities, Torrington has a good insurance rating, resulting in lower premiums. She said that although fire protection is about $940,000 per
year, based on the number of hydrants and inch feed of mains, $350,000 is paid back to the City in taxes.
FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to award the Financial Audit Services contract to Blum Shapiro of West Hartford, CT for the next three fiscal years for the contracted amounts of $61,750/$63,250/$64,750, having been approved by a selection committee and the Board of Finance on June 15, 2010.
OPEB ACTUARY On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend the contract services through June 30, 2012 for the OPEB Actuary with Hooker & Holcomb in the amount of $14,000.
HVAC SERVICES On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to award the HVAC services contract to West State Mechanical of Torrington CT for FY 10/11 at the rates of $78.50/hr for Journeyman and $49.50/hr for Apprentice.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept. Report for the month of May, 2010.
MRC & SMALL CITIES INVOICES On a motion by Councilor Waldron seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of the following invoices: |
