MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
October 4, 2010 Vol. 25 Page 719
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Council Chambers on Monday, October 4, 2010.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, Marie Soliani and Gregg Cogswell, and Paul Samele, WPC Administrator Ray Drew, Emergency Management Director Rick Dalla Valle, THA Chairman Atty. Samuel Slaiby, THA Executive Director Claudia Sweeney, Board of Safety Commissioner James Potter, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Stephen Nocera and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held September 20, 2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mary Bagnaschi spoke against Torrington Housing Authority’s “gross mismanagement that diminished the quality of life for all of the tenants and staff”, and challenged THA commissioners and the Mayor to find solutions to “longstanding problems” that are “incorrectly blamed on the disabled.”
Linda Gallagher requested Sam Slaiby not be reappointed as Chairman of the Torrington Housing Authority. She spoke of the many problems at Torrington Towers and said they feel it’s time to get someone new who can look at things in a different light.
David Murelli, THA Commissioner, submitted a list of THA accomplishments, and pointed out that a lot of the items that were criticized have already been addressed and that the THA facilitates over a thousand people in Torrington.
Claudia Sweeney explained HUD’s criteria and the waiting list evaluation process, to clarify the changes that occurred in 2005. She said over 60% of the applications were under the age of 62, and they enforce the regulations that HUD establishes.
David Murelli continued to talk about the good things that have been done, and almost 100% of the issues have been addressed. He said he spoke with tenants who say they’ve never had a problem. He urged the Council to consider the 27 years Sam Slaiby has put into this.
Mr. Paul Goodrie said he had to move to the Towers from Michael Koury Terrace because the Towers do not require electricity payments. He said nothing has been done about security, with two employees where there used to be six.
Mary Bagnaschi said elderly and disabled have been able to live together successfully for many years and insisted that this is a management problem, that shouldn’t be blamed on the disabled.
APPOINTMENTS
Councilor Cogswell made a motion to approve the reappointment of Atty Samuel Slaiby to the Torr. Housing Authority for a 5 year term to expire Sept. 1, 2015, tabled on September 15, 2010. It was seconded by Councilor Soliani and Atty. Slaiby was invited to speak. He further addressed the issue of 2005 when young-disabled were given the same status as the elderly, which was felt to be a bad social mix. He said this is aggravated at the Towers because of the architecture. He said the THA has legal title for the Towers, but it is really controlled by HUD. He further explained the need for a management company and other misconceptions. He thanked the Mayor for this opportunity to be reappointed, allowing the THA to remain non-political, operating as a non-partisan board. He said the duty of the Mayor and City Council is
to appoint someone who is ready, willing and able to best serve the Housing Authority over the next five years.
Mayor Bingham asked Atty. Slaiby why he wants to remain on this board as it comes under fire over the years from media and the residents. Atty. Slaiby said it is a tough job but he’s never walked away from a tough job in his life and feels he’s good at it. He encouraged everyone to not work in opposition to each other and to not make issues into crises.
Mayor Bingham informed the Council that there will be an opportunity to get more information in a TV program the next evening, and asked if the Council wanted to table the motion.
The Council indicated they were prepared to vote. Councilors Soliani, Waldron, Samele voted in favor. Councilors Carbone, Cogswell and Zordan were opposed. Mayor Bingham broke the tie with his vote in opposition. He explained the Housing Authority needs to do a better job dealing with the residents and their issues, and communicating to them and there is a lot of distrust. He said he feels it is his duty to represent them. He pointed out that Atty. Slaiby has done a great job for 27 years with a clear list of accomplishments.
REGIONAL FOG RECEIVING FACILITY
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously as the Water Pollution Control Authority, to approve the following payments from fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements for Torrington Regional FOG Receiving Facility.
$252,644.03 to CH Nickerson for Constr. Svcs. July/August 2010 on Req. #7 dated 8/16/2010
$14,178.97 to Wright-Pierce for Constr. Admin. Svcs. in July 2010 on Inv. #72745 dated 8/12/2010
$12,901.70 to Wright-Pierce for Constr. Admin. Svcs. in August 2010 on Inv. #73166 dated 9/9/2010
PUBLIC WORKS GRIEVANCES
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to deny AFSCME Public Works Grievance #10-03 in reference to Article 7, Section 3, relative to the recent layoffs.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to deny AFSCME Public Works Grievance #10-04 in reference to Article 9, Section 1, with regard to installation of GPS units in city vehicles.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to deny AFSCME Public Works Grievance #10-05 and #10-06 in reference to Article 7, Section 3, regarding recent layoffs.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to deny AFSCME Public Works Grievance #10-07 in reference to Article 9, Section 2, regarding the provision of a vehicle sufficient to tow a city-owned trailer and excavator.
TOTER REFUND
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to to approve refund of $125.00 to Naomi Delaney for an erroneous extra toter charge, per Public Works Director’s memorandum dated September 23, 2010.
SMALL CITIES CHANGE ORDER
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Small Cities Subcommittee regarding Change Order dated 9/27/2010 for Small Cities Project #143-287 in the amount of $400.00 from Fund #250. Councilor Waldron explained the risk assessment was for lead paint reduction.
SMALL CITIES INVOICE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of $400.00 from Small Cities Fund #250 for risk assessment done by SafeHomes, Inc., Invoice #4847.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS INVOICES
On a motion by Councilor Carbone seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #316, Municipal Renovations:
$83,445.22 for Invoice #16-CTYHALL from O & G for services through 8/31/2010.
$1000.00 for Invoice #17 from Horizon Engineering for prof. services from 7/31/2010 to 8/27/2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only. There was no one who wished to speak.
BUSINESS BY DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Ray Drew reported on the completion of the FOG facility, saying it came in under budget, is 100% online and is the first facility of its kind in the country to undertake this type of treatment process with over 124,000 gallons of fats, oils and grease processed to date. He invited the Authority to come and visit. Mayor Bingham said he doesn’t think Mr. Drew is given enough credit and intends to set up a time for the Authority to visit the facility. Mr. Drew said he is very proud of the facility, has a great staff that is very dedicated, and feels we have a state of the art facility that discharges crystal clear swimming pool quality water.
Rick Dalla Valle reported on Tropical Storm Nicole, having conferred with Hartford EOC to see what could be done. Some local storm drains backed up, but nothing covered the entire road. The Fire Department was dispatched to put up some sand bags but the water didn’t get high enough to cause problems, and all went very smoothly, he said. He invited the Council to visit the Torrington EOC, having moved out of the Police Department and into the Fire Department.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cogswell spoke about a car wash at Sky Top Lanes to raise funds for Make-A-Wish foundation.
Councilor Carbone acknowledged and expressed appreciation to Atty. Slaiby for 27 years of incredible service that goes beyond dedication and commitment and obviously represented a passion that he had for service to the Housing Authority. She said it is important for the Council to look for a Board that is proactive and not reactive, not waiting for a public outcry that something is going wrong.
Councilor Zordan recommended the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board look for a vehicle capable of pulling the trailer and excavator for the Street Dept.
Mayor Bingham reported on the United Way fundraising thermometer to be displayed from October 4th to November 12th. He expressed his frustration about the vote against Atty. Slaiby’s reappointment, saying there are a lot of residents who have mistrust. The trust needs to be restored, he said, and he thanked Atty. Slaiby for his 27 years’ commitment to the Housing Authority.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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