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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND WPC AUTHORITY & BOARD OF FINANCE
MARCH 9, 2011
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority and the Board of Finance was held in the Main Room of the Senior Center on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Paul Samele, Elinor Carbone, Gerald Zordan, Marie Soliani, and Drake Waldron, Board of Finance members Daniel Farley, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, Laurene Pesce, Brian Paganini and Wendy Traub, Treasurer Arthur Mattiello, and Tax Collector R. Thomas Crovo.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:43 p.m. He clarified the meeting’s purpose by saying in the past, by charter, the City Council and Board of Finance have jointly approved a tax collector for the City by roll call vote. In this case, he said, because there are substantial discussions and contract changes necessary, he’d like the intermediary step of approving the actual tax collection company first before settling on contract details.
Mrs. Pesce said she needs to understand what will happen if something happens to Dr. Crovo. Dr. Crovo said the transition plan is that his son, who is familiar with finances, and his heir, would leave his current position to take over the day to day operations along with Susan Boland who is the certified tax collector that works for him now.
Mayor Bingham offered to make this an addendum to the contract and Mrs. Pesce requested a procedure be determined so that it does come back to the governing boards of the City.
Councilor Carbone asked if this agreement is with R. Thomas Crovo or the LLC. Dr. Crovo said the contract is with R. Thomas Crovo Tax Collector LLC but it is backed personally by Rob Crovo. He said he could make Jonathan Crovo part of the LLC if that is addressed in the negotiations.
Councilor Soliani asked that the following additions be negotiated in the contract:
- # 1.6 “the tax collector shall timely refund all overpayments…tax collector shall make available upon request” Councilor Soliani asked that this be changed to “biannually document refunds on City website, State website and in local newspapers”. She said people may not be aware they have a payment coming to them and this might make it simpler for them.
- # 2.2.2 “policies and procedures and other relevant tax collection information”. Councilor Soliani asked that procedures be specific to a tax sale and include documentation of how to avoid a tax sale.
- # 2.6.2 “the tax collector for a period of one year after he acquires property…” Councilor Soliani said she would like added or considered that he “shall pay for the years’ taxes in arrears” and doesn’t have to pay for that first year but does after that.
- # 3.5 Councilor Soliani asked how the figure of $350 per month for rent was reached. Mayor Bingham said it was based on calculations from Mr. Rollett, and will look into it.
- # 4 “Policies and Procedures” Councilor Soliani asked that the City be consulted prior to initiation of the Jeopardy Tax on any local business.
- # 6 “Evaluation… the tax collector shall submit an annual performance self evaluation review” Councilor Soliani said she thinks that’s very nice and would like to do her own evaluation too. She said she would like to see a copy of the form, and have some input into that.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously, by roll call vote, to authorize the Mayor to engage in contract negotiations with R. Thomas Crovo, LLC for the purpose of tax collection services.
On a motion by Mr. Paganini, seconded by Mr. Farley, the Board of Finance voted unanimously, by roll call vote, to authorize the Mayor to engage in contract negotiations with R. Thomas Crovo, LLC for the purpose of tax collection services.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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