MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MAY 24, 2011
A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Council members Gerald Zordan, Gregg Cogswell, Paul Samele and Elinor Carbone, Board of Finance members Daniel Farley, Thomas Scoville, Laurene Pesce, Brian Paganini, Mark Bushka and Wendy Traub, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Atty. Victor Muschell, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Stephen Nocera, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Superintendent of Schools Christopher Leone, Board of Education Member David Oliver, Board of Education Human Resources Director William Joslyn, Board of Education Director of Facilities David Bascetta, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero and Comptroller Alice Proulx. Councilor Soliani arrived at 5:27 p.m. and Councilor Waldron arrived at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
AGREEMENT: CITY HALL EMPLOYEES
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council considered the Agreement between the City of Torrington and City Hall Employees of Local 1579, Council 4, AFSCME for the 2011-2015 Contract.
Atty. Muschell said this agreement is very significant as it is the second time employees have agreed to a zero wage increase, and it establishes a new 'consumer driven' health insurance plan with a high deductible that gives one pause before spending health care money. He said this new plan saves the City a tremendous amount of money and represents a savings of about ¾ of a million dollars.
Atty. Muschell said the Council shouldn’t forget to thank the unions that were involved, as the negotiations were very difficult, along with a special thank you to Local 818 as they were the leaders in this.
He noted that the City Hall Agreement will save $42,000 in the first year and $233,000 over the life of the contract. He highlighted some items eliminated from the contracts, for new employees, such as longevity pay, the difference between workman’s compensation and regular pay, and permission to take vehicles home.
He reminded City Council that they may reject these contracts by June 17th, thanked Mr. Gritt for his help and noted that Mayor Bingham was a leader in this.
Mayor Bingham thanked the unions for listening and participating. He said these are landmark changes that will serve as a model in the state for forward thinking in contract changes.
Councilor Carbone expressed her appreciation for the significant changes. She sees them as being a huge step in saving taxpayer dollars. She expressed appreciation for the consultant, who demonstrates that this was a good move on our part.
Councilor Cogswell said he thinks we’re leaps and bounds ahead of other municipalities with these agreements that are a credit to the administration, a credit to the work accomplished by Atty. Muschell and Mr. Gritt, and most importantly to the unions and city employees who stepped up to the plate this year. He asked what the rationale is for 0%, 3%, then 2% wage increases, instead of 2 and then 3.
Atty. Muschell replied that one would prefer to get 3% sooner rather than later. He noted that even though union members get a 2% wage increase, their premium share in the insurance is going to increase.
The Council voted unanimously to approve this Agreement.
AGREEMENT: PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Agreement between the City of Torrington and Public Works Employees of Local 1579, Council 4, AFSCME for the 2011-2015 Contract.
AGREEMENT: CITY SUPERVISORS
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Agreement between the City of Torrington and City Supervisors, Local 818, Council 4, AFSCME for the 2011-2014 Contract.
Councilor Zordan thanked the union members for stepping up to the plate once again and negotiating a contract that is very helpful to the citizens of Torrington. He noted that he has personally been involved in an HSA, and has seen it as beneficial both to the employee and to the employer. The savings to the City are huge for the HSA and the 401K, he said, and congratulated the Mayor and his administration for accomplishing this.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:32 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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