MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL AND WPC AUTHORITY
MARCH 5, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, March 5, 2012.
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, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Director of Public Works Jerry Rollett, Superintendent of Streets Robert Lizotte, Acting Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Kloczko, Board of Education Human Resources Director William Joslyn, Board of Education Members David Oliver and Kenneth Traub, Board of Finance Member Bill Lamoin and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 21, 2012. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held on February 27, 2012. Councilor Zordan abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously
to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
AGREEMENT: TORR. BRD. OF EDUC. + TORR. EDUC. ASSN.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council considered approval of the Agreement between the Torrington Board of Education and the Torrington Education Association for the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015.
Mr. Joslyn noted that the Torrington Education Assn. took no step increase and no general wage increase this year, with no change in the health insurance. For the school year 2013/2014 there will be no step increase and a 1.5 % general wage increase, he said, and in the 2014/2015 school year, all teachers will move up a step and have a 1.5% general wage increase. Mr. Joslyn added that co-pays and deductibles will increase in 2013/2014. He said there was movement on the severance language, now based on 50% of the highest annual salaries and capped at $12,000. All newly hired employees will no longer be eligible for severance pay, he said. They also worked on some ambiguous and outdated language in the contract that needed some cleaning up. Mr. Joslyn said Chairman Oliver and the teachers were
great to work with and he thinks this is a reasonable three-year contract.
Councilor Soliani said she couldn't find any language on giving time back to the teachers. Mr. Joslyn said this problem occurs when hand-scheduling is performed at the high school. A new flexible schedule and the use of new software will alleviate this.
Councilor Soliani said the agreement refers to a maximum number of students per grading period, but not a minimum. Mr. Joslyn said staff would be reduced if there weren't enough students except in special areas such as P.E., college placement or a technical course.
The Council voted 3 to 1 in favor of approving the agreement, with Councilor Soliani opposed and Councilors Waldron and Carbone abstaining from the vote.
DIESEL, #2 FUEL, AND GASOLINE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Purchasing Agent to enter into a contract for Diesel, #2 Fuel, and Gasoline with the low bidder as presented on March 5, 2012.
Mrs. Zucco recommended the Diesel Fuel be awarded to Dime Oil's Alternate Bid for 3.3794 per gallon. She recommended the #2 Fuel be awarded to Dime Oil's Alternate Bid for 3.3194 per gallon, and the Gasoline be awarded to Dime Oil's Alternate Bid for 3.2745 per gallon.
Mrs. Zucco said the Board of Education will be making their purchase through their consortium.
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPRV.
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-6 Central Interceptor CCTV and Cleaning and Capital Project D-13 New Harwinton Road Pump Station Rehabilitation.
Date |
Contractor |
Invoice # |
Amount |
Description |
2/10/12 |
Wright Pierce |
81845 |
$21,496.94 |
Central Interceptor – Toro Siphon |
2/10/12 |
Wright Pierce |
81843 |
$ 5,810.36 |
New Harwinton Road PS Upgrade |
2010 HOLDER –PARKS & REC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council considered the Fleet manager's and Parks & Recreation Superintendent's request to waive the bid process and purchase a 2010 Holder from Chadwick-BaRoss of Chelmsford, MA in the amount of $81,000.
2010 HOLDER –PARKS & REC Cont'd
Mr. Castro said this vehicle will be used solely for Parks and Recreation Department. He said the existing Holder is scheduled for replacement, and has a trade in value of $9000.
Mr. Simmons said he would like to retain the current unit and add this purchase to the fleet. He said the holder is used in winter to maintain over four miles of sidewalks and bridges. Having a second holder would provide a backup when one is down for repairs, assist with significant snowstorms where two machines could do different routes, allow a more efficient transition in seasonal switchovers, be used as a sweeper to accompany the holder used to water plants on Main St. and be a major value in keeping the Parks and Recreation Department operating efficiently.
The Council voted unanimously in favor of this purchase.
PLOW TRUCK BID
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered approval of the Fleet Manager's request to go out to bid for one 4 x 4 plow truck budgeted for $195,452 and one 6 x 4 plow truck budgeted for $210,000.
Mr. Lizotte explained he sent a memo stating the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board approved the replacement of truck #18 and #20 for one 4 x 4 and one 6 x 4. He said in 2010 he requested that two 4 x 4s be purchased, but only one was approved. Later on, an emergency purchase was required but the only available vehicle did not meet the specifications. The 4 x 4 that was taken out of service covered one of the most severe areas of the City containing hills. During the October storm, the 4 x 4 that we have now spent most of the storm pulling other trucks out of snow banks.
Mr. Lizotte said the ten-wheeler to be purchased will alleviate the truck's returns for more material as it carries twice the legal load of a six-wheeler. He said this will allow the Street Dept. to use its manpower more efficiently.
Mayor Bingham summarized these purchases, saying the 4 x 4 is a replacement of a current 4 x 4. The 6 x 4 is an upgrade of a six-wheel vehicle that has been budgeted for.
Mr. Castro explained the 4 x 4 was budgeted for $195,452. Due to a desired body change, the estimated cost will be $175,000. The six-wheeler was budgeted for $210,000 but is estimated to actually cost $209,000. He said the three vehicles that are slated to be retired will be offered as trade-ins to offset the cost by about $30,000. Mr. Castro said trucks #18 and 20 have been in service for fourteen years. He said approximately $99,000 has been spent to maintain truck #18, to date, and $75,000 spent on truck #20.
Councilor Cogswell said that although he has no concern about the need for the trucks, he is concerned about the overall City budget.
Councilor Soliani said she isn't comfortable with this vote and requested the matter be tabled until after the City budget is completed. Mayor Bingham said that although tabling is a reasonable request, the Vehicle Replacement Fund would never be raided. He said that Vehicle Replacement is funded to the level it needs to be at to purchase these pieces of equipment. He urged the Councilors not to tie this purchase to the overall budget.
Councilor Carbone noted that it is a question of how the taxpayer perceives these decisions and said she appreciates the Mayor's point that these funds have been set aside so that the purchases don't hit us hard.
Councilor Soliani said this is too big a purchase for this Council to approve at this time.
Mr. Lizotte noted that this is the same issue that was faced when the last four-wheel drive vehicle was purchased. A truck went down a month later causing an emergency purchase of a truck, which resulted in a truck that doesn't meet City specifications and is merely what is available on the lot. He noted that there is a seven month lead time on truck purchases.
Councilor Soliani asked if Mr. Lizotte could choose one truck to purchase instead of two. He said he is not comfortable answering that at this point.
Councilor Cogswell noted that these bids are going to come back to Council for approval. He said that although he agreed with Councilor Soliani, he felt the Council shouldn't delay these purchases.
Mayor Bingham said this is not a final approval, and the Council can see what bids come back, allowing time for Mr. Lizotte to analyze his priorities if he needs to choose one truck over the other. Mayor Bingham asked Mr. Castro to report on maintenance costs to the Council.
A vote was taken and the Council voted unanimously to approve the Fleet Manager's request to go out to bid for one 4x4 plow truck budgeted for $195,452.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Fleet Manager's request to go out to bid for one 6x4 plow truck budgeted for $210,000.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the following grant applications to the Western CT Agency on Aging for the FFY October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2014:
a) Torrington Chore Program
b) Medical Transportation Program
c) "Bend and Stretch"
Councilor Soliani noted that the documentation was excellent.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Small Cities Funds:
Vendor |
Invoice # |
Fund |
Amount |
Description |
Nat'l Comm. Dev. Assn. |
WLPM-12-107 |
250 |
$ 400.00 |
Registration Fee, Winter Legisl. & Policy Mtg. |
Ryan J. Bingham |
|
250 |
$1055.58 |
Reimbursement NCDA 2012 Winter Mtg. |
Republican American |
748852 |
251 |
$ 513.12 |
Housing Rehab Outreach Ad 1/29/12 |
Republican American |
747558 |
251 |
$ 125.28 |
Invitation to Bid Ad Project #143-262 |
SMALL CITIES PROJECTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Small Cities Committee's recommendation to approve Projects #143-276 and #143-262.
OPEN TO PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, 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 FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council. Mayor Bingham updated the Council on plans for the City's St. Patrick's Day celebration.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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