MINUTES VOL. 26 PAGE 92
PUBLIC HEARING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MAY 21, 2012
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, May 21, 2012 to solicit citizen input regarding the sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Weaver, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Elinor Carbone, Gerald Zordan, Marie Soliani and Drake Waldron, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Water Pollution Control Administrator Ray Drew, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Board of Finance Member Bill Lamoin, Police Lt. Michael Emanuel, Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, and Public Works Director Gerald Rollett. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to order at 6:30 p.m.
Asst. City Clerk Carol Anderson read the legal notice.
Mr. Chris Wiley, owner of a two-family house, complained about paying a double sewer use fee and said those who generate less should pay less.
Mr. Mike Banzurik said he feels he is being overcharged and asked City Council to consider fair and equitable charges.
Mayor Bingham closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MAY 21, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, May 21, 2012.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Weaver, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Elinor Carbone, Gerald Zordan, Marie Soliani and Drake Waldron, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Water Pollution Control Administrator Ray Drew, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Board of Finance Member Bill Lamoin, Police Lt. Michael Emanuel, Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, and Public Works Director Gerald Rollett. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
MOTION: SEWER USER FEE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority considered the following sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013:
For Residential Users $196.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $196.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
Mr. Drew said the budget he presented is very responsible, and set by ordinance, based upon equivalent dwelling units. The commercial and industrial fees are based on gallons of flow with the minimum charge being equivalent to one residential unit. He said he understands the issues spoken of during the public hearing, and has looked at various ways to restructure the fee system currently in place. The questions that come up become very difficult. He said they do get annual consumption readings from the Torrington Water Company, but they don't address every commercial customer or every residential customer. He noted that they have a significant number of customers on wells and it is very difficult to determine what amount of flow they are using. He asked how to mandate a single resident home to have a meter
installed on their well to determine how much water is being discharged, when that meter can cost up to $3000. He said they have looked at it and still continue to look at it, including different rate structures and a methodology that is fair and equitable to their 17,000 customers.
Mr. Drew said the plan that we have in place works well by providing adequate funding. He said Torrington is still one of the lowest rates in the state at $194. The average single family home single use rate in the State of CT is $369. He noted that our 17,000 customers get an extremely good value for their $196.
Regarding the budget, Mr. Drew said, the expenditure budget is down 1.3% with the operation and maintenance cost up .2% and income down 2.4%. He is projecting an income of 3.8 million based on the sewer use fee of $194, but a projected deficit of $20,339. He noted that we haven't had a rate increase for three years, accomplished by using different strategies such as delaying the replacement of vehicles and employees. He noted that the City's 400 million dollar infrastructure has only 13.5 people to operate it. He projected a $50,000 electricity savings with the new contract, and noted that the WPCA is the City's highest electrical consumer next to the high school, or the highest consumer if you add the pump stations in.
Mr. Drew said he's doing everything he can do to cut costs, but 2011 was an extremely difficult year.
He said the treatment plant is designed for 7 mgd (million gallons per day) he said, but last year 6.89 mgd were treated on average with highs up to 25 million gallons per day. Mr. Drew said the east drainage project is estimated at 5 to 5.5 million dollars, along with other projects in an infrastructure that is aging. He said that we have pipes in the ground that are over 100 years old, with some of the first sewer pipes installed in 1895. It's an infrastructure that we have to invest in for the long-term viability of the system, he said.
Mr. Drew said he is asking for a $25,000 fund balance investment from debt reserve or debt service, and the sinking fund. He said this fund transfer is the only guarantee that we invest money for long term projects.
Councilor Zordan asked how the figure of 65,000 gallons per year was determined. Mr. Drew said it's longstanding, based on industry standard estimates of 2.5 people per home multiplied by 100 gallons per day, per person, times 365 days a year.
Mr. Rollett said that 20 years ago the City put together a sewer user charge system, as sewers used to be part of general taxation in Torrington. Torrington Water Company records were looked at, and the average residential flow back then was about 72,000 gallons per single family unit in Torrington, he said. It was rounded down to 65,000 gallons per year for a typical single family unit, allowing some loss for watering lawns and miscellaneous use. He said over the years that has held fairly constant. Mr. Rollett said that when the sewer user charge system was developed, public hearings were held and presentations made on Cable 5 and to City Council.
Mayor Bingham said this system seems the most equitable.
Mr. Rollett said different methodologies were looked at when the user system was put together, including a water meter type of billing. That was rejected because of the cost to install and administer it, as staff would be required and it gets complicated. There are half a dozen different methodologies for charging for sewer use, he said, and the one we use is the most common, being very easy to administer and following DEP guidelines.
Councilor Carbone said in looking at next year's projections, she noticed that the nitrogen credits are at zero, and it's always those nitrogen credits that go into that capital reserve fund. Mr. Drew said 2011 was an extremely wet year, although our concentration performance was on par, we were over our permit limit for 2011. Last year we received $41,000, this year we had to buy $29,000, so that's a $69,000 swing, he said.
Mr. Drew said we'll be asking for additional meetings to lay out our strategy for attempting to deal with the upcoming phosphorous requirements.
To answer Councilor Carbone's question, Mr. Drew said the balance in Fund 31 is $1,070,000 at the end of 2011.
Councilor Cogswell said it seems like we're paying much less than the state average, and asked how our fees stay so low. Mr. Drew said he's very aggressive in daily operations, and tries to do as much in-house as possible especially by hiring qualified employees such as licensed plumbers, licensed electricians, and licensed HVAC technicians. He said his staff is innovative, very aggressive, and willing to experiment and they try to anticipate what new mandates are coming. This gives an extremely good value to our customers, he said.
Mayor Bingham agreed, and said the state average may be high due to some small high-priced systems.
Drew said we are a medium size facility, and as systems get larger, you get economy to scale.
Mr. Rollett said they are always looking for cost centers to offset costs. Mr. Drew agreed that they look for any means to generate revenue outside of the user fee to offset that burden.
Mayor Bingham clarified the motion from Councilor Waldron as $196.00 per dwelling unit or 65,000 gallons of volume of flow.
Councilor Carbone said she has a concern about increasing the fee to $196.00. She noted that the sewer plant is the most efficiently run facility, and she appreciates all of their work and creative ways to generate revenues. However, looking at this capital reserve amount, she said, it would not appear that the WPCA is not operating in a deficit. She said she would be opposed to the increase.
Mr. Rollett said they feel it would be better to increase a dollar or two in anticipation of some significant capital projects coming up, rather than asking for a six or eight dollar increase. Mr. Drew said the east drainage basin will cost 5 million dollars. He said if we were to take a loan out, by comparison, a 1 million dollar loan has an annual repayment equivalent to a $4.00 increase in the sewer user fee. A 5 million dollar loan would be a $20.00 increase to the sewer user fee. He said that’s how we strategize an offset, by using our fund balance.
Councilor Carbone said she is thinking of the multiple family units where every little bit hurts.
Councilor Soliani said Mr. Drew is a credit to the City and a lot of Departments in the City could take a lesson from him. She agreed that it is difficult to tell the Torrington residents to pay $2.00 more, but she thinks that it would be better to do $2.00 this year and $2.00 next, rather than $6.00 the following year.
OTE: SEWER USER FEE APPROVED
A vote was taken and the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted 4 to 1, with Councilor Carbone opposed, in favor of approving the following sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013:
For Residential Users $196.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $196.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
WPCA BUDGET
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Budget for year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013.
WPCA FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget/Program for year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2017.
WPCA MISCELLANEOUS FEE SCHEDULE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Miscellaneous Fee Schedule for year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mr. Chris Wiley expressed his frustration over local government, bad roads, poor education, no jobs, companies leaving as fast as they can, the Building Department, and being unable to use the Torrington transfer station. Mayor Bingham said the City does pick up bulk items, electronics can be dropped off at the WPCA seven days a week, and we do two household hazardous waste days. He said he imagines you'd have to be a licensed hauler to drop off at the CRRA plant, probably for liability reasons.
Mr. Wiley asked when the next reassessment will take place. Mayor Bingham replied that the work will be done next year, and the assessment will take effect the following year. He asked Mr. Wiley to email him about the Building Department.
Mr. Tony Basso said he is disappointed in the Mayor, members of Council and members of the Board of Finance for increasing taxes by 3%. He said Senior Citizens live on fixed incomes and just don’t have the money. We can't afford these taxes, he said. Mr. Basso added that the problems that are creating the increase in the budget aren't resolved, especially the annual increase in teachers' salaries and benefits. Sometimes layoffs just have to happen, he said. Mr. Basso said you have to consider the senior citizens, we just can't afford this.
Taxes are driving us bankrupt, he said, and next time, consider the senior citizens.
RESOLUTION: Justice Assistance Grant
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for the Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $40,000:
Move to authorize Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, to apply for the Justice Assistance Grant in the
amount of $40,000, upon receipt of the grant funds into a separate account to be used for
the purposes spelled out in the grant application and award agreement.
Lt. Emanuel clarified that this is not a matching grant.
CONSERVATION COMM ALTERNATES: A. Tallman, D. Carroll
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve Andrea Tallman and Diane Carroll as Alternate Members of the Conservation Commission.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING: Neighborhood Assistance Act
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for June 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. to review and discuss proposals for participation in the 2012 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
TABLED: PUBLIC WORKS STORM CONTINGENCY FUND
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council considered the establishment of a $750,000 Public Works Storm Contingency Fund, pending Board of Finance approval, to allow payment of storm related emergency repairs and restorations that have not been foreseen or budgeted for per Mr. Rollett's Memorandum regarding Public Works Storm Contingency dated May 15, 2012. Councilor Cogswell made a motion to table, seconded by Councilor Zordan, and unanimously approved.
MATE & REGIONAL BIDS FOR ROADWAY WORK & MATERIALS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and accept the State and Regional Bids for roadway work and materials for the fiscal year 2012-2013 based on the State and Regional Contracts listed in Mr. Rollett's Memorandum regarding State/Regional Bids Acceptance dated May 15, 2012. (Addendum 1)
HVAC SERVICES
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to grant a one year contract extension to Air Temp Mechanical Services Inc. of Southington, CT for HVAC Services, Bid #HVAC-014-070711. Councilor Carbone questioned the use of subcontractors. Mrs. Zucco said there is a contract provision for this, and they were still the low bidder.
WPCA: PURCHASE FORD F250
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's, Fleet Manager's, and WPCA Administrator's recommendation to award the bid for the purchase of a Ford F250 4x4 with regular cab or equivalent to Litchfield Ford of Litchfield, CT in the amount of $28,544. Councilor Carbone asked for a clarification that this comes out of WPCA funds. Mr. Drew said it does.
WPCA: SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council, herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to accept the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-13 New Harwinton Road Pump Station Rehabilitation:
Date |
Contractor |
Invoice # |
Amount |
Description |
4/30/12 |
Delray Contracting |
Req. #3 |
$48,166.90 |
New Harwinton Road PS Upgrade |
5/9/12 |
Delray Contracting |
Req. #4 |
$63,435.34 |
New Harwinton Road PS Upgrade |
SMALL CITIES: Fund #250
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $375.00 from Housing Rehab Fund #250, to the National Community Development Assn. for Annual Membership Dues for the period 7/1/12 to 6/30/13.
SMALL CITIES: Fund #251
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #251, Small Cities:
Vendor |
Invoice # |
Amount |
Description |
Universal Copy, LLC |
23114 |
$87.60 |
Printing of Loan Payment Book |
Republican-American |
773017 |
$409.94 |
Publish Notice of Public Hearing |
Boston Lead Co., LLC |
5184 |
$200.00 |
Revised invoice for Abatement Plan |
Boston Lead Co., LLC |
1218 |
$400.00 |
Lead testing & Risk Assessment |
L. Wagner & Assocs. |
10-SC-34 |
$1800.00 |
Prof. Svcs. 1/1/12 through 3/31/12 |
L. Wagner & Assocs. |
10-SC-35 |
$12,900.00 |
Prof. Svcs. 1/1/12 through 3/31/12 |
MUNICIPAL RENOVATION
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #316, Municipal Renovations:
Vendor |
Invoice # |
Amount |
Description |
Air Temp Mechanical |
S22075 |
111.00 |
air conditioner leak-IT |
Day Pitney LLP |
33699140 |
2,989.30 |
mediation |
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter |
742808 |
4,068.75 |
Prof Svcs 4/30/12 |
ADD SECTION B
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the agenda.
SECTION B:
RESOLUTION: SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adopt
the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to make an application to the State for $400,000 in order to undertake and carryout a Small Cities Community Development Program and to execute an Assistance Agreement:
WHEREAS, federal monies are available under the Title I of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C § 5301, et. seq., as amended, also known as Public
Law 93-383, and administered by the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and
Community Development as the Connecticut Small Cities Development Block Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127c, and Part VI of Chapter 130 of the Connecticut
General Statues, the Commissioner of the State of Connecticut Department of Economic
and Community Development is authorized disburse such federal monies to local
municipalities; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City of Torrington make an
application to the State for $400,000 in order to undertake and carryout a Small Cities
Community Development Program and to execute an Assistance Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
1. That it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for the state financial
assistance imposed by Part VI of Chapter 130 of the CGS.
2. That the filing of an application for State financial assistance by the City of
Torrington in an amount not to exceed $400,000 is hereby approved and that
Mayor Ryan J. Bingham is directed to execute and file such application with the
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, to provide
such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required,
to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial
assistance if such an agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, decisions,
and revisions thereto, to carryout approved activities and to act as the authorized
representative of the City of Torrington.
Mayor Bingham said the project we're hoping for is to replace some sidewalks in a census track that is allowable by Federal and State guidelines. There is a finite list of neighborhoods that are allowed, he said, and they have to lie in specific census tracks for specific low to moderate income housing levels.
Councilor Soliani asked if this would help with what we need on the west side of Main Street. Mayor Bingham replied that it cannot; it's not allowable due to the lack of housing on that side of the street. He said that Water Street was on a CDBG grant and he's always looking for a way to do some of the needed work downtown but this grant isn't meant for that.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, 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 Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS BY 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.
Councilor Waldron reminded everyone of the upcoming Memorial Day Parade.
Mayor Bingham said the Fireworks Committee is planning a Community Tag Sale Fundraiser, and a Slushy Fundraiser.
He added that Oliver Wolcott Technical School partnered with the Blue Ribbon Commission to do some advertising and marketing for a recycling program in Torrington. The students created an awesome presentation to get our recycling levels up which will save not only taxpayer dollars but the environment as well.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:27 pm.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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