MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
October 1, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, October 1, 2012.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Paul Samele, Elinor Carbone, Marie Soliani and Drake Waldron, Acting Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, Director of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, WPC Administrator Ray Drew, Public Works Director Jerry Rollett, Economic Development Director Rose Ponte and Tax Collector Robert Crovo. City Councilor Gerald Zordan was absent. Also present were Fred Robson, Richard Parnas and Richard Madrak of RPM Sustainable Technologies, Inc.
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 accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held September 4, 2012.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic Meeting held September 19, 2012. Councilor Soliani abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Robert Crovo, Tax Collector, gave the Council an update on his work. He said tax sales were held on August 11 and August 25 with 18 or 19 properties sold. Some were paid so there weren't as many properties as first reported, he said. Mr. Crovo said the third tax sale will be October 6th and he has started to identify properties that may be in trouble, giving notification to the taxpayers twice by regular mail and a third time by certified mail. He said he is looking into a new way of collecting motor vehicle taxes, and may resort to booting cars. Mr. Crovo also noted that five or six properties are being foreclosed on through the court system, rather than being placed in a tax sale.
Chris Wiley recounted the latest unemployment figures and suggested the City return its Police Radios if they don't work. He complained about convicted felons owning guns, the lack of speed enforcement on Highland Ave, and that the Building Department website is "useless". He further complained about City Officials requesting a pay raise, suggesting that they improve the Grand List to earn their raise. He thanked the Council for continuing to be "useless bureaucrats."
WPCA PRESENTATION: Convert Brown Grease to Biodiesel
Mr. Rollett said there were representatives from RPM Sustainable Technologies at the meeting, and they were not looking for any votes from the Council or WPC Authority at this time. He said the presentation is only for informational purposes with the hope that a facility could be built in the future once they know if they can convert waste grease into biodiesel.
Mr. Drew reviewed the history of the Fats, Oil and Grease facility which has processed approximately 8,583,000 gallons to date, generating approximately $1,000,000 in revenue overall. He explained the fractionalization process that removes food waste and water, leaving concentrated fats, oil and grease that is shipped to an incinerator. He said this system is highly efficient, reducing volume by about 90%.
Mr. Drew noted that one of the by-products of the system is a high carbon content glycerol that micro-organisms love, and this could help drive the nutrient removal process even further. After submitting samples of Torrington's by-products to RPM, and finding the numbers exciting, Mr. Drew said RPM was invited to talk about what they can do, and what the next step is.
Mr. Robson, CEO, said his company is a process technology company that designs the technology to be sold to other people, for them to make biodiesel. They want to hold an operational demonstration for their technology in Torrington. He said ASTM/EN quality biodiesel can be created and then used in vehicles and heating systems.
Mr. Robson said this new technology will open a new era in the biodiesel industry because it will use waste products that no one else can use. It fits very well into the wastewater system, he said. The benefits of the project include a high-grade biodiesel, a glycerol-carbon source for nutrient removal and an environmentally friendly process with 96% recovery and reuse.
Mr. Madrak, COO, expressed appreciation to the Mayor, Mr. Rollett and Mr. Drew for considering this demonstration of an actual piece of equipment. He said they are excited to manufacture something in Torrington.
Councilor Carbone asked how long this pilot program would last and Mr. Robson replied six to nine months. Mr. Parnas, CTO, cautioned that the system won't be perfect at first, but that they will learn from the demonstration. He invited the Councilors to the equipment manufacturer's demonstration on October 26th starting around 8 or 9 in the morning. Mr. Robson noted that it is like 'watching paint dry' because the process is completely automated.
Councilor Soliani asked if there is any down side for the City of Torrington, and what makes Torrington so
WPCA PRESENTATION: Convert Brown Grease to Biodiesel Continued
valuable to RPM. Mr. Rollett said there is no down side for the City, as all equipment is being provided by RPM and the City's only cost is electricity,~space and some labor.~ He added that Torrington wrote the book on FOG for the State of CT as the DEP funded about $300,000 worth of studies for the City to be the first in FOG management.
Mr. Parnas said Torrington actually processes fats oil and grease properly and Mr. Madrak said Torrington is recognized as a leader in the industry.
In answer to Councilor Carbone's question, Mr. Drew said the immediate benefits of further processing our FOG would be eliminating transportation costs to an incinerator and attaining the waste by-products such as glycerol.
Mayor Bingham said this idea was recognized as being cutting edge, replicable, and has the potential for grant-based funding.
Mr. Parnas explained that heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which have weird effects on our physical and mental health, are found in fats, oils and grease. When FOG is incinerated, these elements are released into the atmosphere. He said pollution isn't more regulated because it's expensive, so it's important to make this process financially sustainable, and creating biodiesel will help that.
Mr. Rollett said this may be the beginning of a long partnership between the City of Torrington and RPM.
SALARY INCREASE
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered the request from the Democratic and Republican Registrars of Voters for an increase in salary of 4% per year, for the next two years. Councilor Waldron said this is the first time he could talk about this without a conflict of interest as his mother was in that position. He said these jobs had once been plum jobs in the political parties where the Registrar would show up once a week, collect their stipend and maybe work a few hours. He said these jobs aren't that way now. Registrars are being asked to do more with less office staff, he said, and they have new demands such as redistricting, new registration laws, and increased office hours. Councilor Waldron estimated that they might not make minimum wage when all
the hours worked are calculated. He said they don't make that much money to begin with and haven't had a raise in four years. He said 4% isn't a lot of money, and that he thinks they deserve it.
Councilor Carbone agreed that this isn't a lot of money, approximately $255.00. She questioned the budgeted salary amount for that Department and suggested the raise become effective July 1, 2013 so as not to impact the current fiscal budget.
Councilor Carbone amended her motion to read "an increase in salary of 4% per year, for the next two years, commencing July 1, 2013." Councilor Waldron amended his second.
Councilor Cogswell questioned whether the raise needed to occur when the Registrars' term starts in January. Mayor Bingham suggested the new Corporation Counsel look into this prior to the Election. The Council voted 5 to 1 in favor of the salary increase, with Councilor Soliani opposed.
Fuessenich Park Bleacher Replacement
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation's recommendation to award the Fuessenich Park Bleacher Replacement bid to NAC Industries, Inc. of Oxford, CT in the amount of $149,999.92.
Mountain Road Drainage Improvements
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the City Engineer's recommendation to award the Mountain Road Drainage Improvements Bid to TradeMark Contractors of Bristol, CT in the amount of $66,000.50.
SECTION B
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the agenda.
Reject bids - Local Flood Protection Project
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the City Engineer's recommendation to reject all bids received on the Local Flood Protection Project Routing Maintenance Contract Bid #LFP-RMC-027-092812 due to the receipt of only one bid in the amount of $199,987.00 which exceeds the budgeted amount.
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-13 New Harwinton Rd. Pump Stn. Rehabilitation:
DATE CONTRACTOR INVOICE # AMOUNT DESCRIPTION
9/19/12 Wright Pierce 85240 $ 10,593.81 New Harwinton RD PS Upgrade
8/31/12 Delray Contracting Req#8 $ 75,536.11 New Harwinton RD PS Upgrade
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Small Cities Citywide Housing Rehab Fund #251:
DATE CONTRACTOR REQUISITION # AMOUNT DESCRIPTION
9/21/12 Boston Lead Company, LLC 10-SC-54 $700.00 Risk Assessments
8/29/12 Universal Copy, LLC 10-SC-52 $ 93.00 Direct Payment Loan Book Printing
8/22/12 City of Torrington 10-SC-51 $ 75.00 Title Search
9/10/12 City of Torrington 10-SC-53 $ 75.00 Title Search
SMALL CITIES PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept
the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, and approve Project #143-321. Councilor Soliani explained that this $6,600 emergency roof replacement for a property with an appraised value of is $193,000 with no mortgage is to alleviate an extreme hardship for a homeowner who has medical issues.
SMALL CITIES SUBORDINATION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, and approve a subordination request.
Councilor Soliani said this home has an appraised value of $183,000, is being refinanced for $103,000, and has equity in the amount of $80,000. She said the homeowner needs this subordination to decrease their finance rate. Councilor Waldron added that the City's position will not change.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $873.60 from Municipal Renovations Fund #316 to Millard Welding for the installation of handrails, Invoice #12900.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Building Dept. report for the month of August, 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only. There was no one present 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.
Mayor Bingham explained that last year's sales tax increase provided $471,000 in revenue for the City. He said 80% is set aside for Public Works' paving projects and 20% for Economic Development. Mayor Bingham said the Economic Development Commission and Arts & Culture Commission were asked to determine where this allocation of money should go in the first year. He said a $100,000 matching grant will be applied for, to be used on placemaking and marketing projects. He said they will put into practice some of the recommendations from their retail consultant, support some volunteer efforts for downtown activities, and coordinate an overall marketing plan. It is hoped that a strategic investment of this money will reap significant benefit for our overall grand list, he said.
Mayor Bingham said this is a great opportunity to take unanticipated revenue and invest it into what really matters – infrastructure and a potential return on an Economic Development investment.
Mrs. Ponte said the Economic Development Commission has been focusing on downtown. She said Torrington is prominently listed in October's issue of Connecticut magazine in an article featuring downtown revitalizations. Mrs. Ponte said this shows that other people around the state are noticing. She noted there will be two new businesses opening in downtown this month, with three new ones open last month. Mrs. Ponte said that even though these are small steps, it is where the action seems to be. She said that on the state level, there are new and different types of grants that are focused on communities using the arts as a catalyst for economic development.
Mrs. Ponte said she is applying for grants whose initiatives include a creative economy revolving loan fund for those business trying to use the arts to do business to create some work spaces where artists will be able to work and exhibit, and a micro-grant program to grant smaller emerging artists with seed money to get them started. She noted that our retail consultant highly recommended vacancy treatments for empty storefronts, so the grants will go towards that.
Mrs. Ponte concluded that Economic Development is moving forward and hopes to be successful in obtaining grants to continue to create a downtown that has a sense of place where people feel a connection. Mayor Bingham said this is another incentive for us to buy local, shop local, and eat local. Mrs. Ponte added that new murals will be unveiled on October 19th in a community night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Acting Chief Brunoli informed the Council that the Fire Department needs some boiler work done and has enough money in both Capital Accounts to do it. He added that on October 14th the Fire Department will have an Open House from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and that 3 firefighters succeeded in a cardiac save on September 10th. They will be recognized at the Board of Public Safety meeting on October 3rd, he said.
Mr. Simmons said there will be an Open House from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Teen Center on October 16th, and they are holding a Halloween event on October 27th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Drew said there is an annual Hazardous Household Waste Collection on October 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham asked the Council to attend the candlelight vigil for Domestic Violence in his stead. He updated the Council on the Fireworks Committee's fundraising plans including a town-wide tag sale in April and a wine-tasting event in June. He said if these two events are successful along with sponsorships, individual donations and at-the-door event dollars, we will be able to have a sustainable model for future fireworks.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:41 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
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Respectfully Submitted, Car
ol L. Anderson, CCTC Asst. City Clerk
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