MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
December 3, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, December 3, 2012.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Elinor Carbone, Paul Samele, Gerald Zordan, Marie Soliani and Drake Waldron, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Elderly Nutrition Supervisor Joel Sekorski, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, and Police Chief Michael Maniago. Small Cities Administrator Larry Wagner was also present.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:37 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 November 13, 2012. Councilors Soliani and Carbone abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 19, 2012. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Mary Bagnaschi of 478 Clearview Ave. asked Corporation Counsel if he received her information request under the Freedom of Information Act. Atty. Rigat replied that he has a document dated October 31st addressed to the State of CT Appellate system/Corporation Counsel, but doesn't know what Ms. Bagnaschi is looking for. He invited her to his office to create a specific, short, plain, concise written request and stated that she's welcome to have any document she's entitled to.
Ms. Bagnaschi said she has never heard from City Council and that she wants to know what the policy and procedure is. She said she asked for two years to have a crosswalk installed on New Litchfield Street and asked why she can't get a response from the Board of Public Safety about that and other concerns that she has with the Torrington Police. Ms. Bagnaschi asked "How do I get some help for any of my problems?"
Ms. Bagnaschi complained about her 25 days' incarceration and about all the years she's faced criminal charges without resolution.
She said she went to the Charter Revision Commission to ask that a system be put in place to talk about Police accountability regarding the complaints she has. She said she was told that is not a charter issue, yet the ballot contained a question regarding the Police Chief's oversight of his Department. Ms. Bagnaschi said she asked to be on the agenda, wants to have meetings, wants resolution to these problems, and wants to have dialogue.
Councilor Carbone addressed the Charter Revision question saying Ms. Bagnaschi's suggestion was discussed by the Commission, but was brought to them too late in the process. It was decided that the matter could not be looked into within the amount of time they were limited to, she said. Councilor Carbone added that this is not the right venue or right place for Ms. Bagnaschi to be making all of these accusations.
Ms. Bagnaschi reminded the Council that they are the legislative body and asked for answers about sidewalk safety and a meeting with the Board of Public Safety. She also asked for a letter in the mail with an answer.
TABLED: Riverside School Cooperative Mortgage Subordination
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council considered the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee regarding the subordination of the $395,700 Riverside School Cooperative, Inc. Small Cities loan, to be second to a refinancing of a first mortgage to CHFA in the amount of $135,000. The current Small Cities loan has thirteen years left of a 40-year term, no interest agreement.
Councilor Waldron said the Small Cities Subcommittee felt this matter should be voted on by the entire Council because the original loan is not entirely a Small Cities loan. He said the City of Torrington is holding a mortgage on the property to keep it as a low-income facility. Councilor Waldron explained that the Small Cities Subcommittee is not opposed to the loan because it will
keep the value of the property up, and the City has a vested interest in maintaining the property.
Councilor Soliani added that if the property goes into foreclosure after the City has increased what the property represents, the benefit goes to the Tax Collector rather than the City.
Councilor Waldron explained that the Subcommittee would like more information brought to Council such as why there are outstanding taxes and what their status is, and what repairs will be made. He said they wanted to know what will be done with that money.
Councilor Zordan asked why the City would subordinate if we're the first mortgage holder. Mr. Wagner explained that CHFA is a quasi-public agency that provides funding and financing for non-profit groups and entities for affordable housing. He said his guess is that the non-profit group has gone to CHFA for some rehabilitation financing and that they have a strict policy requiring a first mortgage for financing through their loans.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to table this discussion to the next meeting.
WAIVE BID PROCESS: Meals on Wheels Delivery Vehicle
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Services for the Elderly Commission's recommendation to waive the bid process and purchase a Meals-on-Wheels delivery vehicle from sole vendor, Delivery Concepts East of Hampstead, NC.
Councilor Soliani asked if the vehicle is in this year's budget. Mr. Sekorski said that it is.
INITIATION OF BID PROCESS: Two Police Interceptors
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the initiation of the bid process for two Police Interceptors including one sedan and one utility unit for an estimated cost of $34,000 each, having been approved by the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board on November 26, 2012, and pending Board of Public Safety approval on December 5, 2012.
Mayor Bingham explained that three vehicles are due for replacement but the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board recommended that only two be purchased.
Chief Maniago said these are the oldest vehicles in the Police Dept.'s general fleet, and they have the highest mileage on them - about 125,000 miles. He added that the Interceptor is an all-wheel drive Ford Taurus and the utility vehicle is also all-wheel drive.
FIRE HQ BOILER REPLACEMENT & REPAIR
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's and the Fire Chief's recommendation to award the Fire Headquarters Boiler & Hot Water Heater Replacement project to Pelletier Mechanical Services, LLC of Thomaston, CT, in the amount of $65,646.00 pending Board of Public Safety Approval on December 5, 2012.
Chief Brunoli explained that the boiler was due for replacement in 2014/2015. He said both boilers need re-roping and one has a split casing. Chief Brunoli added that the 30-year old boiler is currently operating, but the 11-year old boiler isn't.
Chief Brunoli said there will be a fuel savings of about $21,000 per year by converting to natural gas. He explained this will be purchased out of the Capital fund and repaid without affecting any future capital projects.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $103.48 from Small Cities Fund #250 to the Republican-American for an invitation to bid notice on Project #143-316, Invoice #000817895.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept. Report for October 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only.
Mary Bagnaschi said she was one of the twelve original founders of Riverside School Co-op, and served on the Board as President. She said she wants to serve on this Board again.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Chief Brunoli said Firefighter Jared Howe is in Boston participating in an NFPA program, Fires and Falls Prevention Program for Older Adults, partnering with the Visiting Nurses Assn. He said they will create a fire safety and prevention program for the adult population in the City, along with Senior Center Staff.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
The Council congratulated Chief Brunoli on his new position.
Mayor Bingham listed upcoming events including the North End Tree Lighting, the Parks and Recreation Commission's Annual Toy Shower for Christmas Village, Torrington Historical Society's Annual Open House, and the Christmas Village Opening Day Parade.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:07 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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