MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
June 17, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, June 17, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Paul Samele, Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, and Marie Soliani. Director of Facilities David Bascetta, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPC Administrator Ray Drew, and Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler were also present.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
ORDINANCE CHANGE: Chapter 170, Sewers
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted by roll call vote to approve proposed changes to City Ordinance Chapter 170, Sewers, including changes to Article I Sections 170.3-170.6 and Section 170.8-170.9, Article II Sections 170.10 through 170.17, and Article III Fats, Oil and Grease Pretreatment. ~
Councilor Cogswell commended Mr. Drew for his work.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 6, 2013, the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance and the Public Hearing on May 7, 2013, and the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on May 9, 2013.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing regarding the Sewer Use Fee, the Public Hearing regarding proposed changes to the Antiblight Ordinance and the Regular meeting held on May 28, 2013. Councilors Cogswell and Samele abstained.
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 June 4, 2013. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special & Telephonic Meeting held on June 10, 2013.
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. There was no one present who wished to speak.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION: G. Mele & D. Greco
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor's reappointment of Regular Member Gregory Mele and Alternate Member Donna Greco to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a 5-year term expiring December 1, 2017.
RESOLUTION: Forbes School Solar Project
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted 5/1 with Councilor Soliani opposed, to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: that the City of Torrington approve the Forbes School solar project in the amount of $300,000. The local share of this project shall be $90,000.00 (the funds will come from the Board of Education's Capital Improvement Fund). The balance of the project will be funded by a State of Connecticut grant,
RESOLVED: that the City Council/Mayor of the City of Torrington, with the Mayor as it's representative, authorizes the Torrington Board of Education to apply to the Commissioner of Education and to accept or reject a grant for the Forbes School solar project,
RESOLVED: that the Forbes School solar project building committee is hereby established as the building committee with regard to the proposed solar at Forbes School, naming David Bascetta, Director of Facilities, as the Building Committee, |
RESOLVED: that the City Council of the City of Torrington with the Mayor as it's representative, hereby authorizes, at least, the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Forbes School solar project at Forbes School, 500 Migeon Ave., Torrington, CT. |
Councilor Zordan asked if this project makes financial sense. Mr. Bascetta said there is a less than ten year payback plus a State reimbursement that allows us to only pay $90,000 of the $300,000 cost.
Councilor Soliani asked if we are only doing this because we are getting so much money from the State. Mr. Bascetta said the State is trying to get all schools to have more of a green carbon footprint, and there is an educational benefit where students will be able to view the system through possible kiosks to see how electricity is being generated.
Councilor Soliani asked if this project would be proposed if there were no State reimbursement for it. Mr. Bascetta said he doesn't think it would be possible to do solar projects without funding.
Councilor Cogswell asked why Forbes Elementary was chosen. Mr. Bascetta replied that they knew the roof panels would be done this summer.
DIESEL, #2 FUEL, GASOLINE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Purchasing Agent to enter into contracts for FY2013-2014 with the following low bidders as presented on 6/17/13 if the price is no greater than 10% over the bid price on 6/18/13:
Item
|
Vendor |
Price per gallon including LUST & spill fees |
Estimated Annual Cost |
#2 Heating Fuel Oil, 31,700+/- gals. |
Dime Oil Co. of Waterbury CT (Alternate bid) |
$3.0950 |
$98,111.50 |
Diesel Fuel 95,000+/- gals. |
Santa Buckley Energy, Inc. of Bridgeport, CT (Alternate bid) |
$3.1007 |
$294,566.50 |
Gasoline 100,000+/- gals. |
Santa Buckley Energy, Inc. of Bridgeport, CT (Alternate bid) |
$3.0882 |
$308,820.00 |
REGIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve and authorize the Mayor to enter into an Agreement Establishing Regional Animal Control Program and Facility with the towns of Litchfield and Goshen.
Mayor Bingham explained that a consultant is studying the feasibility of this project, which has the potential to expand to include other towns. He said there is no financial detriment for the City of Torrington at this point.
Councilor Cogswell noted that regional projects will receive priority status when it comes to funding.
Councilor Soliani asked for clarification that the City does not have to provide any up-front funding at this point. Mayor Bingham said that is correct.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $2,365.00 from Fund #250 to L. Wagner & Assocs. for Requisition #HRLR-217 for professional services rendered from January 1, 2013 through April 14, 2013.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for May 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Deputy Chief Pepler announced the distribution of the Fire Chief's Six-Month Review including the Fire Services merge. He added that the Fire Department's air conditioner needs to be taken care of soon.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Waldron pointed out that Besse Pond is a mess again. Mr. Rollett replied that there is no funding available to take care of it.
Mayor Bingham expressed his gratitude for those who supported the recent fireworks fundraiser. He announced the presentation of the preliminary findings of the Come Home to Downtown project on Wednesday June 19th at 5:30 p.m. He said we were one of the three Connecticut cities to be part of this pilot program whose goals are to induce downtown living, improve walkability, bring new life to second floor space and help make downtown more vibrant. Three finalists will present their ideas in a competition on Thursday at Ciesco Catering Co. starting at 5:30 p.m. he said.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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