MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
January 27, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, January 27, 2014, having been adjourned from January 21, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron and Paul Samele. Also present were Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, City Engineer Ed Fabbri and Mayoral Aid Timothy Waldron. City Councilors Anne Ruwet and Christopher Anderson were absent.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held December 19, 2013. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held December 23, 2013. Councilor Waldron abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 6, 2014.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Emergency Telephonic Meeting held January 23, 2014. Councilor Waldron abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to open the meeting to the public.
There was no one present who wished to speak.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve Edward Cannata (D) to the Economic Development Commission for a 5-year term expiring February 9, 2016.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor's appointment of Joshua Ferreira (R) to the Board of Finance for a 6-year term expiring December 15, 2019.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the Agenda.
SECTION B – MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
approve the Mayor's reappointment of the following people to the Economic Development Commission for 5 year terms:
Greg Mele (U) term to expire February 9, 2016
William Battle (D) term to expire Febuary 9, 2018
Dawn Gutowski (U) term to expire Febuary 9, 2019
VEHICLE PURCHASE – Fire Dept.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager and the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board and go out to bid for the purchase of an all-wheel drive Ford Explorer for the Fire Dept., for an estimated cost of $25,000, in compliance with the Vehicle Replacement Plan, pending approval from the Board of Finance.
Mayor Carbone explained that the City Council approves the bid process and the contract when it comes in, but the Board of Finance's job is to approve the financial allocation.
VEHICLE PURCHASE – Street Dept.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager and the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board and go out to bid for the purchase of a 19,500 g.v.w. dump truck for the Street Dept., for an estimated cost of $70,000, in compliance with the Vehicle Replacement Plan, pending approval from the Board of Finance.
VEHICLE PURCHASE – Street Dept.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager and the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board and go out to bid for the purchase of a one-ton, two-wheel drive utility truck for the Street Dept., for an estimated cost of $35,000, in compliance with the Vehicle Replacement Plan, pending approval from the Board of Finance.
VEHICLE PURCHASE – Street Dept.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager and the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board and go out to bid for the purchase of a 19,500 g.v.w. dump truck with plow for the Street Dept., for an estimated cost of $75,000, in compliance with the Vehicle Replacement Plan, pending approval from the Board of Finance.
Mr. Castro explained that this will replace a larger vehicle and the City is saving money by moving down to a smaller sized truck.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING – DISCONTINUE SEGMENT CLARK ST.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing to solicit citizen input regarding the City's discontinuance of a segment of Clark St.
Mr. Fabbri said this section of Clark Street goes from Field St. to Clinton St. and is approximately 200 ft. long.
Mayor Carbone noted that this section spans the parking lot and separates the State's courthouse building from the parking lot, so there is no neighbor or house on that street that would be affected.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING – DISCONTINUE SEGMENT E. LAWTON ST.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to schedule a Public Hearing to solicit citizen input regarding the City's discontinuance of a segment of E. Lawton St.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARINGS – SET DATE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
schedule the above-mentioned consecutive Public Hearings on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
SMALL CITIES LOAN
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
accept the recommendation of Small Cities committee regarding project #143-320, and approve a loan.
Councilor Waldron explained that this is essentially an emergency situation that requires lead abatement in a home where children reside. They have high levels of lead in their blood, he said. Councilor Waldron added that he checked with Bob Caliolo, the facilitator from the office of our Small Cities administrator, L. Wagner and Assocs., who advised him that although there isn't a lot of equity in the home, it shouldn't be a problem. This has to be done, Councilor Waldron said, and asked Council to approve Option #1 for $37,560. Councilor Waldron added that spending this money will help qualify Torrington for a further loan to be spent by March 1st. This is a good thing for the City and will help us get more money for the next project, he said.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to authorize the payment of $4,500 to L. Wagner & Assocs. for professional services on the City-Wide Housing Rehabilitation Program.
OPEB ACTUARY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend OPEB Actuary contract services with Hooker & Holcomb in the amount of $23,440.00, to include two full valuations and three disclosure reports through June 30, 2015.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of December 2013.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, 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 Samele offered congratulations to Councilor Anderson on the birth of his son.
Mayor Carbone said she is working with the Parks & Recreation committee on Fireworks and a new contract with the Titans that includes new provisions allowing the sale and consumption of beer. She said this will come back to City Council for approval. Mayor Carbone noted that she hopes to have a new Economic Development Director very soon.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 6:46 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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