MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING – Small Cities Program
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
March 3, 2014
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, March 3, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Paul Samele and Christopher Anderson. City Councilor Paul Cavagnero arrived at 6:42 p.m. Also present were IT Director Gerald Crowley, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero and Mayoral Aid Timothy Waldron.
Mayor Carbone called the public hearing to order at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
Small Cities Program Administrator Larry Wagner addressed the Council listing the wide variety of uses for these funds over the past 20 years including the Senior Center, Friendly Hands Food Bank, and FISH Shelter. He described the typical use of these funds which benefit residents both indirectly as in sidewalk repair projects, and directly as in home repair projects. Mr. Wagner said there are approximately 57 people on a waiting list for these funds which are typically distributed through deferred loans.
There was no one present who wished to address the Council.
Mayor Carbone closed the Public Hearing at 6:39 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
March 3, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, March 3, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Paul Samele and Christopher Anderson. City Councilor Paul Cavagnero arrived at 6:42 p.m. Also present were IT Director Gerald Crowley, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero and Mayoral Aid Timothy Waldron.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
TABLED: Discontinue Clark St.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously by roll call vote to table the discontinuance of a segment of Clark St. as referenced on a map titled Property Survey Depicting Abandonment of a Portion of Clark Street" dated August 25, 2010 prepared by the City of Torrington Engineering Dept. Mayor Carbone explained that further information is needed.
DISCONTINUE SEGMENT E. LAWTON ST.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously by roll call vote to discontinue the segment of E. Lawton St. as referenced on a map dated January 28, 2014 prepared by the City of Torrington Engineering Dept.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the two Public Hearings and Regular Meeting held February 18, 2014. Councilor Samele abstained.
Open to Public
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously
to open the meeting to the public.
Burrville VFD Chief Jason Noad spoke against last year's changes to the way VFDs were funded, saying it goes against Article I of the agreement between the City and the three Volunteer Fire Departments, signed in 2000. He asked the Council to honor its contract and restore the funding directly to the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Mayor Carbone said she'd have Corporation Counsel review the matter and bring it back to Council. Councilor Cogswell said he'd like to hear what the Board of Public Safety has to say about it as well.
SMALL CITIES GRANT APPLICATION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to file an application by the City of Torrington in an amount not to exceed $400,000, and to file such Application with the Commissioner of the Department of Housing, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required by the Commissioner, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an Agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto, to carry out approved activities and to act as the authorized representative of the City of Torrington.
WHEREAS, Federal monies are available under the Connecticut Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, administered by the State of Connecticut, Department of Housing pursuant to Public Law 93 – 3 83, as amended; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127c, and Part VI of Chapter 130 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Housing is authorized to disburse such Federal monies to local municipalities; and,
WHERAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City of Torrington make application to the State for $400,000 in order to undertake a Small Cities Community Development Program and to execute an Assistance Agreement therefore, should one be offered.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE City Council:
- That it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for State Assistance imposed by Part VI of Chapter 130 of The Connecticut General Statutes; and,
- That the filing of an application by the City of Torrington in an amount not to exceed $400,000 is hereby approved, and that the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to file such Application with the Commissioner of the Department of Housing, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required by the Commissioner, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an Agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto, to carry out approved activities and to act as the authorized representative of the City of Torrington.
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POLICE COMPUTER SERVER UPGRADE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept an update on the Police Computer Server Upgrade. Mr. Crowley explained that alterations were made to the original Advizex solution that had included a hardware component. He said he swapped out the hardware component with a solution that was provided by HP directly, under a WSCA contract vehicle supported by the State of CT. Advizex subsequently provided a revised quote with just the software component included, he said, and noted that the servers are on order, the quotes are lined up, and he's ready to proceed with the project. Council members had no further questions.
HISTORIC DOCUMENTS PRESERVATION GRANT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to adopt the following resolution designating the Town Clerk as the agent for making an application for a Targeted Grant for Historic Documents Preservation and empowering the Mayor to execute and deliver a contract with the CT State Library for the same.
RESOLVED: That Joseph L. Quartiero, Town Clerk, is designated as the agent for making an application for a Targeted Grant for Historic Documents Preservation.
RESOLVED: That Elinor Carbone, Mayor, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant. |
Mr. Quartiero explained the $7500 grant, saying the funds come from land record recording fee surcharges and are used for back loading land record images to allow residents access from home. Mr. Quartiero noted that he has received almost $170,000 in grants over years.
THS ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to authorize payment of $8,750 to Hrica Assocs. for Invoice #2907 for THS Athletic Fields Land Survey.
TITANS' LEASE
On an amended motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded as amended by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign a lease agreement with the Torrington Titans for the use of Fuessenich Park, subject to the resolution of unpaid Police Department invoices and the resolution of outstanding signage revenue. Corporation Counsel noted the typing errors to be corrected and Mr. Simmons said he has spoken with the Titans' management who hope to resolve this in a quick manner.
SMALL CITIES SERVICES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to authorize a payment of $75.00 from Fund #270, (2013 Citywide Housing Rehab.) to the City of Torrington for a title search done with regard to 35 Doolittle Dr.
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $17,540 from Fund #490 for Capital Project D-2A East Drainage Basin Rehabilitation to Weston & Sampson for Invoice #430174 for the East Drainage Basin I/I Design.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the Building Department Report for January, 2014.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously to add to the Agenda.
HEALTH & WELFARE CONSULTANT
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to authorize the Mayor to continue the contracted services for the Health and Welfare Benefits Consultant with Joe Spurgeon, formerly of Lindberg & Ripple, until June 30, 2014, and to have the Mayor act on behalf of the City regarding the execution and administration of the contract. Mayor Carbone explained that there has been a change in ownership with our original contractor and Mr. Spurgeon is working with another insurance agent. Lindberg and Ripple have allowed us to continue with Mr. Spurgeon, she said.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to reappoint Tom Gluz (R) to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a 3-year term to expire December 6, 2016.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to appoint George Noujaim (D) to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a 3-year term to expire December 6, 2014.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Quartiero presented to the City a medal and flag flown over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Mayor Carbone said she would be proud to have this flag in our City Hall.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Carbone announced the appointment of Joel Sekorski as the new Director of Elderly Services, reported that the Dr. Seuss breakfast fundraiser was successful and noted that the State Office of Policy and Management has approved a $600,000 allocation for the demolition of the Temkin Bldg on Field St.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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