MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
APRIL 7, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, April 7, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Paul Samele and Paul Cavagnero. City Councilor Christopher Anderson was absent. WPCA Administrator Ray Drew and Fleet Manager Emil Castro were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting held March 17, 2014.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to open the meeting to the public.
Chief Jason Noad of the Burrville Volunteer Fire Department asked about the City's agreement with the Volunteer Fire Departments. Atty. Rigat explained that the Charter states the City may make an annual contribution. He said the language in the agreement reads more like a Memorandum of Understanding and he doesn't find any binding obligation. He said that it's up to the Board of Councilmen to make their decision on funding. Mayor Carbone explained that this March, 2000 document memorializes how funding would occur and said the Charter is clear that the Council may fund those Volunteer Fire Stations with no set amount and no obligatory funding agreement. Chief Noad said the question is how the Fire Service Plan can be adopted when it conflicts with an agreement they've been operating under for
14 years. Councilor Cogswell and Cavagnero said they needed more information on this.
APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the appointment of John Czapor to the Conservation Commission, replacing Scott Whittaker after his resignation in March, 2014.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
accept the Mayor's appointment of William Storti to the Inland Wetlands Commission for a 3-year term expiring September 5, 2016, replacing Kathy Carlson after her resignation in March, 2014
PURCHASE STREET DEPT. VEHICLES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's, Fleet Manager's, and Street Superintendent's recommendation to purchase a 1-Ton Crew Cab 4 x 2 with Utility Body from Shaker's Inc. of Watertown, CT in the amount of $28,300, having been approved by the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board on January 10, 2014. Mr. Castro explained that Shaker's Inc. was the choice because of their delivery time.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's, Fleet Manager's, and Street Superintendent's recommendation to waive the technicality on the low bidder and purchase a Dump Truck with Plow from Shaker's Inc. of Watertown, CT in the amount of $63,900, having been approved by the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board on Jan. 10, 2014. Mr. Castro explained that the technicality was that he asked for a Telestar International brand, but was quoted for another that has the same gross vehicle weight, meaning they can both do the same job.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's, Fleet Manager's, and Street Superintendent's recommendation to waive the technicality on the low bidder and purchase a Dump Truck from Shaker's Inc. of Watertown, CT in the amount of $52,400, having been approved by the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board on Jan. 10, 2014. Mr. Castro explained this technicality was that the bidder did not make the cut-off time.
ORDINANCE COMM. REFERRAL: Don't Block the Box
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to to consider referring to the Ordinance Committee an ordinance designating intersections to which PA#09-171 (1) a shall apply, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on April 2, 2014.
Councilor Cogswell explained the 2009 State law permitting painted zones that vehicles must either
stop before or after, but not block. He noted that the Ordinance Committee will meet immediately following the April 21st Council meeting.
FIREWORKS DISPLAY
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the recommendation of the Fireworks Committee and the Purchasing Agent to authorize the Mayor to award the 2014 Fireworks Display to Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company of New Castle, PA in the amount $13,900 and to have the Mayor act on behalf of the City regarding the execution and administration of the contract. Councilor Ruwet thanked the Fireworks Committee for their fundraising work.
WPCA – Replace Sewers, E. Torrington
Herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the WPCA Administrator, Purchasing Agent and Weston & Sampson to waive the technicalities on the low bidders form and award the East Torrington Sewer Rehabilitation Project Sewer Replacements contract to the lowest responsive bidder True Blue Environmental Services, Inc of Wallingford Connecticut for the base bid price of $828,792.00. Mr. Drew explained the technicalities of a $14 calculation error and a $16,000 overbid on the demobilization line item, while the next lowest bidder was $271,000 more.
WPCA – Sewer Capital Improvement
Herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-2A East Drainage Basin Rehabilitation:
DATE CONTRACTOR INVOICE # AMOUNT DESCRIPTION
3/7/14 Weston & Sampson 431137 $11,892.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Design
3/7/14 Weston & Sampson 431139 $3,750.00 James Street Sewer Design
SMALL CITIES LOAN REPAYMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $711.20 to Tim Waldron as reimbursement of expenses incurred from a January 2014 NCDA Conference in Washington, DC.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $513.42 to the Republican-American newspaper for a Notice of Public Hearing ad placed with regard to the 2014 Small Cities Grant Application.
BLDG. DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the Building Department Report for March, 2014.
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.
Ray Drew reported on the progress of WPCA projects such as the public awareness campaign for upgrades to the waste water treatment facility and the production of biodiesel by June, 2014.
He explained our grant eligibility status and noted that our compliance schedule, discharge permit and construction schedule are tied together for compliance with State phosphorous mandates. Mr. Drew said he's been waiting since October of 2012 for approval of our facilities plan, which will provide better information to go forward with a referendum in June or early July. Mayor Carbone added that it needs to be done, as it is mandated.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilors Cogswell and Ruwet commended our emergency services for doing a great job last Thursday.
Mayor Carbone agreed, saying it was beyond words. She announced the upcoming Community Tag Sale
and extended the City's gratitude to Kim Barbieri.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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