MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JUNE 2, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, June 2, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Christopher Anderson, Paul Samele and Paul Cavagnero. City Councilor Drake Waldron was absent. City Engineer Ed Fabbri, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett and Police Chief Maniago were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing held on May 5, 2014. Councilors Cogswell and Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on May 6, 2014. Councilors Cogswell and Samele abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Atty. Samuel Slaiby spoke about the complaint he filed against the Tax Collector, saying it is incredulous that large payments must be made in cash. Atty. Slaiby said this is pure, unadulterated harassment.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to consider the recommendations of the Ordinance Committee.
Councilor Cogswell said the Committee recommends that a municipal ordinance be created, under Section 180-37, entitled “Blocking the Box Prohibited” to designate public safety intersections in accordance with Public Act 09-171. He said certain entrances and exits are set up, where vehicles are not allowed to stop, subject to a $30 or $60 fine. Councilor Cogswell added that signage and notices are specified in the ordinance. On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing to consider the “Blocking the Box Prohibited” Ordinance.
Councilor Cogswell said the Committee recommends a change to Chapter 12, Services for the Elderly because it serves multiple municipalities besides Torrington. He said another municipality that helps fund the Senior Center has requested one of their residents be a non-voting member on the Commission, which currently allows only Torrington residents. On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing to consider the recommended changes to Chapter 12, Services for the Elderly.
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to hold both public hearings on June 16, 2014, beginning at 6:30 pm.
SENIOR CENTER APPTS.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Alternate Jean Rochelt as a Regular Member of the Services for the Elderly Commission for a 3-year term expiring July 6, 2017.
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Frank Morando as an Alternate on the Services for the Elderly Commission effective June 16, 2014.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment, pending approval of the ordinance change, of Candy Perez from the Town of Winchester as an Appointed Commissioner on the Services for the Elderly Commission for a term length and expiration date to be determined.
WESTERN CT TOURISM DISTRICT APPTS.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s re-appointment of Steve Criss to the Western CT Tourism District.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from Fund #270, Small Cities Citywide Housing Rehab:
Date Vendor Amount Requisition # Description
5/13/2014 --transfer $10,650.00 13-SC-11 Project #143-246
5/13/2014 City of Torrington $ 150.00 13-SC-10 (2) Title Searches
THS ATHLETIC FIELDS PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to authorize payment of $18,048.48 to Gale Assocs. for Invoice #1402324 for Design Consulting Services on the Torrington High School Athletic Field Renovation Project.
PURCHASE HANDGUNS
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent to authorize the Mayor to award the purchase of handguns to Atlantic Tactical of New Cumberland, PA for $41,362.24, funded through a donation. Chief Maniago said they have test-fired the weapons and are in support of this purchase.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Fabbri spoke about the streetlight program, and explained the savings to be achieved from the LED program. Mayor Carbone said this is important from a public safety aspect and it is her plan to proceed with this proposal immediately.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cavagnero asked the Council to consider a referendum to change the City Charter to allow City Council approval of the Board of Education budget. Mayor Carbone explained the Charter Revision process.
Councilor Cogswell gave an update from the THS Turf Committee, saying the State Bond Commission met and the additional $200,000 is expected. He asked for a direct response to Atty. Slaiby’s complaint from the Administration and Tax Collector’s Office.
Councilor Anderson expressed interest in Councilor Cavagnero’s point, saying he’d be interested in what other options the Mayor might have.
Mayor Carbone invited the Council members to an observance of the 70th anniversary of “D-Day” to be held at City Hall. She announced CT Trails Day and the River Cleanup on June 7th, and expressed her gratitude to the Police Department for their hard work on recent drug arrests. Mayor Carbone thanked our Memorial Day Parade organizers for the tremendous job done by volunteers. She said fundraising is continuing for our Fireworks with a grinder sale sponsored by the Mayor’s Committee on Youth and reported on her inspection of the THS Athletic Fields project. Mayor Carbone said Governor Malloy visited the City to give a quick timeline for the construction of the new courthouse.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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