MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JUNE 16, 2014
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday,
June 16, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Drake Waldron, Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Christopher Anderson, Paul Samele and Paul Cavagnero. City Engineer Ed Fabbri, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Officer Steven Pisarski, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, IT Director Gerald Crowley, and Elderly Services Director Joel Sekorski were also present.
PUBLIC HEARING – Blocking the Box Prohibited
Mayor Carbone called the public hearing to order at 6:32 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
Officer Pisarski explained his recommended changes to the proposed ordinance such as changing the Public Act reference from PA 09-171 to CGS 14-250b, and changing the language in subsection (d) to more closely follow the State Statute.
There was no one from the public who wish to speak.
Mayor Carbone closed the public hearing at 6:36 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – Changes to Chapter 12, Services for the Elderly, Membership
Mayor Carbone called the public hearing to order at 6:37 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
There was no one from the public who wish to speak.
Mayor Carbone closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Carbone called the regular meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
ORDINANCE: Blocking the Box Prohibited
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council considered adoption of the proposed ordinance prohibiting traffic from “Blocking the Box” at certain intersections. When the proposed changes were taken into account, Councilors Waldron and Anderson withdrew their motion. Councilor Cogswell moved to adopt the proposed ordinance and include the changes recommended by Officer Pisarski. This was seconded by Councilor Ruwet, and, by roll call vote, unanimously adopted as follows:
Blocking the Box Prohibited.
(a) In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes #14-250(b), no operator of a motor vehicle, other than a tractor-trailer unit, as defined in Section 14-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes, shall proceed into an intersection that has been designated, posted, and marked, except when making a turn, unless there is sufficient space on the opposite side of the intersection to accommodate such motor vehicle without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding the indication of a traffic control signal that would permit such operator to proceed into the intersection.
(b) The intersections within the City of Torrington to which the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall apply are: the emergency entrance and exit to the Torrington Police Department located at 576 Main Street, where East Elm Street intersects with Main Street; the emergency entrance and exit to the Torrington Fire Service – North End Station located at 899 Main Street, where Main Street intersects with Wadhams Avenue; and the emergency entrance and exit to the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department located at 1738 East Main Street, where East Main Street intersects with Torringford Street.
(c) The intersections subject to this ordinance shall: (1) have signs posted indicating that blocking the intersection is prohibited and violators are subject to a fine; and (2) be marked, in white paint, the boundary of such intersection with a line not less than one-foot in width and an the area within such boundary line shall be marked with parallel diagonal lines not less than one-foot in width.
(d) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall have committed an infraction.
ORDINANCE: Changes to Chapter 12, SEC
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt changes to Chapter 12, “Services for the Elderly Commission” as follows:
§ 12-3. Alternate members.
The Commission shall also consist of [two] three alternates, resident electors of the City of Torrington, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. Effective June 6, 1981, there shall be appointed one alternate to serve for a term of three years and one alternate to serve for a term of two years. Thereafter, all appointments of alternates shall be made for periods of three years. Any vacancy, from whatever cause occurring, shall be filled for the unexpired term of such alternate by appointment of the Mayor.
§ 12-3a. Appointed members.
The Commission may include additional nonvoting members appointed by the Boards of Selectmen from towns located in the service area. Non-resident appointed members are to be included as Elderly Service Commission Members when requested by a governing body to fulfill town charter obligations. These non-resident members have the same status as an alternate resident member and may be elevated to voting status in regularly scheduled and special meetings, with the following benefit, appointed non-resident members may vote on issues concerning their represented town during any vote.
§ 12-4. Qualifications of members.
[All] Commissioners so appointed shall be persons interested in the consideration of the needs of the elderly and shall represent a cross section of [the City of Torrington] Litchfield County.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic Meeting held on May 8, 2014. Councilors Samele and Waldron abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 12, 2014. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 12, 2014. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearings and Regular Meeting held May 19, 2014. Councilors Ruwet and Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 2, 2014. Councilor Waldron abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Small Cities Committee and approve project #143-322.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $75.00 from Fund #270, Small Cities Citywide Housing Rehab for a Limited Title Search done on project 143-322.
DIESEL, #2 FUEL, GASOLINE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Purchasing Agent to enter into contract for Diesel, #2 Fuel and Gasoline with the low bidders as presented if the price is no greater than 10% over the bid price on June 17, 2014. The low bids were as follows:
Diesel Fuel – Harbor Petroleum of N.E. of Naugatuck, CT , $3.1129 per gal. for 93,600 +/_ gals.
Gasoline – Petroleum Traders Corp. of Fort Wayne, IN, $3.1733 per gal. for 105,000+/- gals.
#2 Fuel Oil – Santa Buckley Energy, Inc. of Bridgeport, CT, (alternate bid) $3.2366 per gal. for 31,300 +/- gals.
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent to authorize the Mayor to award the FY14/15 contract for electrical services to Cannole’s Electric LLC of Torrington, CT, for $52/hour for Journeymen and $34/hour for Apprentices. Mrs. Zucco explained that this price is higher than last year.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda. Mayor Carbone explained the two action items that needed to be considered at this meeting.
COPIER LEASE
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to
waive the bid process for the City’s Copiers lease. Stating that this lease needs to go forward, Mr. Crowley explained this City Copiers lease is a contract vehicle of Kyocera and our current vendor will use that as the basis for his pricing, he said. Mr. Crowley said our current lease is about $1575 per month and a considerable amount of money will be saved on the new 60-month lease.
Councilor Cavagnero said he doesn’t like waiving the bid process or voting on a matter without time for due consideration. Mr. Crowley said the total cost, with varying copy costs, will be $875 per month or $14,829.12.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted 5/1 with Councilor Cavagnero opposed to award the City’s Copiers lease contract to Network Imaging.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Sekorski reported that the Bowman Garden on Mountain Road is up and running. He said Representative Cook obtained 1,000 plants for them, which will be given to Seniors for free. Mr. Sekorski announced the United Way Day of Caring on June 20 and 21, when a landscaping project will be done at the Senior Center.
Mr. Fabbri spoke about residents’ sidewalk concerns and his efforts towards a Master Plan to include where sidewalks are needed and what standards should be followed. He said a preliminary Master Plan has been created in a draft form and requested that a public informational meeting be scheduled. Mayor Carbone said this will be included on the next Council agenda, and reminded the Council that sidewalk repairs have been included in this year’s budget which will have an impact on what can be accomplished in the Master Plan.
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 Anderson invited everyone to the “Open Your Eyes” Studio Tour June 28 and 29, where
25 or 26 local artists will be opening their private workspaces or retail shops to the public.
Mayor Carbone announced a Special Joint Meeting of City Council and the Board of Finance on June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. to bring forward the budget cuts she is proposing. She gave a progress update on the THS Athletic Fields project, reported on the successful D-Day and Flag Day observances in town, asked everyone to support the Fireworks fundraising, and congratulated the winners of the Tar Wars poster contest including our State winner who will compete in Washington, DC.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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