MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JULY 7, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, July 7, 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, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco and Fire Chief Brunoli were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m.
Presentation and Invitation for Public Comment: Draft Master Sidewalk Plan
Mr. Fabbri explained that this public presentation and informational meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft master plan concept. He said the plan takes into consideration the location of sidewalks on the north and east sides of streets to receive more sun in winter, traffic volumes, density of adjacent housing developments, and public spaces such as parks and schools. He said the plan follows City Ordinance regarding the location of public rights-of-way, sidewalk construction standards, and includes materials that are long-lasting and have a uniform look.
He recommended that a sidewalk committee be established to review ideas and determine how to proceed to accomplish the goals of improving the City’s overall sidewalk system.
Lori Chiron spoke about the enforcement of grass cutting.
Holly Florio spoke about the need for wide aprons at the bottom of driveways on East Main Street and the difficulty of exiting a driveway into traffic.
Betty Bolin spoke about the difficulties handicapped people have walking on our sidewalks, especially with overgrown hedges and trees.
Debra Robitz explained the problems on Berry Street with flooding issues and pools of water whose depth cannot be determined.
Daneen Lataif expressed her concern that some sidewalks might be removed from Calhoun St.
Jim Riley explained the parking issues on E. Elm St. with cars being parked on the sidewalk, and
requested a sign be posted and laws enforced.
Benjamin Corrolo described the flooding issues he has due to an improper, poorly maintained storm drain and asked the Mayor and City Council to resolve this.
Councilor Cogswell asked to see which sidewalks will be removed and Councilor Cavagnero asked to see the costs, impact to homeowners, and what the State is obligated to do.
Mayor Carbone said this will take some time, with 40 miles of proposed concrete sidewalks and 17 miles of proposed asphalt sidewalks. She said the whole Council will have to approve the plan, goals and timeline.
Mr. Fabbri added that the scope of the plan and its funding have not yet been determined.
Councilor Ruwet said this is a great first step.
Councilor Cogswell asked how long the sidewalks will last. Mr. Fabbri explained the concrete lasts 30 or 40 years and the asphalt lasts 10 or 12 before it oxidizes, becomes brittle and cracks.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearings and Regular Meeting held June 16, 2014.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on June 23, 2014. Councilor Ruwet abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak
UNITED WAY THERMOMETER
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the installation of the United Way thermometer in front of City Hall from September 12, 2014 to November 14, 2014 for their fundraising campaign.
APPT TORR. HOUSING AUTH: D. Murelli
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to
approve the Mayor’s re-appointment of David Murelli to the Torrington Housing Authority for a 5-year term expiring September 1, 2019.
MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve a 2.5% wage increase for Management Resolution personnel and the raise the employee health insurance cost share from 11% to 12% to be effective July 1, 2014.
Mr. Gritt listed the wage increases from the last few years and said there have been increases to the health insurance cost share every year.
Mayor Carbone explained that this had been anticipated during the budget process.
WPCA – E. Drainage Basin Rehab
Acting herein 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
5/14/14 Weston & Sampson 433204 $275.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
5/14/14 Weston & Sampson 433212 $1,825.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
6/5/14 Weston & Sampson 434097 $550.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
5/11/14 True Blue Environmental Req #1 $26,125.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
SMALL CITIIES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $400.00 from Fund #270, Small Cities 2013 Grant, to SafeHomes, Inc. of Waterbury, CT for risk assessment testing.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to to authorize the transfer of $7850.00 from Fund 270, Citywide 2013 Grant, to the City’s Housing Rehab Escrow Account Fund #277 for project #143-322.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to add Section B to the agenda.
HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFITS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to extend the contracted services for the Health and Welfare benefits Milliman until July 31, 2014 and to have the Mayor act on the behalf of the City regarding the execution of the contract and its administration.
HISTORIC DOCUMENTS PRESERVATION GRANT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution empowering the Mayor to execute and deliver on behalf of the City of Torrington a contract with the Connecticut State Library for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant:
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 this grant has increased from $6000 to $7500 and will be used to scan land records images and purchase archival index boxes for burial and cremation certificates.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, 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 Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Ruwet thanked the City for the spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks.
Mayor Carbone thanked the Parks & Recreation Department employees, the Police Department and the Fire Department for the Fireworks event.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 8:01 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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