MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 17, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, November 17, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Gregg Cogswell, Anne Ruwet, Drake Waldron and Christopher Anderson. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. She recognized the Torrington High School Students who worked as interns for the City during the past summer.
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.
Susan Holbrook spoke against the decision-making process for the Coe Memorial Park Carriage House Roof Replacement, saying the Coe Memorial Park Committee was not included in the roof replacement bid process.
Luis Silva explained the drainage concerns caused by adjoining property owners’ construction. He said the
drainage from 281 Winsted Rd is connected to his catch basin. Mayor Carbone asked the Council to rely on Corporation Counsel and Mr. Silva’s lawyer to discuss this legal matter.
LABOR AGREEMENT – UPSEU Local 424, Unit 78
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to
approve the agreement between the City of Torrington and Local 424, Unit 78 of the United Public Service Employees Union effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017.
Atty. Muschell noted that this is a retroactive three-year agreement with 2.5%, 2.25% and 2% annual wage increases, a 1% increase of the City’s contribution to the Defined Contribution Pension Plan, an increase of .5% of employees contribution to medical insurance, the elimination of retirement medical insurance for new employees, and a 52-week-only pay period. Atty. Muschell commended the new union saying they had a very cordial and beneficial collaboration.
Mayor Carbone thanked Atty. Muschell, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt and UPSEU President Ray Drew for the financial savings to the City.
PUBLIC WORKS GRIEVANCE #14-06
On an amended motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded as amended by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and deny Public Works Grievance #14-06.
COE PARK CARRIAGE HOUSE ROOF
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award a contract for Bid #CRR-041-111314, Coe Memorial Park Carriage House Roof Replacement, as recommended by the Purchasing Agent and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.
Superintendent Simmons explained the Parks & Recreation Commission’s efforts to include the Coe Memorial Park Committee. He said the roof replacement needs to be expedited due to rapid deterioration.
APPT. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION: J. Pescatore
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s re-appointment of James Pescatore to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a five-year term to expire December 1, 2019.
2015 FIREWORKS DISPLAY
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a contract renewal with Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company of New Castle, PA for the 2015 fireworks display in the amount of $13,900, and to authorize the Mayor to execute and administer the contract on behalf of the City. Mr. Simmons explained the total cost of the event was $32,493, with $19,862 attained through fundraising.
PARKS DEPT. EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award the following contracts to Turf Products, LLC of Enfield CT and to authorize the Mayor to execute and administer the contracts on behalf of the City:
Bid Number Amount Description
IPG-032-111014 $13,561.93 Infield Pro-Groomer
WRM-032-111014 $86,500.00 Wide Area 4WD Rotary Mower, pending Board of Finance approval
SMALL CITIES TRANSFER FUNDS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a transfer from Fund #270 into Fund #277 for Project #143-325 in the amount of $36,755 upon receipt of drawdown #9.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from Fund #270:
Vendor Invoice # Invoice Date Amount Description
City of Torrington 13-SC-31 10/30/2014 $ 75.00 Title Search
Transfer to Fund #277 13-SC-32 10/30/2014 $ 400.00 Project 143-339
Transfer to Fund #277 13-SC-30 10/30/2014 $15,819.00 Project 143-332
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-2A East Drainage Basin Rehabilitation:
DATE CONTRACTOR INVOICE# AMOUNT$ DESCRIPTION
10/17/14 True Blue Environmental Req #5 $191,540.81 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
10/16/14 Weston & Sampson 438218 $9,125.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
10/16/14 Weston & Sampson 438223 $5,800.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
BUDGET AMENDMENTS/TRANSFERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the budget amendments/transfers listed in the Comptroller’s memo dated October 21, 2014, pending Board of Finance approval on November 18, 2014.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize three FY13/14 budget amendments/transfers for expenses deemed ineligible for LOCIP reimbursement, listed in the Comptroller’s memo dated October 21, 2014, pending Board of Finance approval on November 18, 2014.
THS ATHLETIC FIELDS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments, having been approved by the THS Turf Committee on November 10, 2014.
VENDOR INV# AMOUNT DESCRIPTION
H.I. Stone Application 5 $720,890.64 Torrington HS Track & Field Construction/Renovations till 10/31/14
H.I. Stone Application 6 $ 1,745.62 Torrington HS Track & Field Construction/Renovations till 11/10/14
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Rollett said he received notice from PURA that the sale of our water supply system was approved, and they are hoping for a closing in mid-January.
Mr. Drew thanked everyone who supported the treatment plant upgrade referendum. He said the design agreement has been submitted to DEEP, awaiting their approval. The Council will consider approval of that agreement, he said, followed by an application to the Clean Water Fund for the 18-month design phase.
Mr. Sekorsky explained the ‘Thanksgiving 365’ fundraiser for their nutrition program. It is severely underfunded, he said.
Mr. Quartiero reported that he has contracted the uploading of 100 volumes of land record images into our electronic database. He said Historic Preservation Funds are used to create an electronic archive of land records, now dating back to 1988.
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.
Mayor Carbone reported that the joint meeting is still being considered by the Board of Education.
Councilor Waldron noted the passing of Former Mayor Chadwick.
Mayor Carbone invited all to the Light Up Main Event.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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