MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 15, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, December 15, 2014. Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Anne Ruwet, Drake Waldron and Paul Samele. City Councilors Paul Cavagnero and Christopher Anderson were absent. Also in attendance were City Engineer Ed Fabbri, City Treasurer Arthur Mattiello and Fleet Manager Emil Castro.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the special meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance and the Board of Public Safety on November 25, 2014. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the regular meeting held December 1, 2014.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Michael Mimnaugh of Clearview Ave. spoke against the pending increase to the mill rate due to the 40% reduction in property assessments. Mayor Carbone explained the upcoming budget process and said she always welcomes these comments.
Jacque Williams of Hawthorne Terr. thanked the Mayor for reappointing him to the Arts & Culture Commission and asked the Council to confirm the reappointment.
SMALL CITIES TRANSFER
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a the following transfers from Fund #270 into Fund #277 upon receipt of
drawdown #10:
a) $ 3,400.00 for Project #143-395
b) $25,65000 for Project #143-341
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $75.00 from Fund #270 to the City of Torrington for a Title Search done on Project #143-397 upon receipt of drawdown #10.
PURCHASE MOWER – PARKS DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager, Street Superintendent and Purchasing Agent to waive the bid process and authorize the Mayor to award the purchase of a 72” Side Discharge Steiner Model 440 Mower with attachments for $36,663.45 to Bacher Corporation of Connecticut of East Windsor, CT and have the Mayor act on the behalf of the City for the execution and administration of the contract. Mayor Carbone added that these funds are in our Vehicle Replacement Account. Mr. Castro explained that the bid process for this mower was done in August but the mower was over-powered and therefore disqualified. The Steiner Model 440 was comparable and found on a State Contract at a lower price.
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment from Fund #490 for Capital Project D-2A East Drainage Basin Rehabilitation in the amount of $2,150.00 to Weston & Sampson for Invoice #440055 dated December 3, 2014.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for October 2014.
FRANKLIN STREET/FRANKLIN DRIVE GRANTS
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with State of CT Dept. of Economic Development regarding a $100,000 grant for 100 Franklin Drive. Mayor Carbone explained that this grant is to conduct an assessment where the NIDEC building was:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sec. 32 – 763 of the C.G.S.the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is authorized to extend financial assistance for economic development projects; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City of Torrington make an application to the State for $100,000 in order to undertake the Torrington Municipal Brownfield Assessment project at 100 Franklin Drive, Torrington and to execute an Assistance Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Board of Councilmen that it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for the state financial assistance imposed by Sec. 32 – 763 of the C.G.S. that the filing of an application for State financial assistance by the City of Torrington in an amount not to exceed $100,000 is hereby approved and that Mayor Elinor Carbone is directed to execute and
file such application with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, decisions, and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of the City of Torrington.
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with State of CT Dept. of Economic Development regarding a $1,000,000 grant for 100 Franklin Street:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sec. 32 – 763 of the C.G.S.the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is authorized to extend financial assistance for economic development projects; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City of Torrington make an application to the State for $1,000,000 in order to undertake the Torrington Municipal Brownfield Cleanup project at 100 Franklin Street, Torrington and to execute an Assistance Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Board of Councilmen that it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for the state financial assistance imposed by Sec. 32 – 763 of the C.G.S. that the filing of an application for State financial assistance by the City of Torrington in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 is hereby approved and that Mayor Elinor Carbone is directed to execute and file such application with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, decisions, and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of the City of
Torrington.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
GREENWAY TRAIL/ACCESS DRIVE, Palmer Bridge to Bogue Rd.
Mr. Fabbri explained that there is funding available through the Northwest Hills Council of Governments for design work for a potential greenway going south along the Naugatuck River from Palmer Bridge Street to Bogue Road. He said the Land Use Office, Engineering Office, Mayor and the National Parks Service visited the area to consider this trail, along with one of the local trail groups. Mr. Fabbri noted that this trail could serve another purpose as temporary access for the reconstruction of the Bogue Road Bridge, and assist with the possible construction of another interceptor for the WPCA as the current one is exposed, due to lower river levels.
Mr. Fabbri said the NHCOG appropriated $40,305 for design services, and they have asked us to contract with our in-house service company, provide administrative oversight and approve invoices for the NHCOG to pay. He added that much of the Greenway is in Harwinton, which is supportive of the project.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract agreement with Tectonic Engineering & Surveying Consultants P.C. of Rocky Hill, CT, for engineering services for the Greenway Trail/Access Drive from Palmer Bridge Street to Bogue Road for an amount not to exceed $40,305, from NHCOG funds.
APPOINTMENTS: ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s re-appointment of Jacque Williams, Michael McAllister and Edward Cannata to the Arts & Culture Commission for four-year terms to expire December 31, 2018.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Vincent Chaigne to the Arts & Culture Commission completing a four-year term expiring December 31, 2015.
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.
Mr. Mattiello reported that the City will be refunding 4.8 million of the Torringford School bond, taking advantage of lower interest rates and saving the City $272,000.
Mr. Castro updated the Council on the purchase of a new Ladder Truck, which could be available in about 45 days, after contract details are completed this week.
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.
Mayor Carbone announced an upcoming design workshop to connect downtown sidewalks with the Naugatuck River Greenway. She reported that the Board of Education Chairman said that while the entire Board was less inclined to meet with the entire City Council, they did feel that a meeting of the Board leadership, Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and City Council would be very productive. He was embracing the opportunity to meet with us, she said.
Mayor Carbone said she has scheduled a meeting with our Legislative Delegates on Monday, December 22nd to review the challenges we face as a municipality and to make sure that they are advocating for us. She wished Esteban Hernandez of the Register Citizen good luck with his new job opportunity.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:06 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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