MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
February 17, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Christopher Anderson, Drake Waldron and Gregg Cogswell. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent. Also present were Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Comptroller Alice Proulx., and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 20, 2015. Councilor Waldron abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on February 10, 2015.
Councilor Ruwet abstained.
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. There was no one present who wished to speak.
APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Jonathan Andrews to the Inland Wetlands Commission for a three-year term expiring September 5, 2017.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Christopher Beyus to the Economic Development Commission to fill a vacancy in a five-year term expiring February 9, 2016.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s re-appointment of Nancy Sieller and JoAnn Ryan to the Economic Development Commission for five-year terms expiring February 9, 2020.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Suzanne Emmons as a Regular member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, filling a three-year term that expires December 6, 2015.
AGREEMENT - Torrington Education Assn.
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to table approval of an agreement between the Torrington Board of Education and the Torrington Education Association for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. Councilor Waldron abstained. Councilor Cavagnero noted that this is by far one of the most significant budget drivers in the City.
TAX COLLECTION
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to discuss municipal tax collection. Mayor Carbone updated the Council that the RFQ process has been rejected after last week’s decision. She said Special Counsel, Atty. Roraback is researching answers to the questions proposed, and has found a couple of options on how to proceed. One option is another RFQ, which would be time-consuming and may not net any additional responses, she said, and another option is a direct vendor interview, with City Council’s authorization given to the Mayor to proceed and bring forward information from that process. Without a formal vote, each Councilor individually expressed their support for the Mayor to proceed with the direct vendor interview.
CHARLENE SUSAN BESSE PARK FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver on behalf of the City a certain contract with the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection for the fulfillment of the America-the-Beautiful-Grant:
RESOLVED: That the Mayor, Elinor Carbone, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of the City Council for the City of Torrington a certain contract with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection of the State of Connecticut for the fulfillment of the America-the-Beautiful grant, and is authorized to affix the Corporate Seal.
Mr. Simmons explained that improvements are needed for the access road going into the park and that harvesting some of the forest will help cover the costs. Mayor Carbone said some decisions should be made regarding the health of that forest.
THS ATHLETIC FIELDS UPGRADE - Amendment
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City a Personal Services Agreement
with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to complete improvements to the athletic field complex located at Torrington High School and to further authorize the Mayor to enter into such agreements and contracts, and to execute all documents necessary to said grant with the State of Connecticut:
RESOLVED: That Elinor Carbone, Mayor of the City of Torrington be and hereby
is authorized to execute on behalf of this municipal corporation a Personal Services
Agreement with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to complete
improvements to the athletic field complex located at Torrington High School.
IN ADDITION: That Elinor Carbone, Mayor of the City of Torrington, is hereby
authorized to enter into such agreements and contracts and execute all documents
necessary to said grant with the State of Connecticut.
Mayor Carbone explained that additional funding was received on this project, and an additional PSA was required.
HISTORIC DOCUMENTS PRESERVATION GRANT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of the City a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a 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.
TORRINGTON TITANS CONTRACT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve an addendum to the Titans Contract, having been previously approved by the Park & Recreation Commission. Mayor Carbone explained that this is the second annual renewal of the five-year contract.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY RECONSTRUCTION
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into and sign contracts on behalf of the City of Torrington concerning the Reconstruction of the Water Pollution Control Facility and Wastewater Infrastructure:
BE IT RESOLVED: That it is in the best interests of the City of Torrington and the City of Torrington Water Pollution Control Authority to file applications and enter into contracts for the planning, design, construction and reconstruction of the Torrington Water Pollution Control Facility and wastewater infrastructure. In furtherance of this resolution, Elinor Carbone the Mayor for the City of Torrington is duly authorized to enter into and sign said contracts on behalf of the City of Torrington and Water Pollution Control Authority. The Mayor for the City of Torrington is further authorized to provide such additional information and execute such other documents as may be required by the state or federal government in connection with said contracts and to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto.
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, 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
1/9/15 Weston & Sampson 441144 $2,250.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
1/9/15 Weston & Sampson 441145 $1,825.00 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
1/15/15 True Blue Environmental Pay Req #6 $119,817.28 East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab
1/13/15 Ferguson Waterworks 0644732 $1,821.34 Parts to Repair Winsted Rd FM
DIESEL, #2 FUEL, GASOLINE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Purchasing Agent to enter into a contract for Diesel, #2 Fuel and Gasoline with the low bidder as presented if the price is no greater than 10% over the bid price on Feb. 18, 2015.
PORTABLE TOILET RENTAL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend the current Portable Toilet Rental bid contract for the upcoming year with Suburban Sanitation Services, Inc. of Canton, CT at the same rates of $75 per regular unit per month and $100 per handicap unit per month.
SMALL CITIES PROGRAM
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee to approve Projects #143-342, #143-348, #143-351, #143-360, #143-381 and #143-363. Small Cities Chairman Waldron explained the committee’s favorable recommendation.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to
authorize the following payments:
Fund Vendor Requisition # Date Amount Description
250 L. Wagner & Assocs. HRLR-233 1/5/2015 $ 900.00 Prof. Svcs. Housing Rehab Loan Repmt. 10/1/14 – 12/31/14
270 L. Wagner & Assocs. 13-SC-42 1/5/2015 $3,525.00 Prof. Svcs. Housing Rehab 10/1/14 – 12/31/14
270 L. Wagner & Assocs. 13-SC-43 1/5/2015 $11,587.50 Prof. Svcs. Housing Rehab 10/1/14 – 12/31/14
271 L. Wagner & Assocs. 14-SC-02 1/5/2015 $3,000.00 Prof. Svcs. Small Cites Block Grant 10/1/14 – 12/31/14
271 L. Wagner & Assocs. 14-SC-03 1/5/2015 $3,825.00 Prof. Svcs. Small Cites Block Grant 10/1/14 – 12/31/14
271 City of Torrington 14-SC-04 1/23/2105 $ 75.00 Title Search for Project #143-351
271 Transfer 14-SC-05 1/23/2015 $ 400.00 Transfer for Project #143-342
274 L. Wagner & Assocs. MLR-21 1/5/2015 $2,687.50 Prof. Svcs. Micro Loan Program 10/1/14 – 12/31/14
277 Safe Homes, Inc. ESC-13-15 1/21/2015 $ 400.00 Lead Paint Testing Project #143-342
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
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 Cogswell commended the Street Dept. on their storm cleanup work and thanked the Fire Dept. for their work at the Essex Court fire.
Councilor Ruwet said she is nervous about the impact the Governor’s budget will have on municipalities.
Councilor Waldron noted the recent passing of Marvin Maskovsky, former Torrington High School Principal and former Assistant Superintendent, who did a lot of work for the community, including saving the Warner Theater.
Mayor Carbone announced the upcoming Dr. Seuss Breakfast on Saturday Feb. 28th from 8:30 am to 10:30 am to benefit the fireworks fund. She expressed her appreciation for the Street Department’s hard work, and noted that she has been conducting business visitations to develop an informational database to see how businesses can be better served. Mayor Carbone said a committee of active citizens has been formed to plan ways to celebrate Torrington’s 275th anniversary this year, and she acknowledged the presence of Boy Scout Troop 3 at the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to
adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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