MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING / REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
June 1, 2015
A PUBLIC HEARING and REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, June 1, 2015 to review and discuss proposals for participation in the Neighborhood Assistance Act.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Christopher Anderson, Anne Ruwet and Drake Waldron. City Councilor Gregg Cogswell participated by telephone starting at 6:52 p.m. Also present were WPCA Administrator Raymond Drew, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, Economic Development Director Erin Wilson, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, and I.T. Director Gerald Crowley. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent.
Mayor Carbone opened the Public Hearing at 6:36 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Assistant City Clerk Carol Anderson read the Legal Notice.
Mr. Bernard Lynch asked the Council for support on behalf of Visiting Nurse Services of CT, saying 125 employees have provided approximately 70,000 home health care visits.
Mayor Carbone closed the Public Hearing at 6:40 p.m. and opened the Regular Meeting.
2015 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE ACT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously by roll call vote to accept all the proposals presented for participation in the 2015 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
SEWER USER FEE
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously by roll call vote to accept the recommendation of the WPCA Administrator and set the sewer use fee for the year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016 as follows:
For Residential Users $212.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $212.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
WPCA BUDGET
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 WPCA Budget for year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016.
WPCA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET/PROGRAM
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 WPCA Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget/Program for year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2020.
WPCA MISC. FEE SCHEDULE
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 WPCA Miscellaneous Fee Schedule for year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting and Public Hearing held jointly with the Board of Finance on May 4, 2015.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 4, 2015.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
SANITARY SEWER EAST DRAINAGE BASIN REHAB.
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $27,904.40 to True Blue Environmental for Payment Requisition #7 dated May 22, 2015 for the East Drainage Basin I/I Rehab.
TRANSFER FUNDS/PURCHASE STREETLIGHT WORK
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the transfer of $350,000 from the sale of the City Water System to the Streetlight Account Fund #105 for proposed streetlight work including removals of approximately 1,950 streetlights, 190 transfers and continuing conversions of streetlights to LED.
RESURFACE PLEASANT VIEW PARK TENNIS COURT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation and the Purchasing Agent to award the base bid contract for Pleasant View Park Tennis Court Resurfacing to Dalton Track & Tennis of Cheshire, CT in the amount of $12,775 and to have the Mayor act on behalf of the City regarding the contract execution and administration.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
Conservation Commission
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council unanimously acknowledged the Mayoral appointment of Dan McGuinness (D) to the Conservation Commission, replacing Diane Carroll, for a 3-year term to expire Sept. 5, 2016.
Northwest Connecticut Transit District
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council unanimously acknowledged the Mayoral appointment of Daniel Farley (R) to the Northwest Connecticut Transit District, replacing Evelyn Lukes and completing a four-year term to expire July 1, 2015, and to reappoint him at that time for a second four-year term to expire July 1, 2019.
Torrington Housing Authority
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Daniel Farley (R) to the Torrington Housing Authority for a five-year term to expire September 1, 2018, replacing Robert Raleigh, deceased.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee and approve Project #143-327.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $111.36 to the Republican-American for an Invitation to Bid ad, upon receipt of drawdown #13.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the agenda.
.
Section B
DOWNTOWN MARKET REVIEW
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Economic Development Director’s recommendation to award the Downtown Torrington Market Review and Branding/Imaging Study contract to The Causeway Agency of Westport, CT, and to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City regarding the execution and administration of the contract.
RESOLUTION: MAIN STREET REALIGNMENT & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS PHASE II
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution supporting the Main Street Realignment and Streetscape Improvements—Phase II and commit to funding the municipal share:
Main Street Realignment and Streetscape Improvements-Phase II that includes realignment of street, new sidewalks, curbs, landscaping, lighting and miscellaneous amenity items. (State Project No. 143-184)
WHEREAS, the City of Torrington has published a news release, mailed a copy of the news release to required officials and agencies, and mailed a notification letter to abutting property and business owners and tenants, announcing a proposed transportation project known as Main Street Realignment and Streetscape Improvements-Phase II.
WHEREAS, a public comment period was given from April 23, 2015 to May 8, 2015 which allowed interested parties to voice their concerns; and
WHEREAS, the preliminary engineering phase will be funded exclusively by the City of Torrington and the construction phase will be funded utilizing 80% Federal funds and 20% municipal funds for work on the East Side of Main Street and 100% Federal funds for work on the West Side of Main Street; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, Elinor C. Carbone has considered the concerns of the public from the comment period and finds that the proposed Main Street Realignment and Streetscape Improvements-Phase II is in the best interest of the City of Torrington, and will promote the health, safety and general welfare of its residents and provide for convenience and safety of pedestrians and the traveling public.
WHEREAS, the City of Torrington, based on the above information, and by virtue of this resolution, hereby fully supports the proposed project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Torrington hereby supports the project titled Main Street Realignment and Streetscape Improvements–Phase II and hereby commits to funding the municipal share.
Councilor Cogswell joined the meeting, by telephone, at 6:52 p.m.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Councilmen of the City of Torrington hereby
adopts as its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties
required under Connecticut General Statutes § 4a-60(a)(1), as amended in State of
Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142.
RESOLUTION: ASSISTANT TAX COLLECTOR
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution appointing an Assistant Tax Collector:
RESOLVED: That the Torrington Board of Councilmen do hereby appoint Leo DiNicola as the Assistant Tax Collector for the City of Torrington, an unpaid position, for a term of office to coincide with the Torrington Tax Collector's term of office, said appointment to become effective only upon the effective date of the appointment of Launa Goslee as the Tax Collector for the City of Torrington, and do further hereby authorize said Assistant Tax Collector, in the absence or inability of the Torrington Tax Collector, to have all the powers and perform all the duties of the Torrington Tax Collector in accordance with the provisions of the Code of the City of Torrington and the Connecticut General Statutes, as any of the same may from time to time hereafter be amended, supplemented , superseded or restated.
Councilor Cavagnero asked if the Assistant assumes the same liabilities. Mayor Carbone explained that Mr. DiNicola is a member of TTC, LLC and that this will provide a seamless continuation of services in the event that anything should happen to the appointed Tax Collector. She said this is a more defined role than it has been in the past, with some legislative oversight in how that role is enacted. Mayor Carbone noted that virtually every other municipality in the State has an Assistant Tax Collector. Mr. DiNicola, managing member of TTC, LLC, listed his experience and qualifications.
End of Section B .
CITY BUDGET
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered approval of the Mayor’s Level Five budget cuts, as presented. Mayor Carbone explained the proposed cuts totaling approximately $890,000. She said she will continue to pursue grant funding.
Councilor Cavagnero said he’d like to see money put back into sidewalk repairs and the Police Department. He questioned the Board of Education Administrators’ accountability and said it is time to consider an independent audit of the Torrington Board of Education.
Mayor Carbone explained the motion on the floor was to approve the budget cuts of $1,089,092.
Councilor Cavagnero made a secondary motion to allocate $75,000 for an independent audit of the Torrington Board of Education with full control and jurisdiction over that audit under the domain of the City Council, to take place in this coming year.
Mayor Carbone explained the secondary motion was to increase the contingency line item by $75,000, to be set aside for an independent audit of the Board of Education. There was no second and the motion failed. Mayor Carbone said this may be revisited in July.
The Council voted 4/1, with Councilor Cavagnero opposed, to approve the Mayor’s Level Five budget cuts, as presented. Councilor Cavagnero explained that he would not approve the budget cuts without having made progress on Board of Education accountability.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted 4/1, with Councilor Cavagnero opposed, to give final approval of the City Budget in the sum of $53,562,426 for the fiscal period of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 and advance it to the Board of Finance.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council. No business was presented.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:27 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC
Asst. City Clerk
| 
