MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
June 15, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, June 15, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Paul Samele and Drake Waldron. City Councilors Gregg Cogswell and Christopher Anderson were absent. Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Economic Development Director Erin Wilson, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, and City Clerk Joseph Quartiero were also present, along with members of the Board of Assessment Appeals, Chairman George Noujaim, Suzanne Emmons and Thomas Gluz.
Mayor Carbone opened the meeting at 6:33 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on May 12, 2015.
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing held May 18, 2015. Councilors Waldron and Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting held June 1, 2015. Councilor Samele abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to address the Council.
PRESENTATION: Board of Assessment Appeals
Mr. Noujaim reported the Board’s statistics for 2015 and presented a list of recommendations that will make the appeals process easier and more comprehensive such as making efforts to reduce business owners’ confusion about personal property taxes, revising the application form, having access to a computer and printer during appeals hearings and pursuing education for members.
Mayor Carbone thanked the members for the time they gave to work on this Board.
PRESENTATION: The Marketplace
Ms. Wilson updated the Council on the changes to Main Street Marketplace, and pointed out that it is consistent with the Municipal Development Plan. Mayor Carbone noted that this is a piece of a large-scale plan, and recapturing the riverfront is going to be a priority.
FRANKLIN STREET: Riverfront Recapture Project
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Economic Development Director’s request to waive the bid process for the 100 Franklin Street Brownfield Riverfront Recapture Project and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with HRP Associates to remain as the Licensed Environmental Professional. Mayor Carbone explained that HRP has already done considerable work on the City-owned portion of the property, and they already have much of the baseline data that they need. It would only make sense to continue to use them, she said.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Economic Development Director’s request to waive the bid process for the 100 Franklin
Street Brownfield Riverfront Recapture project and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract for project specific work with our Regional Brownfield Partnership. Ms. Wilson explained that Torrington joined the Brownfields Regional Partnership under the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments approximately six months ago, adding that it was very helpful and the partnership is like a sole source vendor.
CURB INSTALLATION COST SHARING: East Elm Street
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the City Engineer’s recommendation to waive the City bid process and partner with the Torrington Water Company for sidewalk restoration work as described in his Memo dated June 8, 2015 and the proposed Cost Share Agreement dated June 10, 2015.
STATE/REGIONAL BIDS: Road Repairs
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Public Works Director’s revised request to waive the City bid process and accept State and Regional bids for FY15/16 roadway work and materials listed in his memo dated June 4, 2015.
CLEANING SERVICE: Street Dept., Rec. Hall & Armory
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the FY 15/16 cleaning services bid contract to S.J. Services of Danvers, MA, for $32,772, and to have the Mayor administer it on behalf of the City.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously, upon recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, to approve a $62.00 increase for Project #143-363 and approve a subordination of loan for 120 Northside Drive.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments:
Vendor Fund Invoice # Date Amount Description
NCDA 250 HRLR-238 06/01/2015 $375.00 Membership Dues
Rep-Am 270 13-SC-52 06/01/2015 $341.78 Invitation to Bid Ads
THS TURF PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $3611 to Gale Assocs. for services provided at the THS Athletic Fields project, for Invoice #1409230 dated October 10, 2014. Mayor Carbone added that a punch list is being worked on, and there is one more installment on the contract.
BUILDING DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to to accept the Building Dept. Report for April, 2015.
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. ~No business was presented.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
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.
Councilor Cavagnero moved to add an item to the July 6th meeting agenda to consider initiating an independent audit of the Torrington Board of Education. Councilor Samele seconded and it was unanimously approved, with Councilor Waldron abstaining.
Councilor Waldron noted the passing of Tom Pollack, a great citizen and community volunteer who did a lot to make this town better.
Mayor Carbone added that Mr. Pollack spent many years coaching Torrington’s youth.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Real Estate Transactions, inviting Mr. Rollett and Atty. Rigat at 7:20 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:26 p.m.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
AGREEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to execute an option and ground lease agreement for a Wireless Communications Facility.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Personnel, inviting Mr. Rollett, Mr. Fabbri and Atty. Rigat at 7:28 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:56 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Pending Litigation, inviting Atty. Rigat at 7:57 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 8:09 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK |
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC Asst. City Clerk |
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