REVISED MINUTES*
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Mayor’s Office on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Paul Samele, Anne Ruwet, and Gregg Cogswell. City Councilors Drake Waldron and Christopher Anderson were absent. Police Chief Michael Maniago and Parks & Recreation Superintendent Brett Simmons were also present.
Mayor Carbone opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on August 17, 2015. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic Meeting held on August 20, 2015. Councilor Cavagnero abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
open the meeting to the public.
Mr. Louis Silva spoke against property tax revaluation discrepancies. *He suggested the City hire an independent revaluation company.
Ms. Mary Bagnaschi spoke against the lack of response to her housing authority complaints.
APPT: Torrington Housing Authority
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to re-appoint Robert F. Milano to the Torrington Housing Authority for a 5-year-term to expire Sept. 1, 2020.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPT. PURCHASES
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation to award BID#FII-032-022515, Fuessenich Park Infield Improvement Project, in the amount of $125,975.00 (base bid only) to Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare, Inc. of Chicopee, MA. Mr. Simmons explained this 30-day project should start in mid-October.
SEWER REPAIRS
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for mainline sewer repairs:
DATE CONTRACTOR INVOICE# AMOUNT DESCRIPTION
9/25/14 P&G Pepper 14099 $2,539.00 Perkins St Sewer Repair
6/5/15 P&G Pepper 14100 $7,169.00 Winsted Rd Sewer Repair
5/27/15 P&G Pepper 14101 $4,256.50 Pearl St Sewer Repair
POLICE DEPT. PURCHASES
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s & Lt. Venclauskas’ recommendation to award the Police Dept. Uniforms Bid to new England Uniform, LLC of Danbury, CT for an estimated annual amount of $51,453, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on September 2, 2015.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s & Sgt. Peters’ recommendation to award the Police Dept. Protective Gear Bid to Atlantic Tactical, Inc. of New Cumberland, PA for $13,387.75, funded through the Violent Crime Prevention Grant, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on September 2, 2015.
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s & Sgt. Peters’ recommendation to award the Police Dept. Firearms Bid by line item as follows, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on September 2, 2015:
- Aimpoint Optic Pro 12841 to CT Police Supply of Newington, CT for $5,376
- Sig Sauer Carbines & Ultra Scout Light to Interstate Arms Corp. for $5,279.88 after trade-in
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
VERIZON AGREEMENT: Police Dept.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve a relocation agreement for point-to-point microwave fixed service between the City of Torrington and Verizon Wireless. Chief Maniago explained that the obsolete 800 MHz frequency is no longer used and will be purchased by Verizon for approximately $91,000. That money in turn will be used for in-house dispatch upgrades performed by Marcus Communications.
DISCUSSION: Other Post Employment Benefits Board
Mayor Carbone asked for a volunteer from City Council to serve on the OPEB Board. She explained that as a requirement of GASB-68, the City must fund retirement benefits, including retirees’ health insurance, and reflect the liability on the City’s balance sheet. She said the Board will establish a policy to start funding this, take advantage of a discount and be more planfull on how to offset the $107,000,000 liability. Mayor Carbone said the Board will consist of two members of City Council, two members of the Board of Education and the entire Board of Finance, and added that Councilor Ruwet has already agreed to volunteer. Councilor Cogswell volunteered.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS FY14/15
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the revenue and expenditure budget amendments for FY14/15 listed in the attachments to the Comptroller’s Memo dated August 26, 2015, pending Board of Finance approval on September 15, 2015.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee to approve a change order for Project #143-368. *Note: The Project Number is actually #143-351.
BUILDING DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept. Report for July, 2015.
BUSINESS: Department Heads
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to
consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS: Mayor and Members
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and Members of City Council.
Mayor Carbone noted that some legislative delegates will update the Boards on September 15th at a joint meeting. She reported that the Fire Marshal determined that 408 Main Street is properly secured.
Atty. Rigat noted that a four-count complaint was brought against the three defendents, RKX LLC, Peter Andrighetti and Apex Mortgage Corp., for maintaining a public nuisance.
Mayor Carbone announced Clean Up The World Day on Sept. 19th and reported that the bond refinance process was concluded on Sept. 2nd which will create a net savings of $395,000 over the next eleven years. She acknowledged City Treasurer Art Mattiello for doing a phenomenal job through the process, along with the Comptroller and Deputy Comptroller.
Mayor Carbone reported that last week’s EPA Conference was a resounding success.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:29 p.m., on a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session to discuss the settlement of a claim, inviting Atty. Rigat and Atty. O’Connell.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to enter an open session at 7:39 p.m.
AMENDED SETTLEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve amended settlement #143916900.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:40 p.m..
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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