MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 16, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, November 16, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gregg Cogswell, Paul Samele, Anne Ruwet, and Christopher Anderson. City Councilor Paul Cavagnero was absent. Public Works Director Jerry Rollett and City Engineer Ed Fabbri were also present.
Mayor Carbone opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Joe Friscia urged the Council to vote in favor of add netting to the THS Sports Complex.
Bridget Beauchaine asked the Council to be cautious with their decisions to dim some of the lights in town, and expressed her safety concerns.
AGREEMENT: Public Works Employees Union
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council considered the agreement between the City of Torrington and the Public Works Employees Union, Local 2212 of AFSCME Council #4, effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.
Atty. Muschell pointed out that the contract duration is for three years with a wage increase of 2.25% the first year and 2% each for the following two years. He said the agreement could be re-opened in the third year if the Affordable Care Act is not amended to eliminate the ‘Cadillac Tax’. He said the PPO insurance plan will be terminated at the end of the 2nd year of this contract, with only the lower cost, high-deductible plan will be offered. The cost of the high-deductible plan will increase by .5% per year, and the $75 longevity benefit is eliminated, he said, and the grievance procedure has been streamlined to exclude City Council. Atty. Muschell explained that disputes would go directly from the Personnel Dept. to the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration, but there have been very few
grievances from these bargaining units.
Mayor Carbone recognized the unions for being so cooperative and fair, taking into consideration our taxpayers and the role that they play in the City.
The Council voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
AGREEMENT: City Hall Employees Union
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the agreement between the City of Torrington and the City Hall Employees Union, Local 2212 of AFSCME Council #4, effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.
COMPACT WHEEL LOADER
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Fleet Manager’s, Street Superintendent’s and Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Compact Wheel Loader purchase to R & S Rentals & Sales of Torrington in the amount of $70,038.85 and to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City for the execution and administration of this contract.
CONTINGENCY FUNDS – POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the use of Contingency Funds to purchase rifles for the Police Department pending Board of Finance approval on November 17, 2015.
Mayor Carbone explained that Chief Maniago found economies within his budget to allow for the purchase of these firearms and when the bids were put out, he found an opportunity to take advantage of some trade-in which reduced the purchase price of the rifles significantly. The economies quickly dissipated as his HVAC system deteriorated faster than it could be replaced, she said, and if this purchase were to go forward it would have to come out of contingency funds at the discretion of the Council and the Board of Finance.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the budget amendments listed in the Comptroller’s Memo dated 11/12/15, pending Board of Finance approval on November 17, 2015. Addendum 1
Mayor Carbone said these amendments are the budget reductions requested to keep the mill rate increase under one mill.
STREETLIGHT MASTER PLAN AND STREETLIGHT REMOVAL PLAN Vote Rescinded March 7, 2016
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered the Streetlight Master Plan dated October 1, 2014, updated on October 28, 2015. Mr. Rollett said this is a good, workable plan and City Council has already approved the funding for it. He explained that almost 4,000 streetlights have been owned by the City for about 15 years and their costs have been reduced by about $100,000 over time. He said they looked hard at how they illuminate the City of Torrington, which does not have a designed, engineered street lighting system that meets any standard, with some minor exceptions. Mr. Rollett said the downtown area on Main St. and some of our parking lots are designed properly. They provide a level of illumination that meets the standards – to provide a uniform level of
illumination. He said that most of the side streets in Torrington our street lighting is very un-uniform, installed at utility pole locations.
Mr. Rollett said that illumination research shows that the illumination level changes going from bright to dark are actually more dangerous than having no street lights at all. He said the Engineering Department is looking at what we can do to provide the proper level of illumination in the City of Torrington and this master plan essentially illuminates areas where streetlights are needed to provide a level of safety and protection on the streets.
Mr. Fabbri explained the policy previously created when subdivisions were being planned and developed ten to twelve years ago. He said the three criteria for street light locations are 1) intersections, 2) dead-end streets or cul de sacs, and 3) horizontal or vertical curvitures. Mr. Fabbri said that there have been no accident or safety problems in subdivisions where these criteria were used, no residents requested streetlights at the end of their driveway, and many people leave their porch lights on. He said the plan is that if a streetlight is removed from the end of a driveway, perhaps an alternate source of light such as a solar-powered fixture for their garage or front porch could be provided. He said they are trying to work with property owners and put together a program over the next six months.
Mr. Fabbri added that there are some locations where street lights are needed, so he is proposing to install some streetlights in strategic locations where they are missing. He noted that he is looking at the overall picture for safety.
He said the Mayor met with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Campion Ambulance and the school bus company.
They do not have any objections to this proposal in general, he said, and the ambulance company agreed that street lights at intersections will be helpful for them.
Mr. Rollett said that $450,000 is budgeted for the removal, and it will complete 80% of the project. He said that the plan will be promoted to the public on radio and cable TV and posted on the City Website for about six months. He said a Street Light Committee may be formed so that people can communicate with them in case there are some issues that were missed. Mr. Rollett said that he needs to have some place to start so he can know how many lights he is dealing with in order to plan accordingly. Currently there are approximately 2100 proposed removals, he said.
Mayor Carbone said this plan was presented to the Council in 2014 and was on exhibit in City Hall for a while. She expressed her gratitude to the Streetlight Subcommittee for their work in reviewing all of this and for meeting last week. She said that based on their review of this plan, she expects their recommendation is for an approval.
The Council voted unanimously to approve the Plan. Vote Rescinded March 7, 2016
THS SAFETY NETTING
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the BOE Facilities Manager’s and Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the THS Sports Complex Safety Netting contract to Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. of Delhi, NY in the amount of $15,372 for 20 ft. netting, and to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City for the execution and administration of this contract. This will be funded from the Safety Nets Donation account.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee and approve Project 143-392.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments:
Vendor |
Requisition # |
Date |
Amount |
Description |
Fund |
Republican American |
14-SC-51 |
10/29/2015 |
$312.43 |
2 Invitation to Bid Ads |
271 |
Republican American |
14-SC-52 |
10/30/2015 |
$ 91.54 |
Request for Proposal Ad |
271 |
TAX REFUNDS
Acting herein as both the Water Pollution Control Authority and the Board of Councilmen, on a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the refunds indicated on the list dated Nov. 13, 2015. Addendum 2
Building Permit Refund
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the refund of $82.30 to C & M Electric of Lakeville, CT per their request dated 10/29/2015.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. ~~~
Mrs. Anderson informed the Council of the passing of a retired member of the Clerk Staff, Joan McLaughlin.
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.
The Council commended Councilors Anderson and Samele for their service.
Mayor Carbone announced the Light-Up Main event and the North End Tree Lighting Ceremony. She reported that she has been working with stakeholders, Department Heads and the Torrington Area Dept. of Health regarding the homeless staying in the ‘Tent City’ encampment and promised to keep them informed of progress. She said she continues to work with the Opiate Task Force for Litchfield County and announced the Swearing-In Ceremony for the newly elected.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC, MCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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