MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JANUARY 19, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Jaime LaMere, and City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gregg Cogswell, Luisa Noujaim, Anne Ruwet and Daniel Farley. City Councilor Paul Cavagnero was absent.
Mayor Carbone opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance. She explained her intention to slow down the streetlight planning process, and importance of building a consensus.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 4, 2016. Councilor Ruwet abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Sharon Waagner suggested that maps and other information the public is interested in such as the Streetlight Master Plan be made available for distribution to the public without the use of the website.
George Craig suggested the City budget include funds dedicated to sidewalk repair.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENT: Sealer of Weights and Measures
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to re-appoint Fletcher Waldron as Sealer of Weights and Measures for a two-year term to expire December 15, 2017.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to add the following to the agenda.
WPCA – Purchase Sewer Cleaner
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the WPCA Administrator, Fleet Manager and Purchasing Agent to award Bid #CSV-030-111815 for a Sewer Cleaner to Nutmeg International Trucks, Inc. of Torrington, CT, in the amount of $394,885.00.
WPCA Administrator Ray Drew explained the need for the purchase and how this is the best value.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending Litigation
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Pending Litigation, inviting Atty. LaMere, at 6:54 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:16 p.m.
TAX REFUNDS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the refunds indicated on the list dated 1/8/2016. Addendum 1
SEWER TAX REFUNDS
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Councilor voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the refunds indicated on the list dated 1/8/2016. Addendum 2
EMERGENCY MGT. PERFORMANCE GRANT
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 all documents necessary to enter an agreement with the State of CT, Dept. of Emergency Services, for an Emergency Management Performance Grant:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Councilmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and
Homeland Security, any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Elinor Carbone, as Mayor of the City of Torrington, is authorized and directed to
execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Board of Councilmen and to do and perform all acts
and things which she deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department report for the month of December 2015.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cogswell thanked the Mayor for her efforts regarding the Streetlight Master Plan and commended Erin Wilson for her success in obtaining a $200,000 Brownfield Analysis and Planning Grant.
Councilor Ruwet noted that Torrington is one of only 12 communities in the State that had the foresight to purchase all their streetlights years ago. She encouraged the public to be a part of the Streetlight Committee and expressed her concern about State budget cuts to municipal aid.
Councilor Farley pointed out that the City is being put in the position to make some tough and unpopular decisions to try to save money. He said the City is being squeezed financially by the State’s tax-and-spend philosophy.
Councilor Noujaim said that Streetlight Plans need to put safety first, and she hopes financial savings can be found in other ways.
Councilor Waldron said he is a member of the Streetlight Committee, and that LED lighting be the answer.
Mayor Carbone reminded those present that she fought very hard to put money in the budget for sidewalk repairs and was able to put $240,000 in the budget for it – the first time the City has ever budgeted money for sidewalks. She said the City sidewalks were evaluated in their entirety, and the cost projection for complete repair or replacement is $50,000,000. Mayor Carbone explained a 2.5% cap placed on the City and Board of Education budgets by the State, saying any budget increases over 2.5% will cause a reduction in municipal aid from the State.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC, MCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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