MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
May 16, 2016
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & Water Pollution Control Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, May 16, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Daniel Farley, Luisa Noujaim and Drake Waldron.
Mayor Carbone called the public hearing to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
WPCA Administrator Ray Drew noted that his operations budget proposal is about $600 less than last year. He said there would be an estimated deficit of $192,000 if the sewer user fee is not increased, and he reviewed both his budget proposal and fee recommendation. Mr. Drew said the average rate across the state is $469 in 2016, whereas Torrington is currently at $212.
There was no one from the public who wished to speak.
Mayor Carbone closed the public hearing at 6:39 p.m.
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY, BOARD OF FINANCE, BOARD OF EDUCATION
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority, the Board of Finance, and the Board of Education in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, May 16, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Daniel Farley, Luisa Noujaim and Drake Waldron; Board of Finance members Christopher Diorio, Laurene Pesce, Mark Bushka, Christopher Anderson and Joshua Ferreira; and Board of Education Members Jessica Richardson, Fiona Cappabianca, Ellen Hoehne, William Knight, James Lamoin, Daniel Thibault, Armand Maniccia, Peter Vergaro and Kenneth Traub. Board of Education Interim Superintendent Lynda Reitman and Business Manager Jerry Domanico were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m., noting that the Board of Finance is not prepared to discuss or set a mill rate due to limited revenue information from the State. She cautioned the Boards that City taxpayers simply cannot absorb another tax increase.
Board Of Education Budget
Ms. Cappabianca noted the $1,112,321 reduction from the Technology line item, leaving the net Capital budget proposal at $1,447,498 including an anticipated grant revenue of $460,000 for ADA compliance work at the High School.
Mayor Carbone clarified that the Board of Education is requesting $75,952,484 for FY 16/17 with $74,044,986 for operating and $1,900,000 capital.
The boards continued discussing the cuts made to date and the future of the Pre-K program.
Mr. Domanico reviewed revenue information and Ms. Cappabianca listed the measures needed to create a zero increase budget.
Councilor Cavagnero noted that social services should have its own budget, rather than be provided for in an education budget.
Councilor Ruwet urged the Board of Education to combine services with the City.
Councilor Noujaim added that it is time to do things differently.
Mrs. Reitman said that if the Board had the luxury of time to plan for redistricting and creating in-house programs, they would save the City and District money.
The Boards reviewed the options for school closure and how re-districting would be accomplished.
Mrs. Pesce urged the Board of Education to establish long-range planning to re-district since there are less students.
CGS Sec. 10-222
Mayor Carbone noted that due to a change in the statute, she would like to see the Board of Education budget brought to the Board of Finance one month earlier, for a total of two months preceding the annual meeting at which appropriations are to be made. She said this statute is very clear that contingency funds for educational purposes are not allowed and urged the Board of Education to make their best efforts for budgeting and be as planful as they can to control expenses.
OPEB Board Rep.
Mayor Carbone requested the Board of Education appoint a new OPEB representative to fill a vacancy before the next meeting in November.
Adjournment
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, May 16, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Daniel Farley, Luisa Noujaim and Drake Waldron.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 8:27 p.m.
SEWER USE FEE
Councilor Waldron made a motion, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, to consider the FY16/17 Sewer User Fee. With a roll call vote, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the WPCA Administrator and set the sewer use fee for the year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 as follows:
For Residential Users $224.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $224.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
WPCA BUDGET
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Budget for the year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017.
WPCA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET/PROGRAM
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget/Program for the year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2021.
WPCA MISC. FEE SCHEDULE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Miscellaneous Fee Schedule for the year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017.
MINUTES – MAY 2, 2016
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearings regarding the E. Basin Sewer Upgrade and the Torrington Landfill Solar Array. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing regarding the City Budget. Councilor Cogswell 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.
Tara Battistoni urged the Council to keep the Board of Education Budget as it is, to avoid further cuts and to avoid closing Southwest School.
Gary Eucalitto noted that the State Legislature needs to step up, and spoke in favor of consolidation of services. He said a zero-increase budget is not enough if we want to keep Torrington competitive.
TORRINGTON TITANS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign a lease agreement with the Torrington Baseball Group, LLC (Torrington Titans) for the use of Fuessenich Park.
FIRE DEPT. OIL TANK REMOVAL
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Fire Chief and Purchasing Agent to award the Oil Tank Removal at Fire Headquarters to Cisco LLC of New Haven, CT, in the amount of $9,995.00 as described in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated April 28, 2016, having been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety on May 4, 2016.
POLICE DEPT. MOBILE DATA TERMINALS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the IT Director and Purchasing Agent to award the purchase of five Mobile Data Terminals to Upstate Wholesale Supply/Brite Computers for $18,420 and to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City in its regard.
GENERAL PLUMBING & RELATED REPAIRS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent to extend Plumbing Service Agreement PST-14-091213 with West State Mechanical, Inc. of Torrington for FY16/17 with the same rates, terms and conditions.
FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES
Pending Board of Finance Approval, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Financial Audit Services contract to PKF O’Connor Davies LLP of Wethersfield, CT for the next three fiscal years for the contracted amounts of $62,000, $62,000 and $63,500.
POOL HOUSE FLOOR RESURFACING
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Purchasing Agent and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation to award the Pool House Floor Resurfacing project at William L. Besse Municipal Pool in the amount of $17,300 to Scholar Painting and Restoration, LLC. of Seymour, CT.
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 45 refunds indicated on the list dated May 10, 2016.
WPCA - SEWER TAX REFUNDS
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the 21 sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated April 20, 2016.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee and approve projects 143-406, 143-414 and 143-421.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Mayor, Treasurer and Small Cities Committee and approve the Community Development Stipend Program awards as presented.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from Fund #272:
Vendor Invoice # Date Amount Description
City of Torrington 15-SC-12 4/25/2016 $ 75.00 Title Search
Republican American 15-SC-13 4/25/2016 $150.80 Invitation to Bid Ad
CITY BUDGETS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Coe Memorial Trust budget for FY16/17.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Public Works Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget/Program for FYE 2017, revised 3-28-16.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to issue final approval of the City Budget of $53,489,981 for the fiscal period of July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, with additional reductions listed by the Mayor, and advance it to the Board of Finance. Mayor Carbone noted that it is a .31% increase from last year.
SENIOR CENTER BATHROOM ALTERATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Elderly Services Director and the Purchasing Agent to authorize the Mayor to award the Sullivan Senior Center Bathroom Alterations in Building B to Leake Builders LLC of Oxford, CT for $29,288 with $3,760 for Alt. 1 and $10,115 for Alt. 2, and to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the city in its regard.
TAX DEFERRAL: 1058 LITCHFIELD ST.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to approve and authorize the Mayor to enter into a Fixed Tax Assessment Agreement between the City of Torrington and Keystone Place at Newbury Brook LLC, consistent with both CT General Statute 12-65b (as amended) and Torrington’s current Tax Incentive Policy.
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. ~~~
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
TABLED: EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to Table an Executive Session under pending litigation.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:21 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK |
Carol L. Anderson CMC Asst. City Clerk
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