MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
August 15, 2016
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, August 15, 2016, to solicit citizen input on a proposed ordinance regarding the retention of excess tax payments less than five dollars.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Daniel Farley and Anne Ruwet. City Councilor Luisa Noujaim was absent. Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Brett Simmons, and Tax Collector Launa Goslee were also present.
Mayor Carbone opened the Public Hearing at 6:35 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the Legal Notice.
Ms. Goslee explained that it is costly to the City to refund small amounts and noted that since June 1, 2015, approximately $260 is due to 425 taxpayers who have a refund amount less than $5.00. She said this is not about who is going to retain the funds, which are currently held by the City, not the Tax Collector. She said the new ordinance will keep the City from having to refund pennies or spend excess money where it’s not necessary.
There was no one present who wished to speak.
Mayor Carbone closed the Public Hearing at 6:42 p.m.
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
August 15, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, August 15, 2016. Mayor Carbone opened the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
ORDINANCE: Retention of Excess Tax Payments Less than $5.00
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt the following City Ordinance §187-34:
ARTICLE XI. EXCESS TAX PAYMENTS LESS THAN FIVE DOLLARS
§ 187-34. Retention of Excess Payments Less Than Five Dollars.
In accordance with Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Tax Collector
is authorized to retain payments in excess of the amount due provided the amount of the
excess payment is less than five dollars ($5). Such excess payments shall be transferred to
the City of Torrington with a detailed listing of names and/or account numbers.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held August 1, 2016. Councilor Ruwet abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Sharon Waagner expressed her support of Public Act #16-191, the Alvord Park Timber Project and the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING: Veterans’ Taxation
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6th to solicit citizen input on a proposed ordinance regarding Veterans’ taxation, as recommended by the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Cogswell, Ordinance Committee Chairman, explained that the committee will look for answers to some questions before the public hearing occurs, including whether this needs to be on our books by October 1st, who determines approved conflict periods, if this applies to the National Guard, and how many Veterans would be affected.
ALVORD PARK TIMBER PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to enter into contract negotiations with the City’s current Forester of Record to oversee a timber harvest project at Alvord Park, per the recommendations of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, the Certified Zoning and Inland Wetlands Officer and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mayor Carbone explained the Disc Golf plans. Mr. Simmons noted that the timber harvest will also help the overall health of the forest and will generate income, which he would like to earmark for future Alvord Park improvements.
SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s and Fire Chief’s recommendation to award the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Bid to Firematic Supply Co., Inc. of Rocky Hill, CT, for the lease/purchase of MSA equipment in the amount of $361,380.68 over a seven-year-period, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on July 26, 2016 and pending Board of Finance approval. Chief Brunoli explained that the $119,387.71 is available in account 103K, and he will set aside $50,000 per year to allow the purchase of, or substantial down payment for, future apparatus. He said this is the most important piece of equipment a firefighter has, and commended Deputy Chief Pepler and Fire Department members who spent nine months evaluating
apparatus to make the best choice.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept. Report for July 2016.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to approve payment from Fund #272 for the following invoices:
Vendor Requisition # Invoice Date Amount Description
Republican American 15-SC-27 8/1/2016 $232.00 Invitation to Bid Ads
Boston Lead Co. LLC 15-SC-26 7/22/2016 $900.00 Inspection for Abatement or Remediation
TAX COLLECTOR TAX REFUNDS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the 42 refunds indicated on the list dated August 15, 2016.
TAX COLLECTOR SEWER USAGE FEE REFUNDS
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the six sewer usage fee refunds indicated on the list dated August 15, 2016.
BUSINESS: Dept. Heads
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, 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 Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cavagnero commended the Mayor on bringing the new Disc Golf project to Alvord Park, saying it is forward-looking and fun.
Councilor Farley praised the success of the Neighborhood Watch program.
Mayor Carbone expressed her gratitude to the Community Policing Officers for the fine job they do.
OPEN TO PUBLIC: Agenda Items Only
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to discuss agenda items only.
Len Dube said he and his fellow Veterans were available before the meeting, and may have been able to answer questions on PA #16-191.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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