MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
October 3, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, October 3, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Gregg Cogswell, Anne Ruwet, Drake Waldron, Luisa Noujaim and Daniel Farley. Also present were Labor Counsel Victor Muschell, Director of Elderly Services Joel Sekorski and LHNW Elderly Nutrition Program Supervisor Sherry Cote.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
THS SUMMER INTERNS
Mayor Carbone acknowledged the following Torrington High School students who served as Summer Interns:
Emma Andreghetti – Senior Center, Nutrition Office
Alexia Fox – Mayor’s Office
Natalie Rose Garrison – Recreation Office
Favian Moja – Information Technology
Hannah Thompson –Senior Center Office
Natalie Vargas – Fire Department
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held September 19, 2016. Councilor Noujaim 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.
Marie Soliani expressed her opposition to any proposed plan to have Woodridge Lake Sewer lines connect to Goshen Road. She said if that were approved by Council, then it should come down Highland Avenue and Woodridge Lake residents should bear 100% of the cost. Mrs. Soliani also noted that any surplus municipal funds should be spent on sidewalks and streets.
LOCALS 1579 AND 2212 PENSION AGREEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Noujaim, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the pension agreement between the City of Torrington and the City Hall and Public Works AFSCME Union Locals 2212 and the Board of Education Custodians AFSCME Union Local 1579, effective August 30, 2016 through August 29, 2026. Atty. Muschell explained that this agreement is a significant milestone in negotiations as it provides for the elimination of retiree medical benefits for the newly hired. He noted that the unions do recognize the city’s obligations, and realize that eliminating this obligation may bode well for them in the future.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Alternate Tony Turina as a Regular Member of the Board of Ethics for the remainder of a 3-year term to expire September 1, 2017.
SENIOR CENTER CONTRACTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the Chore Service Contract with the WCAAA. The Contract is for Two Years beginning October 1, 2016 and Ending September 30, 2018. $36,783 (UOS 2232 @ $16.48)
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the Transportation Contract with the WCAAA. The Contract is for Two Years beginning October 1, 2016 and Ending September 30, 2018. $31,500 (UOS 4200 @ $7.50)
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the Transportation Grant 5310 with the State DOT. The Contract is for purchase of a new Van, Grant Cycle beginning January 1, 2016 and Ending December 31, 2017. The City of Torrington would be responsible for 20% of the final purchase price of the vehicle ordered. (100% approximately $49,500 to be determined at procurement) The Funds for a 20% match have already been secured through donations.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the Nutrition Department Contracts to be the Elderly Nutrition Program Provider for the Litchfield Hills Area with the WCAAA. The Contract contains and utilizes Lindley Food Service of New Haven as its sub contracted Caterer. Caterer selection was done by RFQ during state open bid RFP and will serve Meals on Wheels in 18 Towns and Congregate Senior Lunch in 10 Towns. The contract runs Three Years beginning October 1, 2016 and ending September 30, 2019.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING – Tax Abatement Volunteer Firefighters
On an amended motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded as amended by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee and schedule a Public Hearing on October 17, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. to consider amending Ordinance 187-23(b) regarding tax abatement for volunteer firefighters.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the to approve Projects #143-427 and #143-411. Councilor Waldron noted that both projects are for heating, and have enough equity to avoid risk to the City.
TAX COLLECTOR 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 19 refunds indicated on the list dated October 3, 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 three sewer usage fee refunds indicated on the list dated October 3, 2016.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Sekorski listed many recent events and noted that it’s great to have the support of the Council, Mayor’s Office and all the other City Departments.
City Clerk Joe Quartiero reported on overseas ballots sent out and the expected delivery of absentee ballots for the upcoming Election.
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.
Councilor Cavagnero asked that the riverfront mural artists be recognized.
Councilor Ruwet commended the Police and Fire Departments for their emergency response team.
Councilor Farley said his hat is off to the Senior Center for their fine work, and said the Coe Park cupola looks really nice.
Councilor Noujaim said it is nice to see the new Cumberland Farms.
Mayor Carbone announced that the riverfront mural will be dedicated on Friday evening, October 7. She said the surplus funds will be governed by a Fund Balance Policy adopted last spring, which calls for seven to 10 percent of our annual operating budget. Mayor Carbone noted that this is a sound fiscal strategy for any municipality.
OPEN TO PUBLIC: AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to discuss agenda items only. There was no one present who wished to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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