MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
December 5, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, December 5, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Jaime LaMere and City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Anne Ruwet, Paul Cavagnero, Drake Waldron and Daniel Farley. City Councilor Luisa Noujaim was absent. Also present were Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, Acting Superintendent of Streets Ed Nuzenski, Fleet Manager Emil Castro and Board of Education member Armand Maniccia.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION: THS Unified Sports Team
Mayor Carbone announced that Torrington High School received a national award recognizing the school as a Unified Champion Banner School. She awarded Citations expressing the City’s gratitude to the three coaches, and awarded Citations commending their accomplishments to the student athletes and student mentors.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 14, 2016.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the corrected minutes of the Regular Meeting held September 19, 2016.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present to wished to speak.
MAYORAL RE-APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following Mayoral re-appointments:
Stacey Caren, Janet Iffland and Marie Soliani to the Arts & Culture Commission for a 4-year term to expire Dec. 31, 2020.
Fran DuCotey, to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a 5-year term to expire December 1, 2021.
Kathleen Perrotti, to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 5-year term to expire December 1, 2021.
Richard Calkins to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a 5-year term to expire December 1, 2021.
Jon A. Sheaffer, Jr. to the Planning & Zoning Commission, as an Alternate for a 5-year term to expire Dec. 1, 2021.
AMEND AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to amend the agenda by addressing items 8, 9 and 10 immediately.
PURCHASE MOWER CUTTING HEAD FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent, Fleet Manager and Acting Street Supt. to authorize the Mayor to execute, administer and award a Tiger brand Flail Cutting Head contract to H. P. Fairfield, LLC of Columbia, CT for $12,765.00. Councilor Ruwet noted that this purchase was thoroughly vetted by the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board. Mr. Castro pointed out that about $130,000 was saved by not replacing the entire mower and the cutting head was originally estimated to cost $20,000.
RENT LOADER FOR STREET DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and Acting Street Supt. to authorize the Mayor to execute, administer and award a Loader rental contract to Tyler Equipment Corp. of Berlin, CT for $10,368 with an overage fee of $41 per hour over the allotted 80 hours and additional $3276 monthly fee.
PURCHASE STREET SWEEPER
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent, Fleet Manager and Acting Street Supt. to authorize the Mayor to execute, administer and award a Street Sweeper contract to CN Wood of CT, LLC of North Haven, CT for $206,990.00. Mr. Castro added that the trade-in option was rejected, as a greater profit could be found through the Public Surplus website. Mr. Farley asked if it would be less expensive to delay the purchase to the beginning of the new year, and Mr. Castro said he couldn’t speculate. Mr. Nuzenski explained the benefits of this model and the advantages of purchasing at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 6:57 p.m., on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Pending Litigation for the City of Torrington v. RKX, LLC, LLI-CV-15-6012550-S pending in Litchfield Superior Court, and for a discussion of strategy and negotiations with legal counsel (Reference CGS §1-200 (6) b). The Council invited Atty. LaMere into the session.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:06 p.m.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
WITHDRAW LITIGATION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel and withdraw the pending litigation.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STIPEND AWARDS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee and approve Community Development Stipend Awards as presented. Councilor Waldron explained that this program provides an opportunity for non-profit agencies to apply for funds. He said that over $21,000 was requested, and the funds were divided up in a way that was fair.
Recommended Awards
Proposed Organizations to be Funded Proposed Award Amt. Purpose of Funds
Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau $500 Begin a Parents Program in Spanish
Community Soup Kitchen $640 Mailing/postage costs of annual appeal letter
Torrington Women’s Club $450 Purchase clothing/personal items for homeless youth
Five Points Gallery $1000 Fireproof solvent containers for artist incubator spaces
EdAdvance – TECC $ 750 Passport to Summer Learning costs
Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center $ 900 Provide car seats to low income parents
Friendly Hands Food Bank $1130 Operational Support
Susan B. Anthony Project $1130 Provide direct safety/prevent. svcs. to address domestic/sexual violence
Warner Theatre $2500 Install exterior LED lights in rear parking area
KidsPlay Childrens Museum $1000 Purchase consumable supplies, prompts, and materials for Winter
Total: $10,000
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-2Ab East Sewer Basin Rehabilitation Project.
DATE CONTRACTOR INVOICE# AMOUNT$ DESCRIPTION
10/12/16 Weston & Sampson 462141 $10,000.00 East Basin Sewer CA Services
11/9/16 Weston & Sampson 463118 $10,000.00 East Basin Sewer CA Services
10/21/16 Walter Combes Pay Req #1 $ 5,337.50 East Basin Sewer Inspection Services
SMALL CITIES GRANT PROGRAM
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $113.43 from Fund #272 for Invoice #15-SC-40 dated 11/21/16 from the Republican American for an invitation to bid ad.
TAX COLLECTOR TAX REFUNDS
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 total of 16 refunds indicated on the lists dated Nov. 21 and Nov. 30, 2016.
TAX COLLECTOR SEWER USAGE FEE REFUNDS
Herein acting 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 2 sewer usage fee refunds indicated on the list dated November 30, 2016.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for October 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. 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 requested an update by the Mayor on the City’s efforts to investigate the conversion of the proposed additional senior living project at Torringford West Street Apartments to market rate and affordable housing-rate units.
Councilor Ruwet lamented the recent death of former State Representative Betty Boukus, who served the State of Connecticut for 22 years with grace and dignity. Councilor Ruwet said that as Co-Chair of the Bonding Commission, Betty should be remembered for accomplishing the Litchfield Courthouse’s move to Torrington.
Councilor Farley listed the events he attended including the Veterans Day Observance, Light Up Main Street, the North End Merchants’ Assn. Tree Lighting Ceremony, the re-opening of Hatfield Jewelers and the opening of Ocean State Job Lot store which, he said, was already contributing to the community both with the amount of people drawn there and with their $500 donation to Friendly Hands Food Bank.
Councilor Waldron noted that the Christmas Village Parade will take place soon.
Mayor Carbone also attended the events that Councilor Farley listed, and added that Santa will arrive at the Armory by helicopter at 12:25 p.m. on December 11th for the start of the Christmas Village parade. She announced the City’s new application for another Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program and an upcoming Pearl Harbor Day Observance. Mayor Carbone also announced the Police Department’s new initiative and pilot program. She said the Community Policing office will move to Coe Park Civic Center to become more easily accessible and visible, and to build on the tremendous good will that has been built over the past seven years.
Councilor Cavagnero commended the Community Policing office move, saying it’s a smart idea, and that he hopes it will inspire other Department Heads to come up with similarly productive and efficient ideas.
OPEN TO PUBLIC: AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, 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 Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:22 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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