Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
Minutes 10/15/2010
Torrington Blue Ribbon Commission
Minutes of Meeting
Friday, October 15, 2010
Torrington City Hall, 7 AM Office of the Mayor

Members Present: Mike Clark, Ken Traub, Elinor Carbone, Stephen Todd, Lorel Purcell, and Mayor Ryan Bingham. Also present:  Stephen Nocera, Superintendent of Schools Chris Leone, and Danielle Batchelder,

  • Motion to open the meeting at 7:00 AM by Mayor Bingham seconded by Ms. Carbone, and unanimously approved by the commission.
  • Minutes of the Meeting of 10.01.10 were approved on a motion by Mr. Todd, seconded by Ms. Carbone, and unanimously approved by the commission.        
  • Update regarding the review of City/BOE Contractual Services. Ms. Carbone stated that the task group was in the process of scheduling a meeting with Mr. Gritt and Ms. Batchelder to review a prioritized listing of all departments concerned. Mr. Nocera will be involved in that prioritization. Ms. Carbone suggested that all contracts currently under review for renewal should be renewed for a period not to exceed one year.  The Mayor, Mr. Clark and Mr. Leone and Ms. Batchelder expressed agreement with that recommendation.
  • Update on updating of procedures and restructuring of the Elections Office.  Mr. Clark stated that the recommendation for reducing the number of polling places remains as previously presented; physical relocation of the Registrars office remains as previously presented and personnel impacts are under review by the Personnel Director and will be presented to the BRC when finalized.
  • Status of analysis regarding the consolidation of BOE offices at City Hall.  Mr. Traub stated that there were no changes in departments/personnel being relocated to TCH since the previous BRC meeting. Mr. Clark asked what plans were under review for the disposition of the vacated BOE building. Mayor Bingham stated that he had contacted Economic Development and Zoning officials to get them involved in marketing and or review other alternatives concerning the building. Mr. Clark stated that he had obtained a City Assessor’s survey of the property and suggested that one of the avenues to be explored would be sale of the site at land value to a qualified buyer with an approved use for the renovated or demolished and rebuilt site. The land value on the site is $65,000.00. Ms. Purcell asked if BOE had obtained an estimate of the cost to demolish the structure. Hearing that they had not; she agreed to compile an approximate cost for analysis. Mr. Clark asked that more emphasis be placed on a realtors’ tour of the facility to determine feasibility for sale/demo/renovation, Mayor Bingham agreed to schedule same. Mr. Clark asked the status on compiling costs for the physical move of materials/furnishings and communications equipment to TCH. Mr. Traub stated that BOE custodial staff would handle the move from Migeon Avenue to City Hall, and that he needed to know an exact desk count for the move to TCH and all other relocation sites before being able to provide an estimate relocation expense. Mr. Leone reminded the commission that there was a large amount of furniture in storage at Migeon Avenue that would also have to be dealt with. Mr. Clark asked for the number of phone lines required to support BOE personnel to TCH; Ms. Batchelder said that 22 lines would be needed.
  • Ms. Purcell stated that there had been no additional analysis regarding the potential creation of a “one stop” permitting office since the last commission meeting. Mr. Clark stated that Mr. Nocera had information relative to that task and requested a meeting of the three; Mr. Nocera scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, October 19th.
  • Mr. Todd discussed a preliminary overview of the City and BOE Health Benefits program and stated that he thought there might be an opportunity to incorporate some private sector cost savings measures into the City plans. More specific ideas are to be presented in a future meeting.
  • Mr. Clark stated that he had begun analysis of the cost and utilization of 13 City Hall vehicles using statistics provided in the Vehicle Statistics Summary Report dated 10.06.10 and vehicle acquisition costs provided by the Purchasing Agent. He stated that some data provided required clarification and validation although it appears that City Hall vehicle acquisition cost, plus maintenance, operating and insurance expenses are high when compared to actual vehicle mileage per year. A follow-up report will be presented at the next BRC meeting.
  • There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 8:25 AM by Mayor Bingham seconded by Mr. Clark and approved by the commission.