City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA MINUTES January 17, 2023 Vol 27, Page 179 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 3, 2023 A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council and Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) of the City of Torrington was held at the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Present at the City Hall auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Victor Muschell, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Keri Hoehne, Armand Maniccia, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present at City Hall were Public Works Director Ray Drew, and Facilities Director Jamie Sykora. Councilor David Oliver joined via Zoom. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment: (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public, in accordance with Section 4(e) of the City Council & WPCA Meeting Rules of Procedure. No one from the public wished to speak. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted to accept the Regular meeting minutes from December 19, 2022. Councilor Ruwet abstained. Councilor Cavagnero arrived at 6:35 p.m. Presentation - NRES – SAM Solar Program On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Waldron the Council voted unanimously to hear a presentation on the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Auction Program and State, Agricultural, and Municipal Offtake Agreements (NRES – SAM) Solar Program by Michaud Law Group. Attorney Paul Michaud and Director of Business Development Robert Ives presented the grant program in detail, highlighting the fact that this program is at no cost to the City and could potentially earn millions over 20 years in energy grant payments. The purpose of this program is to shift the dependency on “dirty fossil fuel power” to carbon-free renewable energy, which includes solar. The reasoning behind this program is that the Governor signed An Act Concerning Climate Mitigation on May 17, 2022, which requires a zero-carbon grid by 2040. The Council Members asked questions regarding how the program works, and where the solar fields would be located. Atty. Michaud and Mr. Ives were able to answer all of the questions and assure them that the solar field would not be located in the City. NRES – SAM Solar Program Agreement On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted 4/2 with Councilors Cavagnero and Oliver opposed, to accept the recommendation of the Facilities Manager and Public Works Director to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to sign the NRES – SAM Solar Program Service Agreement based on the Proposal and Presentation by Michaud Law Group. Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora further explained to the Council that this program is not to purchase or install any solar fields in the City. He said that this is a way for the City to earn free money by signing up, and if the City isn’t matched with a solar field, then they would be able to back out of the contract. Mr. Sykora fielded questions from the Council and was able to answer and explain the program so they would understand better. Torrington Area Health District Reappointment On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Jessica Magda and Jessica Wright as regular members of the Torrington Area Health District (TAHD) for a three-year term set to expire on January 10, 2025. On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Tim Waldron as a regular member of the TAHD for a three-year term set to expire on January 10, 2026. Small Cities - Project #143-SC18-10 Rehab On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to authorize project approval to VillWell Builders, LLC of Waterbury, CT, for $25,500 for lead paint mitigation, electrical updates, new entry doors, replacement of the heating system, and plumbing repairs at 230 Aetna Ave. Councilor Waldron explained to the Council that the Small Cities Committee had met previously and approved this project. He said that this is the second phase of the project and the first phase and the only current lien on the property is the roof that was done for $9,600. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 180 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 3, 2023 Cable TV Advisory Council On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Francis Baba to the Cable Television Advisory Council to serve as a representative for Torrington for the term of 2 years, set to expire on July 1, 2024. Councilor Cavagnero asked if Francis would be helping with the AV upgrade to the City Hall Auditorium and when that project was going to take place. Public Works Director Ray Drew explained that the project had gone out to bid, was approved, and now just waiting for all the equipment to come in. He said the estimated start date is Martin Luther King Day. Mayor Carbone explained that Francis would be a Torrington representative working with local Cable TV Companies. Inland Wetlands Commission Appointment On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Adrienne Barbe (D) and Joe Paganini (R) as regular members of the Inland Wetlands Commission for the remainder of a term that is set to expire on September 5, 2025. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of January 3, 2023. Tax Collector 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 tax refunds indicated on the list dated January 3, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by department heads. There was no business to be discussed. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor and Members. Councilor Ruwet wanted to acknowledge the passing of Anna McGuire who was a good public advocate. Also wished everyone a Happy New Year. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to comment on agenda items only. No one from the public wished to speak. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK