City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA MINUTES April 17, 2023 Vol 27, Page 213 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 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 Monday, April 3, 2023. Present at the City Hall auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Victor Muschell, City Councilors Armand Maniccia, Drake Waldron, Keri Hoehne, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present at City Hall were Treasurer Dan Farley and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey. Joining via Zoom were City Engineer Paul Kundzins, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Director of Services for the Elderly, Joel Sekorski, and Supervisor of the Litchfield Hills Northwest Elderly Nutrition Program Christine Trudeau-Brown. Councilor David Oliver was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment: (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, 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 Cavagnero, the Council voted to accept the Public Hearing Minutes from March 21, 2023. Councilor Ruwet abstained. On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from March 21, 2023. Councilor Ruwet abstained. WPCA Payment Authorizations On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 4/3/2023 #0000227167 Wright-Pierce Engineers $2,518.73 meter data review/Report Toro Siphon 4/3/2023 #0000226899 Wright-Pierce Engineers $5,230.42 Brightwood Sewer replacement project Zoning Board of Appeals Appointment On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Carrie Vibert (D) as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, filling the remainder of a term set to expire on December 2, 2025. Sealer of Weights and Measures On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Ashley Clement as the Sealer of Weights and Measures to fill a vacancy, with a two-year term set to expire on December 15, 2023. WPCA – 6” Tractor Camera System On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve a request of the WPCA Administrator to purchase a 6” Tractor Camera System from Bahr Sales Inc of Wallingford, CT in the amount of $18,032. Funding for this purchase will be from the WPCA Capital Budget, as further explained in the WPCA Administrator’s memo dated April 3, 2023. Councilor Maniccia asked if the camera was to be able to look for blockages, and Mr. Tousey said it was. State of Connecticut ARPA Funds – Services for the Elderly Department On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the ARPA Beneficiary Agreements for the State of Connecticut ARPA funding allocated to the Services for the Elderly Department, as further explained in the Director of Elderly Services letter dated March 29, 2023. The funds are as follows: 1. Nutrition Department $197,121. 2. The Sullivan Senior Center Direct Allocation of $100,000. 3. Torrington Senior Center State Allocation for $91,433. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 214 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 3, 2023 Replacement of Various Curbs and Sidewalks – Project 2023.4.1 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council, on the recommendation of the City Engineer and the Purchasing Agent, voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer a contract agreement for the Replacement of Various Curbs and Sidewalks Project 2023.4.1 to Martin Laviero Contractor Inc. of Bristol, CT in the amount of $1,523,220.50 allowing $76,160 for contingencies. This project is funded by the Pavement Management Program Bond Fund, as further explained in the City Engineers memo dated April 3, 2023. Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report from February 2023. 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 April 3, 2023. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated April 3, 2023. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated April 3, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. City Clerk Carol Anderson shared with the Council how she helped an Italian group called Aircrash PO, find the family of an Army Airman, Louis Kocsis, who was shot down in Italy in World War II. On April 25, 2023, the Aircrash PO is planning a ceremony at the site of the plane crash with the installation of a stone marker with those that passed in the crash. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Cavagnero wanted to Thank the Council for the quick meeting, he also said to read about the new Fair Rent Commission Ordinance that is going to be coming out. Councilor Ruwet spoke to the Council about the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting held before Council’s meeting, she told them that they are working on a minimum Fair Rent Commission Ordinance to present to the Council and the Public for their feedback. Councilor Hoehne and Councilor Waldron took a moment to Thank the Boy Scouts for joining the meeting. Mayor Carbone told Council that CT Main St will be showcasing downtown Torrington with an event held on April 27, 2023. 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 to comment on agenda items only. No one from the public wished to speak. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK