City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA August 7, 2023 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 266 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom July 17, 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, July 17, 2023. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Joining via Zoom were Councilors Keri Hoehne, and David Oliver. City Councilor Armand Maniccia was absent. Also present at City Hall were Public Works Director Ray Drew, Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Torrington Housing Authority Executive Director Claudia Sweeney, and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Public Comment: (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, 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. Louis Silva was asking the Council to waive a fee for his commercial property located on Winsted Rd. John Nolke who owns the Howard Building on Main Street was asking for the tree in front of his building to not be removed for six months to see if it can be rehabbed. Jamie Kappa said that with proper maintenance and care the Linden Tree on Main Street wouldn’t have to be removed. Travis Lapinski took a moment to Thank the City for the downtown sidewalks and said that he supports all the downtown business owners. He went on to say that whatever is agreed upon regarding the tree, whether removed or rehabbed, he is in favor of it. Rhona stated that the roots of the tree aren’t bothering anything and that older trees are more beneficial for the environment. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular meeting minutes from June 19, 2023 Torrington Housing Authority Appointment On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and the THA Board of Commissioners and reappoint Dianne Cerruto, as a Commissioner for the Torrington Housing Authority, with a five-year term set to expire on August 31, 2028. 2024 Reappraisal and Revaluation On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Assessor and the Purchasing Agent and authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract agreement for the 2024 Reappraisal and Revaluation of Real Property to eQuality Valuation Services, LLC of Waterbury, CT in the amount of $205,500. Funding will be from the Revaluation account, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated July 10, 2023. Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board – Traffic Department On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board and the Fleet Manager and authorize the Mayor to act on behalf City to award, execute, and administer the additional purchases for F550 Bucket Truck from MHQ of Middletown, CT in the amount of $179,408.90 from the Vehicle Replacement Account, as described in the Purchasing Agent’s letter of July 13, 2023. This purchase is pending the Board of Finance and the Board of Public Safety approval. WPCA Payment Authorizations Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 7/17/2023 1457 Yield Ind. $19,400.00 Manhole replacement and repair Elsie & School Street 7/17/2023 1459 Yield Ind $23,200.00 Manhole Frame and Cover upgrades Main St and Winsted Rd (Rt 800) MINUTES Vol 27, Page 267 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom July 17, 2023 City Streetlight Maintenance Contract On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Director, Facilities Manager, and Purchasing Agent and award the contract for City Streetlight Maintenance to Turri-Masterson, Inc, of Torrington, as further explained in the Director of Public Works’ memo dated July 12, 2023. Councilor Cavagnero abstained from the vote. Councilor Cavagnero asked how much this contract is going to cost the City, Facilities Manager Mr. Sykora explained that there is no annual cost, since switching to LED lights, and the maintenance calls are less. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. National/Regional/State and Local Bids and Contracts On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Director and the Purchasing Agent to utilize National/Regional/State and Local competitive bids for the procurement of goods and services, as listed in the Director of Public Works’ memo dated July 12, 2023. Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of June 2023. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of July 17, 2023. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated July 17, 2023. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated July 17, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, 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 Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Ruwet took a tour of THS and was very impressed with the progress of the new school. She also asked Public Works Director Ray Drew to explain the tree that is slated to be taken down on Main Street. Mr. Drew explained that this tree has been hit by plow trucks, and is causing the sidewalks to buckle. He said that the State DOT is responsible for taking it down, and stated that he will always try to preserve a tree if possible. Councilor Cavagnero asked who was going to be replacing the sidewalks, Mr. Drew told him that the owner put in a grant application to replace the sidewalk along Main Street along with restoring the building. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, 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 Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:14 p.m. ATTEST: CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK