City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA MINUTES November 20, 2023 Vol 27, Page 290 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 13, 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, November 13, 2023. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Keri Hoehne, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present at City Hall were Facilities Director Jamie Sykora, Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Treasurer Dan Farley, and Board of Education Building Committee Co-Chairs Ed Arum and Mario Longobucco. Joining via Zoom were Councilor Armand Maniccia, and Public Works Director Ray Drew. Councilor David Oliver was absent. 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 Hoehne, 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. No one from the public wished to speak. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 16, 2023. Land Use Appointments and Reappointments On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to approve all the following Land Use appointments and reappointments: Action Name Party Board or Commission Member Type Term Expiration Appoint Steven Thompson R Inland Wetlands Commission Regular 9/4/2026 Appoint Steven Thompson R Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate 12/2/2023 Reappoint Steven Thompson R Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate 12/1/2028 Appoint George Craig D Conservation Commission Alternate 9/4/2026 Reappoint Greg Mele U Flood & Erosion Control Board Regular 2/1/2025 Reappoint Greg Perosino R Flood & Erosion Control Board Regular 2/1/2025 Reappoint Donna Greco R Flood & Erosion Control Board Regular 2/1/2025 Reappoint James Bobinski U Flood & Erosion Control Board Regular 2/1/2025 Reappoint Donovan Riley D Flood & Erosion Control Board Regular 2/1/2025 Reappoint Diane Carroll U Flood & Erosion Control Board Alternate 2/1/2025 Reappoint Tom Telman R Flood & Erosion Control Board Alternate 2/1/2025 Reappoint Starley Arias U Flood & Erosion Control Board Alternate 2/1/2025 Reappoint Greg Perosino R Planning & Zoning Commission Regular 11/30/2028 Resolution #143-245 – Torrington Public Schools Fitness Complex On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted 3/2 with Councilors Ruwet and Cavagnero being opposed to adopting Resolution #143-245 to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City and reapply for a Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF2030) Grant for $5,661,184 to complete the construction of the Torrington Public Schools Fitness Complex at the THS/TMS/Central Office building being constructed at 50 Major Besse Drive as further described in the attached application. Councilor Ruwet asked what happened with the first application since this was a reapplication, Mr. Arum told her that the first round of requests had gone to some bigger towns like Waterbury, and the City had to add some contingencies to the application. Councilor Ruwet asked how much more this application was than the original one, Mr. Arum told her it was $1.5 million more, and they added more lights to the fields, and energy-efficient scoreboards. Councilor Ruwet added that with turf fields there are more injuries to athletes. Councilor Cavagnero said he appreciates the hard work that has been put into building the new school. He also stated that with turf fields there is a higher instance of knee and ankle damage. He went on to say that the new school is already being built with State funds, and they should have asked for more than the additional $20 million if they wanted to upgrade the fields. Mr. Longobucco said that there are fewer head injuries on turf, and it is easier to maintain. He also said that these expenses have nothing to do with the construction of the school. Councilor Hoehne said that they wouldn’t recommend turf fields if they weren't safe to put in. She also said that the State wouldn’t reimburse the City for the expense of the fields. She explained further that this is an opportunity to bring more people in the community together. See addendum. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 291 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 13, 2023 ARPA – Blight Committee Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Blight Committee Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee and Torrington Area Health District to award the following grants (Up to and not exceeding $8,000) from the Lead Abatement Grant Funds established with ARPA funds to aid in the lead abatement of the properties itemized below, and as further explained in the memo from Blight Enforcement Officer dated November 9, 2023. Councilor Ruwet asked if these funds are slated just for the evaluation, then who is responsible for the lead paint abatement, Mayor Carbone told her that CCMC has a grant program for lead paint abatement, however, it won’t cover the assessment fees. DATE PROJECT AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 31-33 Brightwood Surface-by-surface investigation to determine the 11/1/2023 $8,000 Ave presence of lead-based paint 11/1/2023 57-59 Turner Avenue $8,000 Surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint 11/1/2023 113 E. Elm Street $8,000 Surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint 11/1/2023 84 Jackson Street $8,000 Surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint WPCA - Installment Plan Request On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to enter into a 5-year Installment Plan Agreement with Russell’s Speeders Car Wash of CT LLC C/O Summit Wash Holding to pay the Capacity Reserve Fee of $48,930 due WPCA. With a 5% interest rate, the monthly payments will be $738.70 after a 20% down payment of $9,786. The Assessor’s Records identifies the property as 163 South Main Street, property Owner Russell’s Speeders Car Wash of CT LLC. C/O Summit Wash Holding, M/B/L: 116/021/010. Councilor Maniccia asked if this was common practice for a business to do, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey explained that for anything over a certain amount the business can ask for an installment loan. Councilor Hoehne asked what would happen in the 5 years if the business didn’t stay open, Mr. Tousey said that the lien would be on the property and the business would owe. WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the following payment from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 11/01/2023 1525 Yield Ind. $9,375 Summer Street Sewer Repair Supercab Compact Pickup – Fire Department On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award, execute, and administer the purchase contract of a 2024 Ford Maverick, or equivalent from Litchfield Ford of Litchfield, CT in the amount of $34,160, funded by the Vehicle Replacement Account, having been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety, as explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter of October 26, 2023. Police & Fire Department Radio Purchase On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor, Chief Baldwin, and Chief Borden to utilize State Contract #19PSX0088 with Marcus Communications and Northeastern Communications (a/k/a NorcomCT) for the acquisition of radio equipment for integration with the Connecticut Telecommunications System CLMRN (Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network) as itemized on the attached quotes. This has been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety. Funding is to be provided from the ARPA funds that the City Council previously approved. Councilor Cavagnero asked if these funds were the $3 million approved earlier this year, and what happens if they don’t use all the funds, Mayor Carbone told him that this was the $3 million that was approved. She went on to say that any funds not used will be reappropriated for some other use. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 292 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 13, 2023 Asbestos Tile Abatement – Public Works Garage On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract agreement for Asbestos Tile Abatement to New England Yankee Construction of West Haven, CT in the amount of $17,800. The funding of this project is through Capital Reserve Public Works and is further explained in the Purchasing Agents letter dated November 9, 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 October 2023. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Interim Corporation Counsel’s memo of November 13, 2023. Tax Collector 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 tax refunds indicated on the list dated November 13, 2023. Sewer Usage 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 sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated November 13, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Deputy Fire Chief Tripp gave the Council an update on the AFG Grant. Treasurer Dan Farley gave the Council an update on the City’s credit rating after the Audit. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Hoehne, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Cavagnero congratulated the winners of the past election. Councilor Ruwet welcomed Molly Spino and Stephen Ivain to the Council. She also said it was a pleasure working with Councilors Hoehne and Maniccia. Councilor Hoehne congratulated Molly Spino and Stephen Ivain for being elected to the Council. She asked the Mayor when the Auditors were doing a presentation on the FY22 Audit, Mayor Carbone told her that they would be presenting to the Board of Finance on Tuesday, November 21st at 5 p.m. Councilor Waldron said it was a great election and congratulated all the winners. Councilor Maniccia congratulated all the winners of the election and thanked Councilor Ruwet for her kind words. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK MINUTES Vol 27, Page 293 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 13, 2023 Addendum: