City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA December 18, 2023 MINUTES Vote: Unanimous Vol 27, Page 299 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 4, 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, December 4, 2023. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Paul Cavagnero, and David Oliver. No one Participated via Zoom. Councilor Anne Ruwet 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 Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, 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 Oliver, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 20, 2023. Councilors Spino and Ivain abstained. Fair Rent Commission Appointment On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Keith Farrell (tenant), to the Fair Rent Commission for a two-year term set to expire on June 30, 2025. Police Body Armor On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to utilize the NASPO Master Agreement #164719 for the purchase of 47 Body Armor/Carriers, from Fairfield Uniform Company of Bridgeport, CT in the amount of $43,565, as further explained in Chief Baldwin’s letter dated October 30, 2023, pending Board of Public Safety approval. This purchase will be funded from a $21,000 Training Grant and the remainder from the Police Capital Account under Body Armor. Councilor Ivain asked what the Police Department is currently using, Mayor Carbone told him that they all currently have Body Armor and that it needs to be replaced once they have hit their natural expiration date. 42 Pythian Avenue – Project # 143SC1801-18 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to approve an additional $2,961.84, for the replacement of the front entry door, storm door, and one replacement window, at 42 Pythian Avenue. The current Small Cities loans total $30,919.55, this will increase the total amount of the loans to $33,881.39 and the mortgage will be modified to reflect the increase. Councilor Waldron told the Council that this is a necessary project add-on for the owner, there is plenty of equity in the house, so the Small Cities Committee recommends that this be approved. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Interim Corporation Counsel’s memo of December 4, 2023. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated December 4, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Oliver, 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 Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Cavagnero asked for an update on the homeless shelter, Mayor Carbone provided an update on the winter shelter for the homeless. She said that after months of looking Northwest Hills Community Church stepped up and opened its doors to this population, however, because this is a change of use, from a Church to residential use, it must have a special exception with the Planning and Zoning Commission. There is a Public Hearing scheduled for December 13, 2023, to decide if this is the right place to hold this shelter. Mayor Carbone also said that the solution to this problem would be to find a permanent location that would open in the winter time for the homeless or to return to project overflow where the churches rotate after 30 days. Councilor Ivain asked if there were any accommodations that the City could open in the meantime, Mayor Carbone said that they had looked at the Armory, but they MINUTES Vol 27, Page 300 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 4, 2023 have basketball at night, and Coe Park, but the Commission said no. She said that it is a liability for any municipality to house the homeless. Mayor Carbone said that at this point the State could provide hotels for those in need until a shelter is established. Councilor Spino asked if the shelter was approved on December 13th how quickly it would be up and running, Mayor Carbone believes the next day. Councilor Ivain said that a second application for the homeless shelter was submitted for Trinity Church. Councilor Waldron welcomed Councilors Spino and Ivain. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK