City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA January 2, 2024 MINUTES Vote: Unanimous Vol 27, Page 302 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 18, 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 18, 2023. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, and Treasurer Dan Farley. Councilor David Oliver and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey participated via Zoom. Councilors Paul Cavagnero and Anne Ruwet were 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 Spino, 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 Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from December 4, 2023. On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Meeting Minutes from December 14, 2023. Board of Finance Appointments On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Deborah Iannacito (R) as a member of the Board of Finance with a term set to expire on December 15, 2029. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Wendy Traub (R) as a member of the Board of Finance with a term set to expire on December 15, 2029. Mayor Carbone said that Ms. Traub will be replacing Mark Bushka on the Board of Finance. WPCA Payment Authorizations On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, 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. Councilor Ivain asked if these payments were outside of the normal, Mayor Carbone explained that these are usually every month as they are making improvements. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 12/18/2023 0000232763 Wright Pierce $1,801.05 Toro Siphon replacement Engineering project 12/5/2023 0000232787 Wright Pierce $11,441.50 Brightwood Sewer Engineering replacement project Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of November 2023. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Interim Corporation Counsel’s memo of December 18, 2023. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated December 18, 2023. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated December 18, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 303 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 18, 2023 Treasurer Dan Farley provided the Council with an update on the $170,000 Small Cities Grant that the City received in December 2020 to assist with the Homeless Diversion Program. The Housing Collective worked along with the City to provide services for those in need of emergency shelter, and to work to provide permanent housing solutions. He went into detail about the administrative fees the Housing Collective and the City incurred while administering the grant funds. He said that after the final filing, this will close out the grant. Mayor Carbone added that this grant will no longer be available in 2024. Councilor Ivain asked how many funds are available for the Small Cities Grants, and Mr. Farley told him that each grant is different, and the only other program offered is the Small Cities Rehab Program. Mr. Farley told the Council at this time there is over $2 million available to homeowners for this program. Mayor Carbone told the Council that they could provide a full report on the Small Cities Program, which is a home loan program. Mr. Farley said that he misspoke, the City currently has over $2 million in liens on properties that have taken advantage of this Rehab Program. Mayor Carbone reiterated to the Council that the Homeless Diversion Program will be closed out in the first quarter of 2024, once all the final bills are paid. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Waldron wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Councilor Ivain wished everyone a Happy Holiday and told everyone that currently there was no line at Christmas Village. Councilor Spino wished everyone a Happy Holiday. 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 to comment on agenda items only. No one from the public wished to speak. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK