City Council

Approved by the City Council & WPCA December 16, 2024 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 462 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 2, 2024 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 2, 2024. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present in person were Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey, Treasurer Dan Farley, Tax Collector Launa Goslee, and MSW/Recycling Coordinator Linda Orr. Councilor David Oliver, City Engineer Paul Kundzins, and Economic Development Director William Wallach joined via Zoom. Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Swearing-In-Ceremony for the Registrar of Voters Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Jacque Williams, the Democratic Registrar of Voters. Public Comment: On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular meeting minutes from November 18, 2024. Conservation Commission Reappointments On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Karen A. Svetz (D) and George Craig (D) as regular members of the Conservation Commission for a three-year term set to expire on September 4, 2027. Zoning Board of Appeals Appointment On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Randall Stelma (I) as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, to fill the remainder of a term set to expire December 1, 2025. Set New Motor Vehicle Supplement Due Date Per New Legislation On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector to set the following due dates: • Any vehicle registered between October 2 and March 31 annually will have a bill due on July 1 in the same year following the March 31 deadline. • Any vehicle registered between April 1 and September 30 annually will have a bill due on January 1 of the following year, directly after September 30. Ms. Goslee explained the changes in State Legislation which led to the proposed changes for the City if the Council approves the recommendations. She said these dates would eliminate the need to hire more staff and there wouldn’t be additional legal ads. Mayor Carbone added that Ms. Goslee and Ms. Maldonado, the Assessor, met with her to discuss the different options, and this one everyone agreed would work best. Councilor Ruwet said that this would make the Tax Office more efficient. WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement. Invoice Contractor Amount Description #1812 Yield Industries $14,900 Sear main Emergency repair on Sharon Ave # TB-1010761 Tighe & Bond $750.00 Cinnamon Ridge Pump Station Abandonment Evaluation Councilor Ivain asked what has changed to want to abandon the pump station, Mr. Tousey said they are only evaluating abandoning the pump station, not going any further. Replacement Cat Cages at the Animal Control Facility On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to award the purchase/replacement of the Cat cages at the Animal Control Facility to Otto Environmental of Greenfield WI in the amount of $3,300 per unit, (estimate 5-6 double units), pending Board of Public Safety approval. This will be funded from the Police Department Capital Reserve account, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated November 26, 2024. Councilor Ruwet told the Council she went with her grandchildren to see the animals at the Animal Control Facility (ACO). Councilor Ivain asked if these cages were from the previous facility, Mr. Sykora said the cages were double cages, which allows cats to be stored on one side while the cage is getting cleaned. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 463 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 2, 2024 North End Fire Station New Heat Pump Installation On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Facilities Manager to utilize the CT State DAS Bid list and approve the installation of a new Heat Pump HVAC System at the North End Fire Station for the bunk rooms and day room to AirTemp Mechanical in the total amount of $52,262. Funding will be $20,000 from ARPA and $32,262 from Public Works Capital, as further explained in the Facilities Manager’s memo dated November 26, 2024. Purchase of Security Equipment for City-Wide Security and Access Control On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Facilities Manager to utilize the CT State DAS Bid list and approve the purchase of the city-wide security equipment from SIGNET Electronic Systems, LLC of Norwell, MA in the amount of $606,990. Funding will be $500,000 from ARPA and $106,990 from Public Works Capital, as further explained in the Facilities Manager’s memo dated November 26, 2024. ARPA – Blight Committee Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to approve the final payment to Eagle Environmental, Inc. from the Lead Abatement Grant funds established with ARPA funds to aid in the lead abatement of 22 Monroe Street in the amount of $3,075. Migeon Avenue Rehabilitation On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract for the Migeon Avenue Rehabilitation project to Yield Industries, LLC of Torrington, CT for the amount of $2,977,974 and allow for expenditures of up to $297,797.40 for contingencies and $297,797.40 for incidentals. Funding is through the Connecticut Department of Transportation Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program and the City of Torrington Pavement Management Program Bond Fund, as further explained in the City Engineer’s memo dated November 26, 2024. Councilor Cavagnero asked why there are 10% contingencies and 10% incidentals, Mr. Kundzins told the Council the State automatically does that, it is standard. This will cover any overruns in quantities and inspection work that must be done. Councilor Ivain asked when the work would start, and Mr. Kundzins said in the Spring. Resolution 143-258 On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-258 authorizing the Mayor to apply for a grant from DEEP in the amount of $162,435 for site work at the WPCA Facility. *See addendum* Small Cities – 26 Hodges Hill Road – Project # 143-PI-51 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Oliver the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee voted unanimously to table the approval of the installation of an auxiliary generator for $14,825.29, at 26 Hodges Hill Road. Small Cities – 612 Torringford West Street – Project # 143-SC-33 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to approve the replacement of three exterior doors and electrical code upgrades for $16,139, at 612 Torringford West Street. Councilor Waldron said there is plenty of equity in the home to support this. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Ivain, 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 2, 2024. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated December 2, 2024. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 464 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 2, 2024 Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora provided the Council with an update on the EV charging stations that are being installed. He said the ones at Franklin and Riverview have been installed, but the City Hall EV Station has not yet. There will be a total of 6 charging stations when everything is completed. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Ruwet shared her excitement over the groundbreaking at Hotchkiss Property for the demolition to begin. She also said that Light Up Torrington was a success and thanked the Park & Rec and the Mayor for their hard work. Councilor Ruwet also shared her condolences for the loss of former Governor Jodi Rell. Councilor Spino said she looks forward to seeing how the Hotchkiss Property develops. She thanked the Park and Rec for adding the parade to light up Torrington. Councilor Spino took a moment to say that Sasso’s opened Franklin Lounge, that it was amazing and to try it. Councilor Waldron reminded everyone that Christmas Village opens Sunday, December 8th with a parade. Mayor Carbone reminded the Council that the development at Hotchkiss property will create a blank slate for the future. She said there will be many conversations before plans are finalized. Councilor Cavagnero asked if any additional housing would affect the BOE enrollment, Mayor Carbone explained this had been studied and it would possibly add a few dozen children. Councilor Ruwet asked if the conceptual plan is being modified from the housing, retail space, and walking path, Mayor Carbone said the housing and the trail are definite, and the concept will remain the same, with tweaks along the way. 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 wished to comment. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK Addendum: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 465 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom December 2, 2024