City Council

Approved by the City Council & WPCA MINUTES February 18, 2025 Vol 27, Page 475 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 21, 2025 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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, City Councilors Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present in person were Public Works Director Ray Drew, City Engineer Paul Kundzins, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey, Assessor Stacie Maldonado, Board of Finance Director of Finance Donna Labbe, and Board of Education Director of Facilities Dean Pergola. Councilor Anne Ruwet joined via Zoom. Councilors Drake Waldron and David Oliver were absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment: On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the public wished to speak. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from January 6, 2025. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Board of Assessment Appeals On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s reappointment of Oliver R. Davis (U) to the Board of Assessment Appeals as an alternate member for a term set to expire on December 5, 2027. Executive Session On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to enter into an executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §200-1 (6) (B) to discuss pending tax assessment litigation, inviting Atty. Magistrali and Assessor Stacie Maldonado at 6:41 p.m. Open Session On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to go into open session at 6:58 p.m. Potential Vote On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel to settle pending tax assessment litigation, for the Catholic Cemeteries Association, having been previously approved by the Board of Finance. Torrington Middle School Roof Project – Resolution #143-259 On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt resolution #143-259, amending the previously adopted resolution #143-249, changing the total project cost from $4,431,152.13 to $5,283,720.93, due to inflation. Councilor Ivain asked why the project cost had increased by $850,000 in the last six months. Mrs. Labbe explained that the original bid was based on the schematic design, which was only 60% complete at the time of the estimate. This updated figure reflects a more complete design prepared for bidding. Mr. Pergola added that the current estimate represents the full project cost. He noted that if the Board of Education (BOE) had sought a resolution a month later, these final numbers would have been available earlier. Councilor Ivain also asked if there were any concerns with the bidding process. Mr. Pergola confirmed there were none. Councilor Cavagnero raised concerns about mold issues caused by the improper installation of the previous metal roof. Mr. Pergola assured the Council that the new roof would be top-quality and designed with an awareness of past failures to avoid similar problems. Councilor Ruwet expressed concerns about the roof going over budget. Mayor Carbone stated that the project might face a funding shortfall of $500,000 to $600,000. When asked how this would be addressed, the Mayor explained that the Capital Plan, approved during the budget process, would determine funding once the bids are returned. Councilor Ruwet clarified whether the current motion authorizes the BOE to proceed with bidding. Mayor Carbone confirmed this was the case. Mrs. Labbe added that efforts were underway to reconcile the Capital Reserve. Councilor Cavagnero questioned if a metal roof was still the best option, and Mr. Pergola affirmed that it remains the best choice. Councilor Cavagnero also requested the Council review the returned bids. Mr. Pergola stated that the bids would be presented to the BOE, and the Council was welcome to attend that meeting. *See addendum* WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, 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 about the emergency repair on Winsted MINUTES Vol 27, Page 476 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 21, 2025 Road, Mr. Tousey said there was a break in the force main. Councilor Ivain asked if the Harris Drive pump station would fix this, but Mr. Tousey said it wouldn’t. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 1/21/2025 pay req Yield Ind. $651,601.23 Replacement Sewer Brightwood Ave #5 1/21/2025 241084 Wright-Pierce $3,502.95 Punchlist items Brightwood Ave Sewer Project 1/21/2025 241192 Wright-Pierce $3,848.06 Engineering design Winsted Rd Force main/tunnel 1/21/2025 240851 Wright-Pierce $18,036.06 Design of Harris Drive Pump station upgrade 1/21/2025 1829 Yield Ind. $22,340.00 Emergency repair of Winsted Rd Force Main Rehabilitation of Church Street Bridge On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council, on the recommendation of the Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award, execute, and administer a contract agreement and all construction change orders for the Rehabilitation of the Church Street Bridge, with McNamee Construction Corp. of Lincolndale, NY in the amount of $1,474,000 and allow up to $70,000 for quantity fluctuation, contingencies, and utility relocation. The funding will be from the City of Torrington Bond Fund and the Town Aid Road Fund, as explained in the City Engineer’s memo dated January 14, 2025. Councilor Ivain asked what the change would be to the Bridge, Mr. Kundzins explained to the Council this is one of the top five bridges that needed work done, she said in 2022 the steel beams were deteriorating. He said that everything under the bridge must get rehabbed. Fireworks Extension On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to extend the current bid contract for Fireworks Display for FY 25/26 at the same price and terms as the current contract, in the amount of $24,000, to Zambelli Fireworks Mfg. Co., of Warrendale, PA, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated January 15, 2025. Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Reports for the month of December 2024 and the 2024 Year-End Report. 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 January 21, 2025. 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 January 21, 2025. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, 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 Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Ivain expressed concerns about climate change and emphasized the need for more emergency drills to prepare for catastrophic events. Mayor Carbone responded by explaining that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) conducts an annual training exercise, which involves participation from all municipalities. 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. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 477 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 21, 2025 Executive Session On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to enter into executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §200-1 (6) (D) discussion of the potential acquisition of real estate, inviting Atty. Magistrali, Public Works Director Ray Drew, and Northwest Hills Council of Governments Executive Director Rob Phillips at 7:38 p.m. Open Session On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to go into open session at 8:35 p.m. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK Addendum: