City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA April 7, 2025 MINUTES Vote: Unanimous Vol 27, Page 494 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 17, 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 Monday, March 17, 2025. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present in person were Public Works Director Ray Drew, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Deputy Comptroller and Manager of Budgets and Planning Erika Johnson, Treasurer Dan Farley, Board of Education Director of Finance Donna Labbe, and Board of Education Director of Facilities Dean Pergola. City Engineer Paul Kundzins joined via Zoom. Councilor David Oliver was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:35 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. Tim Monahan shared his concerns regarding the recent work completed on his property under the Small Cities Program. Initially, he was informed that the estimated cost of the upgrades would be approximately $27,000. However, he has now received a bill totaling over $51,000. He would like clarification on the discrepancy between the estimated and final costs. Additionally, he has concerns regarding the quality of the work performed and would appreciate an inspection to ensure that it meets the appropriate standards. Mayor Carbone told the Council she would work with Maurette, who works closely with the Small Cities recipients, for a full report on this property to bring back to the Council for review. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted to accept the Public Hearing Meeting Minutes from March 3, 2025. Councilor Waldron abstained. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2025. Councilor Waldron abstained. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Special Joint Meeting Minutes with the Board of Finance from March 5, 2025. Schedule a Public Hearing - Discontinuance of Plain Street On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on April 7, 2025, to consider an ordinance to discontinue Plain Street. Add by 2/3 Vote Schedule a Public Hearing On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to add by a 2/3 vote to Schedule a Public Hearing for Ordinance Chapter 187 – Taxation. Schedule a Public Hearing – Chapter 187 Taxation: Article VIII Tax Exemption for Low-Income Veterans - Exemption Granted On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on April 7, 2025, to consider changes to Ordinance Chapter 187 – “Taxation” 187-27 Exemption Granted. Councilor Ruwet told the Council that the Ordinance Subcommittee had this on the agenda to discuss at today’s meeting. FY 24-25 Budget Amendments On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to the budget transfer requests for FY 24/25 as further described in the Manager of Budgets letter dated March 12, 2025, pending Board of Finance approval. Resolution #143-263 Emergency Management Performances Grant (EMPG) On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-263 authorizing the Mayor to apply for the annual EMPG Grant. Councilor Ivain requested a summary of the grant, and Mayor Carbone explained that it is an annual grant used to fund the emergency management salary. *See addendum # 1* Resolution #143-264 Fair Housing On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Fair Housing Resolution #143-264 and Fair Housing Policy Statement. *See addendum # 2* MINUTES Vol 27, Page 495 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 17, 2025 Resolution #143-265 - Torrington Middle School Roof Project On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt resolution #143-265, establishing a re-roofing project at Torrington Middle School for a total project estimate of $5,283,720.93. The amount of the City of Torrington’s cost share shall be $1,494,518.96, funded from $700,000 of authorized bonding (11/2/2021), the balance of bonded project funds from Phase 1 of the Torrington Middle School roof repairs held in Fund #320, and the Board of Education’s capital reserve account #313. *See addendum # 3* Railroad Square Revitalization Project On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council, contingent on the approval of DECD, 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 Railroad Square Revitalization Project, with Yield Industries LLC of Torrington, CT in the amount of $4,174,110 and allow up to $207,355 for quantity fluctuation and contingencies. The funding will be from the Connecticut Economic & Community Development (DECD) CT Community Challenge Grant Program, the City of Torrington Pavement Management Program Bond Fund, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation Town Aid Road (TAR) program, as explained in the City Engineer’s memo dated March 13, 2025. Councilor Cavagnero asked if parking represents a large part of this project, Mr. Kundzins said this project has many phases, however, a new parking lot will be going in by Christmas Village. He said the lost will provide 70-80 parking spaces, putting teachers there instead of parking in the YMCA lot. Mayor Carbone said currently teachers consume all spaces in the YMCA parking lot, this will free up spaces. Councilor Ivain asked if the early estimates for this project are within range, Mr. Kundzins said they were pleased with the results from this bid, with the project currently being 6% under. Conservation Commission Annual Report On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Conservation Commission Annual Report for the 2024 calendar year, as further described in the Assistant City Planner’s memo dated March 3, 2025. Building Department Reports On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Reports for January and February 2025. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 March 17, 2025. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 March 17, 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. Deputy Comptroller and Manager of Budgets and Planning Erika Johnson said the Finance Office is two weeks away from being fully staffed, and they have started the budget process. Public Works Director Ray Drew provided the Council with an update on the Organics Recycling Program, saying there have been over 100 people who have signed up. He also said Eversource will be doing an energy conservation program, where they will be giving up to 200 trees for free, it will be held at the Riverview Parking lot on May 9, 2025. You can start applying on their website on March 24, 2025. Mr. Drew told the Council about the feedback from the Skate Park, he said they have received a petition to install lighting and will be presenting it to the Council. Overall, he said this was a huge success. Atty. Magistrali thanked Maurette for organizing the Lord Mayor of the Day for St. Patrick's Day. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Waldron said it's shocking and sad to hear about the closing of the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Carbone expressed her surprise at the news and emphasized the importance of informing the Board of Safety before they learned about it through media outlets. She stated that the Fire Department is currently working on a temporary solution. Additionally, the Facilities Manager has already assessed the station, but before any final decisions can be made, the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department must consult with their attorneys. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 496 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 17, 2025 Councilor Ivain thanked everyone in the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department for their decades of service in the City. Councilor Ruwet thanked the Torringford Volunteers and Commissioner Potter and Delmonte for their leadership. She also said it is a loss for the East End of town. Councilor Cavagnero thanked the Torringford Volunteers. He noted that during the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting, they discussed the challenges of recruiting volunteers for Commissions. Councilor Cavagnero asked for a breakdown of the funding for the roof project, Mayor Carbone explained the reallocation of $700,000 from the windows to finish the middle school roof through a referendum in November 2020. Councilor Cavagnero said there has been a significant cost escalation for this project. Mayor Carbone agreed there has been a substantial cost escalation since the project started six years ago, and she can pull the documents from the beginning until now for the Council. Councilor Cavagnero asked if the City had any control over the $5.2 million once the BOE gets it, Mayor Carbone said they did not, but the BOE would have to an application to the State Department of Education, with the request for the reimbursement, once approved, everything must be done according to that application. 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 Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK Addendum #1: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 497 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 17, 2025 Addendum #2: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 498 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 17, 2025 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 499 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 17, 2025 Addendum #3: