City Council

Approved by the City Council & WPCA MINUTES May 5, 2025 Vol 27, Page 508 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 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 Monday, April 21, 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 Treasurer Dan Farley and Human Resources Director Denise Kurpiewski. Deputy Police Chief Bart Barown and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey joined via Zoom. Councilor David Oliver was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:31 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 Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Public Hearing Minutes from April 7, 2025. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from April 7, 2025. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to table the Special Meeting Minutes from April 10, 2025. The link to read the minutes wasn’t working. Veterans Advisory Committee Appointments On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Bob Koplar (R) and Roger Geiger (R) as regular members of the Veterans Advisory Committee to fill the remainder of terms set to expire on September 30, 2027. Executive Session On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to enter into executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §200-1 (6) (B) strategy with respect to pending litigation, inviting Atty. Magistrali and Atty. Mike Rose at 6:35 p.m. Open Session On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to go into open session at 7:04 p.m. Potential Vote – Litigation On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously by roll call vote to authorize Counsel to file a petition for certification in the matter of Peters vs. the City of Torrington. Small Cities: Project #143-SC-33 Rehab On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to authorize a change order requested by Leake Builders, LLC of Oxford, CT, for $2,875 to install a new storm door and replace two existing garage doors at 612 Torringford West Street. The total cost for this project will now be $19,014. Councilor Waldron said there is over $200,000 in equity to support this approval. WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, 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. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 4/9/2025 # 0000242633 Wright-Pierce Eng $39,736.62 Harris DR. Pump Station design 4/9/2025 # 0000243113 Wright-Pierce Eng $21,367.38 Winsted Rd Force Main-Tunnel 4/9/2025 # 0000243196 Wright-Pierce Eng $1,682 Brightwood Ave Sewer Replacement Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of March 2025. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 509 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 21, 2025 Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 April 21, 2025. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, 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 April 21, 2025. Add to the Agenda On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to add by a 2/3 vote the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Torrington and Trinity Health of New England, EMS provider. Trinity EMS MOU Extension On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to execute the MOU between the City of Torrington and Trinity Health of New England for Emergency Medical Services. Mayor Carbone told the Council that the contract with Trinity EMS will be extended for another five years. Attorney Magistrali explained that aside from a 2023 amendment to add paid provider coverage, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) has not changed. The new agreement simply extends the term and includes step increases in payment over the five years. Attorney Magistrali stated that providing EMS services in-house would cost the City more than adding another ambulance, making Trinity more practical. Mayor Carbone clarified that ambulance services are regulated through Public Service Areas (PSAs), with Torrington designated as one. Campion held the PSA permit for decades before Trinity, and that permit restricts the City from soliciting bids from other providers. Councilor Ivain asked whether the Board of Public Safety needs to approve the agreement. Mayor Carbone said approval is not required because Trinity is the only authorized provider. Councilor Cavagnero raised concerns about accountability, and Mayor Carbone responded that EMS expectations are embedded in the City’s emergency management plan. Attorney Magistrali added that the agreement outlines service standards, performance review procedures, and penalties for non-performance. Councilor Ruwet requested a regular performance summary from Trinity. Attorney Magistrali said Trinity already provides monthly reports to the City, which are forwarded to the Board of Public Safety. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Treasurer Dan Farley reported to the Board that under the Small Cities program, $91,000 has been approved for current projects. An additional $98,000 in assets from deceased individuals will be returned to the City for future use. The total current assets stand at $2,688,580.73. Mr. Farley informed the Board that the Capital Tax Recovery (CTR) program identified 230 out-of-state vehicles, resulting in $126,653.60 in collections, with $62,161.46 paid to CTR for their services. He reminded the Council that this may be a lot, but now these cars are back on the City tax lists. He also discussed projected interest income for FY 25/26, noting that a recent analysis showed the City will be earning roughly 84% of available interest, leading to an estimated net loss of $800,000 to $900,000. He added that the Federal Reserve plans to cut interest rates three times, each by 0.25 basis points. Atty. Magistrali said it is nice to have a camera to see the speakers now. 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 Ivain told the Council was updated on the ongoing work of the Budget Subcommittee. It was noted that one of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the redistribution of the tax burden from commercial properties to residential properties and from motor vehicles. He asked what the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing a three- to five-year phase-in period for property revaluations were. Mayor Carbone responded by explaining that the City Assessor had recently met with the Board of Finance to discuss this issue. According to the Assessor, phasing in the revaluation would result in year-over-year tax increases for the next four years and would likely lead to a rise in assessment appeals. Mayor Carbone said she would invite the Assessor to present her recommendations directly to the Council. She added that, despite a reduction in the mill rate, residential property owners would still experience tax increases. The City’s fund balance remains healthy, and while it could be used to help offset the impact of increased taxes, doing so would reduce available one-time revenue in the following MINUTES Vol 27, Page 510 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 21, 2025 year. Councilor Ivain expressed concern about the additional burden this could place on taxpayers. Mayor Carbone assured the Council that all relevant information will be made available for consideration before any decisions are finalized. Mayor Carbone asked for a moment of silence for Jhonathan Jiron, who passed away in a tragic accident. She sends her condolences to his whole family and his extended Public Works family. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, 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 7:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK