City Council

Approve by the City Council & WPCA October 20, 2025 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 603 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 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, October 6, 2025. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephan Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet, and David Oliver. Also present at City Hall were Police Chief William Baldwin, Fire Chief David Tripp, Public Works Director Ray Drew, City Engineer Paul Kundzins, City Planner Jeremy Leifert, Assistant City Planner Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Human Resources Director Denise Kurpiewski, Director of Information Technology Gerry Crowley, Building Official Kevin Gillette, Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora, Deputy Comptroller & Manager of Budgets Erika Johnson, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Treasurer Dan Farley, and Sergeant Dustin Baldis. Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, Economic Development Director William Wallach, and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey participated via Zoom. Councilor Paul Cavagnero was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Building, Construction, Alteration, Renovation, & Demolition On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously, by roll call vote, to adopt the proposed changes to Chapter 85 of the Code of Ordinances, “Building, Construction, Alteration, Renovation, & Demolition”. Building Official Kevin Gillette explained that the previous ordinance was fully repealed and replaced with a new version that is streamlined, modified, and simplified. The updated fee structure adds $5 for the first $1,000 of a project’s estimated cost and $3 for each additional $1,000 of job value. *See addendum 1* Roll Call Vote: Fees Ordinance On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously, by roll call vote, to adopt the proposed revisions to Chapter 114 “Fees: Citation Procedures and Fines for Zoning Violations”. Councilor Ruwet said the revisions had previously been presented to the Ordinance Committee with unanimous approval. *See addendum 2* Roll Call Vote: Fees Ordinance On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously, by roll call vote, to adopt the proposed revisions to Chapter 114 “Fees: Citation Procedures and Fines for Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Violations”. *See addendum 3* 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 Regular Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2025. Hendy Property Discussion On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to open discussion on future actions concerning the Hendy property. Fire Chief Tripp reported that the fire occurred on the morning of September 28th and was identified as Torrington’s second-largest fire by area. He noted that the response successfully contained the fire to three buildings, with no injuries reported. Chief Tripp commended the department’s professionalism and skill. A total of 23 departments responded with mutual aid, and the fire was successfully contained, preventing it from spreading to Industrial Saw, which was able to resume operations soon after. Mayor Carbone said that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) inspected the site and determined that the property was so severely damaged that it no longer qualifies for listing on the National Register. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) subsequently closed the site and now requires demolition to be performed by a certified environmental contractor. Economic Development Director William Wallach reported that the City had submitted a $6 million Brownfield Remediation Grant application in September, with a decision expected in late November or early December. He explained that the cleanup will require characterization of the commingled contamination, which includes both hazardous building materials and impacted soil. Atty. Magistrali told the Council that foreclosure actions have been initiated against both parcels at 105 Summer Street and 200 Litchfield Street. He noted that the City holds blight liens of nearly $500,000 on each property and anticipates petitioning the court for strict foreclosure, as neither parcel has a mortgage holder. The owner remains delinquent on approximately $55,000 in real estate taxes, is unresponsive, and it is unclear whether the properties are insured. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 604 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 Salary Increases for Elected Positions On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted 4–1, with Councilor Ivain opposed, to increase the Treasurer’s annual salary from $15,697 to $20,000, effective July 1, 2026, with all future wage adjustments aligned with the Management Resolution Contract. Mayor Carbone reminded the Council that the following increases comply with Article XIX of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut. Councilor Ruwet emphasized that the Council values the Treasurer’s significant contributions and believes the position merits greater recognition. Councilor Ivain expressed concern that the adjustment does not adequately reflect the scope of work, noting that the Treasurer has achieved notable savings and made prudent investments. He added that a $40,000 salary would be more competitive in attracting qualified candidates in the future. Councilor Oliver commended the Treasurer’s performance, highlighting that the position has generated substantial financial savings for the City, and recommended that future salary discussions be addressed as part of the upcoming budget process. Salary Increases for Elected Positions On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to increase the City Clerk’s annual salary from $65,000 to $80,000, effective July 1, 2026, with all future wage adjustments aligned with the Management Resolution Contract. Councilor Ivain agreed that the City Clerk does an outstanding job and noted that the position is now more appropriately placed in the middle, rather than at the bottom, of the salary range. Councilor Spino added that the role involves a great deal of work and that the increase is well deserved. Salary Increases for Elected Positions On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted to increase the Mayor’s annual salary from $103,000 to $125,000, effective July 1, 2026, with all future wage adjustments aligned with the Management Resolution Contract, with Councilor Spino abstaining. Councilor Ruwet noted that this position demands 24/7 availability with no additional compensation. Councilor Oliver stated that the increase will help attract top talent, but pointed out that several department heads still earn higher salaries. He added that even with this adjustment, the position remains less competitive than it should be. Vehicle Replacement Transfer On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Vehicle Replacement budget transfer requests for FY 25/26 as further described in the Manager of Budgets' letter dated September 9, 2025, having been previously approved by the Board of Finance on September 16, 2025. Referral to Planning and Zoning Commission for CGS § 8-24 Review On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Facilities Manager and refer the proposed lease of 32 City Hall Avenue, identified on the Assessor’s Map as M/B/L 117/017/005, to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a CGS § 8-24 review. Upon a favorable recommendation, authorize the Mayor to negotiate lease terms in the best interest of the City. Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora explained that leasing the vacant brick building would provide much-needed additional office space and parking, potentially allowing for the relocation of three to four departments. This move would also free up space to create a critically needed second vault for the Registrar’s Office. Mayor Carbone added that distributing offices more evenly across locations would be beneficial, with the added advantage of increased storage capacity. She noted that the next step is to determine whether it would be more advantageous to pursue a standard lease or a lease with an option to purchase. Blight Clean-Out of Property at 492 Prospect Street On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award and execute a contract agreement for the Blight Clean Out of the buildings and property located at 492 Prospect Street, Torrington, CT, to Trauma Services, LLC of Mansfield, MA, for $24,960.00. Funding for this project will be paid from the Blight Fund. Facilities Director Jamie Sykora explained that the site presents a specialized cleaning challenge due to a hoarding situation and must be fully cleaned before the City can assess the property for sale. He added that the goal is to complete the cleanup and sell the property before winter. Mayor Carbone noted that the property is City-owned and was acquired through foreclosure. Armory ADA Access Door and Opener for the New ADA Ramp On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the installation of a new ADA-compliant door, frame, and automatic opener for the ADA ramp MINUTES Vol 27, Page 605 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 project at the Armory, to be completed by DRF Locksmith Specialties of Thomaston, CT, in the amount of $22,228.00. Funding will be provided through the Public Works Capital Reserve. Armory Boiler Replacement On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to utilize the CT State DAS Bid list to approve the installation of a replacement Boiler at the Armory to AirTemp Mechanical of Berlin, CT, for $49,090.18. Funding will come from the Public Works Capital Reserve. Councilor Ruwet asked whether the bid process was used, and Mayor Carbone confirmed that it was conducted through the State. Councilor Ivain inquired whether the new boiler was for air or heat. Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora explained that the existing 30-year-old steam boiler has an internal crack and must be replaced urgently to ensure heat for the winter. He noted that the replacement unit is currently in stock. Public Works Garage Sprinkler Head Replacement On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to approve the replacement of the sprinkler heads at the Public Works garage by Sound Works and Security of Torrington, CT, in the amount of $12,262.50. Funding will be provided through the Public Works Capital Reserve. Councilor Ivain asked whether Sound Works typically performs this kind of work. Mr. Sykora confirmed that Sound Works manages most of the City’s fire alarm and sprinkler system installations and maintenance. Purchase Fire Department Uniforms On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to utilize State Contract #17PSX0024AB for the purchase of Fire Department Uniforms, from Fairfield Uniform Company of Bridgeport, CT, to be paid from the Uniform Allowance line item, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated September 23, 2025, having been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety on October 1, 2025. Police Department Ammunition Purchase On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to utilize State Procurement Contract #19PSX0220 and purchase ammunition for the fiscal year 25/26. The estimated budgeted amount for these purchases is $34,577.03. Funding for these purchases will be charged to Uniform Allowance and Special Squads GL accounts, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated September 24, 2025, having been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety on October 1, 2025. Councilor Ivain asked whether the Police Department is truly using that much ammunition. Chief Baldwin explained that the quantity aligns with current training and qualification requirements. Purchase Computer System for Police Cruisers On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award, execute, and administer a contract under Connecticut DAS-NASPO Master Agreement No. 23019, Contract #23PSX0163/Telrepco, 23PSX0163AC-4, for the purchase of five (5) Panasonic Toughbook computer systems for police cruisers and Animal Control vehicles. The total purchase amount is $30,565. Funding will be charged to the Police Capital Account (0311-8888 5900.0104E), Computer System Upgrade and IT Capital Projects, as outlined in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated September 25, 2025, having been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety on October 1, 2025. Design for Rt 4/202 Intersection On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to forego the competitive bid process and authorize contracting with the City’s current vendor, VHB, to prepare a design for the repair and replacement of the traffic signal mast pole at the intersection of New Harwinton Road and East Main Street. The mast pole was permanently damaged in a motor vehicle accident and requires full replacement to ensure safety and compliance. Councilor Spino asked whether the City could bill the insurance company since the damage resulted from an accident. Sergeant Baldis replied that the City will seek reimbursement from the commercial vehicle’s insurer for the full replacement cost. IT Replacement Desktops On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of sixteen (16) Hewlett-Packard (HP) computers and twenty-seven (27) monitors to replace ageing equipment across the City as part of the technology replacement cycle. The equipment will be procured through the State of Connecticut’s reverse auction contract: CT - STATE OF CT REVERSE AUCTION (NVP PC) [23PSX0163-RA], at a total cost of $16,921.20. Funding for this purchase will be charged to GL Account 0010-0018 5345.0000. Councilor Oliver asked MINUTES Vol 27, Page 606 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 about the average age of the computers being replaced. Mr. Crowley said they are approximately 8 to 10 years old. WPCA Payments Authorization On a motion by Councilor Spino, 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 10/6/2025 # Wright-Pierce $1,183.01 Winsted Rd-Force Main/ 0000246430 Engineers tunnel design 10/6/2025 # Wright-Pierce $8,789.64 Winsted Rd-FM 0000246430 Engineers Replacement Project 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 September 2025. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated October 6, 2025. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated October 6, 2025. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Treasurer Dan Farley thanked the Council for the pay raise. He noted that future adjustments to compensation will be necessary to attract and retain qualified staff, adding that his non-bonding work currently averages about $10 per hour. Deputy Comptroller & Manager of Budgets Erika Johnson reported that the City audit is nearly complete and expected to be issued soon. City Clerk Carol Anderson thanked the Council for the raise and the kind words. She agreed that future salary decisions be timed closer to the budget season review. 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 Spino thanked the Fire Department for their hard work and strong teamwork. Councilor Ivain expressed disappointment over the factory fire but commended how the situation was managed. He also requested two reports for upcoming meetings: an election readiness update from the Registrars and a report from the Tax Collector on the fiscal health of taxpayers following recent tax increases. Councilor Waldron gave a shout-out to the Public Works and Street Departments for their hard work and dedication. 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 Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK MINUTES Vol 27, Page 607 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 Addendum #1: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 608 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 609 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 Addendum #2: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 610 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 611 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025 Addendum #3: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 612 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 6, 2025