City Council

MINUTES Vol 27, Page 620 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 10, 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, November 10, 2025. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet, and David Oliver. Also present at City Hall were Fire Chief David Tripp, Deputy Fire Chief Randall Chesanek, and City Engineer Paul Kundzins. Councilor Drake Waldron participated via Zoom. Councilor Paul Cavagnero and Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali were absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. 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 Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted to accept the Special Joint Meeting Minutes from October 20, 2025. Councilor Oliver abstained. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 20, 2025. Councilor Oliver abstained. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted to accept the Special Meeting Minutes from October 28, 2025. Councilor Oliver abstained. Zoning Board of Appeals Appointments/Reappointments On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Steven Thompson (R) as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term set to expire December 14, 2027. On an amended motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Randall Stelma (I) as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term set to expire December 14, 2030. On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Ivy Altman (D) as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term set to expire December 15, 2028. Receipt of Report On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to acknowledge receipt of the Public Safety Complex Report as submitted to the City Council. Mayor Carbone stressed the importance of presenting the project to the public repeatedly for discussion and future action. This motion was only to acknowledge receipt of the report, which had been emailed that afternoon. Establishment of Committee On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to establish a Building Committee for the Public Safety Complex, with members to be appointed by the Mayor, in December 2025. Mayor Carbone wanted to establish the committee as soon as possible to vet the feasibility study and potentially act as fiduciary for the CIF planning grant. Mayor Carbone noted the appointments would be left to Mayor-Elect Spino when she takes office in December 2025. Mayor Carbone recommended representation from the Board of Safety, City Council, the Chiefs, and the public, suggesting keeping the committee small (8 to 10 people) to manage the quorum. City Hall Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to execute and amend the union contract between The City of Torrington and Local 2212 of Council #4, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) AFL-CIO – Torrington City Hall Employees, for the contract period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Councilor Ruwet asked if the contract would be retroactive to July 1, 2025, Mayor Carbone said it would. Councilor Ivain asked if the funds were budgeted for the retroactive amount. Mayor Carbone confirmed that the retroactive amount was held in department 44. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 621 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 10, 2025 Closure and Transfer of Tri-Account Funds On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to approve the closure of the Torrington Savings Bank account (Ending in 5108), known as the “Tri-Account,” and authorize the transfer of the remaining balance of $5,070.65 to the Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department. Councilor Ivain asked about the origin of the funds. Fire Chief Tripp explained the account originated in 1994 as part of the Fire Service Coordination Committee (FSCC) to standardize equipment and training among the three volunteer departments and the career department. The transfer was prompted by the recent closing of the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department. Table: Change order approval for The Rehabilitation of Church Street Bridge CTDOT Bridge NO. 03976 On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to open discussion on authorize the Mayor to approve Design-Initiated Change Orders (DICOs) for the Rehabilitation of Church Street over the West Branch of the Naugatuck River (CTDOT Bridge No. 03976) totaling $226,178.60, from the City of Torrington Pavement Bond Fund, per the City Engineer’s Memo dated November 5, 2025. Councilor Oliver asked how the request affects the current budget and how much remains in the bond funds, and Mr. Kundzins confirmed that sufficient funding is available through the pavement bond. Councilor Ruwet questioned why the original $60,000 contingency was not used, which would have reduced the additional request, and Mr. Kundzins explained that he sought the full amount for transparency, noting the extra work fell outside the original contract. Councilor Spino expressed concern that the job completed in August and already paid for was not brought to the Council for approval until two months later, and Councilor Oliver stated that the delay was inconsiderate to the Council. On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted to table with Councilor Ivain opposed, to authorize the Mayor to approve Design-Initiated Change Orders (DICOs) for the Rehabilitation of Church Street over the West Branch of the Naugatuck River (CTDOT Bridge No. 03976) totaling $226,178.60, from the City of Torrington Pavement Bond Fund, per the City Engineer’s Memo dated November 5, 2025. Mayor Carbone stated that the Council expects a full accounting of the bond funds and a revised request that first applies to any available project contingency. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, 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 November 10, 2025. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, 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 November 10, 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. Fire Chief Tripp provided an update on East Side protection, including the status of the former Torringford Volunteer Fire Department assets, noting that all vehicle and property transfers have been completed. He also introduced Deputy Fire Chief Randall Chesanek and invited the Council to the pinning ceremony scheduled for November 12, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Torrington High School Auditorium. City Clerk Carol Anderson noted the initial expiration date of December 1, 2025, for the reappointment of Randall Stelma was incorrect; the new expiration date should be December 14, 2030. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Oliver congratulated all candidates on their respective campaigns. He thanked Mayor Carbone and others for their service, noting the Mayor’s historic impact on the community. Councilor Ruwet echoed these sentiments and offered her assistance to Mayor Elect Molly Spino. Councilor Spino thanked Steve and noted that they both ran good, clean campaigns. Councilor Ivain said they both ran strong campaigns and raised meaningful issues, and he congratulated Molly on her win. He thanked the Mayor for her service and welcomed the new Council members. Mayor Carbone publicly commended Councilor Ivain for attending the Board of Trustees presentation the day after the election, noting that his presence demonstrated commendable dedication and character. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 622 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom November 10, 2025 Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, 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 Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK