City Council

MINUTES Vol 27, Page 639 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 5, 2026 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, January 5, 2026. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Molly Spino, Corporation Counsel Tomasz Kalinowski, City Councilors David Oliver, Anne Ruwet, Armand Maniccia, Rachel Hannon-Harrel and Chris Beyus. Also present by Zoom was Councilor Paul Cavagnero. Also at City Hall was Assessor Stacie Maldonado. Director of Economic Development William Wallach joined by Zoom. Mayor Spino called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment(in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Tom Kandefer from the public, had some questions in regards to Food Scrap Collection Bins and Hello Lamp Post. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Hannon-Harrel, the Council voted to accept the Regular meeting minutes from December 15, 2025. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Approve Mayor Appointments On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following appointments: Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Mary Zbell (D) to the Coe Memorial Park Committee for a four-year term to expire December 31, 2029 • Marc Trivella (U) to the Coe Memorial Park Committee for a four-year term to expire December 31, 2029 • Fran Ducotey (D) to the Coe Memorial Park Committee for a three-year term to expire December 31, 2028 • Mark McEachern (D) to the Coe Memorial Park Committee for a three-year term to expire December 31, 2028 • Kathleen Renzullo (U) to the Coe Memorial Park Committee for a three-year term to expire December 31, 2028 • Marc Trivella (U) to the Zoning Board of Appeals Regular Member Chair for a five-year term set to expire December 14, 2030 • Komla Matrevi (D) as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a three-year term to expire December 1, 2028 • Frank Baba (R) to the Cable TV Advisory Council for a three-year term to expire June 30, 2028 • Vincenzo Viscarello (D) to the Parking Ticket Appeals for a life term • Jonathan Fowler (R) to the Veterans Advisory Committee for a three-year term to expire September 30, 2028 • Edward Cannata (D) as the Municipal Historian for a four-year term to expire December 14, 2029 • Luisa Noujaim (D) as an Alternate to the Board of Ethics for an eight- month term to expire August 31, 2026 • Robert Starr (R) as an Alternate to the Board of Ethics for a term set to expire August 31, 2026 • Joshua Ocain (R) as Tenant on the Fair Rent Commission for a term set to expire June 30, 2026 • Michael Magistrali (U) as Landlord on the Fair Rent Commission for a term set to expire June 30, 2027 • Stephen Ivain (D) to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term set to expire December 5, 2026 • John Parent (D) as an Alternate to the Services for the Elderly Commission for a term set to expire July 5, 2028 • Francis Daley (R) as an Alternate to the Services for the Elderly Commission for a term set to expire July 5, 2028. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 640 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 5, 2026 Executive Session On a motion by Councilor Chris Beyus, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to enter into executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §200-1 (6) (B) for discussion of the pending litigation for the tax assessment appeal, docket HHBCV 25-6100703-S, at New Britain Superior Court, OV 147 Market LLC v. City of Torrington. Invited Assessor Stacie Maldonado and Corporation Counsel Kalinowski. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Recessed meeting at 7:24 pm. Opened meeting at 7:36 pm Open Session On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Beyus, the Council voted unanimously to go into open session. Vote – Litigation On a motion by Councilor Chris Beyus, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to enter into a settlement agreement for the tax assessment appeals, docket HHBCV 25-6100703-S, at New Britain Superior Court, OV 147 Market LLC v. City of Torrington, having been previously approved by the Board of Finance. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Cylinder Collective 1. On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Beyus, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the MSW/Recycling Coordinator to enter into an agreement with The Cylinder Collective to collect covered pressurized cylinders at the existing Transfer Station. There is no cost to the City. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Linda Orr, Recycling Coordinator for the City of Torrington, spoke about trying to find ways to get the residents of Torrington to recycle more and save the City money. She stated that the transfer station has been moved across the driveway and there is a paved area now where they can collect the cylinders. 2. metroStor Food Scrap Collection Bins On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the MSW/Recycling Coordinator to purchase five (5) metroStor food scrap bins to expand the City’s food scrap program, including three (3) ADA-compliant bins with Bluetooth smartphone latch control, metroKey interactive access control, and City of Torrington branding at $3,860 each, and two (2) ADA-compliant bins with Bluetooth smartphone latch control, electronic keypad latch control to allow access for residents without smartphones, metroKey interactive access control, and City of Torrington branding at $4,085 each, plus $1,450 for shipping to Torrington, with the full cost funded through State of Connecticut NIPS program revenue, at no additional cost to Torrington taxpayers. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Mrs. Orr, spoke about putting the food scrap bins at five locations in the City Parks, one in the Northwest corner, Northeast corner, Southeast corner and Southwest corner and one at the Senior Center. There will also be a bin at the transfer station. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 641 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 5, 2026 3. Hello Lamp Post AI-Powered Waste Assistant On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted three to two with Councilor Oliver and Councilor Beyus opposed, to approve the recommendation of the MSW/Recycling Coordinator to purchase Hello Lamp Post’s AI-powered Waste Assistant subscription to provide residents with 24/7 waste and recycling assistance in English and Spanish. The initial cost of the subscription is $14,296.00, with ongoing annual costs of $12,562.00 beginning in year two. The purchase shall be funded through the State of Connecticut NIPS program revenue, at no cost to Torrington taxpayers. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Councilor Ruwet asked some questions about recycling and where to get the bags. Councilor Beyus spoke about his concerns with this system. Is there a plan on how to distribute this, do people have to sign up for this. He doesn’t see the benefit of this. TABLED: CT Gen. Stat. § 8-24 Referral, Five Points Property A. Motion from Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Beyus, the Council voted unanimously to Table the recommendation of Corporation Counsel to and refer the proposed sale of property on the westerly side of University Drive in Torrington, identified on Assessor’s Map 213/Block 003/Lot 029, to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 8- 24 determination B. Vote to authorize the Mayor to proceed with the execution of documents necessary for the sale of said property contingent upon a favorable recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission. Corporation Counsel Kalinowski spoke about the transaction. Councilor Beyus spoke about his concerns on the sale of this property - Losing out on the revenue from the cell tower and tax revenue. Councilor Cavagnero spoke about his concerns on the sale of this property - What does the Art Center need all this property for? Councilor Oliver asked what revenue do we currently have coming in from the cell tower? Resolution #143-281 Seferi Apartments Update IF Grant Application – Director of Economic Development William Wallach spoke about not pursuing the Grant Application at this time. Due to the significant increase in construction costs and the lack of a fully developed capital stack to cover them, the Economic Development Office and the development team no longer believe the application would be competitive. Therefore, the Economic Development Office will not submit the Seferi Apartments Project for a Round 8 CIF Grant Application, as further explained in the Economic Development Director’s memo dated December 1, 2025. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Beyus, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated December 31, 2025. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 642 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom January 5, 2026 Sewer Usage Funds On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Hannon-Harrel, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated December 31, 2025. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Beyus, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Assessor Maldanado spoke briefly about the Grand List. They are still on track with everything. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Beyus, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Ruwet and Councilor Maniccia wished everyone Happy New Year Councilor Beyus thanked the street crews for working during the holidays and keeping the roads clear. Mayor Spino wished everyone Happy New Year. She went to the Street Department and gave them a tray of pastries today to thank them for working during Christmas and New Year keeping our streets cleared and safe. Public Comment On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Beyus, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to comment on Agenda items only. Councilor Cavagnero abstained. Tom Kandefer from the public spoke about the Five Points Property. Executive Session On a motion from Councilor Hannon-Harrel, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to enter into executive session pursuant to C.G.S. §200-1 (6) (B) for discussion of the pending litigation for the City of Torrington vs. Jayson Hospitality, LLC, docket LLICV216027116S. Recessed meeting at 8:15 pm. Opened meeting at 8:25 pm Open Session On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to go into open session. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:26 p.m. ATTEST Respectfully submitted by Diane V. Woodruff, Deputy City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK