The Torrington Telegram | Council vote to keep the stop signs on Albany Avenue

TORRINGTON – Torrington City Council held its first assembly of December on 6 December in Torrington Council Chambers. Mayor Randy Adams was current with Council members Ted Kinney, Richard Patterson, Dennis Kelly and Kate Steinbock.

Buck Klemola made his case to have stop signs just lately put in on Albany Avenue eliminated.

This was a difficulty that Klemola introduced up at the final council assembly. At the final assembly, as an area resident who lives on Sheridan Street simply off Albany Avenue, he stated he did not assume the new stop signal was essential. The council had stated the stop signal was the newest response to security considerations and extreme mud in the space.

“Thank you, Mayor and City Council, for once again forgiving me,” Klemola started. “At the last council meeting we discussed the placement of the signs and most of the discussions were between the mayor and myself as to why.”

Klemola defined that he despatched a letter to the mayor and council forward of the assembly, addressing his considerations from a technical perspective and particular rules from the unified visitors management gadget guide. This handbook is a information designed to keep legal guidelines and rules related throughout state strains.

Klemola argued that in accordance to the guide, any modifications made with the intention of regulating visitors must be introduced prematurely and supported by a technical examine or advice.

“In my experience I’ve spoken to a number of people in the community, except you, and I haven’t found a single person who thinks putting a sign there is a bad idea,” replied Patterson. “There wants to be visitors management. There are plenty of issues there in the summer season and we now have to sluggish issues down.

Patterson went on to say the Handbook is just not binding regulation; it serves as a information. As the metropolis grows and modifications, transportation plans should change with it, particularly when security considerations come up.

“We couldn’t possibly do a full engineering study for every stop sign placement,” added Patterson. “If there is a large (change) then a examine can be warranted, however we’re speaking a few avenue the place there is a clear drawback. All you could have to do is go there to watch the soccer video games and watch the children operating backwards and forwards and the automobiles whizzing backwards and forwards.”

Klemola learn a couple of research to assist his argument.

“I guess the stop sign was another reaction to the fact that people weren’t obeying the 15 mph speed limit,” Klemola continued. “Traffic was nonetheless going quicker than 15 mph, and as this examine confirmed, folks have a tendency to have a look at ridiculous issues and ignore them fully, and even stroll the different method. When you could have a 15 mph pace restrict and there is not a soul in sight, it is actually laborious to justify that pace restrict.”

Among the others, Police Commissioner Matt Johnson, space resident Vickie Zimmer, and Councilwoman Steinbock spoke about the want for the stop signal and security considerations in the space.

“I don’t feel that adding a preventative measure to get people to stop and slow down outweighs the inconvenience it causes,” Steinbock stated.

There has been a lot dialogue and debate on the topic. The council voted unanimously to depart the stop signs the place they’re.

City Clerk and Treasurer Lynette Strecker introduced that Deputy Clerk Silvia Anaya has acquired the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

“The Certified Municipal Clerk Program was designed to improve the job performance of clerical workers in communities large and small around the world,” stated Strecker. “To earn this designation, a community officer must participate in extensive educational programs. Silvia completed 120 hours of instruction for this certification. It also requires relevant experience in the community. The CMC program prepares you for the challenges of a complex community officer role by providing quality education and partnerships with colleges and local officer associations.”

This program has existed since 1970 and has licensed a complete of 4,500 municipal clerks worldwide.

“I’m so proud of her. She worked very hard and she earned that from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks,” added Strecker.

The Council congratulated Anaya on her achievement.

The council heard a movement from Strecker and Superintendent of Roads and Sewerage, Ed Hawley, to award Shell Equipment, LLC a $90,625 bid for a brand new crane and dump physique.

“We opened the offers on November 30th,” stated Strecker. “We have two offers, one from Shell Equipment, LLC for $90,625 and one from Kois Brothers Equipment for $123,938. There were two factors we looked at. First it was the loading and then the delivery time of 45 to 60 days compared to Kois Brothers 450 days.”

Strecker went on to say that this gadget is a crucial want for the Roads and Sewerage Agency and given the uncertainty surrounding the provide of units, it’s endorsed that the order go forward. The prices for the truck will solely be recorded in the subsequent monetary yr.

The council unanimously authorised the provide.

Strecker additionally offered the efficiency appraisal and the request for a rise in efficiency. She defined that they’ve carried out the annual assessments of all metropolis workers and are prepared to approve subsequent yr’s will increase.

“There were 91 ratings, the average performance rating was 3.94 out of 5, and the median was 4 out of 5,” stated Strecker. “The average increase in performance was estimated at $0.71 per hour.”

The council authorised the request.

Attorney James Eddington learn the ordinance establishing C-1 zoning for Lots 9 and 10, Block 5. This is the second studying of the ordinance to change the zoning of the Wagner’s Floral constructing and car parking zone from residential to industrial.

Eddington additionally learn the ordinance approving the metropolis’s sanitation charge modifications. These modifications have been made to simplify sentences and make different essential changes. This was the second ordinance studying on these plumbing charges.

The Council authorised each readings of the Regulations. These rules have to be authorised thrice earlier than they’ll come into drive. The remaining readings will happen at the December twentieth session.

Fire Chief Lance Petsch supplied a couple of updates on the division’s current and upcoming actions. On December 2, the police division helped with the parade of lights. In the future, they’ll assist with Shop with a Cop and Santa’s go to to faculties.

Reflecting on the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department’s service to the neighborhood, Adams stated, “It’s an incredible gift to the community that the Volunteer Fire Department are giving their time and volunteering to do all sorts of things for the community.”

During the mayoral briefing portion of the assembly, Adams supplied an replace on the variety of COVID-related sicknesses in the county.

“As of noon today, December 6, there are 24 new positive COVID cases to report officially this week and another eight reported since noon today,” Adams stated. “Two people are currently being treated at the Community Hospital for a COVID-related illness. Also, the medical community is being inundated with people diagnosed with influenza A.”

Adams introduced a vaccination clinic in the Pony Express room on December 20. For extra data or to schedule an appointment, name Public Health.

Adams additionally introduced that VFW would change the title of its submit to Paul A. Johnson/Harold Bandemer Post No. 2918 modifications Pearl Harbor.

The subsequent assembly of the Torrington City Council might be held on Tuesday, December 20 at 7 p.m. in the Torrington City Council Chambers at 436 East twenty second Avenue.