Torrington City Council on Jan. 6 approved several routine and programmatic items, including a five‑year extension of the Still River Garden maintenance contract for Coe Memorial Park, Small Cities grant work on residential properties, acceptance of a tax refund list and a request to use contingency funds to send four firefighter recruits to the Connecticut Fire Academy pending Board of Finance approval.

The measures were passed by voice vote during the meeting at City Hall and via Zoom. Motions carried after brief comment and without roll‑call tallies read into the record.

The council reappointed Donna Greco to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a five‑year term expiring Dec. 14, 2029; members praised her long service before approving the motion with unanimous voice votes.

On parks and maintenance, the council approved a five‑year contract extension with Still River Garden to maintain the Coe Memorial Park gardens and continue planter work on Main Street; proponents said the contractor provides a cohesive visual for downtown and the park.

Under Small Cities program recommendations the council approved $28,250 to replace the roof, garage door and garage floor slab at a property on Albany Avenue (listed in agenda as 64 Albany) and ratified an amendment to a previously approved auxiliary generator award for 26 Hodges Hill Road for an updated price of $15,877.72 after the original bid expired.

The council accepted a list of tax refunds as recommended by the tax collector and approved acceptance of the regular meeting minutes from Dec. 16, 2024.

On personnel training, the council voted to approve a request to use the city contingency fund to cover $31,500 to send four firefighter recruits to the Connecticut Fire Academy; the motion specifies use of the city contingency fund and remains subject to final review by the Board of Finance. Council members said the goal is to reduce overtime and staffing strain by filling vacancies; the mayor and staff said they would seek a short‑notice Board of Finance meeting to finalize the allocation.

Votes at a glance

- Reappointment: Donna Greco — motion to reappoint as regular member of the Planning and Zoning Commission through Dec. 14, 2029; mover and seconder stated on the record; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Contract extension: Still River Garden — motion to approve a five‑year extension for maintenance of Coe Memorial Park gardens and authorize the mayor to negotiate successor contract terms; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Firefighter training funding: $31,500 for four recruits to attend Connecticut Fire Academy; funding requested from city contingency and subject to Board of Finance approval; outcome: approved by council to seek finance committee action (voice vote).

- Small Cities property repair: $28,250 for roof/garage replacement and related work at 64 Albany (Albany Avenue) recommended by Small Cities Committee; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Small Cities generator amendment: Amendment to previously approved auxiliary generator award for 26 Hodges Hill Road; new price $15,877.72; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Tax refunds: Acceptance of tax refund list dated Jan. 6, 2025, per tax collector recommendation; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Procedural notes: Most approvals were recorded by voice vote with the chair asking “All in favor?” and receiving “Aye.” No formal roll‑call tallies were read into the meeting transcript for these items.

Ending

Council members and staff indicated follow‑up steps where needed: the mayor and finance staff will set a Board of Finance meeting to consider the contingency transfer for firefighter training; the city clerk will record contract authorization for the Still River Garden successor agreement; and Small Cities staff will proceed with vendor confirmations for the approved property work.