Votes at a glance: Torrington council approves public hearings, gym floor contract and CIF grant applications

Torrington — The Torrington City Council on Monday approved a series of procedural motions and grant applications, including public hearings, a capital contract to replace a gym floor at the Armory and four applications to the state’s Community Investment Fund (CIF).

Highlights - Public hearings set for May 19, 2025: a proposed regional waste authority ordinance and a sale of real estate located at 40324 West Street (pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §7‑163e(a)). The council also authorized a WPCA public hearing (scheduled May 19) to set the sewer user fee for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2025; staff described a proposed residential user‑fee range of $420–$464 per dwelling unit and the same range per 65,000 gallons for other users.

- Armory gym floor replacement approved: On the recommendation of facilities staff, the council authorized the mayor to award a contract to Dailene Flooring of South Windsor for a new maple hardwood gymnasium floor at the Armory at a cost of $204,097. Facilities staff described the existing floor as 105 years old with multiple polyurethane layers and areas of delamination; the project uses capital funds previously set aside for the replacement.

- CIF grant applications authorized: The council adopted resolutions authorizing the mayor to apply for CIF 20/30 funds for multiple projects: • Public safety complex planning grant (up to $250,000) — planning for a consolidated public safety facility that could house police, fire and related services. • Safari Apartments (245 East Elm Street) — CIF capital application (authorization for up to $10,000,000) for a mixed‑use project that includes residential units and roughly 10,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. • Connecticut Food for Thought commercial expansion — CIF application (up to $8,000,000) to expand a local food‑production and distribution operation. Council members described the expansion as increasing production capacity and regional distribution. • Sky Ridge canopy walk project — CIF application (up to $3,000,000) to build infrastructure and a proposed canopy‑walk tourism attraction on Sky Ridge Trails property.

- Administrative items and refunds: The council approved routine minutes (special and regular), accepted the tax collector’s recommendation to authorize tax refunds listed on the May 5 report, and authorized sewer‑use refunds on staff recommendation.

What the council recorded in motions and votes - Motion to set public hearing on regional waste authority ordinance for May 19, 2025 — approved. - Motion to set public hearing on sale of city property at 40324 West Street under CGS §7‑163e(a) for May 19, 2025 — approved. - Motion to set WPCA public hearing on sewer user fee for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 and to propose fees in range $420–$464 per dwelling unit and per 65,000 gallons for other users — hearing set. - Motion to award and execute contract to Dailene Flooring for Armory gym floor replacement at $204,097 — approved. - Resolutions authorizing CIF grant applications for public safety planning ($250,000), Safari Apartments (up to $10M), Connecticut Food for Thought (up to $8M), and Sky Ridge canopy walk (up to $3M) — all approved. - Motions to accept meeting minutes and to authorize tax and sewer refunds as listed — approved.

Notes and context: Staff said the Armory floor replacement is funded from capital accounts set aside for the project; the Dailene bid includes a contingency allowance and a vendor discount. CIF applications were described as competitive and will be triaged for “shovel readiness” before final submission; economic development staff said they continue to refine which projects will be prioritized for state funding.

Ending: The council’s action on grants authorizes applications only; awards and final project funding depend on the state CIF review and separate agreements if funding is awarded.