TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council met on Tuesday, Feb. 2, for its first meeting of the month where Teri Shinost was presented with the Community Hero Award.
Mayor Randy Adams said Shinost was presented the award for her knowledge, hard-work and the care that she shows to the Torrington community. He also pointed out her positive attitude, can-do work ethic and her will to accomplish anything she sets her mind to.
“[Shinost] is the poster child for a do everything, anytime it’s needed, kind of person that is essential in every community,” Adams said. “For these, and for many, many other reasons, Teri Shinost is our next Community Hero.”
Shinost began working for the city of Torrington as a meter maid when she was 19 years old. She moved from there to the dispatch center where she still works in a support role to this day.
While Shinost did a lot of work as a dispatcher, she is most known by the community for her role as an animal control officer and the work that she does at Waggin’ Tails Shelter.
“When Shinost took over the shelter, it was a concrete slab, a cage and a tiny building,” Adams said. “She has recruited and organized an army of volunteers who work tirelessly in support of the animals.”
After presenting Shinost with the Community Hero Award, Adams said that the state senate passed a 10% cut plan to the house of representatives. If the bill is passed and then signed by Governor Gordon, the city of Torrington will be faced with a 20% cut.
With snowfall expected in the next few days, Adams wanted to remind citizens of the ordinance that requires them to clear the snow off their sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall.
“We expect some snow to fall in the next few days,” Adams said. “If you are someone or know of someone that is unable to clear your walk, give us a call and we’ll find someone to help you out.”
Next Adams said the allotment of COVID-19 vaccines in Goshen County is expected to increase from 800 doses to 1000 sometime this month. He also said there has been 11 positive cases reported and no new hospitalizations this week.
After the pandemic update, Adams said the city of Torrington might be without a Fourth of July fireworks show this upcoming year. They budgeted for a $10,000 display this summer but estimates they have received would put the cost over $22,000 and require a five-year commitment.
“With the on-going cuts to the budget, the city of Torrington cannot justify either the yearly cost or the five-year commitment,” Adams said. “Unless things dramatically change and some additional support becomes available, there will not be a July fourth firework display this summer.”
The first action item of the night was the approval of the second reading of the ordinance which establishes R-2 zoning for the property located at 2002 Hillside Drive. It passed unanimously.
The second action item was the unanimous approval of the second reading of the ordinance that relates to city work holidays.
After approving the first two action items, the council also unanimously approved the third, fourth and fifth action times which were the first reading of adding the Jirdon, Miller and Spear Airport additions.
The final action item of the night was the unanimous approval of Extended Duty Assignments in the policy handbook for the Torrington Police Department.
Torrington Police Chief Matthew Johnson asked the council to approve a condition that would set aside two positions inside the department that could be filled by an officer and help with retention inside the department.
The first would be a detective position which would be a five-year position and comes with a 10% pay increase. The second is a School Resource Officer (SRO) position and has a 5% pay increase.
“We’re working on a system that allows police officers to move around the organization a little more efficiently,” Johnson said. “It has career goal opportunities and we’re looking to create some better job retention out of that and better service for the community.”
Councilman Ted Kinney spoke before Adams concluded the meeting and wanted to bring awareness to the National Wear Red Day, which is set for Friday, Feb. 5. The red shirts help bring awareness to heart disease.
The next meeting of the Torrington City council will be Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Torrington City Hall. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
