If I'm limited to having one service option for my business and for some reason something happens with the City of Torrington then my business has to shut down. It’s a bottleneck in my system. Now, I have options. That would greatly affect me.”

Mark Estes - Off the Hook

TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council held a Budget Work Session to discuss the Sanitation Fund, the Special Event Permit Ordinance, and providing water to the Cottonwood I & II subdivisions. In attendance were Mayor Herb Doby and council members Wayne Deahl, Dennis Kelly, Dr. Richard Patterson, and Shane Viktorin.

Calvin Coles, a consultant, presented projections of the Sanitation Fund’s expenses and cash balance under various rate structures. Included in the expenses is a significant outlay for a baler project, which would likely be funded by a forty-year USDA loan. To cover those costs, city staff is recommending a 6% increase each year for two years, followed by a 3% increase annually for sanitation collection fees. For residential customers, most of whom currently pay $34.77, this would represent an increase to $39.07 in 2026 and an increase to $49.48 by 2034. Staff also recommends that the rate for roll-off containers be increased in 2025 to align with industry standards, followed by a 6% increase the next year and 3% annually starting in 2027. For example, 12-yard roll-off containers would increase from the current fee of $195 to $240 in 2025, $254.40 in 2026, and $322.26 a decade later. Additionally, city staff is recommending an increase in landfill tipping fees for city residents, currently set at $0.04 per pound, to $15.00 for loads under 300 pounds and $0.05 per pound for loads over 300 pounds. These fees would also increase by 6% in 2026 and 3% annually thereafter.

In addition to the rate increases, city staff has drafted an updated Sanitation Fee Ordinance. Changes to the current ordinance include charging $8 for each roll-out trash can beyond one, requiring that all trash be bagged before being placed in a roll-out or dumpster, adding a provision for one bulk item pickup per year and $40 for each additional pickup, codifying the 3% annual increase and the previously mentioned rate increases, and clarifying fees for tire disposal and the delivery of goods from the baler. The council raised a question regarding items with fees charged by the pound that are dropped off at the baler which does not have a scale. City staff mentioned that fees may differ at the baler or landfill until the baler project is completed. For instance, white goods like refrigerators would be charged $5.00 at the baler or $0.05 per pound at the landfill.

The updated ordinance also includes a provision stating that any trash collection vendors other than the city would not be allowed to provide services within the city limits unless the Mayor and Council declare an emergency, such as during a major weather event that results in a significant increase in disposal of construction materials. Representatives from TDS and Gorilla Waste Solutions expressed their objection to the proposed provision, arguing that it would prohibit competition and likely lead to higher costs and fewer available services for city residents. Mark Estes from Off the Hook Butcher Shop in Torrington commented, “I'm choosing to use outside services because I can get a 16% cost savings and I feel more morally justified with the way that my waste is being handled because it's being composted. I don't like the idea of not having any options. If I'm limited to having one service option for my business and for some reason something happens with the City of Torrington then my business has to shut down. It’s a bottleneck in my system. Now, I have options. That would greatly affect me.”

The Council then addressed recent confusion regarding costs and fees associated with obtaining a Special Event Permit. City staff is recommending changes to the Special Event Permit Ordinance to clarify the fees involved and which can be waived by the Mayor and City Council. Currently, there is a non-waivable $40 application fee and a $200 Special Event Processing Fee, which can be waived for nonprofit organizations or at the discretion of the City Council, along with non-waivable reimbursement for city services, including police presence. Chief of Police Matt Johnson stated he informs applicants of the fees in advance, and they are listed in email communications prior to City Council meetings. However, he recommends adding additional language to the Special Event Permit application, along with adopting the proposed updates to the ordinance.

Finally, the Council discussed a request from the Homeowners Association at Cottonwood I and II, currently located outside of city limits, to sell subdivision water or for the city to annex the properties. The EPA is requiring that the Cottonwood subdivisions provide a plan to address contaminants in their current water system, and the Homeowners Association would like to offer options to homeowners as they prepare for a vote on how to resolve the water quality issue. Current city ordinances do not allow for the sale of water, so the ordinance would need to be amended if the Council chooses to allow the sale of subdivision water. Annexing the properties would be a more extensive process that would include providing all services to the subdivisions, including utilities, roads, and police services, and would change homeowners’ current property taxes.

Another work session to discuss funding for the rehabilitation of the swimming pool was scheduled for September 25, 2024, at 3 p.m., and the meeting was adjourned.