On another matter, Deputy Mayor Havens read a letter from Raymond Brandoli, writing for The Tobacco Valley Flyers Radio Control Club to Karl Reichle (Supt. Of Parks and Grounds) thanking him and his crew for the hard work then had put into preparing the old landfill property on Burgess Road for their Club
14. Public Participation - None
ITEM:
15. Consent Agenda
Motion to accept Agenda Items 16. A. through 16. F. and 17. A., B., and C. as the Consent Agenda.
Was made by: Councillors Fine and Aman
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
16. Unfinished Business
*A. Appointment of Alan Larson (D) to the Park and Recreation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Alan Larson to the Park and Recreation Commission for a term ending November 30, 2001, to fill the unexpired term of Thomas Lines.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*B. Appointment of Stephen Wagner (D) as a Full Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Stephen Wagner as a Full Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending November 30, 2003, to fill the unexpired term of Barbara Murray.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*C. Appointment of Sandra Jeski (D) as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Sandra Jeski as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending November 30, 2003, to fill the unexpired term as an Alternate of Stephen Wagner.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
ITEM:
16. Unfinished Business (Continued)
*D. Reappointment of Jacqueline Smith (D) to the South Windsor Agricultural Land Preservation Commission (SWALPAC)
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council reappoints Jacqueline Smith to the South Windsor Agricultural Land Preservation Commission (SWALPAC) for a term ending November 30, 2003.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*E. Reappointment of John Phillips (R) to the Inland Wetlands Agency
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council reappoints John Phillips to the Inland Wetlands Agency for a term ending June 1, 2005.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*F. Reappointment of Elizabeth Warren (R) to the Inland Wetlands Agency
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council reappoints Elizabeth Warren to the Inland-Wetlands Agency for a term ending June 1, 2005.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
G. Appointment of Carolyn Mirek (R) to the Mass Transit & Highway Advisory Commission
(Councillor Aman)
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Carolyn Mirek to the Mass Transit & Highway Advisory Commission for a term ending November 30, 2001, to fill the unexpired term of Suzanne Hannigan.
Was made by: Councillor Aman
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was approved 7 Ayes to 1 Abstention on a Roll Call vote. Councillor Streeter abstained.
ITEM:
16. Unfinished Business (Continued)
H. Appointment of Lincoln Streeter (R) as an Alternate to the Economic Development Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Lincoln Streeter as an Alternate to the Economic Development Commission for a term ending November 30, 2001, to fill the unexpired term of Daniel Seypura.
Was made by: Councillor Aman
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was approved 7 Ayes to 1 Abstention, on a Roll Call vote. Councillor Streeter abstained.
17. New Business
*A. Appointment of Thomas Hindson, Jr. (D) as an Alternate to the Inland/Wetlands Agency, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Thomas Hindson, Jr. as an Alternate to the Inland/Wetlands Agency for a term ending December 1, 2004, and hereby tables the same.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*B. Appointment of John J. Mitchell (R) as an Alternate to the Economic Development Commission, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints John J. Mitchell as an Alternate to the Economic Development Commission for a term ending November 30, 2004, to fill the unexpired term of Roy VanderPutten, and hereby tables the same.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
*C. Appointment of Timothy M. Moriarty (R) to the Patriotic Commission, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Timothy M. Moriarty to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending August 31, 2003, and hereby tables the same.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
D. Resolution Approving a Transfer of $2,000 from Contingency Account to Town Manager
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the transfer of $2,000 from Contingency Account 1910-1310-390 to the Town Manager
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Aman
Councillor Delnicki and Deputy Mayor Havens commented enthusiastically on the Candlelight Vigil held on September 29, 2001, and lauding the two young High School students who spearheaded this moving event. Councillor Delnicki asked that the two young women responsible for the organization and success of this event be formally recognized at an upcoming Town Council meeting.
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
Before proceeding to the next Resolution, Councillor Fine moved that Agenda Item 17. G. be moved up to be addressed next
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
E. Resolution Approving a Tax Refund to 23 South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to twenty-three (23) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $1,498.79, and as shown on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Aman
Councillor Fine asked that the Town Manager give a quick explanation, once again, as to why the town issues refunds to some taxpayers. Mr. Galligan explained.
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
G. Discussion Item
Mr. Galligan reported that he, Chief Tyler, and NAGE
During
Of primary concern, Mr. Galligan said, is that the Dispatcher on duty concentrate on the incident itself and contacting the necessary agencies
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Not wanting the Council to be
Mr. Galligan said that, to date, many part-timers have been hired. The problem, he said, was that after extensive training, many of them have left for full-time jobs somewhere else. Too, he added, it has been difficult to attract applicants for $9.00 (more or less) per hour
Because of the
Another issue, according to Mr. Galligan, was the fact that surrounding communities were
Several times, the Town Manager mentioned the timeliness of these discussions in light of the terrorist activities on September 11 and the need, in every community for a first rate
Councillor Williams felt that this request was a good idea, and asked if they were to be
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Coming forward to explain was Public Safety Dispatcher Krista Marchesseault who said that telephone calls are automatically recorded on a tape system
Ms. Marchesseault added that a Dispatcher can usually handle one situation at a time
Councillor Williams felt that in light of recent events public safety and response time to emergencies was a time issue; and this suggestion was, she felt,
Councillor Delnicki thanked Ms. Marchesseault for inviting the Town Councillors to observe the
The Councillor said he saw three (3) problems
Councillor Delnicki felt that the third problem was the
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
The Councillor then thanked NAGE for supplying a description of the Dispatchers actual duties; and asked the Town Manager to provide all the Town Councillors with a copy.
Town Manager Galligan then referred to the installation of a new tower at Police Headquarters, stating that there is
When asked for a time-line on this work, Mr. Galligan replied that the contract would be signed within the next few days
Councillor Delnicki asked if anything could be done, prior to the completion of this work, to alleviate the problems in the
Councillor Pelkey added that what he heard on the evening he took the tour of the Dispatch Center was that the parts for the secondary system were
Councillor Pelkey then added that he felt the Town
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan replied that the Town always tries to promote from within; however, the position still had to be
Although he felt South Windsor
Councillor Aman agreed that without a good dispatching system, the Town
Mr. Galligan said that, ordinarily, the Council would approve the funding of the hires
Councillor Fine cited an occasion she had experienced several years ago when she had to depend upon a South Windsor Dispatcher to take care of an emergency situation. The Councillor stressed that when you are in an emergency situation you do not want to
Councillor Burnham reminded Council of his questions of Chief Tyler, during Budget time, when the Councillor had asked about Dispatchers. At the time, he said, Councillor Tyler had informed them that he had gone through three pages of dispatcher candidates without finding a
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Town Manager Galligan explained that these part-time Dispatchers did not belong to the Union because they worked less than 20 hours per week. Additionally,
Deputy Mayor Havens asked that the Town Manager come back to Council to take care of these concerns.
F Discussion Item
Town Attorney Barry Guliano, stating that this was an issue the Town Council had asked him to look into and then
Atty. Guliano began by giving the Council a quick overview of where the entire issue of back-up generators began. He explained that these generators have been set up in other Towns prior to this time; and, since they are fueled by propane gas, they are there to provide back-up service when there is a loss of electrical power. Cox Cable also provides, in some cases, telephone service.
According to the Town Attorney, the problem that has been created is that when installed in other communities (i.e., Manchester and Glastonbury), they have done it with virtually no information provided to the municipality
That action, he said, was brought by several parties
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Atty. Guliano then referred the Councillors to material he had provided
Apparently, according to the Town Attorney, there have been issues about the safety of the box, itself. Explaining, Atty. Guliano said that, particularly because of its proximity to the roads they are located on, these fixtures should be a
Because of these problems, Atty. Guliano said litigation before the DPUC began last year. That litigation was finally ended with the decision that came down this past March. At that time, he said, South Windsor was looking at the possibility of passing some type of Ordinance that might require Cox Cable to give the Town some
Continuing, Atty. Guliano explained that the reason he was coming to Council with a
However, also stated in the decision by the DPUC is that although Cox Cable does not have to abide by any Town Ordinance, the DPUC is ordering Cox Cable to
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Explaining further, Atty. Guliano said he has been in contact with the Attorney General
Atty. Guliano said he would be speaking with the Town Attorney from Suffield regarding their future plans regarding this; with CCM to see if other municipalities are interested in getting involved in this; and with the DPUC and the DOT to see
Councillor Streeter asked how often residents in South Windsor experience a loss in electricity. He predicted it was very little time
Councillor Pelkey felt that it cost nothing for the Town to
The Councillor then asked where Planning and Zoning powers entered into this whole thing. Atty. Guliano replied that, ordinarily and if it were anyone other than a public utility placing these on public property, a
Questions from Councillors arose regarding their placement in areas serviced by ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
Councillor Fine asked if Council could put forward a Resolution stating the Council
Councillor Fine asked for a Resolution to that effect. However, the Town Attorney suggested that it be tailored to a particular siting
Councillor Delnicki wondered if Cox Cable, following this DPUC decision, might not want to entertain negotiations to come up with mutually agreeable procedures. He suggested that the Town Attorney contact Cox Cable to see whether or not they are willing to negotiate something that would address the concerns spoken of this evening.
Following further discussion regarding this issue, Deputy Mayor Havens asked the Town Attorney to return to Council with ideas where the Town might have some control over the placement of these units.
H. Discussion Item
Councillor Williams pointed out that this has previously been discussed where the Town Manager had provided some statistics
Mr. Galligan said that he had a meeting tomorrow morning with CL&P regarding this issue. The Town
17. G. (Continued)
Some of the developments being spoken of this evening
Councillor Williams then asked that a Resolution to purchase the lights from CL&P (including the Common Area Developments) be placed on the next Agenda, and the subject be discussed again at that time. Mr. Galligan agreed that more information would be available by that time.
Councillor Aman said that he had
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Executive Session - None
21. Motion to Adjourn
A motion to adjourn was made at 10:00 p.m.; duly seconded; and approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmt. (Exhibit A)
