TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES Page 1 November 4, 2002
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
Members Present: Mayor William Aman
Deputy Mayor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Barbara Barbour
Councillor Paul Burnham
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Judith Paquin
Councillor John Pelkey
Also Present: Town Attorney Barry Guliano
Asst. to the Town Manager Judy Hall
Absent: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Aman asked Coach Gene Jay to come forward to assist him in the presentation of Certificates of Recognition to eight (8) South Windsor Soccer Players in the U-12 age group who made the Regional Team for the Nutmeg Games, and won the Gold Medal. He said it is very unusual for one Town to have 10 boys who participated. This win, he added, qualifies them for the National Tournament next year. Mayor Aman then presented a Certificate to the Gold Medal Winners, and to their Coach, Gene Jay.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Present this evening to address the Council was State Representative Nancy Kerensky who said she was present to “make a very exciting announcement.” At the last State of Connecticut Bond Commission meeting, the Town of South Windsor received a $500,000 Grant to be used for infrastructure improvements to I-291. This Grant, she added, will allow Towns to “open up the I-291 Corridor;” and to realize a potential that will be critical to South Windsor.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message - None
ITEM:
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion to adopt the following Town Council Minutes: Work Session of October 7, 2002; and Regular Meeting of October 7, 2002.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions – None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
Mr. Robert Moeller, Chairman of the Patriotic Commission, was present to again provide information to the Council and listening public on several issues: The Town’s participation in the November 9th Veterans Day Parade in Hartford; the progress on the brick memorial walk at South Windsor’s Veterans’ Memorial Park; and the ceremony being planned by the Patriotic Commission for November 11th at the Park.
10. Communications and Reports from the Town Manager
Reporting for the Town Manager was the Assistant to the Town Manager, Judy Hall. Ms. Hall said that Mr. Galligan had asked her to remind the Council that on Wednesday, November 13, there will be a “Leadership Roundtable”—a part of the Strategic Planning process—which will take place at Fire Headquarters.
Secondly, Ms. Hall said she had been asked by the Department of Public Works personnel to remind residents that “leaf pick-up” began today with crews out in each of the four districts. With this service in mind, Ms. Hall gave the listening audience the information that the Town map delineating the districts can be accessed on the Internet; and the Public Works’ Information Line number for those residents needing further scheduling data.
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
ITEM:
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Barbour, liaison to the Board of Education, relayed to Members of the Town Council some of the activities taking place at the Board of Education meetings—among them recent “honors” to two of South Windsor’s teachers—District Honors to Para-professional Eileen Cohen, of Pleasant Valley School for the “Support Staff of the Year” Award; and to William Myers, of Pleasant Valley School, for “Teacher of the Year Award.”
Continuing, Councillor Barbour said that Marianne Lopez received the “National Outstanding Food Service Director” Award; and Todd Bouchard was recognized as a Fulbright Scholar who only recently returned from Lima, Peru where he had spent a year teaching. Timothy Edwards Middle School received the Blue Ribbon School Award recently given out in Washington, D.C.
The Councillor then reported, briefly, on the discussion items at the Capital Projects Committee held last week—particularly, the discussion by Town Manager Matthew Galligan and her regarding the long-term idea of financial planning to coincide with the Town’s 10-year anticipated revenues and expenses. Members of this Committee, she said, were presented with detailed drafts depicting how Capital Projects would be impacted if this method was used.
Referring to the 10-year anticipated revenues and expenses plan, Mayor Aman mentioned that the Town’s Director of Finance and the Town’s business manager for review to make certain that there were no errors in the “assumption” portion’ and that they made sense. It was then decided, he added, that it would be logical to have a Joint Meeting with the Board of Education to review this plan when it is ready—most likely, he said, a Wednesday evening, early in December.
Councillor Pelkey, referring to State Representative Nancy Kerensky’s announcement this evening with regard to the STEAP Grant received from the State, noted in particular that the Town was receiving a $500,000 Grant—which was at the “maximum level” for a Town to receive—and would certainly bring the Town many benefits that would benefit that area.
Councillor Havens then asked Councillor Barbour the status of the “Teachers’ Negotiations.” Ms. Barbour said that they were presently ongoing; and that the public and the Town Council should be hearing very soon what the terms of the new contract were to be.
ITEM:
13. (Continued)
Councillor Delnicki, too, congratulated staff and our State Representative for the hard work that went into receiving that STEAP Grant. He then reported on the activities of the Town’s “Family Awareness Day.”
14. Public participation - None
15. Consent Agenda - None
16. Unfinished Business - None
15. New Business
A. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of $2,500 from the Contingency Account to the Volunteer Abatement Account; the Payment of $53,250 from the Volunteer Abatement Account to the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department Inc.; and the Payment of $7,250 from the Volunteer Abatement Account to the South Windsor Ambulance Corps, Inc.
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council wishes to provide funds to the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department Inc. and the South Windsor Ambulance Corps, Inc. in lieu of tax abatements, to be used for any purpose the above corporations choose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes the transfer of $2,500 from the Contingency Account #1910-9001-390 to the Volunteer Abatement Account #0300-0205-718; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes the payment of $53,250 from the Volunteer Abatement Account #0300-0205-718 to the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department Inc. in lieu of tax abatement, to be used for any purpose, and the payment of $7,250 from the Volunteer Abatement Account #0300-0205-718 to the South Windsor Ambulance Corps, Inc. in lieu of tax abatement, to be used for any purpose.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
ITEM:
15. A. (Continued)
A discussion ensued regarding this Resolution. Participating in this discussion were not only the Members of the Town Council but, from the audience, Patrick Hankard (a Member of South Windsor’s Volunteer Fire Department). When asked by Councillor Havens where the money is to be banked, Mr. Hankard replied that his latest information regarding this was that the money is to go into the “Social Account of the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department—with, he assumed, the same thing happening on the Ambulance Corps side of this issue. However, if this action would, in any way, jeopardize the Volunteer Fire Department's and Ambulance Corps’ “volunteer status” with regard to being tax exempt, this action would not be taken and another course of action would be sought.
The Motion was approved, 8 Ayes to 1 Abstention on a Roll Call Vote. (The “Abstention” was made by Councillor Fine who recused herself from any discussion or vote because of a Conflict of Interest.)
B. Resolution Approving a Tax Refund to Eighteen (18) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to eighteen (18) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $5,145.42 and as shown on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was Approved, unanimously
C. Resolution Authorizing the South Windsor Public Building Commission to Serve as the Town’s Representative in the Architectural and Planning Study Relating to Union School and Wood Memorial Library
WHEREAS, Wood Memorial Library has contracted with the Schoenhardt firm to conduct Architectural and Planning Services for the library with a view to expanding that facility; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
WHEREAS, because of the proximity of Wood Memorial Library to Union School, and because of the historical and cultural significance of both of these buildings, the Town Council, upon the recommendation of the Town Manager, wishes to expand this study to include Union School and to participate in this study to determine the feasibility of creating a joint “cultural arts center”; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2002, the South Windsor Town Council approved the expenditure of $8,350 for Architectural and Planning Services for Union School as part of this joint study; and
WHEREAS, the Public Building Commission, by Ordinance and by custom, represents the Town and provides oversight on construction activity on public buildings
where so authorized by the Town Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the Town’s participation with Wood Memorial Library’s Strategic Planning Committee in the joint architectural and planning study relating to Union School and Wood Memorial Library to the extent of the $8,350 previously authorized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes the Public Building Commission to represent the Town and provide oversight in this joint architectural and planning study relating to Union School and Wood Memorial Library.
as made by: Councillor Barbour
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
Councillor Havens said he “assumed” Wood Memorial Library was aware of this Resolution and agreed with its terms. Mayor Aman said that the Town was participating in the study; and what this Resolution does is allow the Town’s Public Building Commission to serve as the Town Council’s representative to discussions relating to this.
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
20. Executive Session - None
21. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to Adjourn was made at 8:55 p.m. by Councillor Havens; was duly seconded; and was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmt. (Exhibit A.)
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