TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 21, 2002
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Aman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor William Aman
Deputy Mayor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Barbara Barbour
Councillor Paul Burnham
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Lassman Fisher
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor John Pelkey
Member Absent: Councillor Deborah Fine
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Town Attorney Barry Guliano
3. Public Participation - None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report – (Principal report will be given under Agenda Item 6.A.)
6. Items for Discussion
A. New Budget Process
Mayor Aman asked the Town Manager to explain what he was proposing for the new budget process. Mr. Galligan said that he and staff were trying to develop a “Strategic Budget” so that a booklet would be available for people to obtain and “see what Town government is all about; and what our function is.”
As an update, Mr. Galligan referred to a handout he had provided to the Town Council using the “Town Manager’s Office” as a sample. He reminded Council that previous budget presentations by Department Heads had
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
employed a variety of formats—some using a variety of formats—some using “overheads,” others using “power-point,” etc. Efforts were underway, he said, to get these formats into “one cohesive template” that everyone would use. He pointed out that the handout described (i.e.) what the departments’ responsibilities are; what their prime responsibilities are under the Town Charter; and what the Town Manager and the Town Departments should be doing for the Town Council.
Continuing, Mr. Galligan pointed out that each Department will include an “Organizational Chart” that will provide the staffing levels within each department, as well as staff’s responsibilities as delineated under the Town Charter. Also highlighted within the new budget system, he said, would be major programs; accomplishments already achieved for Fiscal Year 2001/2002; and, strategic planning goals and objectives.
Stating that he and staff would like to start this new process right away, Mr. Galligan asked that Council’s Budget Work Sessions be held in the Madden Room—where neither figures nor next year’s operating budget would be discussed—but, rather, discussions would be confined to an “overview” of current programs and staffing levels; what the Town is required to do “by law” and “by Town Charter.” By following this practice, he said, when the Budget is submitted, and the new numbers and programs are provided, Council will be in a better position to make decisions regarding them.
Mr. Galligan felt that as little as a month’s time from first submission of the proposed Budget to Council, to the setting of the Budget (as is the current practice), is much too short a time. The new process being suggested, he added, would give staff an opportunity to have more meaningful dialogue with the Town Council, and would eliminate the perceived need on staff’s part to “vie for each dollar” for their individual departments.
What he was hoping for following this initial process, he said, was a “consensus between all the Department Heads and the Town Council that we’re moving forward to take care of our ‘top ten list’ in certain areas.“
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan pointed out that, currently, he, Councillor Barbour, and Finance Director Melanie Crucitti were spending a good deal of time creating, as a part of this process, a “10 Year Budget Cycle” that takes a look at the Board of Education, the Town Government, Capital Projects, and all of the Town’s projects and revenues with a view to coming up with “numbers” reflecting the next ten years and where the Town “needs to be.” He felt this was “very useful” information for a Town Council since today’s decisions could affect Council’s decisions in the future.
The Redevelopment Agency, according to Mr. Galligan was presently taking a look at these numbers; next they would be given to the Economic Development Commission; and, then, to a “few others.” He added, that at the end of approximately 2-weeks, every Councillor would receive a “binder” describing all the different Departments, groups, and programs. This binder, he added, could then be used by each Councillor as a reference source, when needed.
Mr. Galligan then requested that he and the Mayor begin the process of scheduling these Work Sessions. Mayor Aman responded that he felt that, during November and early December, definitely, is the logical time when these discussions should take place since, once the end of the year arrives, the Council then gets into the Budget very quickly.
The Mayor went on to say that his only concern is that it is “very easy for the Council in October, November, or December to say ‘That sounds like a great program—something we’d like to do;’ and then has the reality check in February when the Grand List is posted, and State funding comes in and we realize how much money we have.”
Councillor Havens suggested that Council start early “some citizen participation” as, he said, is done on the Board of Education. Saying that he realized this could be “unwieldy” he felt, nevertheless, it should be given consideration. The Councillor suggested that some citizens may have ideas and suggestions for the Budget and Town programs that Council had not even thought of.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
The Mayor and Town Manager agreed that the Town Council meetings of November 4, 2002 might be a good time to start on those Budget Work Sessions.
B. Mr. Bill Oulandsen (from Hwang’s Tae Kwon Do) will be appearing before Council to discuss how a “Marshal Arts-Self Defense” program may be incorporated into the South Windsor Public School curriculum. Mr. Oulandsen will also provide a brief demonstration of self-defense tactics. (Requested by Councillor Lassman Fisher)
Mayor Aman then asked Councillor Lassman Fisher if she would introduce Bill Oulandsen. Following her introduction of Mr. Oulandsen, from Hwang’s Tae Kwon Do, in South Windsor, Councillor Lassman Fisher explained that the reason they were present this evening, at her request, is to give the Town Council and the listening audience a brief demonstration and explain what, she felt, would be a “tremendous asset to our school system—that is, to put into your minds and thoughts the idea that we can teach our kids ‘self defense;’ and we can do it as part of a ‘school curriculum’ and it can be done during the day.”
The Councillor felt that what our young people would learn in these sessions would “live with them forever, and may save their lives.” Repeating what she has always contended, the Councillor said that “our kids are not ‘street smart;’ our children are suburban children and they are often let go into major cities and onto college campuses—which, she added, is the most dangerous place for a woman to be than any other place; that there are “more attacks on college campuses than anywhere else.”
What Councillor Lassman Fisher sought was that young people feel confident about their ability to protect themselves—and it was her belief that “with a few simple instructions which may last over a period of months, we could give these kids something they will walk out the door with, and always have—that is a feeling of confidence and an understanding of what to do when they are in danger.” She then asked Mr. Oulandsen to explain further.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
There followed a brief description of the process and timing involved with learning this method of self-defense during which Mr. Oulandsen emphasized that, in addition to teaching the students self-defense, the marshal arts (most importantly) taught the students “self discipline.” He said that the basic program taught “fundamental” things—such as learning to be “street smart.” There are certain moves, etc., he stated, to prevent something from happening which was not all “kicking and punching; but included using your mind; being aware of your surroundings, etc.” All of these things, he added, would have to be adapted into a program were it to be included in the school system for the students.
He, and his students, then provided the Town Council and the listening audience with a demonstration of basic self-defense.
7. Executive Session - None
8. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to Adjourn was made by Councillor Barbour at 7:55 p.m., was seconded by Councillor Havens; and was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmts.
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