TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES Page 1 January 6, 2003
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
Members Present: Mayor William Aman
Councillor Barbara Barbour
Councillor Paul Burnham
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Judith Paquin
Councillor John Pelkey
Members Absent: Deputy Mayor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Edward F. Havens
Also Present: Town Attorney Barry Guliano
Asst. to the Town Manager Judy Hall
Also Absent: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Mayor Aman called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Mary Etter, Library Director, came forward representing South Windsor Public Library, The Friends of South Windsor Library, South Windsor Cultural Arts, and South Windsor Human Relations Commission to invite the Town Council and the public to the “Saturday Winter Pop Concerts.” These Concerts, she explained, are held three (3) Saturday evenings when the Library “reopens” its doors at 7:00 in order to present these Concerts—being co-sponsored by the groups just mentioned.
The Concerts, Mrs. Etter announced, will be held on the Saturday evenings of January 11 (Library); February 8 (Timothy Edwards School); and on March 1 (Library). She then went on to describe the performers and their type of music at each of these concerts.
ITEM:
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion to accept the Minutes of the following Town Council meetings: Work Session of November 18, 2002; and Regular Meeting of November 18, 2002.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions
Mayor Aman read into the record two letters and a Petition received from Patricia A. Godin, 115 Hilton Drive, regarding neighborhood opposition to a Senior Residence Development (SRD) being proposed for the “Hilton Drive/Sharon Drive” area. (The letters and the Petition signed by 128 residents from that area is attached to these Minutes as Exhibit B.
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council - None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Judy Hall, Assistant to the Town Manager, said she was asked to remind everyone of former Probate Judge William Grace’s Retirement Reception from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. tomorrow evening at the Mill on the River. She then asked Director of Public Works Michael Gantick to come forward to present Council with an update on the snow removal budget.
Mr. Gantick reported that after only two weeks into the “official winter season,” road crews have been on call for 24-hour days for the last couple of weeks. Because of this, approximately 75% of the original snow removal budget for this Fiscal Year has been expended. The year started with $292,000, and we spent about $220,000 of that to date, leaving a balance of about $71,000.
The Director continued his update by remarking that the Public Works Department’s other concern was that it did not know what to expect this Spring since the “leaf collection” program has not been completed because of the early snow; because of the heavy use of “sand” this Winter, the “sweeping program” and the “catch basin cleaning program” would be increased in the Spring.
ITEM:
10. (Continued)
Mayor Aman pointed out that snow removal and sanding, etc. were one of those expenses that no one had any control over—that the roads had to be kept open and safe. He always informed the public that there are “contingency” funds in the Budget for just that reason—the unpredictability of winter weather and the amounts of snow and/or ice to expect. The Mayor asked Mr. Gantick to continue to keep the Council informed on this subject.
Mr. Gantick then spoke of an updated “brochure” the Public Works Department had recently rent out to residents to keep them appraised of the Town’s snow-removal program; and what they can do to help the Public Works Department “help them.” He gave examples of ways to help.
Statistically, according to Mr. Gantick, we have experienced more than “double” the amount of snow and storm events over last year.
Mayor Aman then asked Mr. Gantick to explain, for the public’s information, the amount and process for picking up salt/sand at the Town Garage for home use.
The Councillors then asked Mr. Gantick several questions with regard to snow removal and the costs associated with it. If an effort to put the cost of this program in a proper perspective, the Director told the Council that for a “full call-out” for a snow storm it would cost the Town approximately $1,500 per hour.
Councillor Delnicki suggested that in the absence of an Environmental Health and Safety Message this evening the best message that could be sent to those listening would be to “make certain that the fire hydrant near your home is clean of snow” so that fire personnel could easily find it in the case of a fire.
Councillor Paquin asked Mr. Gantick if there was a “standard” to be followed in clearing sidewalks. She added that she had not seen a sidewalk “since before Christmas” in her neighborhood. Mr. Gantick said that the “intent of the Ordinance” governing the care of sidewalks, as he understood it, was that a “safe passage” for pedestrians was to be provided—that was the intent.
ITEM:
10. (Continued)
Councillor Pelkey asked if someone was hurt on that sidewalk that was “not passable,” who would be liable? Mr. Gantick said that probably everyone involved; however, it was up to the homeowner at that location to make sure that the sidewalk was as clear as possible. He then deferred to Town Attorney Guliano for a more formal opinion.
Atty. Guliano reiterated that “if the sidewalk abuts a private home, it is the private homeowner who will be responsible, and that’s covered by Statute.” There may be some Town properties that abut sidewalks—in which case, he added, the Town would be responsible.
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
Councillor Delnicki reported that Council’s Subcommittee for the Naming of Public Lands and Buildings has met again and is still in the process of “rehashing” and refining the final “draft” of the Policy to be presented to Council. He said they hoped to have a recommendation soon regarding the “recognition of Charlie Enes.”
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Burnham asked for the dates and area schedule for pick-up of Christmas trees. Mr. Gantick said they would be picked up twice “Town-wide,” starting with a regular “Monday route.” He asked that residents not put the trees out in plastic bags because they are brought to an Ellington site and ground up; and,
Mayor Aman then read a letter regarding Gretchen Bickford, Town Clerk, informing the Town Council that she has been accepted into the “International Institute of Municipal Clerks.” He then read an excerpt from the letter. The Town Council extended their congratulations to Mrs. Bickford.
ITEM:
13. (Continued)
On another matter, Mayor Aman said that he had met with State Representative Michael Christ and State Senator Gary LeBeau recently to discuss the State’s Budget situation. The Mayor said he came away from these discussions with the feeling that, with regard to monies from the State to municipalities, the final outcome would be neither the “worst case scenario” nor the “best case scenario.”
The Mayor said he has asked both of these Legislators to, as soon as they have any clear indication of where the Town will stand both this year and next year,
come to a Town Council meeting and inform the public of the situation because the “impact on the Town’s Budget will, obviously, be huge!”
Until more information regarding State Aid Grants, etc. is received, the Mayor said that “Capital Projects” that can be put on “hold,” will be; the general policy of the Town with regard to hiring new employees is that “no new employees will be put on, and if someone leaves the Town’s employ, a replacement employee will be hired on a ‘case-by-case’ basis after careful consideration.
14. Public Participation - None
15. Consent Agenda - None
16. Unfinished Business - None
17. New Business
A. Resolution Acknowledging the Resignation of Matthew J. Davis (R) from the Water Pollution Control Authority
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby acknowledges the resignation of Matthew J. Davis from the Water Pollution Control Authority, said resignation to be effective immediately; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council extends its thanks to Mr. Davis for the time he has dedicated to serving his community by his membership on the Authority.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Barbour
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
B. Appointment of Cary Prague (R) to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Cary Prague as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending November 30, 2005, and hereby tables the same.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
C. Discussion Item: Tax Relief Programs Available to Residents (Human Services Director Patricia Schneider, and Assessor Charles Danna)
Mayor Aman initiated the discussion by explaining that he had asked that someone be present at a Council meeting to explain these programs in light of the impact of the State Budget and the Town’s current ongoing revaluation process. He felt there were many people who were concerned about their taxes, particularly the elderly; and information regarding available tax relief programs in South Windsor would be helpful.
First to speak, following this, was Charles Danna, Town Assessor, he explained that he would start off the discussion; and anything he was unable to answer, perhaps the Director of Senior Services, Patricia Schneider, could answer. Mr. Danna said he would start with “exemptions;” and, at the local level, there were two types—“State mandated,” and a “local option.”
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
The State then puts its exemptions on one of three levels: Non-Reimbursable State-mandated; Reimbursable State-mandated; and the third whatever “local option” the Town may have. Any exemption, according to Mr. Danna, requires an “application process,” and that they be “date-driven” (or, in the case of those Mr. Danna deals with, by the October 1st date).
With regard to Veterans’ Exemptions, in order to qualify you must have filed an application with the Town Clerk, and must meet other certain criteria: an “Honorable Discharge” from the service; have served during an active military campaign or an “operation;” and, finally, met the Town’s “residency” requirement of having lived in Town the “prior year.”
Mr. Danna said there were also several different levels with regard to exemption “amounts.” According to the Assessor, when a veteran has met the criteria listed above Mr. Danna would be notified that the veteran was entitled to a basic exemption, at this time, of $3,000 from the Town of South Windsor. The Assessor stressed that this meant “$3,000 off of the veterans assessment—not a $3,000 reduction of tax dollars. Mr. Danna further explained that the $3,000 reduction in assessment equals, in this past year, about $112.65.
The Assessor went on to elaborate on other circumstances that would affect the Veterans Exemption; however, the most timely one is associated with the currently ongoing revaluation. Starting in 1984, according to Mr. Danna, every time there is a revaluation where the assessments change upward more than one-and one/half times, then the Veterans Exemption would also increase to the nearest whole number.
Further, according to the Assessor, veterans may receive additional “dollar amounts” if they have a “service-related” disability, or whose income is below a certain level. Mr. Danna provided an example of a veteran exemption “starting with the basic $3,000, but which could go up to as much as $9,000 for a veteran who is age 65 and who has a service-related disability. Also, in the case of a veteran who not only is 65 years of age and has a service-related disability but one is living on a “low income,” Mr. Danna pointed out their tax reduction could now be as high as $600+.
Mr. Danna then urged any South Windsor veteran concerned over whether he or she has an exemption, or whether it is properly applied, to contact the Assessor’s Office.
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
He added that, yearly, his Department goes through these exemptions to check on their applicability; however, there are over 700 different variations so there could be questions.
Continuing, the Assessor explained that there were three other exemptions in addition to the Veterans Exemption. Others, he added, included a “Blind Exemption,” a “Social Security Disability Exemption,” and a homeowner’s tax abatement program for the elderly. Mr. Danna then provided details regarding these other exemptions, and the requirements for eligibility.
In answer to a Councillor’s question, Mr. Danna affirmed that this exemption and reduction in assessment does appear on the veterans’ tax bills—thus providing them with proof that they did, indeed, receive the exemption they were entitled to receive.
Patricia Schneider, Director of Adult Services, stated that having worked in other municipalities compared, favorably, South Windsor’s application process to other Towns. You go one place for tax relief, energy assistance, etc. In South Windsor, she added, you are actually sitting down with a Social Worker who screens the applicant for his/her eligibility for any other program.
The question arose regarding the status of a proposal to “freeze” taxes on property owned by persons in the Armed Forces “Reserves” who, because of World conditions, have been called to “active duty.” Mr. Danna said the State was looking into this proposal; but, to date, no authorization to freeze their taxes had been forthcoming.
Councillor Delnicki asked Mr. Danna to update Council on the “appeals process” available to homeowners even after having had a hearing. Mr. Danna, referring to the informal hearings still in progress, said that 730 informal hearings have been held (400 of which were “for information only;” and he expected before they were done, there would be between 800 and 850. Following these informal hearings, he added, he would then send the “revised assessments” out to those who had gone to the hearings.
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
The next step in the appeals process, according to Mr. Danna, was the resident’s appearance before the Board of Assessment Appeals. At the present time, he stressed, a resident has to file a “written” request on an approved form, with the Board of Assessment Appeals, so that the Board can then determine whether or not (and when) they wish to hear the appeal. That “approved form,” he said, has to be on file between February 1 and February 20.
Further questions and discussion followed on this item.
D. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Seven (7) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the refund of property taxes to seven (7) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $2,826.16, and as shown on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Paquin
Councillor Pelkey then pointed out that there were “a couple of taxpayers” on the list that were involved in the recent fire at the Strawbridge condominiums; and who were being “refunded” for that time period when they were unable to use their sewers. He wanted to make certain that all 10 units involved in the fire were aware of their entitlement to this refund.
The Motion was approved, unanimously.
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
ITEM:
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Executive Session - None
21. Motion to Adjourn
Councillor Delnicki made a Motion to Adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.; the Motion was seconded by Councillor Paquin; and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmts. (Exhibits A. and B.)
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