TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 7, 2003
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL 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 Deborah Fine
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor John Pelkey
Members Absent: Councillor Judith Paquin
Also Present: Town Attorney Barry D. Guliano
Absent: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
3. Public Participation
Robert Burns, 129 Quarry Brook Drive, questioned the use of tax dollars for items at Veterans’ Memorial Park, as well as the idea of the Town trying to find money for sports fields, despite the fact that there have been two failed referendums. He stated that 57% of the Town does not have children in the sports-age bracket, and those individuals have to pay for something that they don’t use. He believes that if money is available, then it would be better used for bulky waste.
Mr. Burns then spoke of the Board of Education Budget and his frustration with the way money is used.
He also addressed the subject of cell phones and the need for a ban on their use while driving.
3. Public Participation (Continued)
In speaking of taxes in South Windsor, Mr. Burns suggested a moratorium on building.
Peter Santoro, 66 Farm Brook Lane, spoke of tax increases during the past twenty years. He asked that the citizens of South Windsor have the right to vote on the budget.
Communications – None
Town Manager’s Report – None
Items for Discussion
Report Received from Schoenhardt Architectural Firm on Union School
Hap Fitts, Chairperson of the Public Building Commission, said that when the Council had asked the Commission to evaluate the Union School for its problems and possibilities, their goal was to have a report by mid-year, and they have come close to making that date. The detailed material which has been prepared by the Architect and consultants was given to the Council the previous week, and a copy is on file in the Town Clerk’s office. This report includes a discussion of hazardous material types of items—mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and the difficulties with asbestos. A detailed review was done of items which could cost the Town considerable money in liabilities and in remediation.
Mr. Fitts stated that the building has not had much work done to it in many years. It has heating and plumbing systems which are inadequate for uses contemplated at this time. There is lead paint in abundance; the windows are single pane and are covered with lead paint that has begun to flake off and fall to the ground.
The report includes a discussion by the architect of estimated costs, depending upon different things which might be done with the building. The costs are considerable to “mothball” the building, and they are considerably higher if remediation takes place. Work can be done at a more modest cost to maintain the building in its existing condition, but that does not solve anything.
6. A. (Continued)
Mayor Aman said that, after reading the report, he felt that in order to use the building for any use, it would have to be gutted to the outside brick, which also needs repair. Mr. Fitts agreed with the Mayor. He added that there is a belief that an underground fuel tank exists somewhere on the property, and that presents another set of problems.
Councillor Barbour wished to advise the public of the following numbers: To repair the building for some type of use would be $200,000 in the remediation area, plus the cost of converting it into whatever it would become; to leave it vacant would be $30,000, plus the annual heating cost; to demolish the building would be approximately $180,000.
Councillor Barbour questioned using the building for Town offices, and Mr. Fitts responded that its location was not very suitable. Regarding selling the land, he said that a substantial amount of money would have to be spent before being able to sell it.
Noting that one item in the Town’s capital projects budget is a storage facility for the Board of Education at $108,000, Councillor Pelkey asked if this building would be suitable. At this point, Mr. Fitts once again raised the issue of the lead paint which is flaking off onto the ground and said that this is something which should be addressed even if the building is used for nothing more than storage. He said that the best way to take care of the lead paint problem with the windows is to pop them out and replace them with double-pane windows. With regard to the building being used for cold storage, Mr. Fitts indicated that without heat, it will deteriorate.
Councillor Pelkey said that the report indicated the use of the soccer field, and he questioned the Town Attorney about this subject. Atty. Guliano said that the fields cannot be used unless a special exception is granted by Planning & Zoning.
When asked if there are possible grant monies because of the building’s location, Atty. Guliano said he was not aware of any. Mr. Fitts stated that the Wood Memorial Library, which sits to the side of the Union School, has a great deal more historic value.
6. A. (Continued)
Discussing the possible demolition of the building, Mr. Fitts said that it would cost approximately $50,000 and a dump that will accept the hazardous waste will have to be found, which will cost more money—about $100,000. Mr. Fitts stated that “you are never really rid of the asbestos” because wherever you take it, you will have to sign a paper stating that it came from the Town, it was placed there, and the Town paid.
Deputy Mayor Streeter stated that the Space Needs Committee did look at Union School and two of their largest concerns were storage space and office space for the Town. The issue of cold storage had arisen and a centralized storage facility was sought. Union School is not centralized; there is no dock; the first story is one-half grade above the ground and the basement is one-half story below the ground. The Recreation Department had used the building for storage and the Fire Marshal had not been happy about it, and he felt that the Town should not use the building for any type of storage unless renovations were made.
Mr. Fitts stated that the Public Building Commission did not feel that “moth-balling” the building was feasible, since it would be spending the taxpayers’ money and ending up with no solution. He said some arrangement with the Wood Library would be the most beneficial use because Wood needs additional room to carry out its functions. However, the Library doesn’t have the resources to take over the building.
Councillor Havens recommended that input be obtained from the Historic District Commission before anything further is done.
Concerning levels of accountability, Councillor Delnicki asked about the differences between those that the Town would have versus those that a private entity would have. (The response was inaudible.) The Councillor then asked about the costs.
Mr. Fitts noted that a private developer has resources and is in the business of developing property and has the connections.
Councillor Delnicki said perhaps a private entity might be interested and wondered what type of opportunity the Town might have to enter a partnership with a private entity to rehabilitate the facility. He also asked that it would be possible depending upon the type of situation.
6. A. (Continued)
When asked if the condition of the building was similar to the old Company One, Mr. Fitts said it was similar, except the magnitude of the problem is greater with the Union School building.
Councillor Delnicki asked if this issue was one in which the Redevelopment Agency could become involved. (Again, the response was inaudible.) The Councillor suggested that this be referred to the Redevelopment Agency for their input.
Councillor Pelkey suggested that the Town put out a request for proposal, which may bring in some ideas. Mayor Aman said he didn’t see any problem in doing that, while sending a copy of the report to the Historic District Commission, the Historic District Society and the Redevelopment Agency.
Executive Session – To discuss potential litigation and “draft” agreement regarding Buckland Road
After convening the Regular Meeting at 8:00 p.m. and immediately recessing that meeting, a motion was made by Deputy Mayor Streeter to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation and “draft” agreement regarding Buckland Road. The motion was seconded by Councillor Pelkey and was unanimously approved.
8. Adjournment
The Work Session was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merlyn P. Guild
Assistant to the Clerk of the Council
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