TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES Page 1 MAY 5, 2003
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 Deborah Fine
Councillor Judith Paquin
Councillor Edward F. Havens
Councillor John Pelkey
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Town Attorney Barry Guliano
Mayor Aman called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.
ITEM:
5. Public Input - None
6. Environmental Health l& Safety Message - None
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion to accept the Minutes of the following Town Council meetings: Regular Meeting of March 3, 2003; Work Session of March 17, 2003; Public Hearing of March 17, 2003 (re. Expenditure of $6,300 from Capital and Non-Recurring for Additional Deck Installation at VMP); Regular Meeting of March 17, 2003; Special Meeting of March 24, 2003; and Public Hearing of April 14, 2003 (re. Proposed General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
ITEM:
7. Adoption of Minutes (Continued)
The Motion was approved 7 Ayes to 2 Abstentions—the Abstaining votes being cast by Councillor Barbour and Councillor Havens because of their absence from one or more of the meetings whose Minutes were being adopted.
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council - None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager Matthew Galligan spoke on the preliminary “numbers” he had been working on to accommodate the Council’s proposed Amendments to the proposed Town Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004. If all the Amendments were approved, he said, the Town Council would be looking at an overall budget increase of about 3.89% for both the Town and the Board of Education.
Continuing, Mr. Galligan said that the dollar amounts currently appearing in tonight’s Resolutions were the amounts as proposed by the Town Manager and by the Board of Education. These amounts, he said, are the ones Council will be changing this evening to reflect the Amendments Council wished to make.
The Town Manager again reminded the Council Members that South Windsor has lost about 3.6% in Revenues from the State of Connecticut this year. This, he added, is an automatic tax increase of about 1.25%.
Taking all of the above into consideration, Mr. Galligan stated that the Town is looking at a 4.19% increase in the Budget if all the Amendments, as proposed, are adopted this evening.
Referring to the Town’s Revaluation Program, the Town Manager said the “appeal process” is now finished; $10 Million worth of adjustments have been made which has resulted in a $200,000 loss in taxes. Mr. Galligan felt that this was a “small amount” considering the time, and effort put into the appeal process. The final adjustment, he reminded Council, will have an affect on the Town’s new Mill Rate. The notices to the individual residents who had appealed, according to Mr. Galligan, were now being sent out.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued)
Bringing the Council up to date on the “bond refinancing,” Mr. Galligan said the Town is on schedule and should have it “wrapped up” by the end of May. As a follow-up on this, Mr. Galligan said he would be having a conference call with Moody’s on Thursday, May 9, to discuss the Town’s financial condition.
He wanted the Council to be aware of the fact that because of the “deficiency of what is going on in the State,” it will have an affect on “bond ratings throughout the State when they start looking at local municipalities.” The Town Manager said, however, he would be going for a “upgrade in the rating” because he felt South Windsor is still in a good financial position to go for an upgrade.
Referring to a previous discussion with Council regarding “street lights,” it had been decided then that it wasn’t in the Town’s best interest to do this at this point. CCM and other firms, puzzled over the lack of interest by municipalities, and after receiving input from the Towns as to what needed to be changed, have now “sharpened their pencils,” he said, and returned with a better offer, according to Mr. Galligan; and, he felt it might now be an opportune time to go out with “Requests for Proposals.”
The Towns of East Hartford and Manchester, he added, have already done this; and there is now “competition” and not merely one entity offering the service. South Windsor does have its proposal put together, he said, and will be ready to proceed further within a week’s time.
There were no questions from the Council Members.
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Burnham reported that the Drug & Alcohol Commission held their “Annual 6th Grade Smoking Awareness Campaign” last week at Timothy Edwards Middle School. Both the designer of the winning “Bumper Sticker,” and the High School students who made the videos shown at the Middle School, would soon be coming before Council to receive “Certificates of Recognition.”
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued)
Councillor Fine said she was informed at the luncheon held for “Volunteer Recognition Day” that there is a “light” available to residents, free of charge, from the Police Department, that can be attached somewhere on the front of your house and turned on in times of emergency and to alert emergency vehicles as to which house is yours following your call for assistance.
Mayor Aman added that this program goes even further by the fact that the “Super Sixties” Club Members at the Community Center will install these lights “free of charge, also, for residents.”
Councillor Delnicki said that he, Deputy Mayor Streeter, and Councillors Fine, Paquin, and Pelkey had the privilege of attending the “kick-off Press Conference” announcing the resubmittal of the “Tax Abatement Legislation for Emergency Services Volunteers. He said that U. S. Senator Dodd, and U.S. Representative Larson were in attendance; and it was good to see the support being offered by all of Connecticut’s Legislators.
Mayor Aman added that this issue is now one of national importance, and not merely of interest to our volunteers in South Windsor. Mayor Aman then reported on a meeting he and the Town Manager had attended, on that same day, in Massachusetts. This meeting, he added, was an all-day seminar regarding “transportation issues.” The discussions, he said, were not only on “roads” but, also, on “shipping”—the current problems, the cost to alleviate these problems in the future, and the size of the national problem (i.e., the prediction of, in less than 7 years, a 70% increase in the number of trucks moving goods on the roads and the inevitable associated gridlock.
14. Public Participation - None
15. Consent Agenda - None
16. Unfinished Business - None
ITEM:
17. New Business
A. Resolution Authorizing an Expenditure of $1,000 for Cheney Tech Project Graduation 2003
Be it resolved THAT THE South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes and directs Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan to contribute $1,000 from Contingency Account #1910-9001-390 to the “Cheney Tech Project Graduation – 2003” fund to help defray expenses associated with this annual event.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Councillor Burnham
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
Before proceeding, Mayor Aman presented Larry Gallmeier, a representative from Cheney Tech, with the check for $1,000. Mr. Gallmeier came forward to, again, thank the Town Council and the residents of South Windsor for this generous donation.
B. Resolution Adopting the Budgets for the Special Revenue Pollution Control and Wastewater Treatment Fund and the Special Revenue Recreation Fund for Fiscal Year 2003/2004
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Special Revenue Pollution Control & Wastewater Treatment Fund Budget with expenditures totaling $3,002,359, and a Special Revenue Recreation Fund Budget with expenditures totaling $1,032,885, which budgets include the adjustments contained in Appendix A for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2003, and terminating on June 30, 2004.
(See Appendix A, Budget Adjustment Summary, attached hereto and made a part hereof.)
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business
C. Resolution Adopting the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditures totaling $48,580,803 for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2003, and terminating on June 30, 2004, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by: Councillor Barbour
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
Councillor Barbour then amended the Resolution to read
“BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004 is hereby amended to reflect expenditures totaling $46, 784,496, which figure represents a 4.2% increase in the Board of Education Budget.”
The Amendment was seconded by Deputy Mayor Streeter.
Councillor Fine stated that she would not be voting for this figure because she felt it was “still too high and unjustified.”
Councillor Pelkey said he, too, would be voting against this Amendment—not because it was too high, but because it misrepresents the philosophy of the Strategic Planning moniker “One Town One Future.”
Mayor Aman said that although he had a tremendous amount of respect for the Board Members and Administrators and their belief in the proposed Board Budget, when the evening is over, there would probably be a 6%, or more, increase in taxes for the residents. He reiterated his feelings that the Town did not have the funds to accomplish all that it would like.
Councillor Delnicki repeated his former philosophy that “an equal and fair treatment of the two Budgets is what is necessary;” and he would be supporting the Resolution with its 4.19% Town Increase, and 4.23% Board increase.
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
Councillor Havens noted the work put into the Board of Education Budget by Superintendent of Schools Joseph Wood, and Board Chair Kathleen Daugherty; and said he wished he could add a million dollars to their Budget. He concluded by stating that he would, reluctantly, support the Amendment, but wished to hear from Dr. Wood and Ms. Daugherty who were present in the audience.
Ms. Daugherty, Chairman, South Windsor Board of Education did come forward to, again, state that the Board’s role and the Council’s role in the budget process were entirely different. It was the Board’s role, she said, to develop a budget that “demonstrates excellence in education.” It is the role of the Town Council to “set the bottom line of the budget, only.”
Now, Ms. Daugherty continued, the Board would meet starting tomorrow to go through, item by item, the Board’s budget with an eye to cutting back. The public would then come forward upset about programs being cut that they wanted kept intact; and would feel, as she put it, that they had been “blind-sided” by these late cuts in the Board budget.
Councillor Paquin, addressing Ms. Daugherty, said that she too understood the separate roles of these two agencies; however, she felt that this was what “checks and balances are all about; and it makes a lot of sense.”
The Councillor did state, emphatically, that “voter apathy scares me. Even in the citizen survey mentioned by Councillor Havens, only 125 people responded, she said, and this provided her with “nothing” as to how she should be voting. Councillor Paquin noted the very low attendance of the public at Public Hearings—i.e., 3, 5, 12.
Councillor Paquin wanted the public to know that she was approaching this budget the same way she approached her budget at home—by matching “income” and “outgo.” She said she could not ask the taxpayers to pay more taxes than they are already paying.
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Streeter said he wanted the public to know that this process is a “continuing building blocks process with increases every year.” Within the last two years, he said, there have been increases totaling $4.4 Million—or a 10-1/2% increase over the last two years. He noted that the Board of Education’s budget, during his 6 years on the Council, went from a $33.5 Million budget to a $46 Million budget—again, a $13 Million increase, or 40%.
The Deputy Mayor said it was not just looking at one year; it was looking at the progression of increases year after year.
Councillor Barbour said she must champion Chairman Daugherty’s remarks. As Board liaison, she believed the budget had been well thought out. The Councillor did offer, as she put it, “a glimmer of hope” presented by her discussions with the Town Manager about a 10-Year Fiscal Plan that would support the Town’s goals—including the Board of Education budget.
The Councillor asked the other Members of the Town Council to “get off the fence on this and take amore active role in trying to put it into place and start using it. She felt that this Plan would help Council balance the Town’s “wants” and “needs” and the money that the Town has.
Councillor Delnicki reminded everyone that they were speaking of A Million Eight in new money to the Board of Education—what he felt was “a substantial sum of money in anyone’s pocketbook.”
Mayor Aman then called for a vote on the Amendment to the Board of Education’s Budget. The Amendment was approved, on a Roll Call vote, 6 ayes to 3 nays, as follows:
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
Councillor Barbour - Yes
Councillor Fine No
Councillor Burnham Yes
Councillor Havens Yes
Councillor Delnicki Yes
Councillor Paquin No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey No
Mayor Aman Yes
Mayor Aman then called for a vote on the Amended Resolution. It was approved 6 Ayes to 3 Nays, on a Roll Call vote, as follows;
Councillor Barbour - Yes
Councillor Fine No
Councillor Burnham Yes
Councillor Havens Yes
Councillor Delnicki Yes
Councillor Paquin No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey No
Mayor Aman Yes
D. Resolution Adopting the General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004
(Deputy Mayor Streeter)
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a General Government Budget with expenditures totaling $25,654,794, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2003, and terminating on June 30, 2004, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
ITEM:
17. D. (Continued)
Before a vote could be taken, Mayor Aman explained that there were several Amendments to the General Government Budget—each prepared ahead of time for easy delivery by Councillors. He asked that any additional amendments be held off until the eight already noted were addressed by Council. Following are the Amendments, and the resultant votes on each.
(1)
Resolution to Amend the Capital Improvement Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 Capital Improvement Budget by increasing the funding of Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditures by $420,600; reducing the funding of the High School Cafeteria Ventilation Improvements by $120,000; reducing the funding of the High School Kitchen Equipment Replacement by $50,600; and reducing the High School Track Resurfacing by $250,000.
(See Appendix B., Capital Improvements, attached hereto and made a
part hereof.)
Was made by: Councillor Burnham
Seconded by: Councillor Barbour
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
(2)
Resolution to Amend the Police Operations Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to increase the Police Operations Full-time Salaries budget by $18,000 in order to fund hiring of two Police Officers as of April 1, 2004.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
The Motion was approved 8 Ayes to 1 Nay, on a Roll Call vote, the dissenting vote being cast by Councillor Paquin.
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(3)
Resolution to Amend the Police Technical Services Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to increase the Police Technical Services Department Equipment budget by $42,000 in order to fund the purchase of one police vehicle and twenty-five percent (25%) of the purchase of two additional police vehicles. The remaining seventy-five percent (75%) of the additional two police vehicles is to be funded by grants.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
Before calling for a vote on this Amendment, Councillor Fine said she wished to amend the Amendment by increasing the budget by $75,000 to purchase the three (3) police vehicles outright; and apply for Grants to recover any funds available. The Motion was seconded by Councillor Havens. Councillor Fine’s Amendment was defeated,
8 Nays to 1 Aye, on a Roll Call vote—Councillor Fine being the one assenting vote.
A vote was then called for on Councillor Delnicki’s Amendment. The Amendment was approved, 8 Ayes to 1 Nay, on a Roll Call vote—Councillor Paquin being the one dissenting vote.
(4)
Resolution to Amend the Central Services Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to reduce the Central Services Professional Account budget by $31,250 in order to eliminate the cost of the Financial Consultant. Said expenditure is to be funded with bond proceeds received from the issuance of the Town of South Windsor General Obligation Refund Bonds.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(5)
Resolution to Amend the Human Services Adult and Senior Services Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to reduce the Human Services Adult and Senior Services Full-time Salaries budget by $20,000 in order to change one full-time Human Service Specialist position to part-time. Said position is funded for nineteen hours per week.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
Seconded by: Councillor Fine
The Motion was approved 6 Ayes to 3 Nays, on a Roll Call vote, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - No
Councillor Fine No
Councillor Burnham Yes
Councillor Havens No
Councillor Delnicki Yes
Councillor Paquin Yes
Deputy Mayor Streeter Yes
Councillor Pelkey Yes
Mayor Aman Yes
(6)
Councillor Pelkey said he would be reading this Resolution “the way I would like to see it amended.” He said that if, following that, the Council Members wished to amend it further, they could.
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(6)
Resolution to Amend the Human Services Social Services Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to increase the Human Services Social Services Grants and Contributions Account budget by $9,280 in order to fund the contributions to the Interval House, Housing Education Resource Center, and the North Central Regional Health Association.
Was made by : Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Paquin
Councillor Pelkey voiced his feelings that, in the case of the groups mentioned in the Resolution to whom the Town has been donating money for years, he wanted to “cut it out and see who complains” this year. He felt that these yearly donations warranted a note or telephone call from the groups expressing their need for, and appreciation of, these funds.
Addressing the Council next was Susan Turley, Executive Director, Housing Education Resource Center. Ms. Turley expressed her appreciate for being made aware of these budget considerations. She described the work of the Resource Center and how it applied to residents of South Windsor and the region.
Councillor Pelkey said he was disappointed that he was unable to reach the North Central Regional Health Association to request they appear this evening.
An amendment to this Amendment was made by Deputy Mayor Streeter and was seconded by Councillor Delnicki to fund both the Interval House for $1,800; and the Housing Education Resource Center for $2,100—thus amending the figure in the Resolution to read $3,900.
Before a vote on this proposal could be taken, Councillor Pelkey amended the Amendment again by proposing a figure of $4,128, thus funding the Interval House for $2,028 (the amount received by them last year), and the Housing Education Resource Center for $2,100.
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(6) (Continued)
Mayor Aman asked Deputy Mayor Streeter if he would withdraw his amendment. The Deputy Mayor asked if Councillor Pelkey would be “adjusting his own bottom line.” Councillor Pelkey replied that he would not be doing this.
Councillor Paquin, directing her question to Dennis Sheridan, Director of Youth and Family Services, asked if the Council’s rejection of this funding would result in the groups “turning down South Windsor people.” Dennis Sheridan replied that the representative from the “Housing Education Resource Center” had indicated that they would; while those from Interval House indicated that they would not.
Mayor Aman said the first vote would be on Councillor Pelkey’s amendment to fund this account for $4,128; followed by a vote for changing the number to $3,900; and, depending on those results, will then have a vote on the amended Amendment of #6.
The Mayor then called for a vote on the $4,128. This amendment was defeated on a Roll Call vote, 5 Nays to 4 Ayes, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - No
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor Burnham - No
Councillor Havens - Yes
Councillor Delnicki - No
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - No
Councillor Pelkey Yes
Mayor Aman Yes
The Mayor then called for a vote on the $3,900. This Amendment was approved on a Roll Call vote, 5 Ayes to 4 Nays, as follows:
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(6) (Continued)
Councillor Barbour - No
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor Burnham - No
Councillor Havens - Yes
Councillor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey No
Mayor Aman Yes
The Mayor then called for a vote on the original Resolution increasing the Human Services Social Services Grants and Contributions Account by $3,900. The Resolution was approved 6 Ayes to 3 Nays, on a Roll Call vote, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - No
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor Burnham - No
Councillor Havens - Yes
Councillor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey Yes
Mayor Aman Yes
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(7)
Resolution to Amend the Public Works Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to increase the Public Works budget by $120,000 in order to fund the Leaf Collection Program. Said amendment is to be allocated to the various Public Works divisions as follows:
Street Services Overtime $ 9,724
Street Services Temporary 10,400
Street Services Small Tools 500
Street Services Materials 10,022
Street Services Rentals and Leases 67,200
Street Services Printing 3,875
Motor Equipment Repair Vehicle Supplies 2,000
Motor Equipment Repair Equipment Repair 4,839
Parks and Grounds Overtime 11,440
Was made by: Councillor Havens
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
(8)
Resolution to Establish a Revenue to be Received from the South Windsor Ambulance Corps
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor provides automobile and liability insurance and 3,228 square feet of space to the South Windsor Ambulance Corps; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor wants the South Windsor Ambulance Corps to reimburse the Town for its insurance premiums and use of the space at the South Windsor Police Station; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(8) (Continued)
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor believes that $45,000 is a reasonable amount to cover such reimbursement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to establish a revenue budget in the amount of $45,000 to account for the charge to the South Windsor Ambulance Corps for its automobile and liability insurance premiums and use of the space at the South Windsor Police Station.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Councillor Fine
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
(9)
Resolution to Amend the Refuse and Recycling Revenue Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the 2003/2004 General Government Budget to increase the Refuse and Recycling Fee Revenue budget by $45,000. Said revenue is to be generated by fees charged for bulky waste pick-up.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
Seconded by: Councillor Havens
Comments from Councillors regarding this Amendment were mixed. Councillor Pelkey said he would not be supporting this amendment. He felt it was “a disaster waiting to happen in our Town;” and elaborated on the many reasons he opposed it—including substantial increase in administrative staff hours and its associated cost; increased incidents of illegal dumping along South Windsor roads and associated cost for clean-up by staff; the effect on the condominiums in Town; and several other concerns noted in the report on this program provided by the Public Works Department. Noting that the Town was about six months away from the end of its current contract for bulky waste pick-up, Councillor Pelkey felt Council should wait until that time to take another look at the present program.
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(9) (Continued)
Councillor Delnicki said he would be supporting this Amendment, and commended the Public Works staff for coming up with a proposal as quickly as they did. However, the Councillor felt that the proposal “does require work,” and suggested the need for one or two Work Session to “get this ironed out.” He reminded Council that the proposal was a “draft,” and a point where discussions could begin.
Councillor Fine said she would be supporting this Amendment—but, with a proviso--that after six (6) months, the Town Council again look at: (1) the fees and reassess the charges; (2) problems with illegal dumping; (3) and condominium concerns. Mayor Aman asked the Councillor if she would be prepared, at that time, to bring forth a Resolution addressing those concerns; and the Councillor replied that she would.
Councillor Burnham referring to the “program impacts” contained in the Public Works report said he had a hard time believing there would be an increase of 850 hours of administrative time and public contact. With regard to concerns over “illegal dumping,” Councillor Burnham was of the opinion that “it ain’t going to change”—that it was going on now and would continue to do so. The Councillor also disagreed with Public Work’s contention that there would be an increased impact on the Town Hall telephone system. He said he would be supporting the Amendment, and agreed with Councillor Fine’s request for a review in six months.
Councillor Paquin said she really didn’t want to support this Amendment, in spite of the fact that it involved “income” for the Town. Saying she was surprised at the low public reaction to the proposal, she questioned if it might not be because “it wasn’t publicized.” Stating that she is always surprised at the number of people who use the “bulky waste” pick-up program, the Councillor said she agreed with Councillor Pelkey and liked the idea that “things get picked up.”
Town Manager Galligan agreed that, since the Council only recently looked at this proposal on April 29, there was not much publicity on changing the program. He reiterated the fact that it had not been discussed at any kind of a formal presentation or Public Hearing.
ITEM:
17. D. (Proposed Amendments) (Continued)
(9) (Continued)
Councillor Delnicki commented again on this by supporting Councillor Fine’s request for a review in six months.
Councillor Pelkey disagreed with Councillor Burnham’s analogy that since there is illegal dumping going on now, with the present program, it won’t be any different with a new program. Councillor Pelkey felt quite the opposite was true--that if illegal dumping was going on when the Town had a “pretty decent program and a good way of getting rid of it (bulky waste), as it does now, this problem could only be exacerbated with a new program that involved substantially increased fees that had to be paid directly by the residents
Councillor Fine stated that the Town probably could collect in fines enough to make up for the picking up of the refuse at the illegal dumping sites.
Mayor Aman said he would be supporting this Amendment--that it was definitely a “user fee” or a “pass-through” of a cost that follows the trend started years ago when a separate fee was established for those using the sewer system. The same theory was being used in the Town’s Recreation Department, he said; as well as the Police Department’s fee of $35 for the installation of an alarm service.
The Mayor felt that, whenever possible, when a cost can be identified to a program, he would be in favor of “user fees.”
The Mayor then called for a vote on this Amendment.. It was approved, 7 Ayes to 2 Nays on a Roll Call vote, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - Yes
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor Burnham - Yes
Councillor Havens - Yes
Councillor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey - No
Mayor Aman - Yes
ITEM:
17. D. (Continued)
Saying that this was the end of the Amendments turned in to him by Councillors, Mayor Aman asked if there were any other Amendments to the Budget, or further comments from the Councillors or public. There were none.
Mayor Aman then asked Town Manager Galligan if he had a “new number for Resolution 17. D., replacing the original figure of $25,654,794. Mr. Galligan replied that it was now $25,787,444.
Deputy Mayor Streeter then moved to amend Resolution 17. D. to change the figure for the General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004 to $25,787,444. The motion was seconded by Councillor Delnicki; and the Amendment was approved 7 Ayes to 2 Nays on a Roll Call vote, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - Yes
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor Burnham - Yes
Councillor Havens - Yes
Councillor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey - No
Mayor Aman - Yes
Mayor Aman then called for a vote on the total Amended Resolution, with the change of the amounts and including Amendments (1) through (9) previously discussed and voted on as a part of the Resolution. The total Amended Resolution was approved 5 Ayes to 4 Nays on a Roll Call vote, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - Yes
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor Burnham - No
Councillor Havens - No
Councillor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey - No
Mayor Aman - Yes
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
E. Resolution Setting the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2003/2004
BE IT RESOLVED that a tax rate of 29.79 mills be levied on the Grand List of October 1, 2002 based upon Total Revenues excluding current taxes of $16,089,618 which includes an appropriation from Fund Balance in the amount of $1,300,000 to finance total expenditures of $72,571,940 made up of a Board of Education Budget of $46,784,496 and a General Government Budget of $25,787,444, both of which have been adopted by the South Windsor Town Council, and exhibits of which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2003 and terminating on June 30, 2004.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Barbour
The Resolution was approved 5 Ayes to 4 Nays on a Roll Call vote, as follows:
Councillor Barbour - Yes
Councillor Fine - No
Councillor Burnham - Yes
Councillor Havens - No
Councillor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Paquin - No
Deputy Mayor Streeter - Yes
Councillor Pelkey - No
Mayor Aman - Yes
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
F. Resolution Appointing a Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2003/2004, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan as Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2003/2004, and hereby tables the same.
Was made by: Councillor Havens
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
G. Resolution Setting the Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the Expenditure of a Total of $420,600 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Account for Various Town Projects
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, May 19, 2003, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the South Windsor Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut as the time and place for a Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the expenditure of a total of $420,600 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditures Account for the following projects:
Improvements to the High School Cafeteria
And Servery Ventilation $120,000
Replacement of High School Kitchen Equipment $ 50,600
Resurfacing of High School Track $250,000
Was made by: Councillor Burnham
Seconded by: Councillor Barbour
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
H. Resolution Approving a Property Tax Refund 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 $6,564.11, or as shown on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Executive Session - None
21. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 p.m. by Councillor Havens; it was seconded by Councillor Delnicki; and approved, unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmts: Appendix A., Appendix B.,
Exhibit A.
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