TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
ACTION MINUTES Page 1 June 16, 2003
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
Members Present: Mayor William Aman
Deputy Mayor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Barbara Barbour
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Judith Paquin
Councillor John Pelkey
Members Absent: Councillor Paul Burnham
Councillor Edward F. Havens
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Also Absent: Town Attorney Barry Guliano
After presenting a Proclamation Recognizing June 12 through June 19, 2003 as “Nursing Assistants Week – 2003,” Mayor Aman then called upon the Patriotic Commission’s “Essay Contest Winners,” and “Runners-up” from the Three Categories of this year’s contest to come forward to read their winning essays.
At 8:15 p.m., Mayor Aman then called the Regular Meeting to order.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Coming forward to speak from the public were three (3) parents of young people who were members of South Windsor’s “Seals” swimming team. These speakers were: Dawn Holcombe, 355 Abbe Road Extension; John Ruocco, 23 Alpine Drive; and Sue Grenier, 128 Clinton Drive. All expressed grave concerns regarding the very drastic drop in swim team enrollment this year (from 120 swimmers to 50 this year)—a drop they attributed to the “doubling” of the fees for participating in the swim team. Mr. Ruocco distributed data sheets describing the problems, objectives, and benefits of the South Windsor Seals Swim Team, including data sheets delineating the Team’s expenses. (Copy of data is attached.)
ITEM:
5. (Continued)
Also speaking from the public was Mr. John Hofmann, 190 Natsisky Farm Drive,
who reminded the Town Council that two (2) Volunteer Firefighters would be celebrating 40 years on South Windsor’s Volunteer Fire Department. He noted that a party was being planned for June 22, 2003 to mark the occasion; and invited the Members of the Town Council to attend.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message - None
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion to accept the Minutes of the following Town Council meetings: Special Meeting of April 29, 2003; and Regular Meeting of May 5, 2003.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was approved 6 Ayes and 1 Abstention on a Roll Call vote, the abstaining vote being cast by Councillor Barbour who was not present for the April 29, 2003 Special Meeting.
8. Public Petitions - None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council - None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager Galligan reported on what had transpired at a Public Hearing held earlier this evening by the South Windsor Redevelopment Agency on the I-291 Corridor.
Mr. Galligan also spoke on the value of the “Roundtable Discussions” sponsored by the Town’s Strategic Planning people.
;PITEM:
10. (Continued)
Comments and questions by Councillors addressed to Town Manager: Councillor Fine, too, congratulated all those involved in the “roundtable discussions;” Councillor Delnicki asked that Police Chief Tyler be congratulated on obtaining the Grants needed for Police Department budget items.
Councillor Delnicki then asked about “fines,” and the status of the move by Juknis Farms from the Town’s Open Space parcel on Sullivan Avenue. Mr. Galligan said he did not know the status, but would contact Mr. Juknis “first thing in the morning.” When asked by Councillor Delnicki if the Town owned a “line painting machine,” Mr. Galligan replied that it did. The Councillor then asked why Town forces could not do some line painting for the parking at Ayers Road.
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Barbour reported on a recent Board of Education meeting, informing Council that Board Member David Wilson had resigned effective June 25, 2003. She also read into the record a letter received from the Chairman of Planning and Zoning, Kevin McCann, regarding the I-291 Corridor District Municipal Development Project Plan (copy attached as Appendix I.).
Deputy Mayor Streeter, too, read a letter into the record. The letter was received from Annamae and Bill Davis, and was regarding the proposed Referendum Question approving the issuance of $7.0 Million in bonds for road and intersection improvements and repairs (copy attached as Appendix II).
16. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Appointing Arthur J. Querido (D) to the Cable Advisory Board
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Arthur J. Querido to the Cable Advisory Board for a term ending June 30, 2005.
(Resolution Continued Next Page)
ITEM:
16. A. (Continued)
Was made by: Councillor Havens
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
B. Resolution Appointing Elizabeth McGuire (D) to the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Elizabeth McGuire to the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission for a term ending September 1, 2004 to fill the unexpired term of Judith Paquin.
Was made by: Councillor Havens
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
17. New Business
A. Acceptance of Suspense List
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council accepts the Suspense List as proposed and submitted by the Collector of Revenue, said List shown as Exhibit A., attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Was made by: Councillor Barbour
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
B. Authorization of Banks and/or Financial Institutions for Depositories of Town Funds for Fiscal Year 2003/2004
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council, in accordance with Section 205 of the Charter of the Town of South Windsor, hereby authorizes the Town Treasurer to use the following banks and/or financial institutions for depositories of Town funds under the jurisdiction of the Town Treasurer for the 2003/2004 Fiscal Year:
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. B. (Continued)
Citizens Bank
Columbus Bank & Trust
Fleet Bank
MBIA – Municipal Investor’s Service Corporation
People Bank
Reich & Tang Mutual Funds
Savings Bank of Manchester
Rockville Bank
State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, N.A.
State Treasurer’s Investment Fund
Sovereign Bank
Tolland Bank
Webster Bank
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was approved 6 Ayes and 1 Abstention. The abstaining vote was cast by Councillor Delnicki.
C. Discussion Item: Possible Questions for 11/03 Referendum
Town Manager Matthew Galligan referred to the possible sale or other disposition of Union School on Main Street. Also, he added, there were several small parcels of Town-owned land in several different areas that the Town residents might wish to consider selling, possibly, to abutting homeowners. Mr. Galligan said that a list was presently being drawn up by Town staff as to just which parcels he was referring to.
Another Referendum Question that he hoped might be considered was the I-291 parcel and the economic development being considered for that area.
The third item to be considered was seeking voter approval of a $7.0 million bond issue for road and intersection reconstruction or repair.
Referring to the above three items, Mayor Aman said he was in favor of items 1. (Union School) and 2) I-291 issue going to Referendum.
ITEM:
17. C. (Continued)
At the end of the discussion, Town Manager Galligan was asked to return to Council at its July 7, 2003 meeting with a proposal for—
a. Sale of Union School
b. Sale of small parcels of land at various locations throughout Town; and
c. I-291
Councillor Pelkey then asked about the present status and future plans for Ellsworth School on Main Street. A discussion ensued, during which the “historical value “ of this structure was questioned. Councillor Barbour mentioned that she had asked the Town Attorney to research the background on this building.
Mayor Aman reminded Council that “this was not a decision it would have to made this year; but one that future Town Councils will have to make sometime soon.”
D. Resolution Supporting DPUC Docket 03-03-07 - Review of Public Utility Structures and Poles within Municipal Rights-of-Way
WHEREAS, the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) has been working with its member towns, including South Windsor, to develop guidelines for both public utility poles and structures within the municipal street rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, these guidelines are intended to better define what the consultation process should consist of; and
WHEREAS, the guidelines on the placement of public utility structures within municipal street rights-of-way were drafted in response to problems caused by several telecommunications companies that have placed equipment cabinets within municipal rights-of-way; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. D. (Continued)
WHEREAS, some of these companies have neglected to “consult” with Town officials prior to said installations, as required by DPUC directives; and
WHEREAS, the guidelines on placement of public utility poles within municipal street rights-of-way were, similarly, drafted in response to problems created by utility companies sometimes locating poles in poor locations within a Town, and sometimes taking months before removing old poles that have been replaced; and
WHEREAS, the above-mentioned guidelines were endorsed by CRCOG’s Policy Board on May 22, 2002; and
WHEREAS, CRCOG has pursued these items with the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) and, as a result, DPUC has initiated Docket No. 03-03-07, DPUC Review of Public Utility Structures and Poles within Municipal Rights-of-Way
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Windsor Town Council does hereby endorse the guidelines referred to above as Docket No. 03-03-07, DPUC Review of Public Utility Structures and Poles within Municipal Rights-of-Way; and, further, urges Connecticut’s Department of Public Utility Control to adopt these guidelines.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Fine
A lengthy discussion then commenced on the need for these guidelines—particularly in light of Cox Cable Company’s installation of generator boxes throughout South Windsor and neighboring communities. A question that was to be directed to Town Attorney Barry Guliano was with regard to “liability” associated with these structures.
Councillor Fine and Councillor Delnicki then specifically requested that the Town Attorney look into who would be liable, the Town or the cable company, were someone to get hurt on, or because of, these structures.
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
E. Resolution Approving a Transfer of $113,400 Within the Special Revenue Pollution Control/Wastewater Treatment Fund
WHEREAS, the operating expenditures for the 2002/2003 Fiscal Year for the Special Revenue Pollution Control/Wastewater Treatment Fund are expected to exceed the approved budget of $1,511,736; and
WHEREAS, the Water Pollution Control Authority, at its regular meeting of June 3, 2003 authorized the transfer of $113,400
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the transfer of $113,400 from the Special Revenue Pollution Control/Wastewater Treatment Fund Capital Reserve to the Special Revenue Pollution Control/Wastewater Treatment Fund Operating Budget.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control, was present to explain the many reasons why the operating expenditures exceeded the amount budgeted—most of which were unexpected items—the largest being the failure of the “34-year-old center drive on the primary clarifiers” at a cost of $30,000.
Mayor Aman called for a vote on the Resolution. It was approved, unanimously.
F. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Mutual Police Assistance Compact Between the Towns of South Windsor and East Windsor
(Councillor Pelkey)
WHEREAS, Section 7-277a of the Connecticut General Statutes authorizes municipalities to enter into Agreements for mutual police assistance; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor wishes to cooperate on mutual police assistance in several stated areas with the Town of East Windsor; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. F. (Continued)
WHEREAS, each of the participating parties has agreed to waive any entitlement to reimbursement in the operation of this Compact
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Manager and/or the Chief of Police are authorized to enter into a Mutual Police Assistance Compact similar to the one attached hereto as Exhibit C. on behalf of the Town of South Windsor, and is further authorized to waive any entitlement to reimbursement, in writing.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey’
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Streeter
At the request of the Town Attorney, Mayor Aman called for a “tabling” of this Resolution in deference to the Town of East Windsor who had just appointed a new Chief of Police who wished for the opportunity to examine this compact.
Councillor Pelkey then Moved to Table Item 17. F; the Motion was seconded by Councillor Fine; and approved, unanimously.
G. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Six (6) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to six (6) South Windsor taxpayers, said refunds totaling $350.35 as shown on attached Exhibit B.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
H. Discussion Item – Town Charter Revision
Because of the absence this evening of Town Attorney Barry Guliano who would have been leading this discussion, Mayor Aman suggested this Item be brought over to the next Regular Meeting.
ITEM:
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Executive Session - None
21. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to Adjourn was made at 10:10 p.m., duly seconded, and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmts. (Appendices I and II; and Exhibits A., B., and C.)
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