TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MADDEN ROOM SEPTEMBER 15, 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 Judith Paquin
Councillor John Pelkey
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Town Attorney Barry D. Guliano
The following members of the Park and Recreation Commission were present:
Craig Zimmerman, Chairperson
Gene Jay
Alan Larson
Mark Sluboski
Jim Snow
Executive Session – None
Public Participation – None
Communications – None
Town Manager’s Report – None
Items for Discussion
A. Park and Recreation Commission Report
Councillor Burnham excused himself from discussions because of a possible conflict of interest due to his involvement with the Wapping Fair.
Craig Zimmerman, Chairperson of the Park & Recreation Commission, began his report by saying that he would be presenting a condensed version of the proposal.
The large number of participants involved in sports was referenced. (See attached Exhibit A.)
The use of three separate fields was addressed (see attached Exhibit B).
As of September 1st, it begins to get dark early, so football participants go to Vernon to play.
Following the referendum, 3000 surveys were mailed out in order to learn why people voted as they did. (See attached Exhibit C.) The major message conveyed was that people couldn’t afford what had been proposed.
Director of Recreation Ray Favreau then reported on what is being done, in light of the failed referenda. All of the major sports groups were contacted, and their field representatives met. (See attached Exhibit D.) There are overlaps of sports, and there is competition for fields and facilities; however, 5,000+ participants are being accommodated each year. It was decided that a reevaluation should be done to see if sports need to be offered 12 months out of the year and what is truly in the best interests of the youth.
Mr. Zimmerman then spoke of the new plan – “Partnering for Play in the Parks.” (See attached Exhibit E.) The Soccer Club has indicated that they will provide $55,000. The other sports groups need to come forward; the Town needs to make a commitment; and donations of services will be necessary. The financial portion of the plan was then explained. (See attached Exhibit F.)
7. A. (Continued)
The Park and Recreation Commission is seeking as much input as possible from the Town Council and asked when the Council would like a formal presentation done in Council Chambers.
It was noted that the Town Manager and Town Staff developed the proposal and that the reason that fields are less expensive at Rye Street than elsewhere is because the land is flat and is already being used.
Councillor Barbour indicated that the following questions had been asked at a previous meeting, and she was still looking for answers to them.
Are any female sports being eliminated before new fields are done? Mr. Zimmerman’s response was “no.”
What is the female/male ratio with regard to sports? Mr. Favreau said that he didn’t have a male to female ratio for all the sports but that he would obtain that information.
The number of fields in Town was quoted as 33, yet only three or four are usually discussed. Where are the others and what are their uses? [No direct answer was supplied, but the topic was briefly addressed later in the meeting.]
What is the highest number of required parking at any time at Rye Street? [No answer was supplied.]
What research is available which might predict what sports are going to be popular in five to ten years from now? Mr. Zimmerman said that the use of three soccer fields has been lost in the last few months and there weren’t enough before those were lost. There is not a usable football field in Town. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the State and “we are trying to catch up.” He said that nothing being proposed is an attempt to look down the road, because “we can’t afford to do that.”
Town Manager Matthew Galligan then discussed the financial side of the proposal. The unappropriated fund currently in Capital and Non-Recurring is $260,000. The Council did initially appropriate $250,000 for park and recreation improvements--$75,000 for the second referendum
7. A. (Continued)
map (I-291, Lawrence Road, and Nevers Road). There is a balance of about $16,000 which was not spent. There was another $55,000 in the budget which was unexpended from other projects, and Council put that money in Capital and Non-recurring. The $16,400 for park improvements is what was left over from the design of various scenarios.
The balance of LoCIP funding is about $338,000, but $95,000 is going for the Town Hall roof; $97,000 for the Police Department roof; and $100,000 for the GIS mapping. We are also looking at the space needs for Public Works.
In the Governor’s proposed budget, which has been approved by the State Legislature, South Windsor did get $161,000 last year; we are receiving approximately $160,000 this year; and there will be another balance for next year. That money cannot be used, however, until March of 2004.
Mr. Galligan said that the total funds available would equal about $648,000. In looking at the project costs, there is about a difference of $575,000. He stated that there is a way of financing using LoCIP funds, but if the State Legislature should decide in March not to put the money in the bank, then there would be a problem.
Mr. Galligan felt that the most immediate need, if we were to do anything at Rye Street, would be to relocate the Wapping Fair. If we were to use the Town’s funds of $260,000, then he recommended Football Field D, since that could also be used as a Lacrosse Field.
The Town Manager stated that one of the biggest problems is that we only have six weeks to look at this. Everything would occur in the spring/summer, and by that time we would know if other funds are available.
Mr. Galligan said that when estimates were initially prepared, it was calculated that if $1 million was being spent in capital, there would be $100,000 in additional maintenance. However, because our crews are already there maintaining fields, there will be a minimal increase in the cost. Parking is already there and the grass could be used for overflow parking. Water and bathroom facilities are already there.
7. A. (Continued)
When asked what would be necessary for changing the location of the Wapping Fair to the Pudim property, Mr. Galligan said that a three-phase electric line and a water line would need to be brought in. The road coming in would need to be redone. The land would have to be scraped off, a base of stone would have to be laid, and the grass would be replaced—so that cars could be parked without being stuck in mud. The amount of $93,000 would cover these expenses.
Mr. Zimmerman explained that many of the areas which are called “fields” could not actually be classified as “fields,” as they are areas of land which are used for practices, not games.
According to Mr. Galligan, this proposal does not need Planning and Zoning’s approval, as it is already a special exception for that area. Only two additional lights were being proposed.
As far as Lawrence Road is concerned, Mr. Galligan felt that discussions should begin with Planning and Zoning, as well as neighbors in that area.
It was noted that the Wapping Fair Committee would be able to donate $12,500; of that $7,500 had already been allocated toward a capital community project. The numbers from the 2003 Fair are not yet final, so there may be an additional $500 to $1,000 available. The Jaycees are looking to see if there is additional money to help with the relocation.
Councillor Fine expressed concern about the condition of Rye Street and whether it can handle additional traffic. She also asked about the lights on the field where the men’s softball teams play, and Mr. Galligan said that as long as there are 300 to 400 players and they are willing to pay the fee, the lights will remain. He said they went from 642 players to 342, and when there aren’t enough teams, it costs the Town a great deal of money. They are currently breaking even with the fee schedule.
There was a question with regard to deed restrictions on the property.
Mayor Aman said he would like to refer the discussion back to the Capital Projects Committee, since the Council would want to look at the total list of projects prior to making a decision. He felt that they would discuss it at
7. A. (Continued)
their next meeting and then provide Council with their comments. Mr. Zimmerman asked if would be beneficial for a member of the Committee to be present, and Mayor Aman didn’t feel it would be necessary since it would be only a small portion of the discussions, and the Capital Projects Committee is well aware of recreational needs.
8. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made at 8:10 p.m. The motion was duly seconded and was passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Merlyn P. Guild
Assistant to the Clerk of the Council
Attachments
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