TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 21, 2004
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Havens called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Edward Havens
Deputy Mayor John Pelkey
Councillor William Aman
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Judith Paquin
Councillor Elizabeth Pendleton
Councillor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Muriel Yacavone
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Town Attorney Barry Guliano
Absent: Councillor Deborah Fine
3. Public Participation
First to speak, from the audience, were Valerie Clark, 24 Kenneth Drive, Vernon; and Sharon VanNiel., 66 Partridge Lane, South Windsor. Ms. Clark read a letter to the Mayor requesting his consideration, and seeking a portion of the funds available from the “Small Town Economic Assistance Program.”
Ms. Clark said that she and Ms. VanNiel were present to request the amount of $250,000 in order to purchase or construct additional facilities for the South Windsor Child Development Center. Ms. Clark then provided background information on the founding of the Center on Sullivan Avenue which, at the present time, serves 100 families with children ages 2 through 11.
In January of 2003, according to Ms. Clark, the SW Child Development Center (because of shortage of funding) had to cease its “Infant and One-Year-Old Program.” She added, however, that pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 4-66c, “Urban Action Bonds” are being made available to Towns through authorization by the State Bonding Commission, for “social service related projects--including “Day Care Centers.”.
3. Public Participation (Continued)
Continuing, Ms. Clark said that the Center would like to be able to accommodate children of all ages; and requested that the Town give “serious consideration” to funding this project under this program.
Town Manager Matthew Galligan asked Ms. Clark if the program she was referring to was the STEAP Program. Ms. Clark replied that it was. Under STEAP’s guidelines, he added, the Town would have to submit the application for the SW Child Development Center; and, presently, the Town has already sent in an application for $500,000 for the next step of the I-291 project.
Mr. Galligan said that the Center was entitled, under the STEAP program, to apply. Mayor Havens then asked the Town Manager to speak with Ms. Clark and Ms. VanNiel and get the necessary information to pass on to the Town Council for Council’s consideration.
Saying that new funds will be available July 1, Ms. Clark asked Mr. Galligan what specific information he would need from them. Mr. Galligan said that he would need a description of the project, and a proposed budget for the expenditure of any funds received. He asked that these representatives from the Center meet with him in his office; and that they call his secretary for an appointment.
Next to speak was Elizabeth Warren, Chairman, SWALPAC, who asked the Town Council request address a memorandum she had sent to them on April 2. The memo, she added, concerned Public Act 03234—an “Act Enabling Towns to Grant Tax Exemptions to Farm Structures.”
The Act, Mrs. Warren continued, requires a minimum gross income of $15,000 from the “farming operation.” This exemption does not apply to any other structures that are not involved in “farming.”
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report - None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Proposed “Open Space Plan” - (Director of Public Works Michael Gantick to discuss)
Mr. Gantick thanked the Council for the opportunity to discuss the proposed Open Space Plan. He then introduced Jeff Folger, the Town’s Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer; and referred to a package handed out this evening on the program.
Mr. Gantick said that their purpose for being here this evening was to (1) discuss the “big picture” issue regarding awareness and access to major open space properties in Town; and (2) and more specifically, things that are happening on the “Major Michael Donnelly Property” that they wished to make Council aware of. He pointed out that some of our residents were not even aware that these open space parcels were there for the public’s enjoyment.
The “Open Space Access Plan,” according to the Director, is like a “roadmap” to bring awareness and greater opportunity for access and enjoyment of open spaces to the public. He added that this is an effort that has been underway for a number of years; and, further, coordinating efforts continue to coordinate and foster Wildlife Management Plans; the Recreation Master Plan,” etc. However, access is not always available because of the lack of parking areas, or “footpaths,” etc.
Another aspect of the proposed plan is to begin to develop overall plans and brochures that show “mapping” and “trails,” and descriptions of the properties, and information of an “historical nature.” (Mr. Gantick referred to a brochure on the Major Michael Donnelly Preserve included in the Council’s packet.)
Finally, Mr. Gantick said that one of the things staff was working toward in the future is something that seems to come up quite often—some of the ‘free areas” in the open space program that are being used by ATVs—some of which were causing damage. Another problem, he added, was that of “homeowner trespassing” onto open space parcels that adjoin residential subdivisions. In some such cases, according to Mr. Gantick, all kinds of debris is being dumped on these properties.
6. A. Proposed “Open Space Plan” (Continued)
The types of acreage and major open space properties being looked at in this program are, according to Mr. Gantick: Lawrence Road, Nevers Road Park, Wapping Park, Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve, Priest Property, and the Rye Street Park/Barton Property.
The Plan shows what is currently available on these sites, Mr. Gantick continued; and a matrix of potential activities that could occur on these sites—or activities, he added which are showing up in the “Forestry Wildlife Plan,” or in Recreation’s Master Plan,” or within the Capital Budget. Although not “chiseled in concrete,”
Mr. Gantick felt that this plan offers suggestions on how the Town can passively, or actively, manage these properties so that the public can begin to enjoy them more than they have been able to do in the past.
With that as a backdrop, Mr. Gantick explained a sample of a “park bench” that he had brought into the Chambers. The bench was made of “teak,” and is something that could be placed in different areas along the walking trails, etc. He suggested that this was an excellent way for residents to donate a bench in memory of—i.e., a Town notable, a family member, etc.
Before turning the remainder of the discussion over to Jeff Folger, Mr. Gantick informed Council that “October 24, 2004” was the target date to conduct a tour of the Major Michael Donnelly Preserve (similar to the tour of the Barton Property several years ago). Identifying Jeff Folger and Karl Reichle as the main forces behind what has transpired at the Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve, Mr. Gantick then turned the discussion over to Mr. Folger.
The goal for the October 24 tour and “open house,” according to Jeff Folger, is to have a “walking trail” ready that will traverse from Sullivan Avenue to West Road. Mr. Folger then referred Council to the map provided prior to the meeting, showing the property itself. He explained the notations appearing on the map, saying that he and Town Engineer Jeff Doolittle had walked this area during the Winter months, when the ground was frozen, noting what had to be done to accommodate those taking the tour and, further, those accessing the Preserve for recreational purposes.
6. A. Proposed “Open Space Plan” (Continued)
The path, itself, Mr. Folger said, would be similar to that of the path in the Wildlife Sanctuary. He pointed out the areas where “wooden boardwalks” would be needed to cross marshy areas—ranging anywhere between 20 feet and 80 feet. Mr. Folger said that the Town has been very fortunate, in the last year, to have available to it “major support” from the Town’s “Eagle Scouts.” They, he added, have put “a lot of support, and a lot of effort” into utilizing some of these individual sections and using them as Eagle projects.
Because of these Scouts, and their Eagle projects, the Town has succeeded in putting two (2) bridges (one across the Podunk, and one across a small feeder stream) close to the West Road side of the Preserve; putting in 200 feet of trail and installing a 70-foot boardwalk; and, then, 300 feet of trail, and putting in another approximately 70-foot boardwalk. At this point in time, he said, the path is about 2/3rds of the way across the property—from West Road toward Sullivan Avenue.
Mr. Folger went on to explain that one remaining problem was a 50-foot section, near the pond, where there is about 2 feet of standing water. It has been estimated, he informed Council, that the estimated cost for this particular project is about $17,000 to get from Sullivan Avenue to West Road—this would be minus the cost of a small parking area, within the woodline of West Road.
In conclusion, Mr. Folger said he wanted to mention that, two weeks ago, a group of Cub Scouts had helped staff to stock the pond with about “4,000 minnows.” He added that he was able to measure the depth of the pond this winter, and there was almost a constant 8-foot depth to it. He felt it was an ideal pond for “anglers;” and that, hopefully, the Town would be able to install a dock similar to the one at “Desmond’s Pond” for fishing purposes.
Mr. Gantick said that the South Windsor Rotary Club had donated a Gazebo that will be delivered the first week of August.
Mr. Gantick and Mr. Folger then answered questions from the Councillors.
7. Executive Session
At 7:40 p.m, a Motion was made to go into Executive Session to discuss: (1) Job Classification and Fringe Benefit Description for Non-Bargaining Unit Members for Fiscal Years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006; (2) Update on ongoing negotiations with Public Works Bargaining Unit; and (3) Discussion of potential Tax Agreement which would result in disclosure of confidential financial and other information exempt from public disclosure at this time
Motion made by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
8. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to adjourn the Work Session was made by Deputy Mayor Pelkey at 8:15 p.m., was duly seconded, and approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
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