1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Havens called the meeting to order at
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Edward Havens
Deputy Mayor John Pelkey
Councillor William Aman
Councillor Judith Paquin
Councillor Elizabeth Pendleton
Councillor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Muriel Yacavone
Also Present: Asst. to the Town Manager Judith Hall
Town Attorney Barry Guliano
Absent: Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
3. Public Participation - None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager's Report - (Reserved for Regular Meeting)
6. Items for Discussion
A. Report on "Boundless Playground" - Presentation made by
Ray Favreau, Dir. of Recreation; Janice Favreau (Steering Comm.)
and Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The discussion on this item was begun by Recreation Director Raymond Favreau. He asked that the Council to join the rest of the audience in the front seating in order to better view a power-point presentation on this subject. Mr. Favreau stated that a very dedicated group of volunteers, and Town staff, have been diligently working "on a grass roots effort" to bring a "Boundless Playground" here to South Windsor.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Favreau also reminded those listening that this initiative is in harmony with the adopted Master Plan of Development for Parks and Recreation as well, he added, as the Town's Strategic Plan; and the recently endorsed C.A.R.E. program. Mr. Favreau then gave a brief history of the preliminary work that preceded this evening's presentation; and individually named the members of this committee, and introduced those in attendance this evening.
The Director also pointed out that the core committee members were supplemented by a host of other volunteers who serve on a number of subcommittees to manage playground design, fund raising efforts, public relations, etc.
He said that they were present this evening to give the Council and the public a progress report on the status of this project. Mr. Favreau then turned the program over to Janice Favreau.
Ms. Favreau said that she, too, was a member of the committee "to build the boundless playground - "My Friends Place" - here in South Windsor. She added that like many present, she is a parent; however, unlike many, her son Christopher is multiply handicapped. Continuing, she said that Christopher has never been able to use a playground with his friends. This, she added, was the reason for her interest and efforts on the part of the Boundless Playground project.
Tonight, according to Ms. Favreau, the committee would be providing some background information on what a "Boundless Playground" is-specifically, "My Friends Place." This evening's presentation, she added, would be divided into four parts-(1) What is a Boundless Playground? (2) Why does South Windsor need one? (3) Where are we now in the process; and, Where are we going?
(Ms. Favreau then conducted a data point slide presentation. A copy of its content is attached hereto as part of the record.) Ms. Favreau provided the fact that, in South Windsor, approximately 10% of the 2,500 elementary school age children have been identified as having "special needs."
The committee, Ms. Favreau reported, has made the decision to work with The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds-a non-profit organization based in Bloomfield, Connecticut-because of their expertise and technical design and support services that will help South Windsor to create a playground that is not only "barrier free" but designed to be developmentally advantageous, not only for the special needs child, but for every child regardless of their abilities.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
As a final note, Ms. Favreau pointed out the "Americans with Disabilities Act," and the accessibility guidelines it has established. She wanted those listening to note, however, the problem with a playground that "just meets ADA accessibility guidelines is that while a disabled child might be able to "access the playground," once he or she gets there, there is no equipment that they can use-better known as "the ramp to nowhere problem."
Quite simply, she explained, the difference between a Boundless Playground and one that just meets ADA accessibility guidelines, is that in addition to being able to access the playground and the equipment, a Boundless Playground also addresses the sensory, developmental skills of the child, and provides an environment where all children can play side by side. She then elaborated on the benefits of such a facility.
Mrs. Favreau then introduced Deputy Mayor John Pelkey who, as a Member of this committee, would take the audience to the next two levels of the presentation. The Deputy Mayor said that he would be speaking about the "money" because "that's what really builds the dream." The "dreaming and designing sessions" have been completed, he said.
These sessions, he added, were used to seek the input of the users-the children. Through these interactive sessions, according to the Deputy Mayor, the design team was able to learn what was important to the children. Mr. Pelkey said that the $145,000 raised, to date, is about halfway to the committee's goal. He said that they had received a great response from a variety of community groups; and, he added, the more people involved, the more this became a "community effort." And, he continued, the more the kids feel ownership of the playground, the less likely the Town will experience vandalism.
Still utilizing a data point slide presentation, Mr. Pelkey described the site location as a 20,000 square foot area next to the Town's Community Center on Nevers Road, within Nevers Road Park. The Deputy Mayor then described the many advantages to choosing this site. He also explained that the existing parking lot at the Community Center would be extended to accommodate additional handicap parking near its entrance.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Pelkey, using the schematic drawing describing the site, explained that there are three (3) main areas-one primarily for the 2- to 5-year-old children; a sensory component; and an area for the 5- to 12-year-old range. A more detailed plan, he added, should be available soon. However, he added, that as new equipment becomes available the program provides for their addition, if the Town so chooses.
In summation, Deputy Mayor Pelkey said that volunteer efforts were needed to, for instance, serve on a subcommittee, make phone calls, etc. The key thing, he explained, was that the mailing regarding this project to go out to South Windsor's residents would have the information on how to "sign up" to help. Also, he said that anyone on the core committee would be happy to explain the project. Also, he added brochures and sign-up sheets would be available in many stores in Town.
When asked where one of these playgrounds could be seen, the Deputy Mayor suggested that one of the newest ones around was located on Addison Road, in Glastonbury.
Councillor Streeter asked if there was any further Grant money that might be available to the Town for this project. The Deputy Mayor said that there were a few that the Committee was "really hopeful for;" and several that the committee has already applied for.
Mayor Havens voiced his opinion that the core committee had taken on an "ambitious project" that was certainly worthwhile. He offered the Town's "in-kind" services wherever it was needed to assist in this endeavor; and thanked the committee for being present this evening to update the Council.
B. Progress Report - Union District School Acquisition Project - by
Brian Rivard, So. Windsor Historical Society, Inc.
Mayor Havens introduced Mr. Rivard who began by thanking the Town Council and Town staff (particularly Director of Public Works Michael Gantick) for being so helpful in the process of arriving at a "plan" for the acquisition of Union District School. What they were trying to do, he added, was create a plan that would allow the Committee to acquire, restore, and create a "museum of local history" in the former Union District School building.
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Mr. Rivard, elaborating on the "museum" aspect of their plans, said that this museum will allow the Historical Society to fulfill its mission to present to the townspeople of South Windsor the history of South Windsor-a town which, originally, was a part of one of the first Towns created in the State of Connecticut.
Referring to the "list" provided by the Committee to the Town Council this evening, Mr. Rivard said he would not be going over the entire list this evening-but, rather, would like to hit the high points in the list. (A copy of Mr. Rivard's handout is attached and made a part of this record.)
Saying that first, however, he wished to share the committee's vision for that building. As a museum, he said, there would be three (3) primary "galleries"-one would be a permanent exhibit of the history of South Windsor; one would be a gallery of revolving exhibits; and the third (and, in the committee's opinion, the most important one) a gallery for children-one that would afford them an opportunity for a "hands-on" experience of the history of our Town.
Next Mr. Rivard went over what he felt were the highlights on the list provided. (1) The committee has acquired an architect for the duration of the project. (2) Assistance with the hazardous waste inventory has been promised so that the committee can determine how much "hazardous waste" is actually in the building. Following this, he added, a cost for removal can be determined.
Continuing, and (3) a "heating contractor" has been acquired to assist in evaluating the current heating system; to try to provide current cost for converting the present system into something more efficient, or more appropriate. (4) They have acquired an attorney who has supplied the committee with (and will continue to supply) a number of legal activities pro bono; (5) a CPA is helping the committee to manage its accounts (he quickly added, however, that the committee was trying not to accept any money for Union School until they have acquired the school.
Finally, Mr. Rivard noted the "wonderful banners" that had been donated to the Committee-one of which hung at Town Center advertising the project's "Open House and Tag Sale;" and another one which is currently on display at Union District School stating "Help Us Save This School, the South Windsor Historical Society."
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Mr. Rivard then went on to say that what he really meant to do this evening was to express to the Town Council and those listening the "enthusiasm" that has been expressed to the committee in all its endeavors. He then went on to elaborate on the steps the committee had initiated in order to keep the citizens informed on what they were trying to do-such as, having an "information booth" (for the first time in years) at the Wapping Fair-where, he added, they received nothing but enthusiasm everywhere.
Mr. Rivard then spoke of the success of the Society's "Tag Sale and Open House." Hundreds of people turned out, he said; and $1,400 was raised at the tag sale; and it was estimated that close to 300 people went through the school on guided tours.
From this point forward, according to Mr. Rivard, the committee must continue to meet with contractors to receive estimates on work to be done. Currently, he added, they are awaiting a report from a "structural engineer" inventorying the building; and trying to determine the "short-term operating cost" for the building
Mr. Rivard added that the committee does not envision the building being open anytime in the near future-certainly not within the next three or four years. What is being looked at, in the short term, is some type of "minimal heating; clean-up; and possibly the installation of some type of "sprinkler system" (a must, according to the Fire Marshal) before the public is allowed to enter the building. He said he would be making a presentation to the South Windsor Rotary Club in the hopes of generating some "in-kind" services.
Mr. Rivard thanked the Council for allowing him to come forward this evening with his presentation. He then informed the Council that the December 6 deadline for the presentation of the committee's final plan, originally agreed upon in April of this year, would not be met because of his (and his wife's need) to be out of the Country for three (3) weeks beginning in the latter part of November. That, he added, would bring them back to South Windsor just before the holidays. He asked that, given these circumstances, this deadline be extended to the 21st of February.
Mayor Havens said that he saw no reason not to grant this request. Councillor Aman added that, as long as progress is being made, he concurred.
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Mayor Havens then added that the Committee should take as much time as is reasonably needed. They, too, the Mayor added, have taken on "quite an endeavor." Again, the Mayor offered the Town's help with in-kind services, if needed. He then asked Mr. Rivard to introduce those members of the Committee who were present this evening.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey asked Mr. Rivard to explain the process a resident should follow in order to make a "pledge" of funds toward this project. Mr. Rivard said that residents could contact him at his home, at 644-8378, and he would be happy to send them a pledge form. He added that the Committee has been advised not to take funds simply because if, for some reason, the Committee were not to acquire the building, the funds (plus interest) would have to be returned. He also added that, after only three months of soliciting pledges, the fund was approaching the $25,000 mark.
7. Executive Session
Councillor Streeter moved to go into Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. The Motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Pelkey, and was approved, unanimously.
8. Motion to Adjourn
The Work Session was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmts.
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