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TOWN COUNCIL |
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR |
ACTION MINUTES |
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April 4, 2005 |
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
Members Present: |
Mayor Edward Havens Deputy Mayor John Pelkey Councillor Thomas Delnicki Councillor Deborah Fine Councillor Judith Paquin Councillor Elizabeth Pendleton Councillor Cary Prague Councillor Matthew Streeter Councillor Roseann Williams
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Also Present: |
Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan Town Attorney Barry Guliano |
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Mayor Havens called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.; and immediately recessed it in order to complete the Public Hearing on the General Government Budget. At 8:10 p.m., the Regular Meeting was reconvened.
ITEM:
5. Public Input - None
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Deputy Mayor Pelkey then asked to read into the record a letter received from Mr. John P. Cole, 12 Kelly Road, regarding the trash and debris on the sides of South Windsor’s roads. (The letter is attached hereto as Exhibit D.)
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings - None
8. Public Petitions - None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
Robert Moeller, 203 Sandstone Drive, Chairman of the Patriotic Commission, who briefed the audience on upcoming events.
ITEM:
9. (Continued)
Annual “Students Essay Contest;” A total of 214 Entries have been received from various Grades. Winners to be announced on May 1
Memorial Day festivities – Monday, May 30. Parade will form at intersection of South Satellite Road and Nutmeg Road South; and will start at 10:00 a.m.
“Grand Marshal” for the Parade – Mr. Moeller said it is being hoped that Major Michael Donnelly would be able to accept this designation.
Saturday, June 11, 2005, the Patriotic Commission will hold its annual retirement of old American Flags collected during the year. (Details to follow.)
“Picnic in the Park” - Mr. Moeller then turned the report on this event over to Jim Throwe. Mr. Throwe announced that the date would be May 21, at Nevers Road Park. He added that the South Windsor Community Band would be present to play; there would be food. The 102nd Infantry, he added, would provide the event with “troops,” as in the past.
Mayor Havens then asked Mr. Throwe to read the list of armed services personnel now serving in the Middle East.
The next to speak under this item was Marjorie Anthony, Chairperson, Economic Development Commission, who asked that Agenda Item 17 A. Discussion Item – Proposal for Tax Abatement/Agreement with Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service be tabled this evening. Her reason for the request was to allow the Town Manager more time to critique the proposal.
Mrs. Anthony also announced that there would be a “South Windsor Development Day.” This day will include a display depicting vacant and available properties in South Windsor. The day selected was Tuesday, April 26, at 7:30 a.m. until 12 noon, at Maneeley’s, Rye Street.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager Matthew Galligan said he would have items to discuss following the Human Services Department’s budget presentation. He explained that, because of the cancellation of the Work Session to make way for two Public Hearings, this report was changed to the Regular Meeting. He then introduced Dennis Sheridan, Human Services Director.
Mr. Sheridan, in turn, began his presentation by introducing the division supervisors within his Department—namely, Irene Deneen, Coordinator of Adult and Senior Services; and Jennifer Anderson, Coordinator of Youth and Family Services. He and his staff then presented their proposed budget for the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year through the use of a power-point presentation. (A hard copy of this report is attached.)
Following the conclusion of this report, Town Manager Matthew Galligan briefly discussed other items. He suggested, once again, that perhaps the Town Council and the Board of Education consider a “joint retreat” at which they could concentrate on “strategic planning” for the Town’s future.
On other matters, Mr. Galligan explained that, because of snow removal, and after budgeting $375,000 and taking another $40,000 out some other Public Works funds, the Town was still $162,000 “over budget” because of this year’s snowfall.
Presently, he reported, the Town was in the midst of three (3) union contract negotiations—Dispatchers; Pollution Control; and SCIU (Town Hall).
Councillor Pendleton asked that a Discussion Item be put on an upcoming Town Council Agenda regarding the “drafting” of a policy addressing communications between Members of the Town Council and the Members of the Board of Education and the Board’s Administration. (A discussion ensued between the Councillors, the Town Manager, and the Town Attorney regarding the possibility of setting such a policy.)
Deputy Mayor Pelkey asked the Town Manager if it might be possible to go out to bid “for bond work;” and, in that Request for Proposal have “pre-determined” discounted legal services that would be in a “specialized fields,” such as Board of Education issues and issues the Town Attorney would normally go to “outside” Counsel for handling. The Town Attorney agreed; and explained why.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Councillor Pendleton reminded Council that it had “unfinished business” with the Registrars of Voters and their recent request. She explained her understanding of what they were seeking, and why; and concluded her remarks by informing Council that it needed to respond to the Registrars’ request for the formation of a “Redistricting Committee” by October 2005—to allow the Registrars to make their recommendations; and for the “redistricting” to take place on January 1, 2006.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey and Councillor Fine, too, explained their understanding of exactly what the Registrars of Voters were requesting. Following further discussion on this topic and differing opinions relating to what the make-up of said committee should be, Town Attorney Guliano gave his opinion that “it was the Council’s committee; and appointments to this committee would be made by the Town Council.”
Continuing, Atty. Guliano added that the Registrars could make recommendations, only, with regard to the make-up of the committee—adding the fact that, essentially, the redistricting committee being appointed by Council would be for the purpose of assisting the Town Council in its efforts to amend an existing Ordinance dealing with voting Districts, should it be necessary.
Councillor Delnicki felt that (1) the Registrars of Voters should be present at any further discussions on this topic; and, (2) “If we’re going to have a committee, it darn well better be bi-partisan.”
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council - None
14. Public Participation - None
15. Consent Agenda - None
16. Unfinished Business - None
ITEM:
17. New Business
A. Discussion Item – Proposal for Tax Abatement/Agreement with Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service (requested by EDC Chairperson Marge Anthony)
A Motion to Table this item was made by Councillor Paquin; seconded by Councillor Fine; and approved, unanimously
B. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of $7,500 from Contingency to the South Windsor Patriotic Commission’s Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes a transfer of $7,500 from the Contingency Account Number 19001300-00390 to the South Windsor Patriotic Commission’s Account Number 19002300-00380, to fund a fireworks display being planned in Observance of Armed Forces Day.
Was made by: Councillor Pendleton
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
C. Resolution Authorizing an Expenditure of $2,000 for South Windsor High School’s 2005 “Operation Graduation”
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes and directs Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan to contribute $2,000 from Contingency Account Number 19001300-00390 to the Town Manager Professional Account Number 11310300-00320 as the Town’s contribution toward South Windsor High School’s “2005 Operation Graduation” Fund.
Was made by: Councillor Streeter
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
D. Resolution Authorizing an Expenditure of $1,000 for Cheney Tech Project Graduation 2005
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 #19001300-00390 to the Town Manager Professional Account Number 11310300-00320 to help defray expenses associated with Cheney Tech’s “Project Graduation – 2005.”
Was made by: Councillor Williams
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
E. Resolution Approving the Transfer of $120,000 from Contingency to Various Public Works Accounts
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a transfer of $120,000 from the Contingency Account, Number 19001300-00390, to various Public Works accounts listed in Exhibit A to fund the projected deficit for the 2004/2005 fiscal year as a result of the winter weather.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Streeter
Following a discussion, the Resolution was approved, on a Roll Call vote, 8 Ayes to 1 Nay—the “Nay” vote being cast by Councillor Paquin.
F. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of $2,205 from Contingency to the Town Manager’s Professional Account and Approving Payment to MetroHartford Alliance
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes a transfer of $2,205 from the Contingency Account, Number 19001300-00390, to the Town Manager’s Professional Account, Number 11310300-00320, to fund the Town’s match for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Federal grant in the amount of $75,000; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. F. (Continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the payment of $2,205 from the Town Manager’s Professional Account to the MetroHartford Alliance.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
G. Resolution Authorizing the Close-Out of Completed Capital Projects and Transfer of $18,746 to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes the close out of the completed capital projects listed in Exhibit B and the transfer of $18,746 from the completed capital project accounts to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account (Number 44201300-00320).
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Fine
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
H. Resolution Appointing Ronald Banks (D) a Full Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals to Fill the Unexpired Term of Joel Nadel, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Ronald Banks a full Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Joel Nadel for a term ending November 30, 2007, and hereby tables the same.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
I. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Five (5) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to five (5) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $4,616.52, and as shown on attached Exhibit C.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
In provide for an informative vote this evening on Agenda Item 17. J., Town Attorney Guliano had advised Council to schedule an Executive Session to discuss pending claims and litigation, at which Session he would explain the need for this Item.
20. Executive Session
At 10:00 p.m., and prior to addressing Agenda Item 17. J., Deputy Mayor Pelkey moved to go into Executive Session to discuss pending claims and litigation. The Motion was seconded by Councillor Williams, and approved, unanimously.
Following the close of the Executive Session, the Town Council reconvened and moved to address Agenda Item 17. J.
J. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of $15,000 from Contingency to the Town Attorney’s Professional Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes a transfer of $15,000 from Contingency Account Number 19001300-00390 to the Town Attorney’s Professional Account Number 11550300-00320, to fund the costs of expert witnesses in current and upcoming litigation, and the costs of outside counsel where the Town Attorney has a conflict of interest.
Was made by: Councillor Prague
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Executive Session – To discuss pending claims and litigation - (Held prior to Agenda Item 17. J.)
21. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to Adjourn was made at 10:45 p.m.; duly seconded; and approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmts: (Power-Point Presentation by Human Services Department; and
Exhibits A., B., C., and D.)
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