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TOWN COUNCIL |
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR |
ACTION MINUTES |
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April 18, 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 Matthew Streeter Councillor Roseann Williams
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Also Present: |
Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan Town Attorney Barry Guliano |
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Absent: |
Councillor Cary Prague |
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Havens at 8:00 p.m.; immediately recessed to continue the Work Session; and reconvened at 9:45 p.m.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Mr. Lyman Maytubby, 18 Lake Street, addressed the Council with regard to the upcoming budget; and provided Council with a handout depicting his “thoughts” and “possible adjustments” that could be made to that budget to reduce the final figure by almost $1 million. (A copy of Mr. Maytubby’s hand-out is attached.)
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message - None
At this time, Councillor Streeter moved to address Agenda Item 17. A. (the Auditor’s Report). The Motion was seconded by Councillor Delnicki; and approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
17. A. Discussion Item – Auditor’s Report
Mr. Joseph Centofanti, representing the auditing firm of Kostin, Luffkess, and Company LLC, then explained specific areas in the recently-submitted “Annual Financial Report of the Town of South Windsor, Connecticut” for the year ended June 30, 2004. At the end of his report, Mr. Centofanti acknowledged and answered questions from the Town Councillors.
ITEM:
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion to accept the Minutes of the following Town Council meetings: Regular Meeting of March 7, 2005; Work Session of March 21, 2005; and Regular Meeting of March 21, 2005;
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions - None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
Mr. Craig Zimmerman, 5 Amato Drive, and Chairperson of the Park and Recreation Commission, invited the Town Council Members, and the Town Manager to “test the new ropes course” on Saturday, May 14.
On a second item, he said he wished to follow-up with the Council on questions put to Recreation Director Ray Favreau this evening with regard to the Department’s “fees.” He informed Council that over the last “couple of months,” Mr. Favreau had certainly explained to the Commission exactly how the Department set its fees.
Mr. Zimmerman then reported on figures he said he had quickly worked up this evening to address remarks regarding recreational fees, for instance—
ITEM:
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council (Continued)
If the Town lowered its pool passes to the average pool in the area, there would be $150,000 that somebody would have to add to the Recreation budget.
If the Town were to lower its recreation basketball fees to the average of the Towns in our area, that would cost $50,000—basically, he added, in those other Towns their taxes are partially funding those programs.
If you compare what the “kids who play ‘travel basketball’ pay (12 of them pay about $140/player) that’s 100% of the cost to run the program—with no coaches being paid, and no buses being hired. Mr. Zimmerman added that if those same 12 young people played basketball for the Town’s Middle School, they would pay approximately $75/player—which is ½ the recreation fee. However, he added, the “kicker” is that it costs $4,000 to run the Middle School’s program because of having to pay for coaches, buses, score-keepers, etc.
This cost to the Middle School, Mr. Zimmerman added, is included in the Board of Education’s Budget; and, “we pay for it” to the tune of 2-1/2 times what it costs the Recreation Department to run its travel program.
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
In the interest of time and the late hour, Mr. Galligan stated that his letter of the Council was “explicit; and if there were no questions on any of the items contained therein, Council could move on to the next Agenda item.
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
ITEM:
16. Unfinished Business
A. Discussion Item – Proposal for Tax Abatement/Agreement with Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service (requested by EDC Chairperson Marge Anthony)
Town Manager Matthew Galligan presented the report on this proposal.
17. New Business
A. Discussion Item – Auditor’s Report
B. Resolution Approving a Tax Assessment Agreement Between the Town of South Windsor and ”Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service”
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor’s Economic Development Incentive Program, established pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-65b, is intended to encourage the development and expansion of quality businesses in Town through tax and other economic incentives, and is designed to attract businesses that will generate substantial additional tax revenues and employment opportunities for the Town while providing quality goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Economic Development Commission recommends, pursuant to said program, that a tax assessment agreement be offered to Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service to renovate a 134,000 square foot industrial facility at 625 Nutmeg Road, in South Windsor, Connecticut, at an estimated cost of $700,000
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council is pleased to offer a Tax Assessment Agreement between the Town and Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service reducing the amount of assessment of the new renovations at #625 Nutmeg Road which is estimated at a cost of $700,000 by 100% for a period of two (2) years; therefore the estimated assessed value of the property at #625 Nutmeg
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. B.
Road would be $490,000 for a period of two (2) years, commencing with the Grand List following the date of the Certificate of Occupancy, unless said assessment is changed by the Town in its upcoming revaluation, in which case, the assessed value of said improvements to the real property shall be reduced by 100% of the assessed value of said improvements after revaluation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council offers Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service this Tax Assessment Agreement upon the condition that Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service shall (1) meet the construction cost figures and agree to the estimated assessment figures; (2) continue operations in South Windsor for a minimum of ten (10) years; and (3) maintain their local facilities approximately at a minimum of the currently proposed levels of employment during this ten-year period; and, if they fail to meet these conditions, Hartford Provisions d/b/a HPC Food Service agree to refund to the Town of South Windsor all of the tax savings described herein which the Company has received.
Was made by: Councillor Williams
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Pelkey then moved to “amend” the Resolution in the 3rd paragraph by replacing the figure $400,000” with the words “the current assessed value of the existing building and property for a period of two (2) years, ………” Councillor Delnicki seconded the amendment; and it was approved, unanimously.
Mayor Havens then called for a vote on the “Amended Resolution.” It was approved, unanimously.
C. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Timothy Moriarty (R) from the Patriotic Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council accepts, with regret, the resignation of Timothy Moriarty from the Patriotic Commission, said resignation to be effective immediately; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. C.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Windsor Town Council thanks Mr. Moriarty for donating his time and energies by serving on this Commission, and in other capacities in service to his community.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
D. Resolution Appointing Scott C. Simmons (R) to the Patriotic Commission to Fill the Unexpired Term of Timothy Moriarty, and the Tabling of Same
(Councillor Delnicki)
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Scott C. Simmons to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending August 31, 2006 to fill the unexpired term of Timothy Moriarty, and hereby tables the same.
E. Resolution Designating the South Windsor Board of Education as Building Committee for State Projects Number TMP-132-ZBKD and TMP-132-SRPW – Removal of Asbestos from Boiler Areas at South Windsor High School and Ellsworth School
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council recognizes the need for and supports the removal of asbestos around the boilers at Ellsworth School and South Windsor High School
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby designates the South Windsor Board of Education as Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-ZBKD Asbestos Abatement of Boiler Area at Ellsworth School; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby designates the South Windsor Board of Education as the Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-SRPW Asbestos Abatement of Boiler Area at South Windsor High School; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. E.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes said South Windsor Board of Education to proceed with preparation of the necessary schematic drawings and outline specifications for these projects, and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to file applications for a School Construction Project Grant for each of said projects.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Paquin
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
F. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement for the Collection of Delinquent Motor Vehicle and Personal Property Taxes
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the Town Manager to enter into an Agreement with American National Recovery Group, Inc. to locate delinquent taxpayers and collect delinquent motor vehicle and personal property taxes, after said Agreement has been reviewed and approved by the Town Attorney.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
G. Resolution Requesting the Placement of a Complete “Line Item” Budget for both the Proposed General Government Budget and Proposed Board of Education Budget in the South Windsor Public Library for the Public’s Information
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby requests that a copy of the complete “line item” Budget for the Proposed General Government Budget, and the complete “line item” Budget for the Proposed Board of Education Budget, be made available to the public, in the South Windsor Public Library, at least two weeks prior to the Public Hearing by the Town Council on each Proposed Budget.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. G.
Was made by: Councillor Streeter
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
Before a vote could be taken, Councillor Fine moved to amend the Resolution by adding the words designated below in bold print:
“be made available to the public, in the South Windsor Public Library and in the Town Hall at least two weeks prior to…….”
The Motion to Amend was duly seconded, and approved, unanimously. Mayor Havens then called for a vote on the “Amended Resolution.” It was approved, unanimously
H. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Seek Proposals from Professional Services Providers Qualified to Further Evaluate Space Needs at the South Windsor Town Hall
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council’s “Space Needs Subcommittee” has reviewed the space needs with the Town’s public buildings; and
WHEREAS, following said review, the Subcommittee recommends engaging a professional services provider to evaluate alternatives for meeting the space needs at the South Windsor Town Hall
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby directs Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan to seek proposals from qualified firms for professional services to further evaluate space needs at Town Hall, utilizing funds from the Town Building Space Evaluation Fund Account Number 4409-6300-00320.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Fine
Following a brief discussion, the Resolution was approved, by Roll Call vote, 7 Ayes to 1 Nay—the Nay vote being cast by Councillor Paquin.
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
I. Resolution Approving the Refund of Property Taxes to Seven (7) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to seven (7) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $2,774.49, and as further described on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Paquin
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
J. Resolution Authorizing the Development of a “Draft” Policy by the Town Manager for the Exchange of Information Between the Town Council and the Board of Education to be Forwarded to the Board of Education for Their Input and Consideration
WHEREAS, the proper procedure to be followed when requesting information from the Board of Education has become unclear to the Members of the Town Council; and
WHEREAS, the same uncertainty may exist for Board of Education Members when requesting information from the Town Council; and
WHEREAS, there is presently no formal policy, or procedure, that lends itself to the request and sharing of information between both of these agencies, in particular when said information may be pertinent to the decisions of either or both respective bodies; and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of this Resolution to develop a “draft” policy to be forwarded to the Board of Education for their input and consideration allowing for the free exchange of information between the Town Council and the Board of Education in an atmosphere free of acrimony and reflective of a concern for what is in the best interest of the Town of South Windsor and its citizens, while at the same time recognizing that the resources for producing such information is not unlimited
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. J. (Continued)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby directs Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, to develop said “draft” policy for review by the Town Council at its next Regular Meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, prior to any Council action on the proposed “draft” policy, and in an effort to provide one that is workable and meets the intent of both agencies, a copy of this “draft” policy shall be forwarded to the South Windsor Board of Education, through its Superintendent of Schools, for the Board’s input and consideration.
Was made by: Councillor Pendleton
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
20. Executive Session - (If needed to continue discussion of personnel matters.)
21. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to Adjourn was made at 11:00 p.m.; duly seconded; and approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attachment: (Exhibit A.)
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