TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 6, 2005
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:15.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Havens called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Edward Havens
Deputy Mayor John Pelkey
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Elizabeth Pendleton
Councillor Roseann Williams
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Town Attorney Barry Guliano
Absent: Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Matthew Streeter
Mayor Havens called the Work Session to order at 7:15 p.m.
ITEM:
3. Public Participation - None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Wapping School’s “Playscape”
Making a short presentation on this were: Michele Grigorian, President, Wapping School PTO; Cathy Morin, Vice President, Wapping School PTO; and Laurie Stewart, Secretary, Wapping School PTO.
ITEM:
5. A. (Continued)
Ms. Grigorian reminded the Council Members that Wapping Elementary School had recently been presented with the “Connecticut Association of Schools Award.” Saying that they were really proud of that fact, they added they would also like to be proud of their playscape.
The school was reopened 12 years ago, she added, with minimum funds appropriated for a playscape at that time. What the present PTO was attempting was to raise funds for a new/improved playscape—with the target date for opening aimed at the Spring of 2006. The quotes they have received, to date, to accomplish this construction were between $12,000 to $23,000; with the construction to be done “in phases.”
Phase I (with a hope to there being a Phase II) would utilize minimal construction funds and would continue to use the existing playscape, and would provide at least a little more than what is currently at Wapping, according to Ms. Grigorian.
When asked by Mayor Havens what kind of help they were seeking from the Town Council, Mrs. Grigorian reminded the Councillors that Wapping was a “small school;” and, although the parents did “a lot of fund-raising you can only do so much in a small school.” About $17,000 was needed to realize Phase I, according to Ms. Grigorian; and, when asked about the PTO’s contribution, Ms. Grigorian stated that, to date, the PTO has saved $2,200—with another fund-raiser (dedicated strictly to Phase I funding) being planned for the Fall.
Ms. Grigorian informed the Council that former Mayor, and current State Representative William Aman had advised the PTO to come before Council seeking funding for this Playscape; to go before the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, etc. for the same.
A discussion ensued regarding the fact that, in prior years, the Town had “partnered with Eli Terry School, Philip R. Smith School, and Pleasant Valley School” in building, or rebuilding, their playscapes. Town Manager Matthew Galligan asked for a copy of the proposal describing the project; and, in at least one case, the Town’s Public Works Department was able to “prep the land” rather than have a private contractor do that work.
ITEM:
5. A. (Continued)
It was recalled that in these previous cases, the Town had awarded $3,000, $3,000, and $4,000 in separate cases toward these prior playscapes. Mayor Havens asked if there was a “time-line” for Council’s decision. Ms. Grigorian said that there was no time-line.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey, calling upon his past experience in trying to raise money for playgrounds—and, he felt, it was “quite a task.” He asked Ms. Grigorian if anyone from the PTO had spoken to the Town’s Recreation Department—specifically, to its Director, Ray Favreau. Ms. Grigorian replied that no one had.
The reason for his question, according to the Deputy Mayor was because if the PTO had an idea of the equipment they wanted, it was possible there is a way to “piggy-back” on the Town’s efforts to acquire a Boundless Playground. That order, he added, would be going in very shortly.
Also, according to Deputy Mayor Pelkey, his suggestion at a prior Town Council meeting that there be a discussion on “Mini-Grants” where the Town Council would utilize “matching grants” for citizens who came forward with an idea—where, for instance, if the PTO raised $5,000, the Town would match it with a mini-Grant of $5,000. One difference in the case of Wapping School compared with the other three schools, according to the Deputy Mayor, was that Wapping School had a little higher percentage of “special needs children.”
Deputy Mayor Pelkey also mentioned the ‘box top program” from General Foods which clearly states on their packaging “Box Tops for Education,” and this money can be applied toward playgrounds for schools. He pointed out that there are “drop off” boxes at several locations in Town.
This concluded the presentation on the Wapping School Playscape
7. Executive Session
At 7:30 p.m., Mayor Havens asked for a Motion to go into Executive Session. Deputy Mayor Pelkey complied by moving that the Town Council go into Executive Session to discuss bargaining unit agreement between the Town and NAGE Local R1-103. The Motion was seconded by Councillor Delnicki; and approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
8. Motion to Adjourn
A Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:50 p.m., was duly seconded; and approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
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