TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Action Minutes Page 1 November 7, 2005
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
Members Present: Mayor Edward F. Havens
Deputy Mayor John P. Pelkey
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Elizabeth Pendleton
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Roseann Williams
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Absent: Town Attorney Barry Guliano
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Havens at 8:00 p.m.
ITEM:
5. Public Participation
First to speak was Connecticut State Senator Gary LeBeau. Senator LeBeau gave a short report on what is being contemplated by the State Energy Committee in order to provide a broader assistance plan for “tune-ups of furnaces,” updating of thermostats, etc. He also presented a brief overview of House Bill 240-511.
The next speaker was Kevin McCann, 170 Lisa Drive, who thanked the Members of the Town Council for the giving of their time and best efforts “to make South Windsor the best Town it can be.” He also thanked all the volunteers serving on the Town’s Boards and Commissions. Mr. McCann expressed the wish (on the eve of Election Day) that the Town Council “start fresh and do away with petty political bickering.”
Mary Etter, Library Director, thanked the Town Council for helping South Windsor’s MOM’S Club One of the Club’s endeavors, she reminded Council was to establish and facilitate a “children’s reading and activity area in the “pre-school” section of the Public Library.
Action Minutes
Regular Meeting – Town Council
Page 2
November 7, 2005
6. Environmental Health and Safety Message]
Deputy Mayor Pelkey, once again this year, reminded those listing of the “piles of raked leaves” that are standing off the curbs and in the streets in residential neighborhoods. He warned drivers to beware of children who might be playing in these piles; and asked that the leaves be kept up off the street pavement itself in order to protect the children.
Councillor Fine wanted the public to know that February is “COPD Awareness Month; and that she has spoken to Human Services Director Dennis Sheridan about making the public aware of COPD and, too, working on an Emphysema Detection Clinic. The Councillor also requested that the town seek and acquire available “Stop Smoking Aids” to hand out to those of the public who wished to do exactly that—stop smoking. The Councillor felt that if the public was aware, perhaps through the previously-mentioned “Clinic” that, for instance, their breathing capacity was only at 75% rather than at 100% they might reconsider kicking the habit. She suggested that High School students participate in the program.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey asked Councillor Fine if the Town’s “Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission” might also be involved in this venture; and was told by the Town Manager that Human Services Director Dennis Sheridan was presently trying to get some of the Commissions involved in order to create such a program.
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion to adopt the following Minutes of Town Council meetings: Public Hearing of October 4, 2005 (re. $20,500 Approp. From Capital and Non-Recurring for design of Felt Road Bridge); Regular Meeting of October 4, 2005; Work Session of October 17, 2005; Public Hearing of October 17, 2005 (re. Amendment to Ordinance Establishing Voting Districts); and Regular Meeting of October 17, 2005.
Was made by: Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
Action Minutes
Regular Meeting – Town Council
Page 3
November 7, 2005
8. Public Petitions - None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council - None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager - None
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Mayor Havens reported on the events of the week-end; namely, the “Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony” at LA Fitness; the unveiling of Karen Rossi’s “movable” sculpture for the Town which will be located at various sites but is presently at the new Highland Park Market at Evergreen Walk.
Referring specifically to the Grand Opening of Highland Park Market, the Mayor publicly thanked the Owners of the Market for their generous contribution of $1,000 to South Windsor’s “Fuel Bank;” and the pledge of $2,000 worth of groceries to the Town’s “Food Bank.”
14. Public Participation
Paul Oates, 935 Main Street, and also a candidate for Council, reported on one other important event that took place over the weekend, and that was Hartford’s Veterans’ Day Parade—right in the middle of which, he added, was South Windsor’s contingent and representatives to the Parade. He felt it would be very “appropriate if we honored all of the folks (especially our veterans in that Parade) if everyone got out and voted tomorrow.
The Mayor and Mr. Oates made special mention of Timothy Edwards Middle School Band’s participation in all these Parades; and thanked them for always doing an excellent job.
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
Page 4
November 7, 2005
15. Consent Agenda – None
16. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Appointing Timothy Appleton (D) to the Inland-Wetlands Agency to Fill the Unexpired Term of William Grace
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Timothy Appleton to the Inland-Wetlands Agency for a term expiring December 1, 2007, to fill the unexpired term of William Grace.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The motion was: Approved, unanimously
17. New Business
A. Discussion Item: An Update by the Town Manager on various topics he feels the Town Council should be aware of—i.e., the Town’s new Channel 16; Moody’s rating of the Town; etc.
Town Manager Matthew Galligan reported on the following:
Moody’s, he said, was currently going into municipalities and looking at their current bond ratings. He said that the firm had come to South Windsor—sending two analysts. Mr. Galligan said that he and staff had spent between 4 and 5 hours with them; and, additionally had spent about three (3) hours going over all the financial conditions, budgets, etc.
The Town, as a result, did maintain its AA rating—with the only criticism from Moody’s being their wish to see the Town’s Fund Balance start to build up so that it has a “rainy day fund.” He said that, overall, it was a “good report.”
Standard & Poors’ rating of the Town, according to Mr. Galligan, is “AA.”
Action Minutes
Regular Meeting – Town Council
Page 5
November 7, 2005
17. A. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan next reported that CL&P and Yankee Gas had both sent letters to the him warning that the “costs for energy were going up” this winter.” Both companies, he added, expressed their concern regarding people being able to afford the oncoming “energy crises.” The companies provided samples of the information they would have available for customers. They also would be providing a “Winter Protection and Matching Payment Program” based upon family size and income.
On January 13, 2006, according to Mr. Galligan, the State’s Office of Policy and Management will be looking for applications for their STEAP (Small Towns Economic Assistance Program) Grant. Two projects being looked at by the Town Manager and staff with regard to this funding were Rye Street Park; and Union School. He added that the most money the Town can get from this Grant is $500,000; and, he cautioned, if Council was not interested in spending this money on the two projects he had just mentioned, it should let him know as soon as possible so that suggestions for other projects could be sought.
Another program the Town is working on is NIMS (National Incident Management System), Mr. Galligan reported. The Plan, he added, has been updated; and by December 16, the Town should have a new NIMS Program that will match the Federal program.
Mr. Galligan mentioned the importance of the upcoming Leadership Roundtable Discussion on December 8, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in the South Windsor Library’s “Friends Room.”
He spoke of the Leaf Collection Program; and the fact that the vacuum leaf collection program will begin on or about November 1—however, he added. “Mother Nature is not cooperating—and the leaves are not falling.” Consequently, he added, the collection of leaves will be commencing later.
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
Page 6
November 7, 2005
17. A.
Another item the Town Manager said he wished to report on was with regard to the Town’s Fuel Cell; and the fact that, at a recent DPUC meeting. Director of Public Works Michael Gantick had asked why the Town had to receive a “ratchet charge” each time the Fuel Cell is taken down to be cleaned and maintained.
Continuing, the Town Manager said that Mr. Gantick asked the DPUC if they were “going to push” alternate use energy charges why they were allowing this charge. And, after considering his question, the Commission has decided that Mr. Gantick was right; and this was an issue the Commission should look at. Mr. Galligan said that these charges could be anywhere between $20,000 and $30,000 each time the Fuel Cell receives maintenance work. He lauded Mr. Gantick for taking the initiative on this question.
Questions on the Town’s financial rates and what could be done to improve upon these ratings; the new Channel 16, and how to keep it from becoming “stale” and make it more attractive to watch by our residents; training time for staff and Council for the NIMS Program; and other matters.
B. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Thirty (30) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to thirty (30) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $3,760.38, and as shown on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Councillor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
Action Minutes
Regular Meeting – Town Council
Page 7
November 7, 2005
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Executive Session - None
21. Adjournment
A Motion to adjourn was made at 9:15 p.m., was duly seconded, and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmt. (Exhibit A.)
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