TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS January 17, 2006
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL Time: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Matthew Streeter
Deputy Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Tim Moriarty
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
(No Town Attorney Present)
3. Public Participation – None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report - None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Town’s GIS (Geographical Information System) – Presented by Michael Gantick, Director of Public Works; and Scott Roberts, Information Technology Manager
Town Manager Galligan explained how the program started a couple years ago and how money has been putting a little bit of money in the Capital Budget every year. Tonight they will be showing some of the things that have been done to date and the possibilities for the future.
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6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Gantick and Mr. Roberts presented a PowerPoint Presentation entitled Geographic Information System – Capital Improvement Project Update, which is attached as Exhibit A.
Mr. Gantick introduced two representatives from AT&T, Heather Voets and Diana Hunt who are instrumental in bringing this effort and products to South Windsor.
Councillor McCann asked Mr. Roberts who was performing the functions of Analyst now. Mr. Roberts stated that currently there is a consultant, himself, and other staff members. Mr. Roberts also informed Councillor McCann that the biggest benefit is that more would get done in a timely manner.
Mr. Roberts and Mr. Gantick discussed, at Councillor McCann’s request, when it would be advantageous for the Town to add the new position of GIS Analyst Technician.
Councillor Pelkey discussed his support of this project. He also asked what the potential is for using this system as an income base. Mr. Gantick explained that there is an ability to generate a few thousand dollars a year, but from hearing about the experience that other towns have had, it is not a significant source of income.
Ms. Marcia Banach, Director of Planning gave various examples on how this project is helpful. She also discussed where South Windsor is in the process.
Councillor Pelkey explained that upfront there is going to be some costs but in the long run, there is going to be a lot of cost avoidance.
Councillor Prague said that this is fantastic. He asked if this is opened up to the public, will there be greatly increased licensing fees from the vendors? Mr. Roberts said that there could be an annual maintenance agreement if it is hosted out of Town or it could be brought in-house.
Councillor Prague asked if GIS is going to be able to help with the process of appeals and how far out is that possibility. Mr. Charlie Danna, Assessor, said that not only will it be available for him to use, but residents will also have the same access.
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6. A. (Continued)
Councillor Fine said that she thinks that this technology is incredible. She asked if this will allow the Town to find the homes that put up pools or siding without the proper permits. Town Manager Galligan said that that would not be their mission, but it would come up during the revaluation process.
Councillor Yagaloff compared GIS to the Internet and how this will in time become main-stream. He said that he is fully behind the initiative. Councillor Yagaloff asked about the accuracy of the mapping and if GPS can be tied into GIS. Mr. Roberts said that it is accurate and GPS can be tied into GIS.
At 8:00 p.m. Mayor Streeter called the Regular Meeting to order and immediately recessed it to continue the Work Session.
Councillor Moriarty asked the representatives from AT&T what other municipalities are using this system. It was explained that the town of Ellington has just done what South Windsor has done, the city of Meriden, Marlborough, North Haven, New Haven, New Canaan, West Haven, Cromwell, Groton, and Stonington, Hartford and Bridgeport are looking into this. Two major utility companies and two major water companies are also using this within the State.
Councillor Moriarty also asked what the other towns’ labor requirements have been to maintain the system. Mr. Roberts explained that South Windsor would be looking to hire a full-time person. He explained that the town of Manchester hired 2 full-time positions. He said that it is not their goal to create a new department, but to integrate it, train and grow the technology within the Town.
Councillor Moriarty asked if there was any competition for this product beside AT&T. Mr. Roberts explained that there was not and the Town of Glastonbury did their own mapping with an outside vendor, which cost more.
Mr. Roberts discussed how the training and support services are going, and how he is happy with them.
Mayor Streeter asked where the State is with a time table for going this route and if he thought that there would be some funding to the municipalities that have already obtained this information that they would be sharing. Mr. Roberts explained that Representative Aman appointed him to the State Steering Committee. He said that currently what is happening is that they have secured a needs assessment and they will be looking to partner out to the communities to
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6. A. (Continued)
provide information. By partnering with the towns, there is going to be a savings to the State of Connecticut as a whole, but hopefully through taxes we will see benefits.
Mayor Streeter thanked Mr. Gantick and Mr. Roberts and the staff for the presentation because it was very informative.
7. Executive Session - None
8. Adjournment
A Motion to Adjourn was made at approximately 8:10 p.m.; duly seconded, and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa Perry
Assistant to the Clerk of the Council
Attmt. – Exhibit A (Geographic Information System – Capital Improvement Project Update)
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