TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Acton Minutes Page 1 May 1, 2006
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 8:05 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 Galligan
5. Public Input - None
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message - None
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings - None
8. Public Petitions - None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
Robert Moeller, Chairperson, Patriotic Commission came forward to let the Town Council know that this year’s Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade will be First Sergeant John Stonoha of the 141st Medical Company, recently retired.
Mr. Moeller then invited the Members of the Council to joint in the “Picnic in the Park” on May 20th (Armed Forces Day); and, he added, to march in the Parade and participate in the ceremony on Memorial Day (May 29th). He also added the name of Lt. Col. Scott Simmons, a Member of the patriotic Commission, who will be leaving May 9th for Iraq.
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9. (Continued)
Another Member of the Patriotic commission, Teri Dickey-Gaignet came forward to provide the Council Members with the names of this year’s Essay Contest” sponsored by the Patriotic Commission. (A copy listing their names, Grade Level, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Winners at each level, is attached).
Next to speak was Janice Favreau, Chairperson, Human Relations Commission who was present to, once again, extend an invitation letter that went out to all Chairs of all the Boards and Commissions, and Department Heads, regarding a “Diversity Training Session” sponsored by the Human Relations Commission. She said it would be taking place tomorrow evening (May 2) in the Town Hall’s Madden Room, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ms. Favreau then went on to explain the reasons the Commission felt this Workshop was important.
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager Matthew Galligan reported on the following:
1. The need for an appointment from the Town Council of a Representative to the Greater Hartford Transit District to replace Marjorie Anthony who had recently passed away.
2. Per request of Deputy Mayor Delnicki, copies of bills for South Windsor Police “Private Duty’ work.
3. Copy of the bid for electric supply from Bay State Consultant in response to the Town’s going out to bid for 5-year supply.
4. He addressed the ongoing lawsuit against CRRA by two mid-Connecticut Towns against CRRA at the time of the “Enron deal.” He stated that he had forwarded the material he received to the Town’s new Town Attorney, Halloran & Sage, for them to examine.
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10. (Continued)
5. The Resolution included on this evening’s Agenda regarding providing $3,000 in “Matching Funds” to Orchard Hill School PTO to assist in the funding of Playscape equipment at the school.
6. Reminded the Town Councillors about the Teen Center’s Tag Sale on May 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Center. He then went on to remind Council of several other dates and their events.
7. The Town will be selling the “old Fire Engine.” Bid specifications have been prepared by the Fire Chief; and it will go out to bid.
8. A Resolution included on tonight’s Agenda regarding “terrorism.” (Agenda Item 17. G. He explained.
(A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the bills, etc. associated with the Police “Private Duty Work,” and the bid received from Bay State in answer to the rise in energy costs.)
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
Mayor Streeter suggested that the Town should be hearing, shortly, from the STEAP Grant—consequently, he felt that the Union School Subcommittee should consider scheduling a meeting as soon as the Town learns when. Also, he added, the Space needs Subcommittee has met and is discussion some of the options regarding the Town Hall; as well as the potential acquisition of the old Post office on Sullivan Avenue.
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor McCann reported that he wished to recognize a “milestone” reached by “one of South Windsor’s finest organizations last weekend—the recognition of the South Windsor Little League’s “50th Opening Day Celebration.” He elaborated on the festivities surrounding this celebration; and the long-term benefits on Little League’s young participants and they matured and continued on in organized sports.
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13. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
Under this item, Councillor Yagaloff made the Town Council aware of his concerns regarding“confusion” with what exactly the “surplus” was for the Board of Education; and what “spending plan” the Board had for “purchasing items for next year from the surplus in this year’s budget.”
Councillor Yagaloff expressed his disappointment that this evening’s meeting had not provided him with “some numbers, some information” regarding what is happening with the Board’s budget—particularly in light of the fact that this large surplus, and the plans for its use in next year’s budget, represented a “significant change” from the Board of Education’s proposed 2006/2007 budget originally presented to Council this Spring.
The Councillor suggested that, perhaps, Council should request that the Board provide additional information regarding this change prior to next Mondays Council meeting; specifically, he requested that the same information provided to them by Dr. Wood at the last Board meeting be made available to the Councillors so that a sound decision can be made about the proposed Budget on May 8th.
Mayor Streeter asked the Town Manager to contact Dr. Wood and request this information for the Town Council.
Councillor Prague, referring to South Windsor’s “Robotics Team” and their win earlier over 80 teams at the Hartford Regionals; and, then, a rare win usually--that of winning a second Regional contest in Philadelphia—updated Council and the listening public by saying that the South Windsor team went on to qualify for “the Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia—where they came in “3rd in the Nation. The Councillor explained that this Team is sponsored by a $15,000 Grant from United Technology Fuel Cells.
Because the names of the young members of the South Windsor Robotics Team were not available this evening, Mayor Streeter asked that the team be invited to a Council meeting, soon, to provide a demonstration and to receive the Council’s congratulations. Mr. Galligan said he would see that they were invited; and Certificates provided for them from the Council.
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13. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
Mayor Streeter reported that last Friday, April 29, he had the good fortune to accompany a contingent of South Windsor people to the State Capitol to be recognized by Speaker of the House James Amann for South Windsor being selected as one of the “100 Best Communities for Youth” along with three other Connecticut communities—Milford, Stamford, and Bridgeport.
14. Public Participation
Craig Zimmerman, 5A Amato Drive, said that this evening he was representing the “American Legion Baseball Program.” He began by handing out an invitation to the Councillors to the Legion’s opening ceremony on Friday, June 16th, at 7:00 p.m., at Rotary Field. Part of that invitation was a schedule of the times and locations of the “Ralph Giansanti Tournament” being held at various fields throughout the Town on that date.
An additional attachment provided the schedule for the South Windsor Legion’s play dates through June of 2006, for the Junior and Senior Legions, the names of the competing teams, and the times and locations for each game.
The next speaker was Don Gonsalves, a resident, who said he was very upset with “what goes on here.” He cited, in particular, the “45 minutes” spent discussing baseball, when there was a surplus of about $1 million in the school budget that the Council did not know what to do about. He felt that the taxpayers were not present at this evening’s meeting because the Council did not set priorities for its meetings and did not deal with “what is really going on in this Town.” He wanted to know how the Council could possibly vote on the budget next week when it did not have all the information.
15. Consent Agenda
Motion to approve Agenda Items 17. A., B., and C. as the Consent Agenda.
Was made by: Councillor Moriarty
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
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16. Unfinished Business - None
17. New Business
*A. Resolution Reappointing Jennifer Dolan (R) to the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council reappoints Jennifer Dolan to the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission for a term ending September 1, 2007, and hereby tables the same.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*B. Resolution Reappoint Teri Dickey-Gaignat (R) to the Personnel Board of Appeals, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council reappoints Teri Dickey-Gaignat to the Personnel Board of Appeals for a term ending November 30, 2008, and hereby tables the same.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*C. Resolution Appointing Elizabeth MacDonald (R) to the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission, and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Elizabeth MacDonald to the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission for a term ending September 1, 2007, and hereby tables the same.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
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17. New Business (Continued)
D. Resolution Approving the Appropriation of $7,100 for the Printing, Distribution, and Collection of a “2006 Citizens Satisfaction Survey” to Selected Households Within South Windsor
WHEREAS the South Windsor Town Council intends to send out a Citizen Satisfaction Survey to 2,000 randomly selected households and 200 businesses during the Summer of 2006 in order to gather information to determine how well Town Government operates with its delivery of services while measuring how important the public feels certain services are; and to evaluate demographic trends; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has conducted similar surveys in the years 1990 through 1994 and 1998; and
WHEREAS, in order to determine trends, many of the same questions asked in previous surveys will be repeated; and new questions, related to current issues facing the Town, will be included—the total results of which, when collected, will provide direction to the Town Council in its determination of budget priorities and programs
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council allocates $7,100 to fund the costs associated with the printing, distribution, and collection of the “2006 Citizens Satisfaction Survey”—said funds to be appropriated as follows: $5,100 from the TQM Account for Fiscal Year 2005/2006; and $2,000 from the Town Council’s Professional Account for Fiscal Year 2006/2007.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor Prague
Michele Lipe, Asst. Town Planner, came forward to explain, together with the Deputy Mayor, that it had been seven years since the last Survey; and the need to, once again, seek input from the citizens of South Windsor on the services provided by the Town. Also discussed was the importance of receiving questions for the Questionnaire from the various Town Department Heads. Board and Commission Chairs, and the Town Council and Board of Education. Ms. Lipe distributed copies of the budget for this project; together with a list of designated Departments from whom the Committee felt it was important to solicit questions for the Survey.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
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17. D. (Continued)
Following Ms. Lipe’s input on the proposed Citizens Survey, and questions from the Councillors3, Mayor Streeter called for a vote on the Motion. It was approved, 8 Ayes to 1 Nay, on a Roll Call vote, as follows:]
Deputy Mayor Delnicki - Yes
Councillor Fine - Yes
Councillor McCann - Yes
Councillor Havens - Yes
Councillor Moriarty - Yes
Councillor Pelkey - Yes
Councillor Prague - Yes
Councillor Yagaloff - No
Mayor Streeter - Yes
E. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Issue $5,000 of Matching Funds to the Orchard Hill PTO to Assist in the Funding of Playscape Equipment at the School, said Funds to be Appropriated from the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council, at its Regular Meeting of June 20, 2005, created a “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program;” and
WHEREAS, the Orchard Hill School PTO has duly submitted a proper Application for matching funds of $5,000 to assist in the purchase of Playscape Equipment; and
WHEREAS, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan has reviewed and approved this project and Application, and has determined that it meets all of the criteria of the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan to issue $5,000 of matching funds to purchase Playscape equipment for Orchard Hill School from the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program;” and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
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17. E. (Continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council, on its own behalf and on behalf of the children of South Windsor, extends its thanks to the school’s PTO for its active participation and fund-raising efforts on behalf of Orchard Hill School.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor Fine
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
F. Discussion Item: Proposed Fiscal Year 2006/2007 Town Budget
Mayor Streeter said that this item was included to accommodate Council’s remaining questions regarding the Proposed Budget. He asked if there were any, and began with his own. Mayor Streeter posed questions regarding the organizations such as CRCOG, CCM, and Metro-Hartford Alliance (formerly, the Growth Council) that the Town belongs to, and their fees—asked just what, exactly, the Town derived from its membership from, for instance, Metro-Hartford Alliance. Mr. Galligan explained.
The town Manager went on to explain that the Town does not use the CCM “labor information” anymore or many of its programs because the same information, he added, can be obtained from the ICMA. He concluded by stating that these two organizations are two items in the Town Council budget that Council may wish to reconsider.
Mayor Streeter asked the Town Manager to have Scott Roberts present at the upcoming May 8th Special Meeting to provide more information on the GIS position.
Deputy Mayor Delnicki, referring to “trash pick-up for the Parks,” asked the Town Manager to take a serious look at what can be done for a reasonable amount of money for this service.
Councillor McCann referring to the pending lawsuit affecting the clearing, etc. at Lawrence Road Park, asked the Town Manager if there is money included in this budget to go ahead with this clearing in the event the lawsuit is resolved in the Town’s favor. Mr. Galligan said it was there, at one point, but questioned whether it was carried over from year to year. He said he would ask Karl Reichle the status of that funding. He added, however, that there may be money in Capital Projects for that work.
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17. F. (Continued)
Councillor McCann then asked the disposition of the salary for the Town Attorney’s Executive Secretary; and asked what was planned in other areas to make use of this person’s talents. Mr. Galligan said he had been waiting to see what direction the Town Council was going to take to replace the former Town Attorney. According to Mr. Galligan, he planned to “move that person into the Town Manager’s Office” to make up for the position he had given up for budgetary purposes. However, part of that person’s position would be to keep track of requests for Town Attorney opinions, etc.—who was asking for them; what they were regarding; disposition of the request; etc.
Councillor McCann said he would prefer that “that person not kind of float;” and requested a Job Description for that position sometime between now and the 8th of May’s meeting. Mr. Galligan promised that this would be done for next Monday night. The Councillor then asked the status of the Town vehicle assigned to the former Town Attorney; and was its cost continued in this Budget. Mr. Galligan said he thought it was; and was presently assigned to a Police Lieutenant, or someone at the Police Department.
Councillor Havens recommended that the fees for CRCOG and the MetroHartford Alliance be kept in the Council’s budget—noting that “South Windsor is a part of Hartford……..” He felt that South Windsor should be “partners with what is going on in that center city” if South Windsor is going to receive the assistance it will need in the future.
Councillor Havens went on to state that he felt one “lead or inquiry” that results in a fruitful situation for South Windsor more than makes up for the fees associated with these organizations. The Councillor felt strongly that South Windsor “just can’t break off our allegiance to the Greater Hartford area.” Mayor Streeter agreed—particularly with staying with CRCOG. He felt the bigger question was what the Town was actually deriving from CCM.
Councillor Prague, stating he had been present at the Board of Education meeting where they had revealed the $2 million surplus, asked that five (5) documents were needed from the Board prior to the May 8th Special Meeting. They are:
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
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17. F. (Continued)
(1) The Boards quarterly report dated April 20, 2006;
(2) Also, resubmit to Council the Board’s 2nd quarterly report of
February 26.
(3) The two-page document handed out at the Board meeting regarding
Its $1.7 million surplus
(4) Also, the 1-page handout listing what would be “put back into the budget”
with the surplus money
(5) Regarding the Board’s discussion with Dr. Wood questioning the need for
a freeze on February 22 or 26, and two months later with a $2 million surplus—what was in that $2 million dollars Councillor Prague said he assumed that document from Dr. Wood was ready now.
Mayor Streeter asked if the Town Manager had any details on the “freeze” he had instituted with Town staff at about the same time the Superintendent had issued a freeze on school expenditures. Mr. Galligan said he usually awaits the Audit Report—and their “prior period adjustments.” “Pretty much under expended” was Mr. Galligan’s reply to the question—his “big concern” being Police overtime.
Councillor Yagaloff asked several questions about the Town’s “Fund Balance” particularly, why the Town spends its Fund Balance to balance the budget in hopes of being able to recover the money for Fund Balance during the year” He cited the variables—such as, an uncertain fuel and materials market; and continued by asking why the Town didn’t ‘leave the Fund Balance alone; and then allocate savings in those areas that the Town planned to save from over the course of the year. The Councillor felt that the Town would end up in the same place without jeopardizing or depleting the Fund Balance.
Mr. Galligan explained, in detail, why the Fund Balance was used to balance the budget; and, he added, to date the Town has been able to meet its obligations and make up the money to be returned to Fund Balance.
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17. New Business (Continued)
G. Resolution Authorizing Reallocation of Fiscal Year 2004 Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP) Homeland Security Funds
WHEREAS, the Capital Region Council of Governments is administering a regional homeland security initiative for the Fiscal Year 2004 and 2005 Homeland Security Grant Programs; and
WHEREAS, at the November 16, 2005 meeting, the CRCOG Policy Board voted to allocate approximately $950,000 of the Law Enforcement terrorism prevention Program (LETPP) funds toward the purchase of twenty-two (22) Automatic Fingerprint Information Systems (AFIS) from Cogent Systems, a vendor under State Contract; and
WHEREAS, further negotiations with Cogent have resulted in the opportunity to procure additional enhancements, including interface with the mobile data system and a web-based mug shot system with a five year extended warranty; and
WHEREAS, these enhancements would enable police departments to identify and proce3ss individuals more quickly and accurately and improve connectivity between law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, at their March 14, 2006 meeting the Capitol Region Chiefs of Police Association voted to reallocate additional LETPP funds to purchase these enhancements; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of the AFIS project with the enhancements is $1,450,000 and includes the all hardware, software, installation and six years of services and support for each unit as well as the ability to interface with CAPTAIN and the web-based mugs hot system with a five year extended warranty; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Capitol Region Council of Governments has the authority to purchase Automatic Fingerprint Information Systems (AFIS) machines and related enhancements through the Fiscal year 2004 Homeland Security Funds
Was made by: Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by; Deputy Mayor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
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Regular Meeting – Town Council
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17. New Business (Continued)
H. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Six (6) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to six (6) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $744.02, and as more fully described in attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor Fine
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
Councillor Fine, questioning an “economic development report” Council had received, asked about the “101 acres on Rye Street.” She asked where on Rye Street this acreage was located. Mr. Galligan replied it was the “Culbro” property—not too far from #300 Rye Street and “Andrews Oil.”
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued) - None
21. Executive Session - None
22. Motion to Adjourn
At 10:35 p.m., Deputy Mayor Delnicki moved to adjourn the meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councillor Havens; and carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmt. (Exhibit A.)
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