TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS SEPTEMBER 18, 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 John Pelkey
Councillor Cary Prague
Members Absent: Councillor Timothy Moriarty
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew Galligan
3. Public Participation - None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report - None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Cornerstone Drive – Maintenance of Open Space
Following Mayor Streeter’s explanation of what has transpired to date on the subject “discussion item,” Town Manager Matthew Galligan asked for the opportunity to explain that Town staff member, Jeff Folger (Environ. Planner/Conserv. Officer), would not be available this evening due to a death in his family; however, Director of Public Works Michael Gantick was present to answer any questions.
6. A. (Continued)
Continuing, Mr. Galligan said he had met this afternoon with two residents representing the area. These residents, he added, had provided some “mapping” and pictures which he distributed among the Councillors for their information. Certain areas depicted, he said, are buffer areas and require Inland/Wetland Agency approval before requested maintenance can be done. (Mr. Galligan then distributed to the Councillors the information provided by the residents. Using the GIS Map that was included in the handouts, he proceeded to explain what the neighbors wished to do within that area to maintain it in a pristine fashion.
Following completion of his presentation, Mr. Galligan summarized what he perceived was the wish of the residents—to arrive at a reasonable approach to maintain the area to keep it attractive—while not encroaching too much into the wetlands. The Town Manager said he had “no particular problem with this” because he did not feel there was much encroachment with this proposal. He said he would sit with Jeff Folger before these residents go before the Inland/Wetlands Agency.
Mayor Streeter asked for clarification of the process that would follow before a Resolution was approved by Council. Mr. Galligan replied that a Resolution passed by the Town Council would allow the residents to go into the area the Council was in control of; however, any encroachment into wetlands would be referred to the Inland/Wetlands Agency with the recommendation of the Town Council.
In other words, Council’s Resolution could allow the maintenance of the area under discussion—with the stipulation that any encroachment into wetlands would require Inland/Wetlands approval.
Speaking from the audience were two of the referenced neighbors representing those who approved the maintenance plan; and they were: Ms. Pam Marra, 72 Cornerstone Drive; and Kelly Wickliff, 40 Cornerstone Drive.
Councillor McCann asked if any further neighbors, other than the resident who appeared to object at the last meeting, had come forward to object to this maintenance. The residents, and the Town Manager said they were not aware of additional objectors. The Councillor then went on to add that he had driven through the area, recently, and before it was mowed—and “it looked awful!” He added that if he lived in that area he would have objected at it “not being mowed.”
6. A. (Continued)
Councillor Prague thanked the residents for coming forward and “being part of the process.” Saying that he had heard there were, at times, as many as 100 Canadian Geese on these parcels, asked those present the total number they had observed at any given time. Ms. Marra and Ms. Wickliff responded anywhere between 5 and 15.
Councillor Pelkey said he felt what was being proposed was a “reasonable approach.” If the Canadian Geese become an issue in the future, the Councillor guessed that this group of residents will want to resolve the Canadian Geese issue. As long as any decisions with regard to encroachment into wetlands is left to that Agency, Councillor Pelkey supported the proposal.
Deputy Mayor Delnicki said he would be supporting the mowing—particularly when considering that if maintenance was not begun soon, the beautiful existing “vista” would be lost. He added that was presented, was reasonable and made sense.
7. Executive Session
Deputy Mayor Delnicki moved to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and the proposed Agreement between the Town and the South Windsor Police Union Local 1480, for Fiscal Year 7-1-06 through 6-30-09. The Motion was seconded by Councillor McCann; and carried unanimously. (Judith Hall, Asst. to the Town Manager, was also present for that portion of the Executive Session dealing with the Policy Union Contract.)
8. Adjournment
At 8:00 p.m., a Motion to Adjourn was made by Deputy Mayor Delnicki; was duly seconded; and approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
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