TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Action Minutes Page 1 January 2, 2007
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.. Before the work of the meeting began, the Town Council and the listening audience were “serenaded” by a barbershop quartet known as “On Cue.” The performance was to bring the public’s attention to a “Barbershop Quartet Contest” to be held at South Windsor High School on Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th—a portion of the proceeds of which would be donated to South Windsor’s “Boundless Playground.”
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Matthew Streeter
Deputy Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Absent: Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Tim Moriarty
Town Manager Matthew Galligan
Also Present: Judith Hall, Assistant to the Town Manager
ITEM:
5. Public Input
State Representative William Aman reported that tomorrow (1-3-07) starts the first day of the new Legislation Session at the State Capitol. Rep. Aman distributed copies of the “Major Issues for 2007” from the Connecticut General Assembly; and explained that its contents provided a list of what the Office of Legislative Research felt were the “major issues” to be faced by the General Assembly during the upcoming Session.
ITEM:
5. Public Input (Continued)
Rep. Aman informed those listening that he had submitted a Bill that would permit towns to enact Ordinances in the same manner as the State. Also, referring to a recent disagreement with the ruling of South Windsor’s Tree Warden, he suggested the submission of a “Concept Bill” that would allow the development of an “appeals group” to address or mediate Tree Warden decisions that were being challenged by a resident or local business.
Other issues touched on by our State Representative was the recent public hearing held regarding the requested rate hike by CL&P; the State’s “surplus;” and the prediction that, this year, the State’s “spending cap” would be exceeded by as much as $510 million. He elaborated further on the contents of the report on Major Issues.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Councillor Pelkey spoke of the dangers of retaining Christmas trees that had dried out. He suggested that residents still holding onto such trees either get rid of them; or, at the very least, remove the lights from the tree.
Councillor Prague was another Councillor to remind residents of the importance of displaying large visible house numbers in a location where they were easily located by emergency vehicles. The numbers, he added, should be at least 3 inches high.
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council meeting: Regular Meeting of December 18, 2006.
Was made by: Councillor Prague
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions - None
9. Commun. from Officers and Bds. Directly Responsible to Council - None
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Ms. Hall, at the request of the Town Manager, reminded the Town Council of an upcoming Joint meeting with the Board of Education on Thursday, January 10, 2007. The meeting, referred to as a “Strategic Planning Retreat, would be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the newly-renovated “Training Room” at the Town Garage.
The other information Ms. Hall wished to convey to the Town Councillors is with regard to the sale of notes for approximately $9,000,000 ($8 million for new Fire Station; $1 million for the Public Works projects). This bond sale, she said, has been rescheduled for February 2007. One reason for the delay, she said, is apparently, associated with the leasing of space in the new Fire Station to the South Windsor Ambulance Corps; and the need to prove that the Ambulance Corps is a “non-profit” organization. Another reason for the delay is that we are still waiting for the “construction schedule.”
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Deputy Mayor Delnicki asked Ms. Hall when the “Christmas tree” pick-up is scheduled by the Public Works Department. She said she did not know; but suggested that anyone wishing to know could call the Town Hall.
Councillor Prague reminded listening residents of the calendars available in the Human Services Department that are made up of local scenes, for $10, the proceeds of which are used for the Teen Center. Councillor Prague congratulated Deputy Mayor Delnicki on winning the top award for the “most decorated house” this Christmas.
Councillor Havens, in response to the Town Manager’s request for “input’ on the upcoming budget process, said that he felt last year’s Budget book was “too large; too ‘ready’ (he said it would require a month to read it); and, finally, let’s go back to the old Budget book.
ITEM:
13. Communications and Petitions from Council (continued)
Mayor Streeter said that he was honored to have attended the celebration at the Enes Community Center for Lionel MacDonald who was being recognized by his peers in the “Super Sixties Sportsmen Club” with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
14. Public Participation
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail, commented on the population of the Town vs. the number of residents, or public, usually present at the Town Council meetings—in his estimation between 1 to 3 people. Based on this, he asked how he could “get on the Agenda” the subject of “public participation.”
Saying he totally disagreed with the Mayor’s remarks regarding this at the last Town Council meeting—namely, that the public had two opportunities to speak already included on the Agenda—namely, #5 Public Input; and #14. Public Participation—after which, he said he was told, he “could not speak.” Saying he would like the public “to know what’s going on in this Town,” he again asked for an item on the Agenda regarding “public participation.” He also asked to hear from each individual Councillor as to what their opinion was on this issue.
15. Consent Agenda - None
16. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Appointing Charles Margolis (D) to the Human Relations
Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Charles Margolis to the Human Relations Commission for a term ending November 30, 2009.
Was made by: Councillor Havens
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
17. New Business
A. Discussion Item – The Three (3) Proposed Resolutions for the STP Funding
Town Engineer Jeff Doolittle was present to continue the discussion regarding possible applications for funding to improve Sand Hill Road; and portions of Pleasant Valley Road and Avery Street.
Mr. Doolittle, in an effort to answer questions regarding “traffic” on these streets posed at the last Town Council meeting, introduced Sgt. Richard Bond, South Windsor Police Department, who has looked at the accident reports and traffic history of the aforementioned roads—particularly those sections being proposed for reconstruction.
Mr. Doolittle then turned the meeting over to Sgt. Bond, who provided a brief synopsis of information and statistics he had gathered that were, primarily, based on questions he had heard at the previous Town Council meeting. With regard to Avery Street, from June of 2006 to the present time, there have been 24 accidents on that stretch of roadway.
Sgt. Bond elaborated on the type of accidents—the majority of which was “car vs. car” – 45% of which were caused by “following too close” resulting in one car striking the rear of another. The 45%, he explained, is a statistic that is reflected town-wide—the single most cause of accidents in Town—in fact, in the State. On Avery Street, according to the Sergeant, the second-most cause of accidents was “speed” at 8%.
Recent traffic counts on Avery Street, done on a weekday, revealed that on October 23, 2006, at the intersection of Clinton Drive/Avery Street, total daily count, north- and southbound, was 7,975 cars (higher than anticipated, according to Sgt. Bond). The average speed 37 mph to 38 mph.
Continuing, Sgt. Bond said that the second count done on October 26, also on a weekday, the traffic count was 5,475 cars—which he felt indicated that a significant portion of the traffic was being lost to either the developments in the immediate vicinity, or to the Beelzebub Road area.
A third count was done on December 11, 2006 between Kelly Road and Beelzebub Road on Avery, again on a weekday, where the average daily total recorded was 8,476 cars according to Sgt. Bond. He also reported that in this count, the total “peaked” between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., which he felt could indicated an increase in traffic due to commuters traveling to and from “The Mall.”
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
Addressing another concern of the Council, Sgt. Bond informed them that there have been “stepped up” speed enforcement efforts done on this street within the last three or four weeks. He reported that, within the course of the last year, the Police have stopped in excess of 870 cars on Avery Street, alone, for traffic violations—with approximately 30% of those resulting in “written citations” requiring the payment of a “fine.”
The Sergeant said that, with the exception of Buckland Road, this area has been the Police Department’s highest priority area, and will continue to be such. With its numbers, the Sergeant pointed out that Avery Street has gone from a residential rural street to a “arterial collector>”
Questions followed from the Councillors—with concerns being expressed about walkers and bikers along the sides of the road; the topic of “sidewalk installation” on this road and the difference in opinion among residents of Avery Street for their need; problems with entering and exiting driveways at peak traffic times; and the missing “speed limit” signs at Philip R. Smith Elementary School.
Sgt. Bond explained, in detail, the reason for the removal of the “School Zone 25 mph” signs along the roads adjacent to our schools. Those yellow signs, he said, were not enforceable;” however, the “black and white “25 MPH Speed Limit” signs now in place along roads adjacent to most of South Windsor’s schools are enforceable. He touched, also on “crosswalks” at the schools and the posted speed limit signs there, also. The only exceptions to the 25 MPH speed limit at schools, he added, were Pleasant Valley School—because it is located on a State highway and is posted at 40 MPH; and Philip R. Smith which is posted at 30 MPH.
Pleasant Valley Road
Sgt Bond then provided information on this road for a three-year period. During that time, he said, there were 11 accidents in the stretch of road between Route 30 and Northview Drive. Almost exclusively, he added, these accidents happened at the intersection with Long Hill Road or with Route 30.
He did not feel that 11 accidents in three years was a significant issue.
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
The traffic counts, done in two locations—one in the area of the power lines, west of Clark Street, at which the traffic count was 1,800 eastbound, and 1660 westbound—or 3,400 cars per day on Pleasant Valley Road. The average speed, according to the Sergeant, was 41 MPH, eastbound; and 40 MPH, westbound. The second count, he added, was done west of Tudor Hill where there was “no speed issue.” The traffic count in this second area was 1,500 in one direction; 1,440 in the other—again, about 3,000 cars per day in the Tudor Hill Road area.
Sgt. Bond informed the Council that the “peak hours” on Pleasant Valley Road were generally, between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with the exception of westbound in the area of Tudor Hill where there was a “lunchtime rush.”
This concluded Sgt. Bond’s report. Mayor Streeter, commenting on the Avery Street and Pleasant Valley Road proposed projects, not only pointed out that these roads could be classified as “arterial collectors;” and reminded the listening public that the problems presently associated with them are “not going to go away;” and will need reconstruction sometime within the next few years. What was being proposed, now, was the Town’s applying for Grants to take care of these problems—Grants that could be picked up, by as much as 90%, by the Federal Government.
Again, the Mayor pointed out that when the time comes to reconstruct (for instance) Avery Street in order to assure its safety, the Town will have to do what is necessary—even if it means encumbering South Windsor’s taxpayers.
Mayor Streeter then thanked the Town Engineer Jeff Doolittle, and Police Sgt. Richard Bond for their report and input.
B. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Forty-Five (45) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to forty-five (45) South Windsor taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $6,172.11, and as more fully described in attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councilor Prague
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
ITEM:
18. Passage of Ordinance - None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued) - None
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued) - None
21. Executive Session – If needed to continue earlier discussion regarding
an economic development issue; and possible purchase of
Property at 491 King Street (Requested by Town Manager
- Not needed
22. Motion to Adjourn
At 9:50 p.m., a Motion to Adjourn was made by Deputy Mayor Delnicki; seconded by Councillor Pelkey; and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
Attmt. (Exhibit A.)
| 
