TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 16, 2007
placeSOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Matthew Streeter
Deputy Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Daniel Jeski
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Tim Moriarty
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Cary placeCityPrague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Melanie Crucitti, Director of Finance
3. Public Participation:
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
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Work Session – Town Council
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July 2, 2007
6. Items for Discussion
Discussion with Board of Education Steering Committee on the Elementary School space needs
Ms. Jan Snyder, Chairperson for the Board of Education came before the Town Council and introduced Dr. Robert Kozaczka, Superintendent of School and Mr. Daniel Hansen, Assistant Superintendent of Schools who were also present at the meeting. Ms. Snyder then presented a Power Point presentation to the Town Council which was an update of the Elementary Facilities Project. Most information is also available on the web-site.
Mayor Streeter questioned if the Board of Education had a time line when action would be taken on the elementary school project? Ms. Snyder answered that when school goes back into session there will be presentation done and the Board is hopeful that a decision will be made in mid to late Fall.
Answering questions from Councillor Yagaloff, Ms. Snyder explained that the slide presentation is in 2007 dollars. The escalation rate over the course of the construction period is a 7% increase per year, thereby resulting in $110 million. The reimbursement rate has also changed from the calculated 32% to 45.7%. Ms. Snyder then explained that the Board of Education may ask the Steering Committee to go back and research other options. Public input is important for the decision making on this project.
Councillor Pelkey questioned how much it would cost to tear placePlaceNameEli PlaceNameTerry PlaceNameSchool down under the D3 plan? Councillor McCann answered that the amount would be $400,000.
Councillor Pelkey then asked if the Board of Education knew what the percentage of the matching dollar amount would be? Ms. Snyder stated that would not be known until the referendum because the percentage changes each year.
Councillor Pelkey asked when did the change of configurations (K-2 and 3-5) become an issue? Assistant Superintendent Hansen explained that the reconfiguration issue came about as the various options were studied. The D3 option met many of the criteria that is being looked at, and would benefit all children in placeSouth Windsor.
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Work Session – Town Council
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July 2, 2007
6. Items for Discussion (continued)
The Work Session was recessed at 7:45 p. in order to hold a Public Hearing and present the conveyance of property located at addressStreet771 Main Street (placePlaceNameUnion PlaceTypeSchool), to the South Windsor Historical Society which was scheduled during the Regular Meeting.
The Work Session reconvened at 8:15 p.m.
Councillor Pelkey stated that he feels the Board of Education should make their recommendation of which option they prefer and then get feedback from the public. Ms. Snyder explained the information on all of the options are on the web-site.
Councillor McCann complimented Ms. Snyder on the presentation and how she condensed a great deal of information into a reasonable amount of time. He explained the time and effort that has to be given to every detail in order for the Board of Education to make a recommendation.
Answering questions form Councillor Jeski, Ms. Snyder explained that time lines have been laid out based on the time the Board would like to go to referendum on this issue in the spring. The Board of Education has not made any decision on which option is preferred; the D3 option was recommended by the Steering Committee.
Mayor Streeter stated that the presentation tonight was probably premature because the Board of Education has not taken a stance. The presentation was requested by someone from the public.
Councillor Yagaloff voiced his concern of not knowing all of the options that will be discussed. Councillor McCann explained that there have been plenty of public meetings and work session. After the Board of Education has made a recommendation on one of the options, the Town Council can make a decision. Ms. Snyder stated that DVD’s will be made for each Council member of all the public sessions that have been held.
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Work Session – Town Council
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July 2, 2007
6. Items for Discussion (continued)
Public Input
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 41 Bayberry Trail explained that he was the one who requested the Board of Education make this presentation and due to the presentation has received necessary information. Mr. Gonsalves then stated when this issue does go to referendum; the public should be given choices.
Dr. Bruce Burnham felt that the D3 plan is a good plan. When the Board of Education is making their decision on which option to recommend, they should be listening to Dr. Kozaczka and Mr. Hansen.
Ms. Mary Etter, Director of the South Windsor Library informed the Town Council and the public that available at the South Windsor Library are two copies of the full elementary school study report and DVD’s of the hearings.
8. Adjournment
At 8:35 p.m. Deputy Mayor Delnicki made a motion to adjourn the Work Session; Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was Approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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