PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
July 16, 2007
7:45 p.m.
placeSOUTH WINDSOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on the transfer of $89,875 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditures Account to the Capital Projects Account, as follows:
$89,875 – for Professional Services Associate with the
Renovation of addressStreet1530 Sullivan Avenue
Mayor Streeter called the Public Hearing to order at 7:45 p.m.; and requested that the Clerk of the Council read the call of the meeting (a copy of which is attached hereto). There were approximately thirty (30) people present in the audience.
The Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to address this transfer of money.
Mr. James Throwe, addressStreet1130 Main Street came before the Town Council to address this issue. He stated that he is in favor of turning the Old Post Office into Town Hall office space, but is not in favor of constructing a new Council Chambers in the building at addressStreet1530 Sullivan Avenue.
Mr. Robert Benson, addressStreet15 West Road explained that he is in opposition to moving the Council Chambers down to addressStreet1530 Sullivan Avenue. There has always been problems with the parking situation at that location and Mr. Benson also felt it would cost too much in renovations.
Mr. John Mitchell, addressStreet40 Windy Hill Drive stated that while the acquisition may be good based upon the property being contiguous to the Town Hall, the money involved in the renovation is ridiculous.
Mr. Don Gonslves, 40 Bayberry Trail felt that spending $89,875 is a lot of money to give an Architect, without being able to tell the Architect what they are doing.
Minutes
Public Hearing – Town Council
Page 2
July 16, 2007
Ms. Winifred Wilson, addressStreet107 Tallwood Drive came forward and stated that she is opposed to moving the Town Council Chambers and feels the Town Council should be required to have more public input prior to decisions of this size.
Dr. Bruce Burnham, 1909 Main Streeter stated that he feels the idea of the Town acquiring and using the Old Post Office is an excellent idea. It makes sense to move town offices to addressStreet1530 Sullivan Avenue, but why would the Town renovate the Town Hall also.
Mayor Streeter called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and then immediately recessed the Regular Meeting in order to finish the Public Hearing.
Mr. Roy Normen, addressStreet158 Homestead Drive came before the Town Council. He explained that he was never in favor of acquiring the Old Post Office because there are issues with the access to addressStreetSullivan Avenue, traffic issues, and the change in grade. Looking at the present plan, it doesn’t make sense to move the Council Chambers and then have to renovate the Town Hall also. Town offices that can be separate from the Town Hall should be moved down there and it is his hope that the Town Council will reconsider the present plan.
Mr. Larry Torff, addressStreet521 Quarry Brook Drive stated that he is in support of expending funds on professional services associated with the renovation of the former Post Office, however moving a functioning Town Council Chambers seems like a waste of resources. He suggested the following: 1) Get alternative plans to choose from; 2) Look to minimize the costs of the lease hold improvements and renovations; and 3) Incorporate the space and building changes resulting from the elementary school initiative into a longer range overall space plan for the Town, including shared services between the Town and Schools.
Mr. Bill Davis, addressStreet9 Ridge Road suggested to the Town Council to table this issue until after the school referendum because there may be three schools to move town offices into.
Mr. Jim Reardon, 57 Hillside Drive felt that the Town should back out the of deal because there have been health issues at 1530 Sullivan Avenue; and the fact that the Old Post Office has sat idle for so many years shows that nobody wants that building.
Minutes
Public Hearing – Town Council
Page 2
July 16, 2007
As is the custom, the Mayor asked for a show of hands for a straw vote on the proposal. The results were as follows:
All those in favor of the Town Council appropriating $89,875 from Capital Non-Recurring Expenditures Account to Capital Projects Account
- 1
All those opposed to the Town Council appropriating $89,875 from Capital Non-Recurring Expenditures Account to Capital Projects Account - 22
The Public Hearing was closed at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
Attmts. Public Hearing Notice
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