TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 September 4, 2007
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – placePlaceNameSouth Windsor PlaceTypeTown Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m.
Mayor Street recessed the Regular Meeting in order to finish the Work Session. The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
4. 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 CityplacePrague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthwe B. Galligan, Town Manager
5. Public Input
Ms. Patricia Conrad, addressStreet864 Strong Road came before the Town Council and explained that she has been trying to get answers about the red barn on addressStreetSullivan Avenue. In an e-mail, the Town Council has received questions that she would like answered.
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to Suspend the Rules to go to items 17. H. and 17. placeI.; Mayor Streeter seconded the motion; and it was Approved unanimously.
17. New Business
H. Resolution Accepting a Modification to the Eligibility Language of the Moderate Priced Housing Regulations
WHEREAS, the Town of placeCitySouth Windsor has operated a Moderate Priced Housing Program since 1991; and
WHEREAS, this program is designed to aid and assist eligible applicants to acquire moderate priced individual housing units and to regulate sale and resale of these units
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the program coordinators are recommending a modification to the eligibility language of the Moderate Priced Housing Regulations, under Article III, Section I – Eligibility to Apply to Purchase – as follows:
Eligible Persons
Program is limited to First Time Buyers or persons who have not owned real estate for a minimum of 2 years and meet the income and asset requirements of the program.
Was made by: Councillor Prague
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
Mrs. Irene Murray, Coordinator of Adult and Senior Services came forward and explained that the Human Services Department is the qualifying area for this program. There have been certain income and asset requirements in the past that were felt needed changing. The Human Services Department and the Planning Department researched this issue and came up with the new eligibility qualification.
Councillor Yagaloff asked if there are certain houses in Town that are under this program? Mrs. Murray explained that there are approximately thirty homes in placeSouth Windsor.
Councillor Yagaloff then questioned if the Town Council is being asked to approve a change on the eligibility requirements? Mrs. Murray stated that the Human Services Department is hoping to have this program geared more towards first time home buyers.
17. H. (continued)
Councillor McCann voiced concern about individuals who are recently divorced. This program would cut certain individuals out of the program that would really need it.
Councillor Moriarty stated that the change to the eligibility requirements would change the entire program from Moderate Priced Housing to First Time Buyer. Councillor Moriarty the made a motion to table this item until the next schedule meeting so the wording on the regulation could be looked at further; the motion was not seconded and therefore failed.
Councillor Prague asked what made the change to the eligibility requirements necessary? Mrs. Murray explained that there were a number of occasions where people came in and became qualified for this program even when they had $80,000 in liquid assets. On paper it shows they would not have those assets after selling their existing property because they would be doing repairs to their existing property in order to get it ready for the market.
Councillor Pelkey suggested that the Town Attorney review this and come up with wording to change the eligibility requirements to meet concerned expressed.
Councillor Jeski agreed that the Town Attorney should review.
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Sheridan who is the Director of Human Services explained the program is a Town program. The piece of the program that Human Services takes care of is the eligibility.
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to postpone consideration of Item 17. I until the October 15, 2007 meeting; Deputy Mayor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was Approved unanimously.
I. Resolution Combining the Youth Advisory Board and the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission into one body
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Youth Advisory Board is the advisory body to Youth and Family Services; and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission is the Town’s Local Prevention Council; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
17. I. (continued)
WHEREAS, the Board and the Commission support and assist Youth and Family Services and the Community in promoting positive youth development and substantive prevention program such as Smoking Prevention Week and Family Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, the Board and the Commission have representation from across the community, including Human Services, schools, Police, Town Council, students and parents
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Youth Advisory Board and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission will combine into one body and as such will continue to meet their respective missions by promoting activities and initiatives that foster positive lifestyles and healthy communities.
Was made by: Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
Mr. Dennis Sheridan, Director of Human Services stated that these are two of the same bodies and have similar missions. The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Commission was established by Town Charter and the South Windsor Youth Advisory Board was established by State Legislature. The Town Attorney has reviewed this issue and he feels this could be accomplished.
Mayor Streeter then called for a vote on the Resolution, it was Approved, unanimously.
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council meetings: Work Sessions of May 21, 2007, June 4, 2007, and July 16, 2007; Regular Meetings of May 21, 2007, June 4, 2007, and July 16, 2007; and a Public Hearing of July 16, 2007.
Was made by: Councillor McCann
Seconded by: Councillor Prague
The motion was: Approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions
Mr. Don Gonsalves came forward to voice his concern regarding the elementary schools referendum. It is his hope that the referendum will give different options and not just a “yes” or “no” response.
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Communications and reports from Town Manager
Town Manager Matthew Galligan reviewed the following:
· A memo regarding the 4th R program
· A memo regarding the Pre-school program
· The Director of Public Works has been instructed to coordinate assistance for the Wapping Fair for this year only.
· Pension Committee
· $1.6 million to $1.7 million in additional revenues that will be put into the fund balance.
· Will be sitting in on the Annual Convention held by CCM.
Councillor Havens asked the Town Manager to please look into the possibility for tax relief for individuals who own Hybrid vehicles. Town Manager Galligan said he will report back to the Town Council when he finds an answer.
Councillor Yagaloff questioned whether the 4th R Program will be getting accredited? Mr. Favreau, Director of Recreation stated that the program can not be licensed by the State of placeStateConnecticut and is looking to be accredited by a private company by next year.
Councillor Pelkey asked if the program would be tracked as far as performance eof students, physically and academically? Mr. Favreau stated that currently this is not being done but the Recreation Department is working with placePlaceNameManchester PlaceTypeCommunity College to have students come in and do that type of tracking.
11. Reports from Standing Committees - None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees - None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council - None
14. Public Participation - None
15. Consent Agenda
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to remove 17. A. from Consent Agenda; Councillor seconded the motion; and it was Approved unanimously.
Motion to approve Agenda Items 17. B., C., and D. as the Consent Agenda.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Councillor
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
Motion to approve Agenda items 17. E. and F. as the Consent Agenda
Was made by: Councillor Moriarty
Seconded by : Councillor McCann
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
16. Unfinished Business – None
17. New Business
A. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Kenneth Jeski (D) from the Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council accepts, with regret, the resignation of Kenneth R. Jeski (D) from the Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission, said resignation to be effective immediately.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by : Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, with a vote of 8-0, and Councillor Jeski abstaining
17. New Business (continued)
B. Resolution Appointing Mario Marrero (D) a Member of the Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Mario Marrero (D) a Member of the Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission for a term ending December 1, 2007, and postpones consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA
C. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Mark Abrahamson (D) from the Board of Assessment Appeals
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council accepts, with regret, the resignation of Mark Abrahamson (D) from the Board of Assessment Appeals, said resignation to be effective immediately; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the placeSouth Windsor Town Council extends its thanks to Mr. Abrahamson for the time he has dedicated to servicing his community by his membership on the Board of Assessment Appeals.
APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA
D. Resolution Appointing Mark Abrahamson (D) an Alternate of the Planning & Zoning Commission and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council Appoints Mark Abrahamson an Alternate of the Planning & Zoning Commission for a term ending December 1, 2007, and hereby postpones consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA
17. New Business (continued)
E. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Jennifer Dolan (R) from the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council Accepts, with regret, the resignation of Jennifer Dolan (R) from the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Commission, said resignation to be effective immediately; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the placeSouth Windsor Town Council extends its thanks to Ms. Dolan for the time she has dedicated to servicing her community by her membership on the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Commission.
APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA
F. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Matthew Davis (R) from the Zoning Board of Appeals
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council Accepts, with regret, the resignation of Matthew Davis (R) from the Zoning Board of Appeals, said resignation to be effective immediately; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the placeSouth Windsor Town Council extends its thanks to Mr. Davis for the time he has dedicated to servicing his community by his membership on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA
G. Resolution setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing to Receive Citizen Input on the “Replacement of the Felt Road Bridge,” in the Town of South Windsor
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, September 17, 2007, at 7:45 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the South Windsor Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut as the time and place for a Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the “Replacement of the Felt Road Bridge,” in the Town of South Windsor.
Was made by: Councillor Havens
Seconded by : Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
17. New Business (continued)
J. Resolution Approving the Transfer of $54,250 from Various Accounts to the Police Operations Overtime Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby Approves a transfer of $29,250 from Casualty & Liability Insurance and $25,000 from Social Security Taxes for a total of $54,250 to be transferred to the Police Operations Overtime Account, to cover overtime costs for fiscal year 2006/2007.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
Seconded by: Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
K. Resolution Approving the Transfer of $15,646 from the Workers’ Compensation Account to Various Accounts
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby Approves a Transfer of $15,540 to the Town Manager’s Full Time Salaries Account; $101 to the Historic District Commission Advertising Account; and $5 to the South Windsor Patriotic Commission Grants & Contributions Account for a total of $15,646 to be transferred from Workers’ Compensation Insurance, to cover amounts over expended for fiscal year 2006/2007.
Was made by: Councillor Jeski
Seconded by: Councillor Pelkey
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
L. Resolution Recognizing September as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month.
WHEREAS, blood cancers currently afflict more than 823,000 Americans with an estimated 135,520 new cases diagnosed each year; and
WHEREAS, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will kill an estimated 52,310 people in the placecountry-regionUnited States this year; and
WHEREAS, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through voluntary contributions, is dedicated to finding cures for these diseases through research efforts and the support for those that suffer from them; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
17. L. (continued)
WHEREAS, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society maintains two offices in the State of StateplaceConnecticut to support patients with these diseases and their family members; and
WHEREAS, The Town of South Windsor is similarly committed to the eradication of these diseases and supports the treatment of its citizens that suffer from them; and
WHEREAS, The Town of South Windsor encourages private efforts to enhance research funding and education programs that address these diseases
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The Town of South Windsor joins with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in designating the month of September 2007 as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month to enhance the understanding of blood related cancers and to encourage participation in voluntary activities to support education programs and the funding of research programs to find a cure for them.
Was made by: Councillor Moriarty
Seconded by: Councillor McCann
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
M. Resolution Adopting a Policy supporting the Nondiscrimination Agreements and Warranties required under Connecticut General Statutes
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby Adopts as its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statutes § 4a-60(a)(1) and § 4a-60a(a)(1), as amended in State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142.
Was made by: Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
17. New Business (continued)
N. Resolution Approving a Refund of Property Taxes to Forty-four (44) placeSouth Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council Approves a Refund of Property Taxes to Forty-four (44) South Windsor Residents, the total of said Refund being $22,716.60, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by: Councillor McCann
Seconded by: Mayor Streeter
The Motion was: Approved, unanimously
O. Discussion regarding the financial status of the Towns’ Pension and Healt Benefit Programs
Town Manager Galligan went over the pension plans that are available to Town employees. He then reviewed a program called GASB 45. This program will require the Town to account for retirees in our financial statements even though the Town is not required to fund all retirees. Police Officers are the only individuals that receive benefits upon retirement, although the Town does have a plan available to all employees who retire which gives these retired employees a health plan at a lower fee that the retired employee is required to pay. The Town has hired a private company call Milliman to do an actuary report of all Town employees as well as Board of Education employees to figure out what impact there will be on the financial statements. This will determine what needs to be budgeted each year to
create a funding mechanism so when the Town is being evaluated for rating purchases there will not be any discrepancies.
Answering questions from the Town Council, Mr. Galligan explained that ratings are based upon current and retired employees. GASB 45 wants to know how the Town is going to fund this. Actuary projections are being done to try to determine the impact on financial statements. Mr. Galligan also informed the Town Council and the public that teachers are a state issue and would not be included in these projections.
18. Passage of Ordinance
A. Resolution Adopting an “Ordinance Prohibiting Tractor-Trailer Truck Traffic on portions of addressStreetTroy Road and addressStreetBrookfield Street in the Town of placeCitySouth Windsor”.
Was made by: Deputy Mayor Delnicki
Seconded by: Councillor McCann
Deputy Mayor Delnicki found an error that should be corrected in the ordinance. In one area is reads addressStreetBrook Street and should read addressStreetBrookfield Street.
Councillor Pelkey suggested an Amendment to the Resolution. Where it reads “from”, he suggested it should read “between”; Deputy Mayor seconded the Amendment; and it was Approved, unanimously.
Mayor Streeter called for a vote on the Resolution; and it was Approved unanimously.
19. Communications and Petitions from Council - None
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manager - None
21. Executive Session
Deputy Mayor Delnicki made a Motion to go into Executive Session at 10:29 p.m. to discuss possible purchase of real estate for the Town; Councillor McCann seconded the Motion; and it was Approved, unanimously.
22. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned immediately following the close of the Executive Session, at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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