TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 2, 2008
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 Cary CityplacePrague
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Duncan Forsyth, Town Attorney
3. Public Participation:
Mr. Roy Normen, addressStreet158 Homestead Drive came before the Town Council to see if there has been any consideration given to expanding the existing firehouse site. It may even be less expensive to tear down the existing firehouse, expand the property and locate a new firehouse there.
Mr. Tim Shepard, addressStreet585 Main Street came forward to speak in favor of the resolution on the agenda tonight authorizing a grant in the amount of $100,000 to the South Windsor Land Trust for the purchase of a two acre parcel. He felt it would be in the best interest of the Town and was hopeful that Council Members would look favorably at this resolution. The second item that Mr. Shepard would like to discuss is the fact that there must be property available somewhere in town to locate the endangered plant that is located at addressStreet625 Sullivan Avenue. He then voiced concern about using open space funds to purchase addressStreet675 Sullivan Avenue for a new firehouse.
Mr. Paul Oates, addressStreet935 Main Street also came before the Town Council to speak in favor of the Town Council authorizing a grant in the amount of $100,000 to the South Windsor Land Trust to purchase a two acre parcel. Keeping the property open will be a benefit to the Town and the historic feeling of the Town.
Mrs. Ginny Macro, 1828 Main Street endorsed the resolution tonight authorizing a grant in the amount of $100,000 to the South Windsor Land Trust for the purchase of a two acre parcel. She then read into the record the motion that was made at the Historic District Commission meeting.
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June 2, 2008
ITEM:
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Galligan will report to the Council Members at the Regular Meeting.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Discussion regarding Shepard Property, Raymond Family Property and Peck Family Property.
Mrs. Pat Botterson of addressStreet34 Victor Lane and a representative of the Open Space Task Force. She stated she was before the Council to give an overview of the Shepard, Peck and Raymond properties. She explained that these properties in question came before the Open Space for conservation easements which would be in conjunction with the Town and the placePlaceNameSouth Windsor PlaceTypeLand and Conservation Trust. The properties would be without public access, and there would be no cost for maintenance to the Town or the South Windsor Land Trust. The properties can not be developed if the conservation easements are accepted. There is a total of 10.5 acres with conservation easements on them if the resolution passes. The Peck family has 2 acres, Shepard family has 2 acres and the
Raymond family has 6.5 acres. When the Open Space Task Force reviewed these properties they were prime agricultural property. This area creates a nice buffer from Route 5 to addressStreetMain Street and if this resolution does not pass tonight, this gateway to placeSouth Windsor and the historical area of Town will be under development pressure. The Open Space Task Force recommends that these properties be preserved.
Councillor Hale stated that she is in favor of this because preserving agricultural land is both an environmental and in fact an economic benefit to the town in addition to its aesthetic value. She then questioned if the house on the corner of addressStreetSullivan Avenue and addressStreetMain Street is part of the historic district? Mrs. Botteron answered that the house is part of the historic district, but is not included in what is being proposed tonight.
Deputy Mayor Prague stated he is also in favor of this property going to the South Windsor Land Trust, but would like to see a small sign erected on that property which would say “Welcome to the South Windsor Historic District”.
The following individuals from the public came forward to speak in favor this item:
Dr. Bruce Burnham of addressStreet1909 Main Street
Louise Evans of addressStreet1678 Main Street
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ITEM:
6. A. (continued)
Answering further questions from Council Members, Mr. Galligan explained that the property in question will have a conservation easement between the Town of CityplaceSouth Windsor and the South Windsor Land Trust. The land may be leased to farmers who would be interested in farming the property. Mr. Shepard added that the purpose of the easement that goes on the properties will avoid any further development.
7. Executive Session
Deputy Mayor Prague made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:23 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue, possible purchase of real estate for the town, (Woodcock property and the disposition of 625 Sullivan Avenue), and an “Agreement Between the Town of South Windsor and Public Works – AFSCME Local 1303-028, Council #4. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Town Manager Matthew Galligan, Town Attorney Duncan Forsyth, Mayor Streeter, Deputy Mayor Prague, Councillors Bazzano, Hale, Havens, Maneeley, McCann, Pelkey, and Yagaloff.
The Work Session was recessed in order to call the Regular Meting to order at 8:00 p.m. and then the Regular Meeting was recessed in order to finish the Work Session.
8. Adjournment
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and Work Session at 8:21 p.m. Mayor Streeter seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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