TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 28, 2008
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 8:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Matthew Streeter
Deputy Mayor Cary placeCityPrague
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mr. Donald Gonsalves of 40 Bayberry Trail stated that no alternative information or financial information has been presented to the public regarding the Water Pollution Control Plant, and he will not vote for this item unless alternative information is presented. The Town of placeCityGlastonbury is doing the same project in their Town. Mr. Gonsalves questioned if any Council Member has discussed this with anyone from placeCityGlastonbury to find out how they are financing their project and how much it is costing the public?
Mr. Jim Yungk, addressStreet121 Farnham Road came before the Town Council and stated that he feels tri-axle dumps and large dump trucks should be included in the Ordinance Prohibiting Tractor-Trailer Truck Traffic on portions of addressStreetTroy Road and addressStreetBrookfield Street because they can do as much damage to the roads as a tractor-trailer truck.
ITEM:
3. Items for Discussion
A. Referendum for the Water Pollution Control Facility and Dry Pit Pump Stations Upgrades
Mr. Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control came forward. Mr. Shaw stated that the Water Pollution Control facility is 40 years old and is in need of upgrades and modern codes need to be implemented into the project. In 2002 a facility plan was complete which identifies everything that needs to be done to both the treatment plant and pump stations to ensure that the sewerage system can meet the growing needs of this community for the next 20 plus years. Different alternatives were discussed and the most cost effective alternative selected was to upgrade the plant with nitrogen removal. The Town and State both approved this plan and the Town moved to the design phase. After the design was complete, it was sent to the State for review and approval. The Town is still waiting for the
State to give their approval. Mr. Shaw explained that the Town needs to move forward with this project. It costs the Town more money the longer this project is delayed. If this project does not go forward and the Town fails to meet the discharge permit to the State, the Town would be in violation of the State Clean Water Regulations and could be fined as much as $25,000 per day and be made under court order to upgrade the treatment plant. Mr. Shaw then reviewed the financing options for this project. He stated that it is the intent of the Town to remain on the State’s priority list with hope to be able to take advantage of the grants and loans the State offers.
The Council had a lengthy discussion regarding the referendum and who would be affected by the cost of this project. Mr. Galligan stated that it is a policy decision that the Town Council would have to decide, but he thought it was decided that the users of the treatment plant would be the ones who would be taxed on this. Council Members then discussed the methods of financing for this project.
Councillor Hale voiced concern with allowing the decision of how the bonds would be handled by the Town Manager, if the Town does not receive the grant. The decision should come back to the Town Council.
ITEM
3. A. (continued)
Town Council discussed information that the public would receive. Mr. Galligan explained that anything that will be viewed by the public is sent to the State Election Commission for review and the Election Commission will let the Town know if it is alright to be sent for public viewing. Town Council Members formed a sub-committee to review any information that would be sent for public viewing. The sub-committee will be made up of Councillor Hale, McCann and Yagaloff. Town Council Members then discussed the different financing options and the cost of the different alternatives.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that he would have to find out if the payment structure for this project could be divided up by commercial users, residential users, and non-users. Mr. Galligan also stated that he would contact MDC by letter to find out if they have any costs associated with the Town hooking up to their system.
Deputy Mayor Prague stated that he supports the referendum, but does not support having non-users charged for something they do not use. The payment structure should remain the way it is currently.
Mayor Streeter felt this project needs to go to referendum and the Town should pursue the use of State funding for this project.
B. Procedural Outline for a Feasibility study for a placePlaceTypeHotel PlaceNameConference PlaceTypeCenter
Mr. Galligan reviewed the process that the Town would need to take to have a feasibility study done.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the study would cost the Town approximately $4,000. The company that would be partnering with the Town presently owns 40 hotels. The market is strong with occupancy of 98%. placeSouth Windsor could possibly build two or three hotels in Town.
ITEM:
5. Executive Session
Mayor Streeter made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:29 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session, Mayor Streeter, Deputy Mayor Prague, Councillor Bazzano, Councillor Hale, Councillor Havens, Councillor McCann, Councillor Pelkey, Councillor Yagaloff, Town Manager Matthew Galligan and Clerk of the Council Deborah Reid.
The Executive Session was adjourned at 10:33 p.m.
6. Special Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Approving an Annual Salary for Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan for Fiscal Year 2008/2009
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an annual salary of $143,925 for Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan for Fiscal Year 2008/2009, said annual salary rate to be retroactive to July 1, 2008.
Was made by Councillor Havens
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
Councillor Hale stated that although she feels the Town Manager does a tremendous job, this current year will be very hard economically and Mr. Galligan received a large amount last year, and therefore she would not be supporting this resolution.
Mayor Streeter called for a vote on this item, it was approved on a Roll Call vote of 7 to 1 with the dissenting vote being cast by Councillor Hale.
ITEM:
6. Special Unfinished Business (continued)
B. Resolution Approving an Hourly Wage Increase and Fringe Benefits Equivalent to Those Approved by Council for Non-Bargaining Unit Members for the Clerk of the Council for Fiscal Year July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves an hourly wage increase of 3.5% for the Clerk of the Council for Fiscal Year 2008/2009, said wage increase and benefits being equivalent to those approved by Council on June 16, 2008 for the Non-Bargaining Unit Members Job Classification Plan for Fiscal Years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said benefits will be calculated on a prorated basis according to the average number of hours worked in the previous Fiscal Year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hourly wage increase and participation in the Non-Bargaining Unit Members Fringe Benefit Package shall be effective as of July 1, 2008.
Was made by Deputy Mayor Prague
Seconded by Mayor Streeter
The vote was 6-0 with Councillor Yagaloff abstaining
7. Adjournment
At 10:41 p.m., a Motion to Adjourn was made by Councillor Bazzano; seconded by Mayor Streeter; and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
| 
