TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 September 15, 2008
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – Windsor PlaceTypeTown Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:18 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary placeCityPrague
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Ed Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Duncan Forsyth, Town Attorney
Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to Suspend the Rules to go to Item 16. C.; Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
16. Unfinished Business
C. Resolution Appointing Paul Oates (R) to the Town Council to Fill an Unexpired Term
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council appoints Paul Oates (R) as a Member of the Town Council for a term ending November 9, 2009 to fill an unexpired term.
Was made by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Seconded by Mayor Prague
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
Mrs. Gretchen Bickford, Town Clerk came forward at 8:20 p.m. and swore in Councillor Oates to the Town Council.
Mayor Prague came forward and presented Matthew Streeter with a plaque, proclamation, and the sound block and gavel he used while Mayor. Mayor Prague thanked Matthew Streeter for his service to the Town Council as well as the Town of placeCitySouth Windsor. Mayor Prague then welcomed Councillor Oates as a new member of the Town Council.
Mathew Streeter thanked his parents and his wife Karla for all of their support.
Councillor Paul Oates came forward to introduce himself to the public stating that he and his family have lived in town for the past 20 years. He then stated it is a privilege to serve on the Town Council and he looks forward to serving the residents of placeSouth Windsor.
Mayor Prague explained that he is honored and humbled to have been appointed Mayor. Over the next few weeks, Mayor Prague stated he would be making proposals for the Council to consider. The Town of placeCitySouth Windsor has changed over the past ten years, but the way business is conducted has not changed. Mayor Prague listed the changes he will be proposing in the future:
· Add more opportunity for public participation
· Establish a way for the Town Council to hear updates on all major projects at each meeting.
· Reduce amount of time spent on administrative items to free up time for discussions on major topics.
· Would like to appoint a Bipartisan Subcommittee to review the budget process with the goal of hearing suggestions on how the Town Council can improve consensus when establishing the budget and a tax rate.
5. Public Input
None
ITEM:
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
None
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
None
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager, Matthew Galligan reviewed his written report stating that the case, Witkin vs. Town of CityplaceSouth Windsor has been settled. The Town Council has received a hand out from the Town Attorney of the agreement for the Chamber website. Any comments on the contract can be given to the Town Manager or Town Attorney. There have been materials handed out regarding the Town Hall Annex. Recently the Town of placeCitySouth Windsor had been reported in CNN Money.com Magazine as being the 21st best affordable place to live, (out of twenty-five). There are Union contracts that need to be handled tonight, first discussions can take place in executive session and then decisions can be made at the regular meeting.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano requested that the Town Manager create a model of the Town’s priorities and have a meeting to see if all Town Council members are in agreement on Town priorities. Mr. Galligan stated that to create the model, the citizen survey, budget and strategic planning (top ten list) will be used.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano also asked the Town Manager to resolve the issue at placePlaceNamePhilip PlaceNameR. PlaceNameSmith PlaceTypeSchool where there is a water problem on the outside of the building. Mr. Galligan said he would take a look at the area and discuss this issue with the Dr. Kozaczka.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (continued)
Council Members discussed at length the Town Website that will be operated by the Chamber of Commerce. It was decided at a previous Town Council meeting that if the Town is to put any money into the start up of this program, that there would not be any political opportunities on the website. Council Members reiterated again that there are to be no political items on the website and they would like the contract to be changed back to “as it was presented”.
11. Reports from Standing Committees
None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
13. Communications of Temporary Committees
Councillor Havens stated that a resident on Griffin Road came to talk to him regarding the Topstone Golf Course testing surrounding neighbor’s well water because he thought that was part of the agreement, and he is worried about the chemicals that are used on the golf course. Councillor Havens asked the Town Manager to see if during development of Topstone Golf Course, if there was an agreement that the golf course would check the surrounding neighbor’s water periodically. Mr. Galligan stated he would research this issue and get back to the Town Council with an answer.
14. Public Participation
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 41 Bayberry Trail came forward and stated that he finds it hard to believe that the Town would pay that amount of money for renovations to the Town Hall Annex.
15. Consent Agenda
Motion to approve Agenda Items 16. A. through 16. B. and 17. A. through 17. B., as the Consent Agenda.
Was made by: Councillors Bazzano and Hale
Seconded by: Councillor McCann
ITEM:
15. Consent Agenda (continued)
Before calling for a vote on the Consent Agenda, Mayor Prague asked if there were any items to be removed, there was none.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Consent Agenda; it was approved, unanimously.
16. Unfinished Business
*A. Resolution Reappointing Herbert Asplund (R) to the Patriotic Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby reappoints Herbert Asplund (R) to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending August 31, 2011.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*B. Resolution Reappointing Mark Peterson (R) to the Building Code Board of Appeals
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby reappoints Mark Peterson (R) to the Building Code Board of Appeals for a term ending January 1, 2013.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
17. New Business
*A. Resolution Reappointing Robert Moeller (R) to the Patriotic 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 hereby reappoints Robert Moeller (R) to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending August 31, 2011 and postpones consideration until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
ITEM:
17. New Business (continued)
*B. Resolution Reappointing Leonard B. Glasser (R) an Alternate to the Patriotic Commission and Postponing Consideration until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the placeSouth Windsor Town Council hereby reappoints Leonard B. Glasser (R) an Alternate to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending August 31, 2011 and postpones consideration until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
*C. Resolution Reappointing David Peck (U) to the Human Relations 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 hereby reappoints David Peck (U) to the Human Relations Commission for a term ending November 30, 2010 and postpones consideration until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA)
Councillor Hale made a motion to Suspend the Rules to go to Item 21; Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
21. Executive Session
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:52 p.m. to discuss possible purchase of real estate for the Town of South Windsor, potential sale and development of land in the Town of South Windsor, an “agreement Between the Town of South Windsor and Public Works – AFSCME Local 1303-028, Council #4, and the Pension Changes to the South Windsor Custodial Contract. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Town Manager Matthew Galligan, Town Attorney Duncan Forsyth, Economic Development Consultant Craig Stevenson, Mayor Prague, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillors Hale, Havens, Maneeley, McCann, Oates, Pelkey, and Yagaloff.
ITEM:
21. Executive Session (continued)
Councillor McCann made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session at 9:54 p.m. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
17. New Business
D. Resolution Approving the Pension Changes to the placeSouth Windsor Custodial Employees Bargaining Unit Contract, Local 1303.29
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has approved the Contract of the South Windsor Custodial Employees Bargaining Unit Contract, Local 1303.29; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Town Council to review and make a decision on the pension changes that have been made in the contract
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the placeSouth Windsor Town Council Approves the Pension Changes to the South Windsor Custodial Employees Bargaining Unit Contract, Local 1303.29, said contract to be in effect from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
The motion was approved unanimously
E. Resolution Accepting the Agreement Between the Town of South Windsor, Connecticut and Local 1303-028 of Council #4, AFSCME, AFL-CIO for the Period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan to enter into a Contract between the Town of South Windsor, Connecticut and Local 1303-028 of Council #4, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, said Contract to be in effect from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
The motion was approved unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business (continued)
F. Resolution to Transfer $3,500 from the Contingency Account to the placePlaceNamePublic PlaceNameWorks PlaceTypeParks & Grounds Operating Material Account
WHEREAS, an irrigation system was originally donated and installed at My Friend’s Place to service the entire Boundless Playground and surrounding gardens and has saved the Town’s Parks and Grounds Department many hours of manual labor; and
WHEREAS, due to an oversight in the original design, a “backflow preventer” required by code was not installed as part of the original installation and was only discovered while exploring the extension of the irrigation system to the newly constructed Jacob’s View and now must be installed regardless of any new service extension; and
WHEREAS, in order to pay for the cost of the irrigation service extension to the newly constructed gardens and lawn area contained in Jacob’s View, this “backflow preventer” must be installed first; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Grounds Department has requested quotes from three qualified companies to install the “backflow preventer” and received a qualified bid of $3,500 to install this unit
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the $3,500 dollars be transferred from the Town Council Contingency Account into the Public Works Parks & Grounds Operating Material Account in order to pay for the installation of the required “backflow preventer.”
Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor Havens
Councillor McCann suggested to take out “go forward with a Citizen Matching Mini-Grant earmarked to” in the third WHEREAS. Mayor Prague seconded the motion and the amendment was approved unanimously.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Amended Resolution, it was approved unanimously.
ITEM:
17. New Business (continued)
G. Resolution for a Citizens Matching Mini-Grant for Extending Irrigation into Jacob’s View
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2008 an extension of My Friend’s Place known as Jacob’s View was dedicated and put into service through the generous donations of many volunteers and local businesses; and
WHEREAS, this extension contains a beautiful lawn and garden area that is just beyond the reach of the original irrigation system and must now be watered manually by the Parks and Grounds Department; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Grounds Department has solicited quotes to extend the original irrigation service to reach the newly constructed Jacob’s View and received a qualified bid of $3,918; and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council created a “South Windsor Citizens Matching Mini-Grant program” on June 20, 2005; and
WHEREAS, an application for a Citizens Matching Mini-Grant was submitted as attached in Exhibit A to the Town Manager, and upon review, he approved the application for this project
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council accepts and approves this application and authorizes Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan to issue $1,918 of matching funds from the Citizens Matching Mini-Grant program to complete this project.
Was made by Councillor Hale
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
The motion was approved unanimously
H. Resolution to Transfer $5,000 from the Contingency Account to the Town Manager’s Professional Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the transfer of $5,000 from the Contingency Account to the Town Manager’s Professional Account, to cover the cost of a hotel feasibility study
ITEM:
17. H. (continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of CityplaceSouth Windsor will be paying one third, (1/3) of the cost of this study and will retain ownership of the study after it is complete.
Was made by Councillor Havens
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
Town Manager, Matthew Galligan explained to the Town Council that on the Evergreen Walk site, there is a developer interested in putting in a hotel. It is easier to get funding if a feasibility study is done. The study would cost a total of $15,000.00. The developer would pay $5,000.00, Mr. Fingura would pay $5,000.00, and the Town would pay $5,000.00. After completion of the study, it would be the property of the Town, if the Town decides to contribute to the study. If the hotel is not built at the Evergreen Walk location, the Town would have the right to use the study to develop a hotel in another location in Town.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on this Resolution, it was approved unanimously.
I. Resolution approving $__________ to be Designated for Renovations to the Town Hall Annex
WHEREAS, the Town is presently in a lease/purchase agreement with Kerin & Kerin, LLC for property located at addressStreet1530 Sullivan Avenue; and
WHEREAS, it is the Town Council’s desire to begin renovations on the Town Hall Annex as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, the Town has been negotiating with Kerin & Kerin, LLC and has received an estimate of $1,152,000 to complete the renovations on the building; and
WHEREAS, Kerin & Kerin, LLC has agreed to pay $306,000 towards the renovations to the building located at addressStreet1530 Sullivan Avenue; and
WHEREAS, additional costs associated with this project such as metasys controls, telephone system, key card system, IT connection/wiring, site work, and move/furniture have been estimated and will cost the Town of placeCitySouth Windsor an additional $259,634, making the total estimated cost for renovations $1,411,634
ITEM:
17. placeI. (continued)
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council approves $______________ to be designated for renovations to the Town Hall Annex.
Was made by Councillor MCann
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
Councillor McCann began discussions by stating the Town Hall Annex is something that the Town Council has been working on for some time. The building is in need of improvements to make it useful to the Town. It is Councillor McCann’s desire to have a discussion with Town Council members to make a decision on how much money Councillors feel should be used to renovate this building.
There was a lengthy discussion held disputing past discussions that were held regarding the lease and different items that were felt to have been left out of the contract.
Councillor Havens stated that the Town Council has agreed to proceed with renovations to the Town Hall Annex and feels the renovation of this building should be done properly and promptly.
Council members then discussed the figures that have been quoted to complete this project. Mr. Galligan, Town Manager explained that the Town always looks to see what can be cut in order to save money on a project, but there are certain items that need to be done and there are certain code requirements.
Councillor McCann made a motion to Amend the Resolution to add the number of $870,000.00 in both blanks of the resolution. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the Amendment.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he feels the amount to do the renovations are appropriate and adjustments could be made in the future if it is necessary.
Councillor Pelkey questioned if the $870,000.00 would be in addition to the $306,000.00 from Kerin & Kerin, LLC? Councillor McCann answered that the $870,000.00 would be in addition to the $306,000.00.
ITEM:
17. placeI. (continued)
Councillor Pelkey stated that the reason the Post Office moved out of that location is because of the exit onto addressStreetSullivan Avenue. To exit out of that driveway is dangerous and he felt that a connection to the Town Hall would be important. Councillor Pelkey then stated that he felt the Town Council should complete renovations.
Council members discussed further the amount of $870,000.00 that was proposed.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to extend the meeting past 11:00 p.m. in order to finish Item 17. I. Councillor McCann seconded the motion and it failed.
The meeting adjourned at 11:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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