TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 6, 2008
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary placeCityPrague
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Paul Oates
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Gary Tyler, Chief of Police
3. Public Participation:
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
To be discussed during the Regular Meeting.
6. Items for Discussion
A) Security Measures at Veteran’s Memorial Park
Commander Reed came before the Council to discuss security measures at Veteran’s Memorial Park. A Crime Risk Assessment report (Exhibit A) was done in 2007 and the report has several recommendations which were transmitted to a memo (Exhibit B). It is recommended that access to Veteran’s Memorial Park be maintained during winter months.
Mr. Ray Favreau, Director of Recreation came forward and stated that these measures would provide a level of comfort. The brush that had been cleared at the park has given more visibility to the area.
Work Session – Town Council
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October 6, 2008
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion
A) Security Measures at Veteran’s Memorial Park (continued)
Councillor Yagaloff stated that the recommendations are upgrades that should be implemented one at a time and should be covered by the VMP budget.
Commander Reed explained that there would be other costs associated with maintaining access to this area during winter months, and he feels the benefits outweigh keeping the gates closed. Commander Reed also stated that he feels fencing is a good way to keep unwanted individuals out of the area, but lighting and video surveillance are very important and should be done together.
Mayor Prague stated he feels the cost to implement safety measures at VMP should be shared and would like to discuss funding for this project at the October 20, 2008 meeting.
B) New Budget Process Workshop
Mayor Prague began discussions by stating that it is time to look at budgeting all year round. When a discussion regarding a new budget process is complete, it is hopeful that the Town Council will be able to give the Town Manager clear and precise guidance for each budget season. Mayor Prague then reviewed “Ideas for New Budget Discussions”, (Exhibit C).
Councillor Yagaloff felt that it would be reasonable if public input was sought after the Town Council has committed to a certain number for the budget each year.
Councillor McCann stated that he thinks it is a good idea to do more planning for each budget season which will give the Town Manger more direction of what the Town Council is seeking.
Councillor Pelkey stated that this process will give the public an idea of how the budget process works.
Councillor Hale stated that she likes the two year vision concept. Capital Projects is an area that needs more attention during the budget process because it is a large driver in the budget. Councillor Hale also felt that the Capital Projects Committee meetings should be televised.
Councillor Oates felt that having departments present their budgets in more detail and understanding costs will be helpful in the budget process. Capital Projects and Operating are two very important areas of the budget.
Work Session – Town Council
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October 6, 2008
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion
B) New Budget Process Workshop (continued)
Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated that it is important to set priorities for the town.
Mayor Prague recessed the Work Session in order to call the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. He then recessed the Regular Meeting in order to finish the Work Session.
Mr. Don Gonsalves of 40 Bayberry Trail stated that if the Town Council can not get good information from the Board of Education which is 75% of the budget, the Town Council will not be able to do the new budget process as planned. It is the Town Council’s responsibility to inform the public
C) Future uses of the Town’s Public Buildings
Councillor McCann suggested having a series of roundtable discussions with the public in order to gather different ideas for possible uses of public buildings.
Councillor Pelkey felt it is premature to hold public roundtables and felt it would be better after the referendum. If anyone from the public has ideas, they could contact the Town Council. Town employees should track the individuals that can be accommodated by public facilities and those that need to go elsewhere because there is not enough space. The Town Hall Annex was first planned with the idea of allowing the availability of more meeting rooms.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he would prefer to devote his time to decrease spending by discussing the budget rather than having discussions regarding the issue of public buildings which could create more spending of town funds.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 8:13 p.m., Councillor Pelkey moved to adjourn the meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councillor Maneeley and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Deborah W. Reid, Clerk of the Council
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