TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 January 20, 2009
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m., and then recessed the Regular Meeting in order to finish the Work Session. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:23 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary Prague
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Paul Oates
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to go to Item 16. D. Councillor Maneeley seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
16. Unfinished Business
D. Resolution Appointing Anthony Duarte (D) to the Board of Education
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Anthony Duarte (D) to the Board of Education for a term ending November 9, 2009 to fill an unexpired term of Anthony Fornuto.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously
Mrs. Gretchen Bickford, Town Clerk came forward and swore in Mr. Anthony Duarte to the Board of Education.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. in order to finish the Work Session agenda. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 10:00 p.m.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Ms. Mary Etter, Director of the South Windsor Library came before the Town Council to invite the Council Members and public to the seventh season of winter pops concerts which start on January 31, 2009. There will be one concert in January, one in February, and one in March. Information is available at the South Windsor Public Library, Town Hall, or from flyers that will be distributed throughout town.
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to go to Items 16. B., C., and F. and Items 17. A., B., and C. Councillor Yagaloff seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
15. Consent Agenda
Motion to approve Agenda Items 16. B. through 16. C., as the Consent Agenda.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Hale
Before calling for a vote on the Consent Agenda, Mayor Prague asked if there were any items to be removed. Item 16. D. should be removed from the Consent Agenda as it was acted on previously.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Consent Agenda; it was approved, unanimously.
16. Unfinished Business
F. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Twenty (20) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to twenty (20) South Windsor Residents, the total of said refunds being $3,626.58, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
Mayor Prague called for a vote on Item 16. F.; it passed on a Roll Call vote of 8 to 0 with Mayor Prague abstaining.
ITEM:
17. New Business
A. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Anthony Duarte (D) from the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby accepts, with regret, the resignation of Anthony Duarte (D) from the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission, said resignation to be effective immediately; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council extends its thanks to Mr. Duarte for the time he has dedicated to servicing his community by his membership on the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission.
Was made by Councillor Hale
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously
B. Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing regarding the Appropriation of $606,705 of LoCIP Funds for Miscellaneous Drainage and Road Overlay
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, February 2, 2009, at 7:30 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 appropriation of $606,705 of LoCIP funds for miscellaneous drainage and road overlay.
Was made by Councillor Maneeley
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business (continued)
C. Resolution Approving the Write-Off of Taxes on town owned property located at 765 Sullivan Avenue
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves the write-off of $1,297.92 in taxes related to Town owned property located at 765 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor; and
Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor Hale
Councillor McCann stated that typically when property is sold, adjustments are made for taxes that are accrued through the date of the sale. I believe the date of this sale was December 31, 2008, was this amount accrued for the period prior to December 31, 2008? Galligan explained that the previous owners paid all taxes that they were required to up to December 31, 2008. This amount to be written off begins January 1, 2009 and are the taxes going forward.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to go to Items 16. E. Mayor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
16. Unfinished Business
E. Resolution Referring the Construction of a Proposed Storage/Concession Building at Rye Street Park to the Planning and Zoning Commission Pursuant to the Requirements of Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes
WHEREAS, the Town has completed plans for the construction of a proposed storage/concession building at Rye Street Park; and
WHEREAS, any plan that includes the use of Town monies, must first be submitted to the South Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission for a report pursuant to Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
16. E. (continued)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the construction of a proposed storage/concession building at Rye Street Park be submitted to the South Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission for a report pursuant to Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Was made by Councillor Oates
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Ray Favreau, Director of Recreation explained that the Rye Street Park storage/concession building is part of the overall Park & Recreation Master Plan that was approved previously. Funds for this project are in the Park & Recreation Master Plan Capital Projects fund which has been saved for a number of years. The Lawrence Road project will be getting final plans on January 21, 2009 and an overview of that project will be presented at the Leadership Roundtable being held on January 26, 2009. The Lawrence Road Park project will begin, but there is not enough funds to complete the project. Hopefully funds will be available at a later date.
Answering further from the Council, Mr. Favreau explained that the building will consist of a concession area, storage, picnic area, and rest rooms. The building will become a town facility and he stated that he would be negotiating that some of the proceeds from the concession be used to offset some of the maintenance costs. The amount the Town has budgeted for this project is $150,000.
Town Manager, Matthew Galligan stated that Planning & Zoning Commission will be looking at the plan of development. Site plan approval is something that is done later. Councillor Pelkey requested that the Town Council.
Councillor Hale explained that she would be abstaining from the vote on this item because she is uncomfortable with referring something to the Planning & Zoning Commission which will be executed without coming back to the Town Council because of the current budget situation.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on this Item, it passed on a Roll Call vote of 8 to 0 with Councillor Hale abstaining.
ITEM:
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
None
7. Adoption of Minutes
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings: Work Session of January 5, 2009; Public Hearing Minutes of January 5, 2009; and Regular Meeting of January 5, 2009.
Was made by Councillor Havens
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Mr. Galligan, Town Manager reported on the following:
- Made suggestions to the CCM Board of Directors regarding next year’s budget. There needs to be ways to alleviate town government budgets.
- Enclosed is a lease for the Town Council to review for a SBA tower at the VMP. There is a dead spot in that area for emergency services and the Town will also give the Recreation Department the ability to communicate in that area. An 8-24 referral is necessary, but first wanted to give the Town Council the opportunity to review and comment on the lease.
- Enclosed is a memorandum from Dennis Sheridan concerning the Community Center space needs. Requesting that the Town Council review this item.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (continued)
- Councillor McCann requested information on the reason the School Board made the decision on the health insurance to allow employees to be able to have their dependants covered until age 26. I have spoken to the Superintendent and Donna McKenty, and they informed me that a notice went out by the previous Assistant Superintendent of Personnel. There are only 20 employees out of about 750 that have signed up for the additional coverage.
- There are two pieces of property that the Town is looking to purchase as open space. The town is waiting for appraisals and after receipt of the appraisal, the Town Council will discuss these properties.
- Town staff has reviewed again, shared services. It was my understanding that shared services would be presented tonight, but the Superintendent stated that he has not been asked to present this item. Mr. Galligan requested that the Mayor send a letter to the Chair of the Board of Education to request that the Superintendent be present at the next Town Council meeting to discuss this item.
- Would like to have the Town Council and Town staff have a retreat to discuss how we do our operations and what the vision of the Town Council is for the future of South Windsor.
Councillor Yagaloff voiced his concerns regarding the Board of Education not being cooperative regarding shared services, the Board of Educations current budget, and the teacher’s contract.
Councillor Oates stated that at the retreat one of the items we may want to discuss is as a Town Council how do we want to handle the unfunded mandates in our budget.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the SBA tower lease does not have to be acted on right a way. This is something that the Council should have time to review. The Community Block Grants come from the federal government and it is based upon how much the State receives. Once you use this grant for the senior center, only the seniors can use that space. The State will have to be contacted prior to hiring an architect to make sure this is a project that is able to be done according to their regulations.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (continued)
Councillor McCann stated that he does have issues concerning the SBA towers, but will direct those to the Town Attorney with the permission of the Town Manager? Mr. Galligan stated that would be fine.
Councillor McCann then discussed the Community Center space needs. It is his understanding that the school referendum that was defeated makes it more likely that space will become available to the town at an earlier time then if the referendum had passed. Councillor McCann then requested an update on the School Boards health insurance with respect how long it would be in effect. Councillor McCann also requested a report on the shared services. The Council and Staff Retreat would be a good idea and one of the items that should be discussed is the economic policy that Councillor Yagaloff had handed out.
Councillor Hale voiced concern regarding the lease agreement and having a fixed inflator with no special clause for it going up. There is also a fixed amount of insurance for $1,000,000 which is fine for now, but in the future may not be enough. Councillor Hale then stated that she feels the letter going to the Board of Education should be a request on behalf of the whole Town Council
Councillor Pelkey stated that he would like the Town Manager to put together mandates that affect the Town of South Windsor’s budget.
At 11:00 p.m., Councillor McCann made a motion to extend the Regular Meeting ten minutes; there was no second; the motion failed, and the meeting ended.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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