TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary Prague
Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Paul Oates
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came forward and stated that one of the items for discussion tonight is shared services and there is no way the town can anticipate getting money from shared services. Shared services is something that other towns have tried and there has not been any savings involved.
Ms. Carol Flagg, 140 McGrath Road from the Senior Advisory Board came to speak in front of the Town Council to request that funds be made available in order for the architectural drawings to be started for the senior center. There is not enough rooms for the seniors and recreation.
Ms. Beth Halligan 72 Heatherwood Drive voiced her concern the way the Republicans are using town funds for the turf fields because she does not feel this is a necessity at this time. She is also concerned that academic achievement is already at risk and does not feel children’s education should be used to balance the budget. Ms. Halligan requested that the Town Council approve the Board of Education budget as proposed.
Ms. Kathy Larosa, 95 Carson Way came before the Council and stated that she is concerned that any further changes to the Board of Education budget will have a negative result and requested that the Town Council approve the Board of Education budget as proposed.
Ms. Meg Warren, 426 Barbara Hill Road stated that class staff should be added and not cut. Cutting staff will be a disservice to the children of South Windsor.
Work Session – Town Council
March 16, 2009
Page 2
ITEM:
3. Public Participation (continued)
Mr. Tom Lines, 43 Wedgewood Road felt that the fixing of the fields at the high school are presently very dangerous and are not a want, they are a need and have nothing to do with the Board of Education budget.
Ms. Carol Smurra, 97 Lisa Drive requested that further cuts not be made to the Board of Education budget. Teachers are stretched very thin already and have to teach to all different levels. If the budget is cut, necessary resources could be taken away from the teachers.
Mr. Frank Bonzani, 255 Lisa Drive stated he is concerned about the education of children. Academics should be the number one concern while doing the budget. No further cuts are necessary.
Ms. Alfina Milluzzo, 205 Kent Lane requested the Town Council not cut the Board of Education budget.
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Board of Education – Budget Presentation
Ms. Snyder came before the Town Council to present the Board of Education budget for fiscal year 2009/2010. The budget is proposed to have an increase of 2.91% over last years budget. The total increased amount of the proposed 2009/2010 budget is $1,743,056, which would give the Board of Education a budget of $61,743,056. Ms. Snyder and Dr. Kozaczka then answered various questions from the Town Council Members and Town Council Members added their own comments.
At 8:03 p.m. Mayor Prague recessed the Work Session in order to call the Regular Meeting to order. At 10:32 p.m. the Work Session was reconvened.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he would be working on a resolution to have the Town Council act on regarding shared services.
Work Session – Town Council
March 16, 2009
Page 3
ITEM:
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 10:43 p.m. Councillor Maneeley made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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