TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Regular Minutes Page 1 April 20, 2009
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
Councillor Havens presided over the meeting in the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. This decision was a unanimous vote by the Council members in attendance.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Councillor Havens called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Councillor Havens presided over the meeting in the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. This decision was a unanimous vote by the Council members in attendance.
Councillor Pelkey recognized the Timothy Edwards Middle School Science Olympiad team for their accomplishments on winning the State Championship at the University of Connecticut and qualifying them to go the National Science Olympiad competition in Augusta, Georgia. Councillor Pelkey, along with the coaches, Jim Guida and David Anderson, presented the students with certificates.
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to go to Item 17. A. on the agenda. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
17. New Business
A. Resolution Allocating $2,500 from the Contingency Fund to the Timothy Edwards Middle School Science Olympiad Team
WHEREAS, on April 4, 2009, the Timothy Edwards Middle School Science Olympiad Team competed against other middle schools across the State of Connecticut at the University of Connecticut for the State Championship title; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. A. (continued)
WHEREAS, for the third year in a row the TEMS Team won the competition and are once again the State Champions and are now eligible to compete for the 25th National Science Olympiad Title at Augusta State University in Georgia on May 15-16, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the team is an extracurricular activity that requires extra commitment and dedication from the students and coaching staff and their hard work has brought notoriety, prestige, and honor to our town; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the trip to the national competition is estimated at $20,000 to $25,000 and is mainly bourn by the student’s families and through various fund raising activities and grants
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council wishes to congratulate and recognize the Timothy Middle School Science Olympiad Team for the notoriety, prestige, and honor they have brought to the Town of South Windsor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council wishes to help supplement the trip cost by allocating $2,500 from the Contingency Fund and wishes the team the greatest success at the national competition in Augusta, Georgia.
Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor Hale
Councillor Pelkey and McCann both congratulated the Science Olympiad team and wished them the best in August, Georgia.
Councillor Havens called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.
5. Public Input
Mr. Jim Guida introduced a past member of the Science Olympiad Team, Kathy Desy, who is now in high school and doing wonderful on the Robotics Team.
Ms. Kathy Desy stated that she joined the Science Olympiad Team and stayed on it for three years. She said she is now on the Robotics Team which came in third nationally.
ITEM:
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
None
7. Adoption of Minutes
None
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Board Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager spoke on this Item during the Work Session.
11. Reports from Standing Committees
None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Council members discussed the creation of an ordinance that would prohibit private discussions with the public during meetings using emails and texting. Councillor Yagaloff stated he would not have a problem with members in a meeting receiving emergency text messages or emails.
Council members then discussed 8-24 referrals that are sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review. It was decided that the Town Attorneys opinion would be necessary on what the Planning & Zoning Commissions responsibility of reviewing these issues consist of. It was also mentioned that a staff member should be available at the Planning & Zoning meetings to answer any questions regarding an 8-24 referral.
ITEM:
14. Public Participation
None
15. Consent Agenda
None
16. Unfinished Business
None
17. New Business
B. Resolution Authorizing the Town Council to Refer the Foster Farm Lease Agreement for 215 Avery Street to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a Report as Required under Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor purchased 39 acres of farm land also known as the Foster Farm, located at 215 Avery Street, for preservation; and
WHEREAS, the Foster Family has first right of refusal to lease the farm land at 215 Avery Street and would like to enter into a lease agreement to continue farming the property; and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Attorney has prepared a lease agreement to that effect
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby refers the Foster Farm Lease Agreement for 215 Avery Street to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a report as required under Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
After a lengthy discussion regarding this resolution, it was decided that this item should be tabled in order to discuss options regarding this property.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. B. (continued)
Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to table this item until the next meeting. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
C. Resolution Approving the Transfer of $3,297 from the Contingency Account to the IT Department’s Budget
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor (Town) is in the process of updating its Police Geo911 system; and
WHEREAS, in order for the Town to be in compliance with the State of Connecticut’s (State’s) new security protocols and move forward with its update, the Town must purchase and install a firewall between its Police network and the connection to the State; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the required equipment and installation is $3,297 through a State contract; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council recognizes the importance of the Town being in compliance with the State’s new security protocols and the need to update the Police Geo911 system
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a transfer of $3,297 from the Contingency Account to the IT Department’s Professional Account to cover the purchase and installation of the required firewall.
Was made by Councillor Hale
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously
D. Resolution Approving a Waiver of Interest on a Tax Lien
WHEREAS, the Human Services Department is requesting that an interest amount on a lien be waived, thus allowing a client to sell their home
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. D. (continued)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the waiving of interest on said lien in the amount of $3,032
Was made by Councillor Maneeley
Seconded by Councillor McCann
After a lengthy discussion, Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to table this item to the next meeting in order to find out the current financial status of the individual requesting the interest to be waived. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
- Resolution Endorsing the Submittal of Three (3) Grant Applications for Federal Funding
WHEREAS, The Town of South Windsor is continuing to feel the pressure of the nation’s economic decline; and
WHEREAS, The Town of South Windsor is committed to maintaining a viable, proactive community-based police department; and
WHEREAS, The Town of South Windsor and the South Windsor Police Department are constantly seeking revenue sources to help relieve the taxpayer’s economic burden; and
WHEREAS, the federal government is currently offering three grant programs that could greatly assist the Town in funding future police operations; and
WHEREAS, application for these funding opportunities requires the endorsement of the Town’s governing body
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby endorses the Town’s application for federal funding through the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program, Secure Our Schools Programs, and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. E. (continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to direct the preparation of applications for such grants.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey
Commander Matthew Reed came before the Town Council and explained what each grant was for and answered various questions from Council members.
Councillor Havens called for a vote on the Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
F. Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the Submittal of Three (3) Grant Applications
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, May 4, 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 submittal of three grant applications for federal funding by the South Windsor Police Department.
Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
The motion was approved, unanimously
G. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Thirteen (13) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves a refund of property taxes to thirteen (13) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $4,438.50.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
18. Passage of Ordinance
None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
None
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued)
None
21. Executive Session
None
22. Adjournment
At 9:31 p.m., Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting; Councillor Maneeley seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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