TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Clerk of the Council, Deborah Reid called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. 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 Galligan, Town Manager
Councillor Hale made a motion to have Councillor Havens reside over this meeting. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
3. Public Participation
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
The Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan reported on the following items:
- Retiree Health Care Trust - this is a new requirement under GASB-45 where a certain amount is budgeted for future health care costs. The amount budgeted each year will depend upon an actuarial report and to get a more favorable rate the Town is required to create a trust fund. The town has budgeted $173,000 for fiscal year 2009/2010. This proposal needs to be accepted through an ordinance.
- Moody’s will be reviewing Towns for certain criteria that must be met because of the economic conditions. This review will determine whether certain local governments should be down graded.
- Town Council members will find the amount of money being spent for the schools that are used for the 4th R Program in their packets.
- The Town council should review the Purchase & Sale Agreement for the I-291 piece of property that the town is selling to the Connecticut Studios. The Redevelopment Agency did review and made certain changes in the lease agreement. This item can be discussed at the next Town council meeting in Executive Session.
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April 20, 2009
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5. Town Manager’s Report (continued)
- The Town had a meeting with DECD, Connecticut Studios, and the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the endangered species found on the property where Connecticut Studios will be located. This project should be moving forward in the next couple of weeks after certain requirements are met.
Answering questions from the Council members, Mr. Galligan stated that he would have the Town Attorney review the Retiree Health Care Trust regarding removal and substitution of Trustees and whether a change in form of government should be in this document or should the form of government remain the same throughout the document.
Councillor Yagaloff suggested that the Town Council create a policy telling the Town Manager to fund annually in the budget an appropriate amount set by the Actuary and that the Town Council resolves that the funds placed in this fund will not be used for any other purpose other than for this fund.
Answering further questions, Mr. Galligan explained that everyone will be affected in a sense by this fund because all of the health insurance money, whether you are employed or retired from the Town, will have to go into the trust. Whatever is budgeted goes into the trust and then claims are paid out of that fund. There are thirty five people that will be entitled to health care in the future, but this benefit cuts off at age 65. Currently there are four people who retired that could have used this benefit, but no one has utilized it. This trust will be for the Town and the Board of Education.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Volunteer Fire Department – Budget
Chief Philip Crombie came before the Town Council to review his proposed budget. He stated that the proposed budget for the Volunteer Fire Department is $585,240 which is an increase of just under $21,000 over the current budget.
Chief Crombie answered various questions that were posed by the Town Council.
7. Executive Session
None
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April 20, 2009
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8. Adjournment
At 7:53 p.m. the Work Session was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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