TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 September 21, 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., recessed in order to finish the Executive Session, and then reconvened at 8:15 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
5. Public Input
Mr. Anthony Vieira, 68 Kelly Road came before the Council to
Ms. Nancy Matthews, 154 Kelly Road came forward to give the Town Council a petition from the residents of Kelly Road.
Mr. John Perelli, 186 Kelly Road came before the Town Council. He explained that he does not feel tractor trailers should be using this road. This road does not need sidewalks as being proposed by the Town. There has not been any input from resident who live on Kelly Road. Kelly Road residents only want to have the road itself replaced and put speed bumps in so people can not go fast on the road.
Mr. Tom Rossley, 200 Kelly Road felt that this is an issue for Kelly Road residents and those are the people that should be making the decision for this area.
ITEM:
5. Public Input (Continued)
Ms. Nancy Yario, 20 Andreis Trail came before the Council and explained that her house abuts the Bark Park. The Bark Park was constructed without any notification or discussion with the neighborhood and has been a nuisance issue since it was built. Ms. Yario recently learned that there is no money in the budget for bushes or a fence to lessen the noise from the road and dogs. This project was promoted as a volunteer project, yet paid Police Officers were assigned to clear the land, and later to watch convicts who were working in the Bark Park. Ms. Yario stated she not only has an issue with the location of the Bark Park, but also with the manner it was built and how it is maintained. The Bark Park is an excellent idea, but has been placed in the wrong location. There are no speed limit
signs posted and the parking is dangerous. Both these items create safety concerns for individuals and the dogs. Throughout the day, there is noisy nuisance barking and dogs get loose and run throughout the neighborhood. Ms. Yario requested that a more suitable location be found for the Bark Park and pointed out that in the guidelines for creating a dog park, the first item says it should not be in a neighborhood.
Mr. George Hill of Andreis Trail came forward to discuss the Bark Park. He stated that after reviewing all the minutes from the past two years, he has not found any information in regards to the Town Council approving funds for the Bark Park. This town project was never approved by Town Council. A Town employee raised money for the project, approved where the project would be located, approved expansion of the parking lot, and approved the current situation where the cars are parked. It is just a matter of time before someone gets hurt and then everyone will get sued. Mr. Hill stated he likes the concept of the Bark Park, but it should be placed in a better location. Mr. Hill also had a concern regarding the safety of children walking long distances to the bus stops during busy traffic
times and in inclement weather which will be coming soon.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Councillor Hale stated that because of concerns with the H1N1 flu, she would like to have an informational session at the first meeting in October to discuss the phone system the Town has purchased that will inform the residents of emergencies.
Councillor Maneeley informed Council members and the public that the schools have sanitary dispensers.
ITEM:
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings: Special Work Session of July 20, 2009 (with a friendly amendment); Work Session of July 20, 2009; Regular Meeting of July 20, 2009; and Special Meetings of August 10, 2009, August 31, 2009, September 9, 2009, and September 15, 2009.
Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
The motion was approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and boards Directly Responsible to Council
Ms. Janice Favreau, Chair of the Human Relations Commission came before the Council to inform the Council and public of a program that The Little Theatre of the Deaf will be presenting which is called Tree Wise. It is a play about a boy, a talking tree and sign language. The program will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Timothy Edwards Middle School. The program is being sponsored by the South Windsor Human Relations Commission.
Ms. Mary Etter, Director of the South Windsor Library stated that the Human Relations Commission and the South Windsor Library will collaborate with this program by also sponsoring an array of programs for children and adults on matters of better understanding of the hearing impaired.
Councillor Pelkey added there are only 600 tickets available and the play is not for individuals that are deaf, it is a program to teach others about being deaf.
Councillor Hale made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to go to Item 17. A. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
17. New Business
A. Resolution Supporting the Continuation of the Design of Roadway Improvements for Kelly Road
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor was awarded Federal and State funding under the Surface Transportation Program (STP-Urban) for roadway improvements along Kelly Road (from Avery Street to the Vernon Town Line); and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council seeks to accomplish said roadway improvement project with the best geometrical alignment, keeping impacts to the affected abutting property owners to a minimum; and
WHEREAS, a public meeting was held on August 5, 2009 to receive input from property-owners and the public concerning the preliminiary design of roadway improvements
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby reaffirms the need for said project and supports continuation of the design of the roadway improvements along Kelly Road.
Was made by Councillor Maneeley
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Commander Reed came forward to provide information to the Council and public regarding limiting truck traffic on roads. The Town can pass an ordinance limiting truck traffic on Town roads as long as the road is not a throughway connecting to another Town. What can be done to roads connecting to other towns is to place a sign up which limits trucks by weight, but it can not be simply stated that no through trucks are allowed.
Answering questions from the Council, Commander Reed explained that according to the engineering study that was done, the report says the percentage of trucks using Kelly Road is less than 1% of total traffic.
Councillor Pelkey stated that when the Town was dealing with limiting truck traffic on Deming Street, there was an opinion rendered to the Town Council by the Town Attorney. That information should be reviewed.
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
The Town Council requested Commander Reed for the following information at the next meeting when this subject come before the Council:
- Provide more information regarding limiting trucks by weight on certain roads.
- Investigate which way trucks are coming from to come onto Kelly Road.
- Review if the Town can restrict right hand turns or left hand turns on certain roads.
- Would like a variety of options provided to the Town Council of what else can be done if limiting truck traffic on a certain road can not be done.
Mayor Prague suggested erecting signs that say, “Trucks are requested to not use this road”.
Mr. Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer came before the Town Council. He explained that this project was before the Town Council in 2004. At that time a resolution was approved authorizing the Town Manager to sign a project application to CRCOG for funding for Kelly Road. The application was then submitted and approved for funding by CRCOG. Then the project was submitted to DOT also in 2004 and in May of 2008 the Town received approval. The construction for this project is 100% funded with State and Federal funds. The Town will pay for the design, which will be done in-house, and 10% of the right of way cause. Construction will begin in the Summer of 2011. The sidewalks are proposed to be 4’ wide with a strip of grass between the sidewalk and road being 26’ wide.
Town standards are to put the sidewalk as far from the road as possible. Speed bumps would be installed at a later time.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Doolittle stated that it would take time for Town staff to stake out the sidewalks, right of way, and limits of grading because there are approximately 50 households that will be affected by this improvement. When this issue come before the Town Council again, after all the work has been complete, Mr. Doolittle requested that a public hearing be set in order for the residents to come before the Town Council and discuss this issue.
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
Councillor Pelkey explained that when trying to get a grant, the Town has to yield to certain requirements. This project began in 2004 and has taken this long to get approvals necessary to begin. The landscaped islands that are being proposed on either side of Kelly Road will make it more difficult for trucks to turn onto the road.
Councillor Havens stated that proposed improvements are reviewed for long term use and would like to move this project forward to accommodate residents.
After more discussions were held between Council Members, Town staff, and residents, Councillor Hale made a motion to table this item. Mayor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Mayor Prague made a motion to Suspend the Rules to go to Item 15, Consent Agenda. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion. The motion failed 6 to 3 on a Roll Call vote with Mayor Prague, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Maneeley, Councillor McCann, Councillor Havens and Councillor Oates all voting in favor of the motion; and Councillor Pelkey, Councillor Yagaloff, and Councillor Hale all voting against the motion.
Councillor Hale made a motion to Suspend the Rules to go to Item 17. J. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
17. J. Discussion Item: Private Drainage (requested by Mayor Prague)
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding private drainage issues. It was decided that a written report would be given to Town Council members from Town staff regarding private drainage issues if a resolution between Town staff and resident can not be reached.
Ms. Jen Brook of 171 Hilton Drive came forward and explained the drainage issue that is happening in her yard. Town Manager, Matthew Galligan explained that Mr. Michael Gantick, the Director of Public Works is reviewing this issue and will give the homeowner a report concerning this issue.
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to Suspend the Rules to go to Item 16.A. Councillor Yagaloff seconded the motion. The motion failed 4 to 5 on a Roll Call vote with Councillor Havens, Councillor Pelkey, Councillor Yagaloff, and Councillor Hale all voting in favor of the motion. Mayor Prague, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Maneeley, Councillor McCann, and Councillor Oates all voting against the motion.
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Councillor Yagaloff stated that there is information missing regarding the Sewer Fund Balance. The Town Manager provided the Town Council with a report on the operating fund sewr balance, but there has never been a report regarding the Sewer Capital Project Account balance. Mr. Galligan stated that he would have the Finance Director break out the capital expenditures of that fund, break out the operating, and then tie it into the overall fund balance at the end.
22. Adjournment
At 11:03 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Mayor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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