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Town Council Special Meeting Minutes 10-20-09
TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR

Minutes Page 1  October 20, 2009



TOWN COUNCIL – Special 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 Work Session agenda, and then reconvened at 8:15 p.m.

4.      Roll Call

Members Present:        Mayor Cary Prague
        Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano (arrived at 8:57 p.m.)
        Councillor Edward Havens
        Councillor Kathryn Hale
        Councillor Lisa Maneeley
        Councillor Kevin McCann
        Councillor Paul Oates
        Councillor John Pelkey

Also Present:           Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
                                Duncan Forsyth, Town Attorney

After Roll Call was complete, Mayor Prague did an unveiling of a picture of Matthew Streeter who was a past Mayor.  His picture was placed on the wall with all other past Mayors of the Town of South Windsor.  Past Mayors who attended this ceremony were John Mitchell, Bill Aman, Richard Ryan, James Throwe, Edward havens, Marianne Lassman Fisher, Linc Streeter, Matthew Streeter, Howard Fitts, and Abraham Glassman).

5.      Public Input

        Ms. Janice Favreau of 25 Arthur Drive came before the Town Council to speak in favor of Agenda Item 17. H. regarding providing public notification regarding senior tax relief program.  

        Mr. Matthew Brown of 520 Deming Street explained to the Town Council that he is present to speak in favor of Item 17. B. which is the Towns purchase of the Nelson Property at 490 Deming Street.  Mr. Brown requested that he be able to continue to mow the field in between him house and the Nelson property.  He would do this at no charge to the Town.  Mr. Galligan, Town Manager requested that Mr. Brown come to his office to work out an agreement for his continuation of mowing that field.


ITEM:

6.      Environmental Health & Safety Message

        Councillor Hale stated that there have been a number of stories regarding the H1N1 flu and informed the public that the Town has completed the purchase of an emergency notification system.  There will be a procedure that will request residents to give a phone number where they can be reached in case a notification is sent out.  This system will be used for emergency situations as well as administrative uses such as snow closings, etc.

        Councillor McCann reminded the public that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as Domestic Awareness Month.

        Councillor Maneeley informed the public that October is also Fire Prevention Month and reminded the public to check the batteries in their smoke detectors.

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:  Work Session of September 21, 2009; and Regular Meeting of September 21, 2009.

Was made by Mayor Prague
Seconded by Councillor Hale
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 report the happenings of the Little Theatre of the Deaf event that took place on Sunday, October 3, 2009.  There was a good turn out and the event was very educational.  She then thanked everybody involved with the event.

Mr. Robert Moeller, 203 Sandston Drive and a member of the Patriotic Commission reported to the Council that he was successful in getting another bridge name.  On I-291 the bridge that goes over Main Street just before the South Windsor and East Windsor exit, there was a sign erected naming that bridge the South Windsor Patriotic Commission memorial Bridge.

ITEM:

9.      Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council (Continued)

Mr. Kent Carlson, Chair of the Patriotic Commission came before the Town Council and informed the Council and Public that the Veterans Day Parade will be held on November 8, 2009 and on November 11, 2009 there will be a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.

Mayor Prague also informed the Council and public that on October 30, 2009, the Secretary of the State, Susan Bysiewicz, will be honoring WWII Veterans at the Community Center beginning at 1:30 p.m.

10.     Communications and Reports from Town Manager

Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan presented each Council Member with a plaque thanking them for their service to the Town.

11.     Reports from Standing Committees
        
None

12.     Reports of Temporary Committees

None

13.     Communications and Petitions from Council

None

14.     Public Participation

Mr. John Bassilakis, 220 Laurel Street came before the Town Council.  Mr. Bassilakis stated that this is a dysfunctional group of people to be members of the Town Council and thought it was positive that a new election is coming up.

Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail stated that he has three subjects of concern which are that the Town needs to review the health care in this Town, the fund balance needs to be explained to Council members more thoroughly so they understand it, and he saw a letter from the Board of Education regarding the staffing in the school system.  There were two numbers on the letter which were added incorrectly.  Nobody takes time to proof read.

ITEM:

14.     Public Participation (Continued)

Ms. Joan Walsh, 14-5 Arthur Drive thanked members of the Town Council and stated that she appreciates all that the Council has done for the Town.

Mr. Larry Torff, 521 Quarry Brook Drive stated that he agrees that there are Councillors who do not understand how the fund balance works.  Economic times have driven the short fall of the budget this year, but the fund balance will increase.  The democratic proposed budget would have created a shortfall in the budget.

Mr. Tom Lines, 43 Wedgewood Lane stated that he is not in favor of Item 17. F. that is on the agenda tonight regarding Reinstating the Annual Road Resurfacing Program.  He then stated that there was a Letter to the Editor in the Journal which criticized the Republicans because they supported the athletic fields at the high school.  There was a safety concern on those fields and the new fields are excellent.  The Town Council should be given credit for helping get those fields done.

15.     Consent Agenda

None

16.     Unfinished Business

None

17.     New Business

A.      Resolution Authorizing the Sale or Disposal of Surplus Vehicles

BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby declares the following vehicle to be “surplus equipment” and authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sell, or otherwise dispose of, the following vehicle:

2001 Ford E-450/Startrans, 20 passenger, para-transit, bus, mileage 140,140.  Condition – fair.

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

17.     A.      (Continued)

Was made by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Seconded by Councillor Hale

Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Town just purchased a new bus and should be able to receive between $1,500 to $2,000 for the old vehicle.

Mayor Prague called for a vote on the resolution; it was approved, unanimously.

B.      Resolution Submitting the Proposed Purchase of 490 Deming Street (Nelson Property) to the Planning & Zoning Commission Pursuant to Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes

WHEREAS, the Open Space Task Force has recommended that the Town of South Windsor purchase 490 Deming Street (Nelson Property); and

WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has been asked to consider the purchase of 490 Deming Street (Nelson Property) for the sum of $850,000; and

WHERAS, any purchase of property for the Town must first be submitted to the South Windsor Planning & Zoning Commission for a report pursuant to Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, is directed to refer the proposed purchase of 490 Deming Street (Nelson Property) to the Planning & Zoning Commission pursuant to Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Was made by Councillor Maneeley
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey

Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan stated that it would be alright to leave the $850,000 in the resolution because it will then be known what the value of the property is and that would also be true for Item 17. C.

Mayor Prague called for a vote on the resolution; it was approved, unanimously.



ITEM:

17.     New Business (Continued)

C.      Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager and Town Attorney to Negotiate, Sign and Execute the Purchase Agreement for the Nelson Property

WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has been asked to consider the purchase of property located at 490 Deming Street for the sum of $850,000; and

WHEREAS, the Open Space Task Force has recommended the purchase of said property

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, and the Town Attorney, Duncan J. Forsyth, of Halloran & Sage LLP to negotiate, sign and execute an agreement for the purchase of 490 Deming Street (Nelson Property) for not more than $850,000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute any other necessary documents on behalf of the Town of South Windsor.

Was made by Councillor Havens
Seconded by Councillor McCann

After a brief discussion by the Town Council members, Councillor Oates stated that he agrees with concerns expressed by Councillor Hale and made an Amendment to the third paragraph to eliminate “the sum of” and put in “not more than”.  The resolution would read as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has been asked to consider the purchase of property located at 490 Deming Street for the sum of $850,000; and

WHEREAS, the Open Space Task Force has recommended the purchase of said property

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

17.     C.      (Continued)

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, and the Town Attorney, Duncan J. Forsyth, of Halloran & Sage LLP to negotiate, sign and execute an agreement for the purchase of 490 Deming Street (Nelson Property) for not more than $850,000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute any other necessary documents on behalf of the Town of South Windsor.

Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Amendment; it was approved, unanimously.

Mayor Prague then called for a vote on the Amended Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.

D.      Resolution approving the Transfer of $6,013.50 from the Contingency Account to the Town Manager’s Budget

BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a transfer of $6,013.50 from the Contingency Account to the Town Manager’s Professional Account to cover the purchase of three AED units, two units for the South Windsor Library, and one unit for Timothy Edwards Middle School.

Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey

Councillor McCann stated that these three AED units will complete the process of purchasing these units for all public buildings and are used to save the lives of our residents.  The units can be used for children as well as adults and Councillor McCann stated he feels this is money well spent.

Councillor Pelkey explained that this has been an ongoing process through the years and feels the Town Council should explore the options of having units in other areas of Town such as buses.

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

17.     D.      (Continued)

Councillor McCann stated he would like the opportunity to work with Councillor Pelkey on putting AED units in other areas of Town as suggested.  He also felt that sports complexes would be another good area to have AED units.

Mayor Prague called for a vote on this Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.

E.      Resolution Authorizing the Conveyance of Property to be Obtained from the State of Connecticut, adjacent to Ellington Road, to Connecticut Studios LLC or Its Designee

WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council has held a public hearing with regard to the conveyance of approximately 1.958 acres adjacent to Ellington Road to Connecticut Studios LLC or its designee for no consideration, which property is about to be conveyed to the Town of South Windsor by the State of Connecticut; and

WHEREAS, the South Windsor Planning & Zoning Commission has voted favorably upon a referral of this conveyance as required by Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes; and

WHEREAS, the conveyance of this property, along with others, to Connecticut Studios, LLC or its designee is in the best economic interests of the Town of South Windsor

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the conveyance of property to be obtained from the State of Connecticut, adjacent to Ellington Road and consisting of approximately 1.958 acres, to Connecticut Studios LLC or its designee for no consideration; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Manager is hereby authorized to execute any and all documentation necessary to consummate the conveyance of said property.

Was made by Councillor Oates
Seconded by Councillor McCann

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

17.     E.      (Continued)

Councillor Hale explained that this property is being conveyed for no consideration because the Town is legally incapable of making any profit on the sale of this property because the he State of Connecticut sold this property to the Town for $1.00 and the Town can’t sell it for a profit.  The property is under the high voltage electrical wires and is unbuildable which makes it not a valuable piece of property.  A referendum is not necessary because the value of the property is deemed to be $10,000 by the appraiser.  This strip of land will help move the Connecticut Studios project forward and will connect two other parcels for this project.  Councillor Hale ended by stating she is in support of this project.

Councillor McCann pointed out that when previous transfers were discussed, there was an amendment that was put in which stated the conveyance was subject to cancellation or re-conveyance to the Town of South Windsor or South Windsor Redevelopment Agency if the intended purpose is not realized.  This was put in just in case the Connecticut Studios project does not go forward.  Councillor McCann questioned if some type of wording should be placed in this resolution.  Mr. Galligan stated that there is a clause in the purchase and sale agreement which should take care of these concerns.

Councillor Hale stated she liked Councillor McCann’s suggestion a friendly Amendment to the resolution.  At the end of the NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLED, “subject to an appropriate reverter clause”.  This will make it clear that there will be a reverter clause in the contract documents.  Councillor Oates accepted the friendly amendment.

Councillor Pelkey announced that there will be a Signing Ceremony held on October 26, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Windsor Town Hall in the Council Chambers.  Mr. Galligan stated that Connecticut Studios wants to move this project forward and would like to move the transfer forward.

Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.

ITEM:

F.      Resolution Reinstating the Annual Road Resurfacing Program

WHEREAS, the Town has historically funded a Capital Road resurfacing Program in an effort to maintain the Town of South Windsor’s road infrastructure in good state of repair; and

WHEREAS, the annual evaluation of the Town’s Pavement Management Report recommends a funding level of $3.5 million per year to maintain the roads in their current condition; and

WHEREAS, the funding proposed in the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 Capital Budget for Road Resurfacing has been entirely eliminated; and

WHEREAS, it would be in the Town’s best interests to continue some level of a Road Resurfacing Program the year to prevent accelerating deterioration and increased repair costs in the future

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

  • That the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the use of $_______________ to reinstate the Road Resurfacing Program during Fiscal Year 2009/2010.
  • That the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the transfer of said amount of funds from accounts to be named to the Capital Improvement Budget road resurfacing and Drainage Account for said program.
  • That the priority list for paving projects shall be as set forth in the attached list Schedule A.
  • That, if the source of the funds transfer above is Bonded Road and Drainage Capital Improvement Funds, then the Schedule of Projects under the bonding referendum shall be amended to place the listed road resurfacing projects at the top of the list.
Was made by Councillor Hale
Seconded by Councillor Pelkey




ITEM:

17.     F.      (Continued)

Councillor Hale stated that this is a resolution that has been discussed previously.  Back in the spring when the Town Council was working on the budget, the Town Manager recommended the road resurfacing program be continued at an amount of $850,000 and that the Town Council use the bonding funds for this year because it has been a particularly bad year.  It had been confirmed that this was legal under the resolution for the referendum which includes the word “repair”.  This issue was discussed in July, but did not get much support.  It was then brought back for consideration in September and there was not a quorum in order to hold a meeting.  At the last meeting there was an agreement that everyone thought some of the roads needed work and agreement to a $500,000 amount, but the question was left on whether to take the funding out of bonding or find some other way to do this.  The Town Manager was directed to come up with a plan to find funding for this program.  The Town Manager has sent the Town Council a plan which includes taking other Capital funds.  The other place were money can be taken are accounts that have excess funds which totals $100,000.  The remaining $400,000 is in question.  Councillor Hale stated that she feels the remaining funds should be either taken out of bonding funds or could take $36,000 from a school cafeteria project that was left over, $42,000 from a school window project which was left over, and take $25,000 from the Plan of Conservation and Development expenses, and taking $300,000 from Recreation Commission funds collected from previous years and $100,000 that was supposed to be in this years budget for Recreation.  Councillor Hale stated that she feels the best solution is still to take $500,000 from the bonding fund to do road repairs because this was a tough economic year and it was a tight budget.  

Councillor Oates stated that the roads do need to be done, but because it has been a tough budget year he feels the Town should wait until January to look at the issue in order to identify fund sources.  Resurfacing is something that should be done on a yearly basis, but do not feel it is prudent to spend bonded money and if there are no funds this year, the Town should wait.  Using the bonded money also creates the problem of giving up other projects that the residents voted on.

ITEM:

17.     F.      (Continued)

Councillor Pelkey stated that there is a certain amount of planning that needs to take place in preparation to do these projects and if the Town Council approves this item, nothing will happen until the spring time.  If the Town Council waits until the spring to make any decisions, then it will be too late into the season to get things done.  Councillor Pelkey said he normally would never entertain the option of using the bonding money to do road maintenance projects, but it was a tight budget year and something needs to be done.  Councilor Pelkey made a suggestion of taking the $150,000 that is a rebate for the Town; the three projects of $25,000, $36,000, and $42,000, and then taking the rest out of the boned money to cover the resurfacing.

Councillor McCann said he would like to find funds within our existing budget to do some of the resurfacing and appreciated the Town Manager coming up with potential sources.  Councillor McCann stated that he would support the use of $36,000 and $42,000 being used for resurfacing, but feels it should be subject to the Capital Improvement Committee reviewing and recommending that those specific under budgeted items can be used.  Councillor McCann then stated he would not support the use of the $25,000 being taken from the funds for the Plan of Conservation Development because the Town would have to make up those funds in future budgets and he also does not support using the $168,000 rebate from the State.

Deputy Mayor Bazzano questioned if fund for the School Cafeteria project and School windows came out of Capital Projects?  Mr. Galligan responded that funds to complete those projects do come out of Capital Projects.  The Capital Projects Committees meets on a regular basis and under your policy once the town Council sets the budget, the Board of Education do their own projects and then if there is any under expenditure, sometimes the Board will come back to the Town Council to ask for that money to be used for other projects, but do not know if the Board would like to use the funds for another project.  Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated that was a concern of his that the Board would like to use those funds.  Deputy Mayor Bazzano then stated that if the Town has time to replenish funds for the Plan of Conservation Development he would not have a problem using the $25,000 and he would also agree to the use of rebate funds.

ITEM:

17.     F.      (Continued)

Public

Mr. John Bassilakis, 220 Laurel Street came before the Town Council to explain that he did his own survey from eighteen households.  The questions were as follows:  How satisfied are you with the current condition of residential streets in South Windsor; How satisfied are you with condition of Laurel Street; How satisfied would you be if the Town Council used bonded money to resurface Laurel Street; and How satisfied would you be to delay resurfacing until next year.  Mr. Bassilakis stated he would like the Town Council to review the survey, but does not want these results to enhance or detract from whatever plans might be in place to work on Laurel Street.  These results do represent the opinions of eighteen individuals.

Mr. Larry Torff, 521 Quarry Brook Drive came forward and stated that the democratic budget that had been proposed also had zero dollars in it for road repair.  There was a unanimous consensus not to include $850,000 for road repairs in the current budget.  The referendum that was passed was for larger scale projects, not basic repaving, thus Mr. Torff urged the Town Council not to pay for paving from the referendum budget.  Minimum amount of paving should be done this year and suggested that the Town apply for its LoCIP allotment from the State and use it on the most urgent projects.  

Councillor Havens recommended that the Council use bonding money for the resurfacing of the road this year because felt if something is not done this year, next year’s budget will be more difficult.

Councillor McCann stated that the Town has maintained roads this year.  On Graham Road, Clark Street and Long Hill Road the Town has resurfaced.  Replaced storm water drains on Griffin Road.  Work is being done through the Capital Project funds on Deming Street and Avery Street and also using stimulus money to resurface Buckland Road.  Some of the most urgent needed repaving project to the extent that the Town can.  Councillor McCann suggested that subject to a favorable report back from the Capital Improvements Committee that we appropriate $100,000 from Capital Projects taking into consider the $78,000 that the Town Manager has identified in projects that have already been closed out and taking a harder look at other projects that have been approved by the Council and the Capital Improvements Committee to see if we can project some savings from other accounts and utilize the funds for the most urgently needed road.  Therefore Councillor McCann offered the following Amendment to the Resolution:

ITEM:

17.     F.      (Continued)

Therefore Councillor McCann offered the following Amendment to the Resolution:

  • That the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the use of $100,000 to reinstate the Road Resurfacing Program during Fiscal Year 2009/2010.
2.      That the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorized the transfer of said amount of funds from the Capital Improvements Account subject to a favorable report and identification of accounts by the Capital Improvements Committee.
                
Eliminate paragraph three and four.

Councillor Havens stated that $100,000 is not enough and feels this item should be saved until next year.

Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the Amendment.

After a discussion was held regarding this Amendment, Councillor McCann withdrew the Amendment and Deputy Mayor Bazzano withdrew his second.

Councillor Hale stated that she would fill the items that were left blank as follows:

  • That the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the use of $500,000 to reinstate the Road Resurfacing Program during Fiscal Year 2009/2010.
  • That the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the transfer of said amount of funds from the Capital Improvements Account and the Bonded Road Fund to the Capital Improvement Budget Road resurfacing and drainage Account for said program.
ITEM:

17.     F.      (Continued)

Councillor Hale explained that the Town would come up with the funds from allocating the $168,000 expected recovery from the Felt Road Bridge project; the $42,000 from the left over funds from the school window project; and the $36,000 from the left over funds from the school cafeteria project.  This would total $246,000 plus $254,000 from the bonding money.  Seconded by Councillor Pelkey.  The Resolution failed on a 3 to 5 Roll Call vote with Councillor Hale, Councillor Pelkey and Councillor Havens voting in favor of the Resolution; and Mayor Prague, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Maneeley, Councillor Oates and Councillor McCann all voting in opposition to this Resolution.

17.     G.      Resolution Authorizing Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to Enter
                into an Agreement between the Town’s of Windsor Locks and East
                Granby for the Disposal of Hazardous Waste

WHEREAS, on October 11, 2008 the Town of South Windsor participated in the annual MDC hazardous waste collection program and 358 town residences took advantage of the program by dropping off various hazardous waste items for their proper disposal; and

WHEREAS, the October 10, 2009 hazardous waste day was cancelled due to a budget cut and as a result eliminated the only locally convenient and legal method to dispose of hazardous waste; and

WHEREAS, a number of citizens who intended to use this program again this year have voiced their concern and have asked for reconsideration by the Town Council to fund this program or to provide an alternate method to properly dispose of their hazardous waste items; and

WHEREAS, the Town’s of Windsor Locks and East Granby have joined together to share the cost of providing a hazardous waste collection day on October 31, 2009 on a proportional cost basis with a 71% and 29% split for set up cost and a prorated cost for disposal that is based on residential participation level from their respective towns.  The drop off point will be the Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road in Windsor Locks; and

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

17.     G.      (Continued)

WHEREAS, this Town Council wishes to continue to encourage town residents to be good stewards of the environment and to provide a legal and safe means for our citizens to safely and properly dispose of their hazardous waste items; and

WHEREAS, the First Selectman of Windsor Locks, Steven Wawruck, and the First Selectman of East Granby, James Hayden have indicated their willingness to allow South Windsor to join their collection event at the Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road in Windsor Locks

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, to negotiate and enter into the proportional agreement between the Town’s of Windsor Locks and East Granby at a 35.5% participation rate and the proportional cost for the disposal fees based on South Windsor citizen participation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that funding for this event shall be paid for by transferring funds from the Town Council Contingency Fund to the Town Manager’s Professional Account.

Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor Hale

Councillor Pelkey explained that we have gotten response from citizens in town regarding this matter and the understanding when you visit the MDC website was that if a town cancelled, they could not participate in another town’s site, but what I found out was that that rule really applied to only town’s that were full participators.  South Windsor has both Connecticut Water and MDC water so we are partial participators; therefore we are allowed by the rules to participate in a shared service.  Councillor Pelkey stated that he is requesting the Town Manager enter into negotiations with them with an upward fee of 35.5% participation rate which in dollars amounts would be $3,727.50.  This would allow our residents to drop their hazardous waste off at 6 Stanton Road in Windsor Locks and then there would be an additional fee depending on usage for the disposal.  In 2008 the town of South Windsor used $22,000 for hazardous waste disposal.  The town had

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

17.     G.      (Continued)

358 residents that participated and the participation was $11,500 and the disposal cost was $10,500 which brought us to the $22,000 figure.  Because this is a distance to travel it is assumed that the participation rate would go down, therefore the disposal cost would go down.  This would give our residents the opportunity to get rid of their hazardous waste in a proper manner.  The Town of South Windsor should use this program this year and for next year it should be investigated to double up with another Town.

Council member discussed avenues to take to advertise the hazardous waste collection in Windsor Locks because it would take place eleven days from now.  

Mr. Galligan stated he would negotiate the price using internal information.

Councillor Pelkey appealed to the citizens of South Windsor to volunteer to work the site.

Mayor Prague called for a vote on this Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.

H.      Resolution Concerning Senior Citizen Tax Relief Program Outreach and Program Review  

WHEREAS, in 2007 the South Windsor Town Council increased the factor for Senior Tax Relief under CGS, Section 12-129 local option tax relief for Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens; and

WHEREAS, due to adverse economic conditions, many people have experienced a drop in their incomes, and may therefore qualify for tax relief in the upcoming year; and

WHEREAS, some people who qualify may not be aware of the availability of this program; and

WHEREAS, the 2007 resolution required annual review by the Town Council of the tax relief factors


(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:

17.     H.      (Continued)

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

  • That the Town shall produce and air a public service announcement on
Cable Channel 16, (which can be done at no cost).

  • That the Human Services Department shall advise the Town Council on any additional outreach efforts which may be undertaken and any cost associated therewith.
  • That the Assessor will notify the Town Council as soon as the State of Connecticut issues the qualifying income amounts for the upcoming year.
  • The Town Council will schedule its mandatory annual reviews to set the local relief factor and local qualifying amounts during the next regular Town Council meeting following the issuance of the State’s qualifying amount.
Was made by Councillor Hale
Seconded by Councillor Maneeley

Councillor Hale explained that for this current year the qualifying amounts for this local option tax relief were $37,300 for a married couple and $30,500 for a single person.  Every year usually in October the State of Connecticut issues the numbers for the next year.  The Assessor indicated that he suspects the numbers for next year will be the same from this year.  The Town Council should not overlook the requirement to review the factors and should do it fairly quickly because the period for applying is February 15th to May 15th.  Councillor Hale stated that there is a senior newsletter that goes out to senior citizens, but there are approximately 400 more senior citizens that do not get the newsletter, so more outreach to the citizens should be done.  

Mayor Prague called for a vote on this Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.

ITEM:

22.     Adjournment

At 10:55 p.m. Councillor Hale made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Councillor Maneeley seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,



                                                
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council