TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, February 1, 2010
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 6:30 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Tom Delnicki (arrived 6:59 p.m.)
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kathryn Hale (arrived 6:36 p.m.)
Councillor Kevin McCann (arrived 6:34 p.m.)
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff (arrived 6:40 p.m.)
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Items for Discussion
A) Discussion Regarding past Budgets (requested by the Town Manager)
Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan began discussions by stating that he does have concerns regarding the next couple of years because the way the economy is and the State looking at a three billion dollars shortfall in revenues. If federal money does not become available for the education funding, the Town of South Windsor could be looking at big holes in the budget as far as the revenue side goes. Mr. Galligan explained that he had attended a workshop through ICMA in Mystic, CT. The workshop demonstrated a twelve step program which is meant to improve services while cutting spending. This will help to determine what the price of government is and what the Council and Community is willing to pay for the services that are provided. Mr. Galligan reviewed the Town of South Windsor’s revenue
shortfalls and stated that the Town Council will have to decide where the budget will need to be decreased.
Work Session – Town Council
February 1, 2010
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ITEM
6. A. (Continued)
Mayor Pelkey stated that it will be necessary for the Town Council to change how things are done. Mr. Galligan added that this is the time to contribute to the budget and is not the time for politics.
B) Film Production Ordinance
Mr. Walter Summers, Fire Marshal came before the Town Council. Mr. Summers stated he is present to discuss the Film Production Ordinance and that a permit fee will need to be established for the Film Production Ordinance by the Town Council.
Council members discussed the ordinance and reviewed various changes they would like to see within the ordinance. Mr. Summers requested that Council members email the suggested changes that were discussed, the changes would be implemented in the draft ordinance, and a public hearing could be held on this item.
C) Ordinance for Land Use Fees
a) Building Department
There was discussion regarding the building permit fee of $60.00 plus any State of Connecticut fees per thousand, or fraction thereof for the first two thousand of the cost of the construction. For every thousand or fraction thereof over two thousand, the fee shall be $17.00 plus any State of Connecticut fees. Council members felt that this fee was too large.
Mayor Pelkey recessed the Work Session to call the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
The Work Session reconvened at 8:11 p.m.
After further discussion regarding the building permit fee, it was decided to change the amount to $35.00 for the first two thousand.
b) Planning Department
Marcia Banach, Director of Planning came before the Town Council and explained that the Planning & Zoning Commission has not adjusted their fees for ten years. Presently the fee charged does not cover the legal notice fee.
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February 1, 2010
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ITEM
6. C. (Continued)
c) Fire Marshal
Mr. Walter Summers explained to the Town Council that he had added definitions for canopy and tent under Special Events. Town Council members reviewed this ordinance and made suggestions for changes to the ordinance. Mr. Summers reviewed the change which is to add the exemption for tents and canopies, fees are all set.
d) Health Department
Robert DeVito, Environmental Health Officer reviewed the proposed ordinance with Council members. After a lengthy discussion, Council members felt that this item should be discussed further at another meeting with the Town Attorney in attendance and a public hearing could be held at a later date.
e) Engineering Department
Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer came before the Town Council. He explained that Engineering and Public Works has had a street excavation fee for many years. Last time this permit fee and permit were significantly modified was 1994. Proposal is to raise the fee for this permit from $25.00 to $50.00. Presently utility companies are exempt from this fee and it is the wish of the Town to begin charging this fee to utility companies. The other change would be to increase the penalty to $99.00.
Mr. Summers came to explain the proposed amendment to this ordinance. The language will be changed in the fee structure. Presently the ordinance reads $10.00 for the Connecticut mandated fees and the Town is proposing to change the language to include any fee surcharge statutorily assessed by the State of Connecticut.
D) Discussion Regarding Moderate Priced Housing
Ms. Marcia Banach, Director of Planning came before the Town Council. She explained that the Moderate Priced Housing Program has existed in South Windsor for approximately 20 years. It began when the housing prices were out of reach for most individuals. Ms. Banach explained how the program was set up and the changes that have occurred over the years. It is now felt that the program can be eliminated.
Work Session – Town Council
February 1, 2010
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ITEM
6. D. (Continued)
Ms. Irene Murray, Human Services Department stated that it has been increasing difficult in finding qualified buyers who meet both the income and asset limits. It is also difficult for the individual purchasing the property to find a mortgage company to work with them. If an individual has benefitted from the program going in, they have had a difficult time when selling the because of the fair market value. It seems like this is a program that is no longer working for the purpose that it was originally intended.
Answering questions from the Council, Ms. Banach explained that if the program is eliminated individuals who are presently in the Moderate Priced Housing program could sell there unit for whatever the market will allow.
Mr. Galligan stated that if an individual has the opportunity to buy a unit that is not part of the program they would do that because then there would be no deed restrictions and aggravation. The program is no longer working like it did in the 1980’s.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 9:21 p.m. Councillor Hale made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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