TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 March 22, 2010
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 8:14 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Edward Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Tom Delnicki
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Input
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came before the Town Council and stated that he believes the Town Council should make ground rules for public hearings. The public should be allowed to ask questions and get answers during the public hearings. Also Mr. Gonsalves felt the Town Manager should talk to the Auditors to let them know that a bracket in finance is unfavorable.
Mr. Larry Torff, 521 Quarry Brook Drive requested that the Town Council switch the public hearing scheduled on April 5, 2010 for the General Government budget with the Board of Education public hearing scheduled on April 15, 2010. This would give the public more time to get information.
4. Special Business
- Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the Proposed General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2010/2011
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, April 5, 2010, 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 proposed General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2010/2011.
Was made by Deputy Mayor Havens
Seconded by Mayor Pelkey
Councillor Delnicki made a motion to Amend the date to Monday, April 26, 2010. Councillor McCann seconded the motion.
Councillor Delnicki explained that he does not see the benefit of having a public hearing two weeks into the budget process.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the Amended Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
Councillor McCann made a motion amend the resolution to hold a public hearing on April 19, 2010 for the Water Pollution Control Authority budget. Councillor Delnicki seconded the motion.
Councillor Yagaloff agreed with Councillor McCann that the budget needs to be looked at closely. The Water Pollution Control Authority recommends a rate in June and then they hold their own public hearing. Councillor Yagaloff stated that he does not see much value in the Town Council holding a public hearing until after a detailed discussion regarding the WPCA budget is held and understood.
Mr. Galligan explained that the General Government budget includes Water Pollution Control budget and people can comment on that during the public hearing for the General Government.
Councillor McCann stated that the budget book that we received includes 4.477 million dollars in user fees. That is a significant part of the operational costs of the town and needs to be addressed now, especially since we have shifted the idea of how to pay for various portions of the operations of our
ITEM:
4. A. (continued)
sewers. A public hearing would allow residents to come forward and tell the Town Council how they are affected by this policy change.
Councillor Yagaloff responded by stating that the policy change did not include any shift in who pays for the operation and maintenance of the sewers.
Councillor Hale stated that she agrees with holding a public hearing for the Water Pollution Control budget, but feels it should be held in June.
Mr. Galligan felt that the Town Council should review the ordinance for Water Pollution Control Authority and come up with language to define what Water Pollution Controls jurisdiction is and what the Town Council’s jurisdiction is. If this step is done, the budget will flow. Mayor Pelkey added that the ordinance would give the Water Pollution Control Authority the guidance they need.
Councillor McCann felt that it is imperative to hold the public hearing for the Water Pollution Control Authority budget before the General Government budget is set. Mayor Pelkey questioned if April 26, 2010 would be acceptable to hold the Water Pollution Control Authority budget at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers? Councillor McCann accepted the amendment as friendly.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the Amendment to the resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
Mayor Pelkey then called for a vote on the Amended Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
The resolution would read as follow:
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, April 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. and 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 two Public Hearings to receive citizen input on the proposed Water Pollution Control Authority Budget and proposed General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2010/2011.
ITEM:
4. Special Business (continued)
Mr. Joseph Etter, 36 Austin Circle came before the Town Council to make a few comments. Mr. Etter began by stating that he believes the Town residents have given the Town Council input on the matter of spending money on pumping stations. The issue was brought to referendum and was defeated. The other issue of concern is holding meetings downstairs out of sight. Mr. Etter said that he remembers in the past when a different party was in the majority, the minority party made comments about holding meetings out of sight and saying how it was a horrible thing. Mr. Etter suggested that the Town Council try to make the Council Chambers better for individuals that have hearing problems and also stated that the Town has other facilities
that can accommodate individuals that may have a hard time of hearing.
Mayor Pelkey stated that where the meeting on March 24, 2010 is being held will be reviewed and is intended to be televised.
- Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2010/2011
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Thursday, April 15, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., Timothy Edwards Middle School, Room Alt. #6, 100 Arnold Way, South Windsor, Connecticut as the time and place for a Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the proposed Board of Education budget for Fiscal Year 2010/2011.
Was made by Councillor Delnicki
Seconded by Mayor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously
- Resolution Appointing Blum, Shapiro & Company, P. C. as Town Auditor
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints the firm of Blum, Shapiro & Company, P. C., of West Hartford, Connecticut, to audit the books and accounts of the Town of South Windsor, as provided in the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
4. C. (continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fee for said auditing services by Blum, Shapiro & Company, P. C. will be $49,000 for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2010; and $50,500 for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2011, and for a term expiring December 30, 2011.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Hale
The motion was approved, unanimously
5. Executive Session
None
6. Adjournment
At 9:07 p.m. Councillor Delnicki made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councillor Hale seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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