PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
April 19, 2010
7:00 p.m.
South Windsor Council Chambers
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on the Participation in a Small Cities
Community Block Grant for the Expansion of the Community Center
For Senior Citizen Programming
Mayor Pelkey called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.; and requested that the Clerk of the Council read the call of the meeting (a copy of which is attached hereto). There were approximately seventy (70) people present in the audience.
Mr. Galligan came before the Council. He explained that this participation is to get input from the residents before the Town completes an application. There will also be a public hearing set for two weeks prior to the Town completing an application. The grant is for a total of $750,000.00 and it is hopeful that the Town will be able to apply a second time for another $750,000. The Town will search for other grant opportunities. As part of the guidelines for receiving this grant, the expansion can only be used for senior programming and is required to have a separate entrance. There are also other administrative items that will need to be completed.
Mayor Pelkey asked if there was anyone from the public that would like to speak.
Ms. Carol Flagg of 140 McGrath Road came before the Town Council on behalf of the Senior Advisory Committee to speak in support of the addition. Presently rooms are not large enough for seniors needs and the larger rooms that are at the Community Center are shared with the Recreation Department. The senior population is growing each year.
Ms. Barbara Reichle of 247 Abbe Road stated that she is at the Senior Center five days per week and it is a wonderful place for seniors to go, but there is not enough room for everyone.
Ms. Jeanne Spencer of 150 McGrath Road thanked the Town Council for their support and requested that the support continue.
Ms. Carol Hatch, 101 Wyndemere Court explained that she just recently moved to be closer to the Senior Center because she spends a lot of time there. The Senior Center is a blessing for seniors who do not have their families around. There is a space needs problem.
Mr. John Bassilakis of 220 Laurel Street came before the Council to speak in opposition of the Block Grant for the expansion of the Senior Center. Mr. Bassilakis feels this is a great opportunity to provide better facilities and enhanced activities for all seniors, however these are unprecedented times and is not the proper time to bond $1.8 million dollars when there is vacant space in Town that could be used for space.
Mr. Richard Toce, 31 Riverview Drive came to speak in favor of the expansion of the Senior Center.
Ms. Louise Shaheen, 208 Garden Circle came to speak in favor of the Senior Center expansion and explained that she moved to South Windsor because of the availability of senior housing. The cost to renovate any other building in Town would be a lot more than what is being sought out for this expansion.
Town Council – Public Hearing for Community Block Grant/Expansion of the Senior Center
Page 2
April 19, 2010
Mr. Dave McCluskey who has been a resident of South Windsor for 30 years stated that South Windsor has the best Senior Center in the State, but it is too crowded.
Ms. Laurette Billig, 585 Griffin Road, moved into Town in 1963 and has seen a lot of changes in Town. Ms. Billig stated that she does the folk dancing with approximately 16 people that attend. When the folk dancing class is in progress, it is hard to hear the music because there are so many other people around doing other activities during this class. Space is necessary to hold programs.
Following comments from the audience, Mayor Pelkey asked for a Straw Vote, the results of which were as follows:
Those who support moving forward with the expansion of the Senior Center: - 50
Those in opposition of moving forward with the expansion of the Senior Center: - 1
The public hearing was closed at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________
Deborah W. Reid, Clerk of the Council
Public Hearing Notice – Exhibit A
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