TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 May 3, 2010
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and immediately recessed the Regular Meeting. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:03 p.m. and was recessed at 8:17 p.m. to finish the Work Session. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Ms. Mary Tully, 1010 Strong Road, Chairperson of the South Windsor St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee came forward to present the Fire Department and Police Department with two trophies that they won during the parade. She thanked both Departments sincerely for coming and supporting them year after year. She also thanked the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee that puts on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hartford every year.
Mayor Pelkey presented the Walk & Wheel Ways Committee with a Proclamation recognizing the month of May 2010 as South Windsor Bike Month. The Walk & Wheel Ways Committee informed the public of a family bike ride that will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. It is going to start at the Wood Memorial Library.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Ms. Mary Etter invited the public to attend a program that the Library is co-sponsoring with the South Windsor Human Relations Commission. It will be held May 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. Chairman Dr. M. Saud Anwar will be talking about his mission to Haiti and the challenges and opportunities.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Mayor Pelkey discussed an article in the paper last week regarding the recycling of plastics. The CRRA now accepts all plastics number 1 through 7 with the exception of black plastic. This will save the Town money because it is cheaper to dispose of recycled items than it is to dispose of waste items.
He also mentioned that the Earth Day Celebration was a success. One of the great aspects of the day was the recycling of electronic items. With one day notice of signage and a small article in the paper and for the cost of $600, three truck loads were disposed of. A number of used cell phones were also collected. Cell phones can be donated to the Police Department, they can then program them to call only 911. He thanked the various organizations that participated in the Celebration.
Councillor Hale thanked Scott Roberts for hammering the hard drives of the computers that were disposed of to protect the residents from identity theft.
At 8:17 p.m. Mayor Pelkey recessed the Regular Meeting to Reconvene and finish the Work Session. At 8:30 p.m. Mayor Pelkey reconvened the Regular Meeting.
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings: Special Budget Work Session of April 5, 2010; Regular Meeting of April 5, 2010; and Public Hearing of April 19, 2010.
Was made by Councillor Favreau
Seconded by Councillor Hale
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Town Manager Galligan informed the Council that he will be in the office May 5 through May 7, he had to cancel his plans to attend the NCIS Conference in Arkansas due to a family emergency.
Town Manager Galligan presented information on Health Savings Accounts. A copy of the presentation is attached as Exhibit C. He informed the Council that when this subject was presented to the Board of Education, it showed various savings between putting in different deductible amounts. At the time, those rates were looked at about a 20% increase in health care costs due to claims. Since then, that has dropped to 12%. He thinks the Board of Education Budget has been dropped by about $600,000. The proverbially question is that now the savings will not be as high. After talking to Ovation Benefits, there is a certain percentage of savings when going to a HSA. Although their was a claim reduction, the percentage savings does not change.
Mayor Pelkey stated that the Clerk of the Council sent an invitation to the Board of Education inviting teachers to this presentation. He also stated that the Town will provide DVDs of this for those that are not able to view the Channel 16 broadcast.
Mayor Pelkey pointed out that the rules are similar to an IRA. Also, with having an HSA, people will not be able to file a 1040-EZ, but most teachers would be filing the 1040 form anyways for their deduction for the materials they purchase for the classroom.
Councillor McCann also commented that this is essentially like having an IRA, but without the limitation on income. He pointed out various benefits, one being how it reduces your adjusted gross income. In addition, unlike with an IRA, upon your death your spouse receives the balance tax-free. Also, upon the age of 65 no more money can be put into the HSA, but you then qualify for Medicare. The money that is left in the HSA essentially becomes a retirement fund because it can be withdrawn but you will have to pay taxes on it. He appreciates the Town
ITEM:
10. (Continued)
Manager coming forward with this presentation and he recommends that if people have concerns or questions to follow up to understand the true benefits.
Councillor Prague stated that he spoke with Lisa Maneely, the Board of Education Chairperson and she had told him that she was planning on attending but they did not know what time it would be held. Councillor Prague said that Chairperson
Maneeley had asked him to remind everyone that there are other bargaining units involved, not just the teachers.
Councillor Prague also added that health care has changed over the years. It used to be that people paid for their regular doctor visits and insurance kicked in when there was a major medical problem. Now it has become a payment plan. He explained that Health Savings Accounts make this easier. He thinks that this has become the best of both worlds and people need to understand what it is and not be afraid of it. It reduces the cost for both the employer and employee.
Councillor Bazzano asked the Town Manager what happens with the contribution that is made right now. The Town Manager confirmed that the percent of the premium is still the same that the employee has to contribute, but it is less because the premiums are less.
Mayor Pelkey commented that the purpose of going through the budgets is to understand where money is being spent and where possibilities of savings take place. In a two week time frame, the original written budget had a 20% increase in medical costs and it has now been reduced by 8%. After working through the budget, they will eventually come to the final number that everyone can live with.
21. Executive Session
Mayor Pelkey made a motion at 9:14 p.m. to go into Executive Session with CT Studios for the purpose of discussing confidential financial information; Deputy Mayor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
ITEM:
21. B. (Continued)
Individuals who went into Executive Session were as follows: Town Manager Galligan, Craig Stevenson who is the Economic Development Consultant, Dan Marsh with the National Development Council, Representatives from CT Studios, Mayor Pelkey, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councillor Bazzano, Councillor Delnicki, Councillor Favreau, Councillor Hale, Councillor McCann, Councillor Prague, and Councillor Yagaloff.
Councillor McCann made a motion at 10:40 p.m. to adjourn the Executive Session; Councillor Hale seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
11. Reports from Standing Committees
None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Prague reminded the public that they are invited to attend Representative Bill Aman’s Community Forum: “Unsafe Children’s Products, Myth vs. Reality: What You Really Need to Worry About” on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department headquarters, located at 1175 Ellington Rd.
14. Public Participation
None
15. Consent Agenda
None
16. Unfinished Business
None
ITEM:
17. New Business
A. Resolution Authorizing the Town Council to Refer the R010 Barber Hill Road Hay Lot Lease Agreement to the Planning & Zoning Commission as required under CGS Section 8-24 for a Report
(Councillor Prague)
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has 14 acres of land on Barber Hill Road also known as Barber Hill Road/Pudim Property/Ski Slope; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor wishes to lease 14 acres of this parcel for producing hay crops only; and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council has prepared a lease to that effect
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council hereby refers the lease agreement to the Planning & Zoning Commission as required under CGS Section 8-24 for a report.
Mayor Pelkey withdrew this Resolution because it had already been passed.
B. Resolution Amending Ordinance #188 Regarding Building Code/Construction and Alteration Fees
(Councillor Yagaloff)
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council adopted Ordinance #188 on April 5, 2010 which amended Chapter 14, Article II, Section 14-31 of the South Windsor Town Code; and
WHEREAS, a provision of Section 14-31 was inadvertently omitted from Ordinance #188 and should properly be included within that Section
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Chapter 14, Article II, Section 14-31 of the South Windsor Town Code is hereby further amended and adopted as more fully described in the attached Exhibit A, a copy of which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Mayor Pelkey Tabled this Resolution to the next meeting because the language needs to be changed.
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
C. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Fifteen (15) South Windsor Taxpayers
(Councillor McCann)
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to fifteen (15) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $3,644.68, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit B.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
D. Power Point Presentation Regarding the Heath Savings Account (to be presented by Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan)
Town Manager Galligan presented this subject during Communications and Reports from Town Manager.
21. Executive Session
A. Personnel Issue (Clerk of the Council)
Mayor Pelkey stated that since the Clerk of the Council was not in attendance, this will be handled at the next meeting.
22. Adjournment
At 10:50 p.m. Mayor Pelkey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Councillor Hale seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa Perry
Acting Clerk of the Council
Attachments: Exhibit A, B, & C
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