TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, JULY 19, 2010
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano (arrived at 7:35 p.m.)
Councillor Tom Delnicki
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Cary Prague
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Connecticut City and Town Development Act
Attorney Sandra Dawson from Robinson & Cole LLP came before the Town Council to give an overview of the Connecticut City and Town Development Act. Attorney Dawson explained that the Connecticut City and Town Act has been a part of the Connecticut Statutes since the mid 1970’s. The Act is adopted by a municipality in order to help the Town revitalize housing, economic development, or blight and deterioration. In order to adopt the Act the Town would need to make certain findings and those findings would need to include that the Town has an unreasonable level of unemployment; there is some blight and deterioration; inadequate housing; and other economic development concerns. After adoption of the Act by the Town, the Town could then undertake projects that would be in the best interest of the
Town and
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
would be for public purposes of improving housing, employment, or blight and deterioration.
Answering questions from the Council, Attorney Dawson explained that the Town of Hamden adopted this Act in 2008 for a specific project that they had in mind. The findings would have to be found by undertaking a study or having a Department in Town provide that information in order for a resolution to be adopted by the Town.
Councillor Delnicki stated that he would not be supporting this Act because he does not feel that South Windsor falls under these categories that are required to adopt this Act.
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that housing and blight are not issues in South Windsor. The only item that South Windsor would probably fall under is the economic development concerns. It is going to be a very time consuming process for myself and staff to do this study, to do the findings and do the things that you would need to do to make this work. Mr. Galligan stated that in his opinion it will be tough proving blight and the other findings required.
Attorney Dawson stated that it is a Statuatory requirement that all of the findings are made in order to adopt the Act.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he has never seen anything that has come before this Council that would indicate that the Town could meet the necessary criteria to adopt the Act without having the specific blighted project that the Town could point to.
Answering questions from Mayor Pelkey, Attorney Dawson explained that each of the items identified in the resolution (Attached Exhibit A) would need to be found in order to adopt this Act. After the Act is adopted, then the Town could use the Act towards specific projects. At that time the specific projects do not have to meet all of the criteria.
Councillor McCann felt that it should be stated on the record that South Windsor is not a blighted community and does not have an inadequate supply of descent housing. The record should also state that South Windsor is a very attractive Town.
The Work Session was recessed at 7:18 p.m. in order to hold a Public Hearing. The Work Session was reconvened at 7:19 p.m.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan agreed with the Mayor that it would be very hard for the Town of South Windsor to meet the requirements necessary to approve this Act. The Town should continue under our normal economic development policies.
7. Executive Session
At 7:22 p.m. Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue, tax assessment agreement with Evergreen Medical Associates II LLC and negotiations with the PBA. Councillor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Pelkey, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councillor Bazzano (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Councillor Delnicki, Councillor Favrea, Councillor McCann, Councillor Yagaloff and Economic Development Coordinator Craig Stevenson (Tax Assessment Agreement).
At 8:00 p.m. the Executive Session was recessed. The Executive Session was reconvened at 10:55 p.m.
Mayor Pelkey made a motion to extend the meeting past 11:00 p.m. in order to finish agenda items. Councillor Bazzano seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
At 11:30 p.m. Mayor Pelkey made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
8. Adjournment
At 11:30 p.m. Mayor Pelkey made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
| 
