TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 September 7, 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 8:03 p.m. The Regular Meeting was then recessed at 8:07 p.m. to finish the Work Session. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:20 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kathryn Hale (left at 9:45 p.m.)
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague (arrived at 9:08 p.m.)
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Tom Delnicki
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Councillor Yagaloff moved to “Suspend the Rules” in order to move Agenda Item 17. A. up to this point in the Meeting. The Motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Havens; and approved, unanimously.
17. New Business
A. Resolution to Refer to the Naming of Public Lands and Buildings Committee and the Park & Recreation Commission a Proposal to name a Youth Athletic Field in Commemoration of the Service of Craig Pepin to Youth Sports in South Windsor
WHEREAS, Craig Pepin had an extraordinarily positive impact on youth sports in South Windsor over the span of many years, which emphasized that sports can truly be enjoyed only when played with respect for other players, fans, officials and the rules of the game; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
WHEREAS, Craig Pepin was a beloved member of the youth sports community of South Windsor and was an exemplary volunteer coach, mentor and official for hundreds of baseball, softball and soccer players; and
WHEREAS, the outpouring of love, affection and appreciation by the people of South Windsor for Craig Pepin following his passing has been unprecedented in recent memory; and
WHEREAS, many of the players, coaches and officials who benefitted from the presence of Craig Pepin are still involved in sports in South Windsor, and in order to perpetuate the memory and fine example that he set for present and future generations, it is important to commemorate his dedication without delay and before the present generation ends its involvement in South Windsor sports
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council hereby expresses its heartfelt thanks for the service of Craig Pepin to the Town and especially to the youth sports community, and appreciates his dedication to the positive character development of our youth residents, and directs the Naming of Public Lands and Buildings Committee, in consultation with the Park & Recreation, to recommend an appropriate tribute to him by dedicating and naming a youth sports field in his memory, and to report back to Council with its recommendation within 60 days of the passage of this resolution to enable Council to take final action in naming a Craig Pepin Memorial Field without delay.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Bazzano
The following individuals came before the Town Council to speak in favor of this resolution:
David Korn, 52 Kent Lane
Eric LaJoie, 104 Ivy Lane
Steve Hollander, 24 Judge Lane
Marianne Lassman Fisher, 194 Woodland Drive
Daria Plummer, 235 Orchard Hill Drive
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
Councillor McCann stated that he is happy to see so many people of the community here. The purpose of this resolution is to commemorate Mr. Craig Pepin’s life. To name a field in his honor would be an honor to the whole Town.
Mayor Pelkey explained that the resolution tonight is to initiate the process. After all input is gathered, a resolution will come back to the Town Council for a vote.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that Town officials will be discussing how to memorialize the other resident who was also killed in the Hartford Distributors disaster. Mr. Pepin is being honored for his commitment to the community.
Mayor Pelkey called for a motion; it was approved, unanimously
5. Public Input
Ms. Kathy Callings of 35 Vincent Circle came before the Town Council to answer any questions the Town Council may have on the Matching Mini-Grant that was submitted for the weight room at South Windsor High School. Mayor Pelkey explained that this issue would be brought up during the resolution.
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail requested information regarding a three month old report by the Board of Education that showed an under run of $796,000. Mr. Gonsalves stated he would like to know the status of those funds and what those are planned to be used for. The other issue he would like to know the status of is the tax collections from July 1, 2010 to August, 2010 because he is concerned about the building permits which were included in the budget for Connecticut Studios. Mr. Gonsalves would also like to know the status of the fund balance.
Ms. Nancy Yario, 20 Andreis Trail came forward and questioned if there has been any resolution regarding the issue of nuisance and noise at the Bark Park?
Mr. Kent Laurent, 839 Avery Street came before the Town Council to request assistance with a matter that has been going on for two years. He explained that he had applied for a permit and still has not received a certificate of occupancy. Several building inspectors have come to him home and do not see any issues that would prevent him from getting a certificate of occupancy.
ITEM:
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
None
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings: Joint Work Session with the Board of Education of April 6, 2010; Work Session of July 19, 2010; Public Hearing of July 19, 2010, Regular Meeting of July 19, 2010; and Special Meeting of August 2, 2010.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Hale
The motion was approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Board Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Mr. Galligan reported on the following items:
- Citizen Matching Mini-Grant program presently only has $5,000 left to spend. There are four requests on this agenda. There is a resolution on the agenda transferring $10,000 from Contingency to cover these items if the Council wishes.
- There are employees who are opting to take retirement, these positions will not be replaced.
- The Nelson property is on schedule.
- The Peck property is moving forward.
- The Niederwerfer property – it still has to be decided how to transfer the property.
- The Town has applied for a STEAP grant for renovations of the inside of the Police Department
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued)
- Seven meetings have been held regarding the lease arrangement with the Ambulance Corp.
- One million dollars has been budgeted for the fund balance; $735,000 was underexpended by the Board of Education and there is $1.6 million additional in fund balance. The Auditors are reviewing everything now and will report soon to the Town.
- The collection percentage from July 2010 through August 2010 was 46.34% so the Town is in the range of what is normally done for collections.
- Will call Ms. Yario to discuss the Bark Park.
- The Town is presently looking at a new system for collection of taxes and building permits. A scenario will be presented to the Town Council soon.
- Will check Mr. Laurent’s issue regarding his certificate of occupancy and will call him.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that Mr. Laurent’s issue and Ms. Yario’s issues both need to be addressed.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Town will need to wait for the audit to be complete to understand all the final numbers.
Councillor McCann agreed that Ms. Yario’s issue should be brought back to the Town Council for a decision to be made. Councillor McCann then explained that he has not seen any tremendous problem in that area.
11. Reports from Standing Committees
None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
ITEM:
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Deputy Mayor Havens thanked the South Windsor Police for their help at Hartford Distributors. The dispatch equipment should be discussed further and updated.
Mr. Galligan stated that the Town is applying for a grant in the amount of $350,000 to upgrade dispatch equipment. The Town should be looking into a Regional Dispatch Center.
14. Public Participation
Ms. Nancy Yario, 20 Andreis Trail stated that the Town should never have put a Bark Park in the middle of a neighborhood and will not stop coming to the Council for some type of resolution to this problem.
15. Consent Agenda
None
16. Unfinished Business
None
17. New Business (Continued)
B. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Sign the State/Municipal Project Grant Agreement for the Reconstruction of Main Street Bridge over Stoughton’s Brook
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor was awarded a grant from the State of Connecticut Local Bridge Program to fund 31.55% of the eligible project costs for the replacement of the main Street Bridge over Stoughton’s Brook
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes its Town manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute the agreement titled, “Project Grant Agreement Between the State of Connecticut and the Town of South Windsor under the Local Bridge Program for Main Street over Stoughton’s Brook, Bridge No. 132017, State Project No. 9132-0017”.
(Resolution Continued on the Next Page)
ITEM:
17. B. (Continued)
Was made by Councillor Prague
Seconded by Councillor McCann
Councillor Prague stated that the bridge needs to be done
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously
C. Resolution Approving the Transfer of $10,000 from the Contingency Account to the South Windsor Matching Mini-Grant Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the transfer of $10,000 from the contingency Account to the South Windsor Citizens Matching Mini-Grant Account to cover the cost of various requests for Matching Mini-Grant funds.
Was made by Deputy Mayor Havens
Seconded by Councillor Bazzano
Deputy Mayor Havens stated he would be supporting the Matching Min-Grants this evening, but feels that in the future the Council should abide by the guidelines that have been established such as first come first serve. When funds run out that should be the end of giving any funds under the Matching Mini-Grant Program.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he is not in favor of first come first serve. Each Matching Mini-Grant should be reviewed and a decision should be made on each of them. A decision should not be based on the order that they are submitted.
Councillor McCann stated he would support this resolution because nothing was put into the budget for this program.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on this motion; it was approved, unanimously
D. Resolution for a “Citizens Matching Mini-Grant” to South Windsor Voices to Assist in Funding for a Publications of Poems
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council created a “South Windsor Citizens Matching Min-Grant Program” on June 20, 2005; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. D. (Continued)
WHEREAS, South Windsor Voices, has duly submitted a proper application for matching funds in the amount of $1,250 to help with the publication of a collection of poems which were written exclusively by residents and former residents of South Windsor; and
WHEREAS, Town Manager Matthew b. Galligan has reviewed and approved this project and application and has determined that it meets all of the criteria of the “South Windsor Citizen matching Mini-Grant Program”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to issue $1,250 of matching funds to South Windsor Voices from the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”.
Was made by Councillor Bazzano
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
Councillor Prague stated that Mr. Margolis has done an outstanding job in his voluntary position and feels the Town should support.
Councillor Favreau believes this is a good resolution because it embodies what the grant is about and she would be voting in favor of this.
Mayor Pelkey stated that he would be supporting this resolution.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously
E. Resolution for a “Citizens Matching Mini-Grant” to the Town of South Windsor to Assist in the Funding of the Creation of a Memorial Garden in the Front of the South Windsor High School
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council created a “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program” on June 20, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has duly submitted a proper application for matching funds in the amount of $5,000 to help with the costs associated with the creation of a memorial garden in the front of the South Windsor High School which will honor all students and faculty who have passed away while attending/working at South Windsor High School; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. E. (Continued)
WHEREAS, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan has reviewed and approved this project and application and has determined that it meets all of the criteria of the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to issue $5,000 of matching funds to the Town of South Windsor from the “South Windsor Citizen matching Mini-Grant Program”.
Was made by Councillor Favreau
Seconded by Mayor Pelkey
After a lengthy discussion regarding the project and the status of the project, Mayor Pelkey made a motion to Table this Resolution until the October 4, 2010 meeting of the Town Council. Councillor Yagaloff seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
F. Resolution for a “Citizen Matching Mini-Grant” to South Windsor High School to Assist in Funding for the Refurbishing and Expansion of the Current Weight Room at South Windsor High School
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council created a “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program” on June 20, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has duly submitted a proper application for matching funds in the amount of $1,740 to help with the costs associated with the refurbishing and expansion of the current weight room at South Windsor High School; and
WHEREAS, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan has reviewed and approved this project and application and has determined that it meets all of the criteria of the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to issue $1,740 of matching funds to South Windsor High School from the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. F. (Continued)
Was made by Councillor Prague
Seconded by Councillor Bazzano
Councillor Prague stated that he would be in support of this project because it has been a long time that the weight room has needed to be improved.
Councillor McCann said he would also support this project.
Councillor Yagaloff felt that this is something the Board of Education should be taking care of and in the future the Board of Education should be questioned if they have been approached regarding this issue and if they denied it there should be a reason why it was denied.
Answering questions from the Council, Ms. Callings stated that if anyone is interested in donating to the weight room it should go directly to the Principal of South Windsor High School. In order for the completion of this project to occur there is a need to collect more donations to get the equipment.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously
G. Resolution for a “Citizen Matching Mini-Grant” to the South Windsor Historical Society to Assist in Funding for Roof Repairs at Union School
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council created a “South Windsor Citizen matching Mini-Grant Program” on June 20, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has duly submitted a proper application for matching funds in the amount of $5,000 to help with the costs associated with the roof repairs at Union School located at 771 Main Street; and
WHEREAS, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan has reviewed and approved this project and application and has determined that it meets all of the criteria of the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”
ITEM:
17. G. (Continued)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to issue $5,000 of matching funds to the South Windsor Historical Society from the “South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program”.
Was made by Councillor Favreau
Seconded by Councillor Prague
Mayor Pelkey felt that in the future Matching Mini-Grants should be reviewed by a Committee. The following individuals will serve on the Committee to review the Matching Mini-Grant program, Mayor Pelkey, Councillor McCann and Councillor Yagaloff.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously
H. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Sign and Execute an Option & Land Lease Agreement with SBA Towers II LLC
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute an Option & Land Lease Agreement with SBA Towers II LLC for the tower erected near Veterans Memorial Pool and any other necessary documents on behalf of the Town of South Windsor
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Favreau
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the new tower would not affect Veterans Memorial Pool. The height of the tower is approximately 150 to 160 feet and everything associated with the tower is at the cost of SBA Towers II LLC
Councillor McCann suggested that is the property/tower are not maintained, the lease should be null and void.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
I. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Twenty-Four (24) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to twenty-four (24) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refund being $10,218.42, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by Councillor Bazzano
Seconded by Councillor McCann
Councillor Favreau made a motion to amend Attachment B to eliminate the amounts of $8.13 and $254.44 which are duplicates on the attachment. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and the Amendment was approved, unanimously.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the Motion; it was approved, unanimously
18. Passage of Ordinance
None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council
None
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
None
21. Executive Session
At 10:30 p.m. Mayor Pelkey made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the documents containing financial information provided in confidence and exempt from disclosure pursuant to C.G.S. § 1-200(6) and 1-210(b)(5)(B) regarding The Connecticut Studios. Deputy Mayor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
21. Executive Session (Continued)
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Pelkey, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councillor Bazzano, Councillor Favreau, Councillor McCann, Councillor Prague, Councillor Yagaloff and Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan.
At 10:55 p.m. Councillor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and Regular Meeting. Councillor Favreau seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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