TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 January 24, 2011
TOWN COUNCIL – Special Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the Special Meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Ed Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Input
None
4. Communications
Councillor McCann spoke of the importance for residents to clear around the fire hydrants in their neighborhoods. This would be a benefit to all in case there is an emergency.
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan reported on the following items:
85 Nutmeg Road
Mr. Jan Exman and the person interested in purchasing the property will both be at the meeting tonight to discuss this item. Mr. Galligan felt it would be in the best interest of the Town Council to allow Mr. Exman into Executive Session to discuss this item.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
Request for Bid on 124 Sullivan Avenue
Only one interested bid was received on the Fire House property. The bid did not meet the minimum bid requirement of $410,000 so this will be rebid. Have requested Bond Counsel to review this item because the Town would like to use a Real Estate Agent or a Commercial Real Estate Agent if possible.
Transfer of Part Time Wage
A Secretary left the Building Department and was replaced with the part time Secretary in that same department. There were two individuals who left the Human Resource Department and have not been replaced. Now between the work load and training the Town Manager’s Office is in need of a part time position.
IWA/CC Verbatim Minutes
The Town Council should have received some verbatim minutes from the IWA/CC meeting. There is another set being transcribed now and will be given to the Town Council as soon as it is complete.
Financial Statements
The fund balance looks very good at this time because the School Board has put approximately $1,000,000 back, the Town put approximately $700,000, and the Town Council had put $1,000,000. The Town Council should have received the Management letter from the Auditors.
Councillor Prague received a letter from Lisa Maneeley who is the Chairperson of the Board of Education. Councillor Prague read the letter into the record as shown in attached Exhibit A.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that Building fees are ahead of schedule at this time. Mr. Galligan stated that his concern presently is the depleting budget due to the amount of snow storms. A spending freeze may have to be implemented in order to cover any short fall. For the past 27 years the Public Works Department has tracked all of the snow storms and they figure out the average budget each year with that information.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
The Town received one bid for 124 Sullivan Avenue (old Firehouse) which came in at $236,000 or $256,000 but was rejected. The Town would like to sell that property for a minimum of $415,000. Another bid will be going out on that property.
Council members discussed the ladder truck that the Fire Department has up for sale.
Mayor Pelkey stated that he is disappointed with the way the letter from Chairperson Maneeley was received. The letter says “Dear Members of the South Windsor Town Council” and yet only Councillor Prague received this correspondence. Mayor Pelkey stated he feels protocol would have been for the Board of Education to directly contact him to keep the lines of communication alive and open. The statements made at the last Town Council meeting regarding a 2.1% increase to the budget was simply the average over the last six years.
Councillor McCann stated that he would need further information when reviewing for the upcoming budget as follows:
- Non-tax revenue that has been put into the budget for this current year and where the Town stands on collection of those items.
- The costs associated with the improvements to the Water Treatment Plant facility.
Mr. Galligan stated he would get that information to Council. It was mentioned at the previous meeting that the Sewer Committee should meet to discuss the 1/20th payment as well as the monthly payment for that project.
Councillor Yagaloff reviewed what was decided on by the Council for Water Pollution Control Authority and stated that if there is no longer a commitment from WPCA to do the 1/20th payment then the Council needs to know soon to take care of this issue during the budget process. It could be a huge financial problem for taxpayers in 2013 if it is not taken care of in this budget cycle.
Mr. Galligan stated that he and the Finance Director will review the numbers and make sure the Council and WPCA get them.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
The Council took a moment of silence for the passing of Mr. Tom Deming who was a member of WPCA and Mr. Neil Coburn who was a member of the Fire Department for 25 years.
6. Special Business
A. Discussion Item: Capital Projects (Mike Gantick, Director of Public Works to be present)
Mayor Pelkey explained that it was decided to discuss Capital Projects prior to the budget season in order to highlight a number of Capital Projects and give some history of the projects to Council members.
Mr. Michael Gantick who is a member on the Capital Projects Committee came before the Town Council to give the Council a preliminary list. The committee has not recommended a final list. Mr. Gantick reviewed the list of Capital Projects as shown in the attached Exhibit B.
Mr. Walter Summers came before the Council to review the Town Hal Fire Code updates.
Mr. Andy Paterna, Chairman of the Park & Recreation Commission explained that the Commission decided to take Lawrence Road Park off the Park & Recreation Master plan in order to fund smaller projects. The Lawrence Road park project will be moving forward but will be done in-house by the Parks Department. They will be clearing brush and trees to at least begin to develop a trail walking system.
Mayor Pelkey explained that the total for the projects that were reviewed tonight is $1,282,000 which does not include the Board of Education projects.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that it was decided that the resurfacing program for the roads should be put into the Public Works Department budget under a Capital Account that allows the balance to be carried over from year to year.
Mr. Walter Summers explained to the Council that emergency lighting is part of the Code. Emergency lighting was taken care of in-house and will come on after 10-15 seconds when power is lost.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Gantick stated that the ramp at the Community Center will be improved upon this year.
Councillor Yagaloff informed the public that the Town Council gives the Capital Projects Committee a certain budget and then the Committee reviews the list and decides on a priority list.
Mr. Gantick explained that the Capital Projects has not looked at the integrated list between the Board of Education and Town. These lists will be reviewed further by the Capital Projects Committee.
Councillor Yagaloff requested that Mr. Gantick come back with a break down of the highest priorities for this year.
Mr. Galligan stated he would get a list of the Capital Leases to the Council.
Councillor McCann felt that the Rye Street culvert and emergency supplies are two very important items on the list.
Councillor Favreau requested more information on the Town Hall elevator and the lighting in the Town Hall parking lot.
- Resolution Approving the Transfer of $9,519 from the Building Department’s Part Time Wages Account to the Central Services’ Part Time Wages Account
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a transfer of $9,519 from the Building Department’s Part Time Wages account to the Central Services’ Part Time Wages account to provide funds for temporary, part time office coverage in the Town Manager’s Office.
Was made by Councillor Prague
Seconded by Councillor McCann
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
6. Special Business (Continued)
C. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Eighteen (18) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to eighteen (18) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refund being $9,012.38, and as more fully describe don attached Exhibit C.
Was made by Councillor Favreau
Seconded by Mayor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously.
7. Executive Session
At 8:45 p.m. Mayor Pelkey made a motion to Suspend the Rules go into Executive Session to discuss matters concerning security strategy and deployment of security personnel and discuss possible sale of Tax Liens.
Councillor Prague requested that this item be amended to add a third item under Executive Session which would be to discuss a serious conflict of interest with a Town vendor.
Councillor McCann seconded the motion and the amendment and it was approved, unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Pelkey, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councillor Bazzano, Councillor Favreau, Councillor McCann, Councillor Prague, Councillor Yagaloff, Town Manager Matthew Galligan, Chief Reed (to discuss matters concerning security strategy and deployment of security personnel), Mr. M. Saud Anwar (to discuss matters concerning security strategy and deployment of security personnel and to discuss a possible sale of Tax Lien), Mr. Jan Exman (to discuss possible sale of Tax Lien), and Mr. Craig Stevenson (to discuss possible sale of Tax Lien).
At 10:05 p.m. Councillor McCann made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
6. Special Business (Continued)
D. Resolution Authorizing Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to Sign and Execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement for 85 Nutmeg Road
WHEREAS, at the December 21, 2009 Town Council meeting, the Town Council authorized Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to enter into a Tax Lien Conveyance and Assessment Agreement with 85 Nutmeg Road LLC; and
WHEREAS, 85 Nutmeg Road LLC is now recommending selling the property located at 85 Nutmeg Road to Constantino Constantinou or Assigned
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute an agreement for the purchase of 85 Nutmeg Road for the sum of $415,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute any other necessary documents on behalf of the Town of South Windsor.
Was made by Councillor Bazzano
Seconded by Mayor Pelkey
Mayor Pelkey offered an amendment to the Resolution to add another paragraph that would read as follows:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this authorization is contingent upon the preparation and review of agreements with the Town Attorney.
Councillor Bazzano seconded the Amendment and the motion was approved, unanimously.
The resolution to read as follows:
WHEREAS, at the December 21, 2009 Town Council meeting, the Town Council authorized Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to enter into a Tax Lien Conveyance and Assessment Agreement with 85 Nutmeg Road LLC; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. D. (Continued)
WHEREAS, 85 Nutmeg Road LLC is now recommending selling the property located at 85 Nutmeg Road to Constantino Constantinou or Assigned
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute an agreement for the purchase of 85 Nutmeg Road for the sum of $415,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute any other necessary documents on behalf of the Town of South Windsor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this authorization is contingent upon the preparation and review of agreements with the Town Attorney.
Mayor Pelkey stated that it has been his goal to get the Hi-G building back on the tax rolls. The structure of the agreement is Mr. Exman will get the first $300,000 of the deal and anything beyond that will come to the Town. This is a good deal for the Town and the developer.
Councillor McCann clarified for anyone listening that the Town of South Windsor does not own this property. The Town owns the tax liens which have been assigned to Mr. Exman. Mr. Exman has a buyer for this property, but in order to sell it he has to come back to the Town Council to get approval of that sale.
Deputy Mayor Havens felt this deal is a blessing to the Town and the Town Council should go forward with this deal.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on this Motion; it was approved, unanimously.
Mr. Constantinou who is the individual proposing to buy this property stated that the plan is to restore the building and offer it back to the market for the purpose of renting it. This is a huge project and Mr. Constantinou hopes to start work this summer and complete the project in approximately two years.
ITEM:
8. Adjournment
At 10:20 p.m. Councillor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
Attachments:
Letter from Chairperson Maneeley, Board of Education – Exhibit A
List of Capital Projects – Exhibit B
Tax Refunds – Exhibit C
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