PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
February 22, 2011
7:15 p.m.
South Windsor Council Chambers
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on an Ordinance Establishing “The Connecticut Studios Project Special Services District”
Mayor Pelkey called the Public Hearing to order at 7:15 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 forty (40) people present in the audience.
Mayor Pelkey asked if there was anyone from the public that would like to speak.
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail stated that as he has stated in the past, he is not against the project but is against the way the project is being financed. The project is $39,000,000 and the taxpayers of this Town will be paying for 40% of the project. The public has not been informed by the Town Manager, the Council, or the developer of this project to let us know if the project is $39,000,000 or $100,000,000. The Town would need a $100,000,000 project to fund the TIF funds. If the project is $100,000,000 how would the developer finance the project?
Mr. Peter DeMallie, 35 Petersen Way came forward and stated that he is in support of the Special Services District. If the bond issue is successful, this will be a great benefit to our community as well as the entire region.
Mr. Dave Weinburg, 157 Millstone Road in Glastonbury, CT felt that the Town of South Windsor has a wonderful opportunity to build an industry but cautioned the Town Council that before making any final decision, Governor Malloy’s budget should be reviewed. If Governor Malloy is not on board with a 30% tax credit for a long term, then the Town will be building a $39,000,000 warehouse. If the State of Connecticut is on board, this would be a wonderful opportunity and would create a lot of jobs.
Mayor Pelkey asked for a Straw Vote, the results of which were as follows:
Those in support of creating a Special Services District: - 14
Those in opposition of creating a Special Services District: - 3
Councillor McCann suggested that with the number of changes that were made to the draft Ordinance before this Public Hearing, that the Public Hearing should be continued until the next meeting.
Public Hearing – Town Council
February 22, 2011
Page 2
Answering questions from the Town Council, Attorney Panico explained that the revisions were circulated the beginning of last week, but there are attachments to the Special Services District Ordinance that are integral to the Ordinance and are the methodology of taxation for the various taxes that the Special Services District will impose. Those need to be finalized as part of the Ordinance.
Mayor Pelkey stated the Public Hearing would be continued until the next meeting which is March 7, 2011. The beginning of next week the attachments should be at the Town Hall.
The public hearing was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________
Deborah W. Reid, Clerk of the Council
Public Hearing Notice – Exhibit A
Special Services District – Exhibit B
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