TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 March 7, 2011
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:01 p.m., and then recessed the Regular Meeting at 8:12 p.m. to finish the Work Session Agenda. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:29 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councillor Saud M. Anwar
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Tom Delnicki
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
5. Public Input
Mr. Alex Aries of 120 Wentworth Drive came before the Town Council to advise them and the public that he is planning to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine and at the same time raise funds for a local charity called The Reading Room which provides books to Haitians. A website will be established under www.haitihikingproject.org. The site will have regular updates on Mr. Aries progress during his hike. Donations and contributions can be made at any time. There will be a launch party held on Sunday, March 13, 2011 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Reading Room, 35 Rustic Lane.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Mr. Galligan warned all drivers; individuals on bikes and motorcycles be aware of the potholes in the road.
ITEM:
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: Work Session of February 22, 2011; Public Hearing of February 22, 2011; and Regular Meeting of February 22, 2011.
Was made by Councillor Bazzano
Seconded by Councillor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
- Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Mr. Galligan stated that he met and discussed with OPM and other individuals the issue regarding tax credits to find out why the Governor was looking at tax credits in the State budget. During discussions it was the consensus that the business should go to Connecticut business people and would like tax credits to go to Connecticut taxpayers. Wrote Legislature stating our intentions with the project and the tax credits. It is felt that we are on the same page with the Governor that the jobs go to Connecticut residents.
Councillor Anwar asked if the Town could begin accepting credit cards? Mr. Galligan explained that the Town has reviewed this issue previously and the Town would like any fee for using the credit card to go to the individual charging, not the Town, unless the Town Council would like to budget for this use. The Town will research this issue further, and could also research sponsoring our own MasterCard.
Mr. Galligan then informed Councillor Anwar that he would have Chief Reed break down all the criminal arrests to show how the arrests happened.
Councillor Delnicki requested that the Town Manager update the Council on a regular basis on legislative proposals that would safe guard the Town’s interest in the Connecticut Studios project.
ITEM:
10. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued)
Mayor Pelkey requested that all Council members receive Legislative Alerts that are sent to him on a regular basis.
- Reports from Standing Committees
None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Deputy Mayor Havens informed the public that if any residents are having trouble paying their heating bills, they should contact the Human Services Department for assistance.
Mayor Pelkey acknowledged and thanked Councillor Favreau for suggesting the Town Council hold safety training which was held on Monday, February 28, 2011.
Councillor Favreau encouraged members of all Boards and Commissions to view the safety presentation when it becomes available.
Councillor Anwar suggested that the Town Council agenda be stream lined in order too have a mechanism to have one area for the public to speak rather than spread out throughout the entire agenda.
Mayor Pelkey informed the public that the St. Patrick’s Day parade is on Saturday, March 12, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. in Hartford. There will also be the Penguin Plunge held that same day at Crystal Lake in Ellington which raises funds for Special Olympics.
14. Public Participation
None
15. Consent Agenda
None
ITEM:
16. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Appointing Arthur Jennings (D) to the Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Arthur Jennings (D) to the Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission for a term ending December 1, 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Anthony Duarte.
Was made by Councillor Anwar
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
The motion was approved, unanimously
B. Resolution Appointing Linda Jeski (D) to the Human Relations Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Linda Jeski (D) to the Human Relations Commission for a term ending November 30, 2011 to fill the unexpired term of M. Saud Anwar.
Was made by Deputy Mayor Havens
Seconded by Councillor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
C. Resolution Appointing Richard Aries (D) a Full Member to the Water Pollution Control Authority
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Richard Aries (D) a full member to the Water Pollution Control Authority for a term ending November 30, 2015 to fill an unexpired term of Thomas Deming.
Was made by Councillor Favreau
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
16. Unfinished Business (Continued)
D. Resolution Appointing Nancy Mulroy (D) an Alternate to the Water Pollution Control Authority
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Nancy Mulroy (D) an Alternate to the Water Pollution Control Authority for a term ending November 30, 2011 to fill an unexpired term of Richard Aries.
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Mayor Pelkey
The motion was approved, unanimously
E. Resolution Appointing William Carroll (R) a Full Member to the Planning & Zoning Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints William Carroll (R) a full member to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a term ending November 11, 2013 to fill the unexpired term of Timothy Moriarty.
Was made by Councillor Prague
Seconded by Councillor McCann
The motion was approved, unanimously
17. New Business
A. Discussion Item: Water Pollution Control Authority (requested by Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan)
Mr. Galligan began discussions by giving a recap of events to the Council. Mr. Galligan stated that when the Town Council first put together a bond resolution when it was thought the Town was going to float the bonds ourselves and not get money from DEP, the resolution was worded in a way that gave the Town Council authority to look at this every year and determine what would be an appropriate sewer rate or how much would be taken from taxes to pay for some of the user fees. There was a Council resolution that wanted to have the plant portion paid for by taxes but the other portion which was the 1/20th payment was an issue and Mr. Galligan thought it was agreed upon that if a referendum went out for the pump stations and passed then the pump stations would be paid for by user fees but the Town Council
would
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
be paying the tax portion for the plant. The 1/20th payment would be taken out of the reserves of the sewer.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that it is his understanding that the sewer users are going to be paying for the debt service on the pump stations. There has been plenty of discussion regarding the 1/20th payment and it was discussed that if the referendum passed for the pump stations, the reserve from the sewer fund would be used to help off set the 1/20th payment. The next budget cycle this 1/20th payment will be included in and could affect taxes by 2% and with the additional monthly payment; it could affect taxes by 4%. This is a major expenditure that could profoundly affect the tax rate.
Mr. Galligan said he would have the Towns’ Financial Advisor review the debt service schedule to see what if the affect on the debt service in 2013.
Councillor McCann felt that Councillor Yagaloff is absolutely correct and this issue needs to be addressed now and should be addressed in this budget cycle in order to off set some of the costs for next years budget.
Councillor Anwar questioned why the sewer user fee was reduced from $340 to $288 when there is such a significant obligation that needs to be addressed? Mr. Galligan explained that there was a situation where the public felt that the sewer user fee was too high.
Councillor Anwar stated that with this upcoming obligation it seems that the simplest thing to do is to raise the rates enough so that the rest of the budget is not impacted significantly. This should be done sooner rather than later. Mr. Galligan responded by saying the WPCA and Council are now working together to come up with a method to make sure that there are no spikes in these rates and make sure all of the payments are applied on a fair basis.
Mayor Pelkey felt that there should be enough funds in the reserve for emergency breaks in the lines. Mayor Pelkey stated he would like to see what the Town has used in the past 10 years to take care of the water lines.
ITEM:
18. Passage or Ordinance
A. Resolution Adopting an Ordinance Establishing “The Connecticut Studios Project Special Services District”.
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby adopts an Ordinance Establishing “The Connecticut Studios Project Special Services District” said Ordinance more fully described in attached Exhibit A., a copy of which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Mayor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor Prague
Deputy Mayor Havens made a motion to postpone action on this Ordinance until the March 21, 2011 meeting. Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
None
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manger (Continued)
None
21. Executive Session
At 9:33 p.m. Councillor Favreau made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue, goals and objectives for Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan. Councillor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Pelkey, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councillor Bazzano, Councillor Anwar, Councillor Delnicki, Councillor Favreau, Councillor Prague, Councillor McCann, and Councillor Yagaloff.
ITEM:
22. Adjournment
At 10:30 p.m. Mayor Pelkey 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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