TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Ed Havens
Councillor Saud M. Anwar
Councillor Gary Bazzano (arrived at 7:06 p.m.)
Councillor Tom Delnicki (arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan
3. Public Participation
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came before the Town Council to discuss the budget process. The Town Council spent hours last year discussing minor items on the school budget. After the budget was approved, it was indicated that there was $1.1 million dollars that was under run in that budget. There should be no discussion at all unless the Board of Education is ready to explain where they stand currently. The Town Council and public should not have to wait until after the budget is decided. The only unknown factor in the budget is the medical.
Mr. George Hill, 20 Andrusis Trail explained that he would like to discuss issues about the Bark Park. Mr. Hill then explained that he and his wife and the Town had entered into a tolling agreement. Mr. Hill stated that he is waiting patiently for a response. The initial tolling agreement expired in mid February and a new one has been executed. If the Town does not want to do anything Mr. Hill requested that he just be told.
Ms. Nancy Yario, 20 Andrusis Trail stated that the noise and the nuisance from the Bark Park continues. Have tried to contact Council to have them go to the Bark Park to see the traffic and the noise. This issue has been on-going for three and a half years and would appreciate a resolution to this issue.
Ms. Yario then stated that she read in the newspaper that the federal government was forwarding approximately $740,000 to South Windsor. Would like to know what has happened to those funds. Ms. Yario felt that more sports activities should be established so that all children who want to play different sports are able to do so.
ITEM:
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Board of Education Budget
Chairperson Lisa Maneeley came before the Town Council to present the 2011/2012 Board of Education budget. Ms. Maneeley explained that the Board of Education is proposing an increase of $1,181,640 or 1.88% which would increase the Board of Education budget to $64,181,640. Ms. Maneeley reviewed the Board of Education budget as shown in attached Exhibit A.
At 7:15 p.m. the Work Session was recessed in order to hold a public hearing. The Work session reconvened at 7:17 p.m.
Chairperson Maneeley requested that the Town Council members e-mail any questions to Judy Nevins at the Board of Education office which could be answered at the March 28, 2011 meeting.
B. General Government Budget
Mr. Matthew Galligan, Town Manager came before the Town Council to present the Town’s budget. Mr. Galligan explained that the Town is proposing an increase of $697,986 or 2.14%. The budget includes using $800,000 from the fund balance. There are no new positions in this budget. Although there is potential for increased revenues due to the Connecticut Studios project, Mr. Galligan stated he has made a conservation estimate of $50,000. Building permit fees have been reduced, but the Town Clerk fees are being left as is, and there has been strong support for the conveyance tax at the State level to go from .25 to .50. Fire Marshal fees have been reduced. Mr. Galligan reviewed other drivers of the proposed budget and then explained that he is trying to bring a budget that is
meaningful to the community as well as trying to keep taxes down. When the Town budget is combined with the Board of Education budget, the total is a 3.48% increase.
7. Executive Session
At 7:50 p.m. Councillor McCann made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation regarding the Bark Park and Open Space at the corner of Cornerstone Drive. Mayor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
7. Executive Session (Continued)
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Pelkey, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councillors Anwar, Bazzano, Delnicki, Favreau, McCann, Prague, Yagaloff and Town Manager Matthew Galligan.
At 8:00 p.m. the Executive Session was recessed and would be continued to the Regular Meeting.
8. Adjournment
At 8:00 p.m. Deputy Mayor Havens made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Favreau seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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