TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, JUNE 20, 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
Councillor Tom Delnicki
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Janice Favreau
Also Present: Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan
3. Public Participation
Ms. Peggy Wampold, a member of the South Windsor Kennel Club came before the Town Council and gave the Town Council the history of the South Windsor Kennel Club. Ms. Wampold then explained that the South Windsor Kennel Club books the Rotary Pavilion every year in May but was told this year they could not book for next year until after their event was held in May. When she called right after the event was held, she was told that the Rotary Pavilion was booked already. Although the South Windsor Kennel Club was told they could not book the Rotary Pavilion until after their event, it is evident that anyone else can book right in January. This is very upsetting to the Club and they would like to know why this has happened. Ms. Wampold then explained that when using the Rotary Pavilion in May,
someone was supposed to open the bathrooms at 7:30 a.m., but did not come until 9:30 a.m. after being called by the South Windsor Police Department. She also stated that all of the trash cans were full and there was trash blowing around the park which they had to pick up.
Mr. Galligan stated that he requested a full report from Ray Favreau who is the Director of Parks and Recreation. Mr. Galligan stated he would call Ms. Wampold on June 21, 2011 to clear up this situation.
Mayor Pelkey apologized to the South Windsor Kennel Club and requested that the Council be informed about this situation.
Dr. Kate Carter, Superintendent of Schools came before the Town Council and thanked the Council and Town Manager for recognizing the Board of Education’s hard work on the budget this year and for voting unanimously to approve it. Dr. Carter stated she looks forward to the continued partnership.
ITEM:
4. Communications
Mayor Pelkey read into the record the results of the Connecticut Studios Special Services District referendum, as shown on attached Exhibit A.
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan gave an update on the Connecticut Studios Project stating that the final draft of the Feasibility Study is being completed, appraisals are going forward, The PLA Agreement and Developers Agreement are being worked on and the Non-Disclosure Agreements have been signed.
Mr. Galligan then explained to the Council that he would like to meet with the Personnel Committee to discuss changes to the Finance Department which have to be done by Ordinance. Mr. Galligan stated he would contact the Personnel Committee to schedule a meeting.
Mr. Galligan stated he would be re-writing the Capital Plan Policy for the Council to review and make a decision on in September. It is time to make changes in order to use our time more effectively, especially during the budget season.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he had read a newspaper article regarding the last Capital Projects meeting and there were quotes in the article from representatives of the Board of Education and Town Council that were criticizing the Town Council on decisions made regarding the budget and capital projects. Councillor Yagaloff questioned how this could be reconciled, either everyone has to recognize that there is just not a lot of money right now for capital projects or the Town Council needs to sit down with members of the Capital Projects Committee to have a discussion about where the criticism is and why it is arising in this way.
Mr. Galligan felt that the Town Council and Board of Education should meet and discuss capital projects so that everyone understands what the numbers are, what the budget is and what is the main goal that needs to be accomplished. Everyone needs a better understanding of capital projects. In the original policy it is stated that the Committee brings capital projects to the Council and if the Council doesn’t like the project list then they sit down until they can agree upon the capital projects. Mr. Galligan felt that it is important for everyone to understand whose roll is what and what has to get completed. He also reiterated that the Capital Project Policy is going to be updated in order to have a better defined policy that talks about economic conditions also.
Councillor Delnicki stated that what the Council saw this year in regards to the budget was a function of the economic times. There is no problem trying to address this issue but all of the issues may not be covered because right now is not normal times.
Deputy Mayor Havens felt that if the charge of the Committee is not changed, the Council will have the same problem next year because Capital Projects Committee priorities and Town Council priorities are very different.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
Councillor Anwar felt that the Town Council and Capital Projects Committee should meet so that the Town Council can have a better understanding of the decision making policy of the Capital Projects Committee.
Councillor Bazzano suggested that all Town items be prioritized, not just the Capital Projects Committee. Mr. Galligan felt that the Town Council and the Board of Education should meet in September to discuss priorities and in turn this would build a better budget. The Council members discussed beginning this process by reviewing the Citizen Survey that was done in 2006.
Mayor Pelkey explained that one thing that the Capital Projects does look at when trying to set priorities is reports that come before them. The Committee also looks at things in a longer term perspective than just one budge year. The Town Council needs to take a different approach on capital projects and maybe should bond for things and let the voters decide which project should get done first.
6. Items for Discussion
A. South Windsor Citizen Matching Mini-Grant Program
Mayor Pelkey explained that a sub-committee was established to review the Matching Citizen Mini-Grant Program. The Committee came up with recommendations and a vote will be taken on this issue in the Regular Meeting.
7. Executive Session
At 7:54 p.m. Deputy Mayor Havens made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential claims and litigation regarding 63 Cornerstone Drive. Councillor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
At 8:02 p.m. Deputy Mayor Havens made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
8. Adjournment
At 8:03 p.m. Councillor McCann made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Delnicki seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
| 
