TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 July 5, 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.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councillor Saud M. Anwar
Councillor Tom Delnicki
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kevin McCann (arrived at 8:25 p.m.)
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Gary Bazzano
Also Present: Michael Gantick, Acting Town Manager
5. Public Input
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came before the Town Council. Mr. Gonsalves stated that he disagrees with the way the WPCA has been handled and does not agree with the Town Attorney’s opinion that WPCA operates independent of this Council.
Representative Bill Aman came before the Council to review State Legislature Updates and announced if anyone is interested in getting a copy of the packet, please contact him or the Town Hall.
Answering questions from the Council, Representative Aman stated that the Bill that was passed on June 30, 2011 states that some time in July Governor Malloy must release his budget plan. Any negotiations must be complete by September 1, 2011.
ITEM:
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Mayor Pelkey read an “Official Statement” into the record from Governor Dannel Malloy thanking the Town of South Windsor for the generous contributions and support to the American Red Cross.
Councillor Anwar stated that Manchester will be holding a Blood Drive on September 11, 2011 and felt that South Windsor should also look into holding a Blood Drive that day as well. Mayor Pelkey stated he would have the Town Manager look into the possibility of holding a Blood Drive on that day.
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 Sessions of April 19, 2011 and June 20, 2011; Public Hearings of April 19, 2011 and June 20, 2011; and Regular Meetings of April 19, 2011, June 6, 2011 and June 20, 2011.
Was made by Councillor Favreau
Seconded by Councillor Anwar
The motion was approved, unanimously
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
- Communications and Reports from Town Manager
None
- Reports from Standing Committees
None
12. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
ITEM:
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Anwar stated that after reading the memo from Ray Favreau who is the Director of Parks & Recreation, he is comfortable with how the Town took care of their responsibilities with the South Windsor Kennel Club.
Mayor Pelkey stated that he feels there was miscommunication in the situation with the South Windsor Kennel Club.
Deputy Mayor Havens said that he would support the Town Manager on negotiating with Mr. Maneeley for the sale of the old firehouse. Mr. Maneeley will make the old firehouse a beautiful piece of commercial property on Sullivan Avenue. Deputy Mayor Havens encouraged the Town Manger to proceed as soon as possible.
Councillor Yagaloff concurred with Deputy Mayor Havens, stating that he is satisfied with the Town Manager’s recommendation for the old firehouse. Councillor Yagaloff then requested that the Town Manager talk to the South Windsor Kennel Club to make sure they are satisfied with the outcome of scheduling of the Rotary Pavilion and report back to the Council.
Councillor Prague felt that the Town should discuss a lease/purchase agreement with Mr. Maneeley for the old firehouse property. The Town should not be giving the property away, but should find a way to get the best deal for the Town.
Councillor Anwar agreed with Councillor Prague and stated that there may be a better opportunity to get a better deal for the Town. Councillor Anwar then stated that he was recently asked to speak at a Youth Violence Conference and was proud to see employees from the Police Department getting involved to help make some policy changes at the State level.
Councillor Favreau felt the Town should be negotiating with Mr. Maneeley for the sale of the old firehouse which would get that property on the tax rolls. What that building was appraised for when the voters approved what it should be sold for is not what the current market reflects. Mr. Maneeley will make improvements to this building which will increase what taxes are paid on the property, not to mention any personal property.
ITEM:
13. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councillor Delnicki stated he feels the property should go out and be re-bid for a lower number. For fairness purposes the Town should go through the process again and do it the right way. The Town Council owes it to the taxpayers and the individual who might have bid, or could have or would have put in a proposal. A resolution should be brought before the Town Council authorizing the Town Manager to go out to bid again.
Councillor McCann stated that he does not feel the Town should be rushing into selling this property for $225,000 for a commercial piece of property. There are alternatives that should be explored.
14. Public Participation
None
15. Consent Agenda
None
16. Unfinished Business
None
17. New Business
A. Resolution Authorizing Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to Enter into an Agreement with the State of Connecticut for the Reconstruction of Kelly Road
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor was awarded Federal and State funding under the Surface Transportation Program (STP-Urban) for the reconstruction of Kelly Road; and
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town council on December 10, 2009 reaffirmed the need for said project and supported the continuation of the design of said project; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
WHEREAS, the final design is being completed by the Town of South Windsor and the necessary Rights-of-Way and easements are being acquired by the Connecticut Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor will be responsible for conducting the bidding, contracting, construction administration and inspection portion of said project and the State of Connecticut requires that the Town of South Windsor enter into an agreement with the State for this portion of the project
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes its Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to sign and execute the agreement entitled “AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KELLY ROAD UTLIZING FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE URBAN COMPONENT OF THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM”.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Yagaloff
Mr. Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer came before the Town Council and explained that the Town has submitted the final design to the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation. The State has responded with comments which the Town is in the process of addressing. The Town is hoping to get the plans back to the State within the next three weeks. The Town is scheduled to go out to bid in the middle of September for this project.
Councillor McCann questioned if the Town has received any feedback from property owners that abut this project after the Town staked out where the rights-of-way would be located and where the sidewalks would be located?
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
17. A. (Continued)
Mr. Doolittle explained that homeowners did question what the stakes meant and the Town did explain what had been staked out. Mr. Doolittle informed the Council that the Town did not have to take any property from any homeowners for the sidewalks. The Town did have to acquire some easements to grade beyond the sidewalk onto their property to makes the grades work.
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Doolittle explained that there will be one lane east bound and one lane west bound on Kelly Road when going toward Avery Street. At that intersection the three way stop will remain. Each property owner was made aware of the specific impact to their property that would be created from installing these side walks. At the request of some homeowners, the Town had to go back further on some properties to grade or to match homeowner’s driveways. There was a change in the right-of-way for the sidewalk at the very east end of the project which was discussed with homeowners.
Mayor Pelkey called for a vote on the Motion; it was approved, unanimously.
B. Resolution Authorizing the Collector of Revenue to Recover Administration Costs for Reporting of Motor Vehicle Tax Delinquencies
WHEREAS, the Collector of Revenue has found that the reporting of motor vehicle and snowmobile tax delinquencies to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the reporting thereafter of payments on account thereof the Department of Motor Vehicle, all pursuant to General Statues 14-33, carry an administrative cost to the Town estimated a $5.00 for each delinquency; and
WHEREAS, in past years the Town of South Windsor, Tax Collector has been charged a total of $4,700 per year by the Department of Motor Vehicles for this service; and
WHEREAS, the Tax Collector’s Office has just been notified that this charge is being increased to $6,100,000; and
(Resolution continued on the Next Page)
ITEM:
17. B. (Continued)
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Tax Collector believes that the Town of South Windsor, Tax Collector’s Office should charge a $5.00 fee for each such reported delinquency
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes the Collector of Revenues to receive from each taxpayer whose motor vehicles taxes were delinquent and who delinquency was reported to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a fee of $5.00 for each such reported delinquency in addition to the delinquent taxes and all interest.
Was made by Councillor Anwar
Seconded by Mayor Pelkey
Answering questions, Mayor Pelkey explained that when a resident goes to register their motor vehicle, that resident will find out they owe taxes. They will come into the Town to pay their taxes and at that time the fee will be collected, so there will be no extra mailing for this fee. In the past, the Town has been absorbing this fee.
Deputy Mayor Havens stated that in his opinion, $5.00 is not enough and suggested making the fee higher.
Mayor Pelkey explained that presently the Town is tracking the bookkeeping at no charge, by charging this fee, the Town will be recovering some of the charge.
Councillor McCann stated that he agrees with Deputy Mayor Havens that $5.00 is not enough and feels the Town should be charging a larger amount. Councilor McCann also stated that he agrees in general with the principle of this resolution but is not certain the Town can impose a fee without going through a public hearing. Councillor McCann suggested that the Town Council table this motion and have the Town Manger’s Office find out if this can be done through a resolution or if a public hearing is necessary. The appropriate fee to charge should also be discussed.
Councillor McCann made a motion to postpone Item 17. B. to the next regular meeting. Deputy Mayor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
17. New Business (Continued)
C. Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing to Receive Citizen Input on an Amendment to Ordinance #152 – Patriotic Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, July 18, 2011, at 7:15 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the South Windsor Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut as the time and place for a Public Hearing to receive citizen input on an Amendment to Ordinance #152 – Patriotic Commission.
Was made by Councillor Prague
Seconded by Councillor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
18. Passage of Ordinance
None
19. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
None
20. Communications and Reports from Town Manager (Continued)
None
21. Executive Session
None
22. Adjournment
At 9:05 p.m. Deputy Mayor Havens made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Councillor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid, Clerk of the Council
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