TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Ed Havens
Councillor Saud M. Anwar
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Janice Favreau
Councillor Kevin McCann (arrived at 7:02 p.m.)
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Gary Bazzano
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mr. James, Throwe, 1330 Main Street came before the Town Council and thanked the Council members for taking time out of their lives and serving on the Town Council. Mr. Throwe then thanked Mayor Pelkey and Councillor Favreau for their service to the Town and the State of Connecticut.
Mr. Robert Benson, 15 West Road came forward to address an issue regarding the electricity problem on West Road that has been going on for years and affects the wells and septic systems. Mr. Benson requested that the Town Council address this issue for the citizens on West Road.
Mr. Arthur Utay, 482 Main Street stated he has an invested interest in the Town but does not get the Journal Inquirer so he does not know when there are issues that will be discussed. Mr. Utay requested that legal notices be placed on the Town website in an area called legal notices in order to help citizens of South Windsor.
Mr. Robert Dickinson, 19 Birch Road came forward and requested that this Council and the next Council do what is necessary to get sidewalks built for the betterment of South Windsor. There have been several times when sidewalks have been included in projects by Town staff, but in almost all cases, abutting property owners have opposed these sidewalks because of maintenance requirements specified by Town ordinances. One option would be for the Town to take responsibility for all new sidewalks built on main traffic arteries within one mile of a school. This could result in a big reduction in school transportation costs.
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail stated that the main issue on the Work Session agenda for tonight is health care which was raised at the last meeting. Representative Bill Aman provided him facts and figures on the State plan and the figures are totally different from what Mr. Galligan will discuss tonight. The number for a family is $777.91 bi weekly which means that is the total cost to the State is $20,226. Eight-five percent of the State employee’s are in this plan.
4. Communications
Councillor Yagaloff requested that the Town Manager check the Town web-site to make sure there is nothing on the web-site regarding sewer fees because residents seem to be confused about the sewer fees. Residents have been asking if the Town Council is responsible for setting the sewer fees and it is not known where residents are getting this information. Councillor Yagaloff explained to individuals that the Council voted against the sewer budget this year and there has been a lot of controversy between the Council and WPCA on this issue. Councillicor Yagaloff stated he would like to know how this information is being provided to the residents.
Mr. Galligan stated that either the Town Council becomes the WPCA or the WPCA is the WPCA. The WPCA submits their budget to the Council for input but the Council does not have any authority to change the budget.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that the Council has worked very hard to make sure that accurate information goes out to the public.
Mr. Galligan explained that there was a legal opinion by Robinson & Cole saying that the WPCA controls everything. There was then a legal opinion by Halloran & Sage saying that the Town Council has some authority but then received yet another legal opinion from Murtha Cullina saying that Robinson & Cole was correct that WPCA is the only one who can set the sewer rate.
Councillor Yagaloff requested that if employees are asked about the sewer bills, they should explain that the Town Council voted to reject the sewer budget this year and had nothing to do with the setting of the sewer fees.
Mr. Galligan added that the Town Council can reject the sewer budget but the WPCA can set the fee. Mr. Galligan stated he would check the website.
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan reported that the Town received an approval from OPM for the use of the $500,000 grant for the Regional Animal Facility. There is substantial savings for the Town if a Regional Animal Facility is created at the old firehouse property. The Town will review what the renovation costs would be to make sure that the $500,000 grant would cover those costs.
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
The Town of South Windsor has been requesting four additional poles to be erected on West Road from C L & P. The electricity issue on West Road that Mr. Benson came forward and discussed also affects the Town Garage. This issue is still being reviewed.
Deputy Mayor Havens explained that he has received a few calls regarding the old firehouse on Sullivan Avenue being converted into a Regional Animal Facility. Deputy Mayor Havens stated the calls he has received are from individuals that are not pleased with the Town Council’s actions of using that property for a Regional Dog Pound. This type of use does not belong on Sullivan Avenue.
Councillor Anwar felt that for a temporary solution it is fine to use the old firehouse, but as for a permanent site, this property should not be used for a Regional Animal Facility. Other options should be reviewed. Councillor Anwar also felt that the electricity issue on West Road should be resolved.
Mr. Galligan informed Councillor Anwar that the C L & P is responsible for the electricity problem on West Road. The Town does not control what C L & P does, but the Town has complained regarding this issue and will keep communicating with C L & P.
Councillor Anwar felt that it would be a good idea for the the Town Manager or Town Council members to reach out to C L & P.
Councillor Delnicki requested that a resolution be drafted for the next Regular Meeting emphasizing the fact that the Town of South Windsor is concerned about the Town Garage not being properly supplied with electricity. Councillor Delnicki felt that the State Representative and State Senator should also be contacted regarding this issue. Councillor Delnicki then stated he is looking forward to seeing the cost analysis on the Regional Dog Facility.
Mr. Galligan informed the Council that the Town is obligated under the agricultural law to provide homes for dogs. Also under the Emergency Management Plan under a disaster, the Town is obligated to have a facility to place animals. It is not just dogs and cats when it comes to an emergency.
Councillor McCann stated that two years ago, this Council decided to monkey with the sewer fees. The Town did receive a legal opinion from the Town Attorney to show that the WPCA is the one who sets the fees and they reverted to the fees that had been in place prior to last year. This never should have come up and hope that the Town Council has learned that the Town Council should not force ourselves on the WPCA. The electricity issue on West Road is certainly a matter for C L & P but that does not mean the Town Council can not intercede on behalf of the residents of the Town. Councillor McCann stated that he met with the Animal Control Officer who has inspected the building of the old firehouse and feels the building is in good shape and is able to be converted for the use proposed. It may
not be the ideal use of that property but it is certainly better than spending funds to construct such a building elsewhere. The Town is obligated to housing the animals. Councillor McCann felt this is a viable option that should be reviewed further.
5. Town Manager’s Report (continued)
Councillor Prague explained that he and Mayor Pelkey had a tour of an animal facility that was built for approximately $350,000. Councillor Prague said he agrees the Town needs a dog facility but he is not sure of the right place. The Town should get costs estimates on constructing a standard block building on Town owned property. The $500,000 should be able to cover something like that.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Health Care Premiums
Mr. Galligan came before the Town Council to discuss health care benefits. Mr. Galligan explained that he gave the Town Council a handout, as shown in attached Exhibit A that came from the State of Connecticut, Office of the State Controller. The plan (Anthem Preferred Plan) that was used to do that comparison to South Windsor’s plan is the one that is the closest to South Windsor’s plan. Mr. Galligan reviewed further the State plan versus the Town plan. Based upon the comparison of the two plans, it is plain to see that the State plan is not less expensive then the Town. The State does have plans that are less expensive then the Town’s, but they then are not comparable to the Town plan.
Mr. Galligan then explained that the Town’s pension plan is not based upon overtime, but is based upon base pay. The Town offers employee’s a retirement health savings account. This account is solely employee’s money but the money goes in tax free and comes out tax free. This plan was designed to help individuals help pay for their medical bills when they retire. The Town also offers other plans such as a 457 plan.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 8:00 p.m. Councillor Prague made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Deputy Mayor Havens seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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