TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Tom Delnicki
Deputy Gary Bazzano
Councillor Saud M. Anwar
Councillor Cindy Beaulieu
Councillor Ed Havens
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Janice Snyder
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Storm Alfred
Mr. Galligan came before the Town Council to brief the Council on two items. The Town has a section in the Charter that talks about “declarations of emergency” and in that Charter, Section 26-101 it talks about the Town Manager having the power to declare a state of local, civil preparedness emergency in the event of a serious disaster, sudden emergency affecting the Town. It has to be filed with the Town Clerk, which was done. The Town Manager or Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Town will retain full control of Town personnel and equipment during civil preparedness emergencies and then it goes on to empower the Town Manager to apply to the State and then eventually apply to FEMA. The article also goes on about the duties of a Civil Preparedness Director, what it should be doing,
organization and also establishes the terms, duties and other powers. Councillor
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Anwar had brought up that he wanted to have basically a Civil Preparedness Commission, but there is a section of the Charter, it is an Advisory Council, which shall consist of a Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Superintendent of Schools, Director of Public Works, and not less than 3 private citizens representing different interests within the Town. The Advisory Council shall elect one of the private citizens to be its Chairman. That is the something the Town is missing, there are no citizens on this Commission. Mr. Galligan requested that he be allowed to establish this Commission which will also address all of Councillor Anwar’s concerns. That Commission could have a meeting and then come back to the Town Council with suggestions.
Mr. Galligan explained that the Town has an Emergency Operation plan which Mr. Fred Shaw keeps updated. The State has accepted the Town’s plan. Town staff has been trained on NIMS. Mr. Shaw has done an internal assessment on equipment that the Town does and does not have.
The Town met with C L & P six months ago prior to Storm Irene to make sure plans were all secure. After Irene, the Town had another meeting to explain what the Town needs if another storm were to occur. Storm Alfred came along and nothing that was pre-planned was done by C L & P. The fuel cell that the Town Council approved was the life saving system during Storm Alfred. Mr. Galligan reviewed steps taken day by day during the storm.
Mr. Galligan thanked staff and volunteers for all they did while the shelter was open and for all the help that was provided to residents. It was suggested that in the event there was a category 2 or 3 storm, the Community Center should be opened to allow employee’s families to come there while employees worked at the shelter.
Mr. Galligan explained further that C L & P has a list of people in Town that have special needs. This list would be helpful to the Town during an emergency. This would allow the Town to help these residents through a storm.
The Town used every method possible to try to keep residents informed during the power outages from the storm.
The Town Council should think about establishing an emergency budget so a certain amount of funds can be put away on a yearly basis.
Mr. Galligan felt that C L & P should review placing wires underground, which would help alleviate power outages during storms. It is also felt that C L & P should dedicate a crew to work with each Town and the Town’s need should be looked at first.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Debris Management is underway and was told that about 70,000 cubic yards has been picked up. There are approximately 18,082 trees that have large branches hanging from them and 127 trees that are leaning on other trees. Approximately 60% of those have been picked up and cleared.
Mr. Galligan stated that the Town Council made a courageous decision and he thanked them for their quick response.
Council members thanked all involved from the aftermath of the storm.
Mayor Delnicki recessed the Work session at 8:00 p.m. in order to bring the Regular Meeting to order. At 8:02 p.m. the Work Session was reconvened.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that there were staff members that worked long hours without pay. The Town will find a way to thank those individuals. The lunch room at the High School was opened and served breakfast, lunch and dinner. The MRE’s were not used because there was enough food.
Councillor Yagaloff suggested that in the future it be looked at to set up volunteers to go out and help residents with the clean up of their yards by having teams made up of five individuals. This could help individuals that can’t afford to hire someone to clean up, disabled individuals and seniors. Councillor Yagaloff stated he would like to have discussions in the near future regarding where funds will be coming from for the Debris Management.
Mayor Delnicki suggested for future use, ham radio operators be contacted so there is an alternate way to communicate with others in case a large storm hits again and eliminates power.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that an action plan and report will be done and brought to the Council. There have been some local contractors who are working to help clean up debris or doing some monitoring. Individuals may not be in their specific Town, but will find out how many individuals have been hired from South Windsor.
Mayor Delnicki requested a legal opinion from the Town Attorney whether a referendum is required for the authorization of bonds or notes for an appropriation which has been certified as a dire emergency. Mr. Galligan explained that he does have an opinion from the Bond Counsel and will get that to the Town Council.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan explained that presently on the Town website there is a map showing the leaf collection and a map showing the debris collection. Residents can go on the site to see what has been done, the area that is being worked on and what will be worked on next. Presently the leaf collection is being done by employees who are scouting neighborhoods and if there are leaves in the neighborhood, Public Works is working on picking them up.
Answer further questions, Mr. Galligan stated that the Town can seek volunteers to eliminate the hanging branches on private property.
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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