TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
TOWN COUNCIL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
CAUCUS ROOM EMERGENCY MEETING
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the Emergency Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Tom Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor M. Saud Anwar (arrived at 6:04 p.m.)
Councillor Ed Havens
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Jan Snyder
Councillor Keith Yagaloff (arrived at 6:03 p.m.)
Members Absent: Councillor Cindy Beaulieu
Councillor Kevin McCann
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer
Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
Karl Reichle, Superintendent of Operations
3. Items for Discussion
- Status of Debris Management
Mr. Galligan began discussions by explaining previously the Town Council approved a resolution which placed a cap of $1,500,000 for the Town to spend on debris management. At this time it has come to the Town’s attention that debris pickup will exceed the estimated amount and therefore there will be a need for additional funds to be appropriated for this program. Town staff went out on November 30, 2011 to estimate how much more debris still needs to be picked up.
Mr. Jeff Doolittle gave the Town Council handouts. One list shows how much debris has been collected (Exhibit A) and the other list shows an estimated amount of debris that still needs to be picked up (Exhibit B).
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Council will have to decide whether to cut the program or allow for more funds to be designated for this program to continue. There is still a lot of debris in residents yards. If it is decided to stop the program and begin pickup again in the spring, FEMA will not reimburse the Town and there will be more debris from other storms.
Emergency Meeting – Town Council
December 1, 2011
Page 2
ITEM:
3. A. (Continued)
Mr. Karl Reichle, Superintendent of Operations explained to the Council that if the Council decided to stop the program and have the Town staff continue this program, it would take Town staff approximately 45 days to finish the rest of the Town and the leaf pickup program would not be done. At this time the leaf collection is behind schedule and it is hopeful to complete one pass through Town before the snows falls.
Councillor Anwar suggested that the Town go forward with the contractor picking debris up as well as Town staff. This may help reduce costs.
Mr. Doolittle explained that the Town would still have to pay for chipping, hauling and disposal of the debris. Mr. Galligan added that what takes the contractor 4 days, would take the Town 45 days.
Mr. Doolittle suggested that the Town suspend debris pickup to allow for the contractor to work on limbs that are hanging. The contractor can start pickup in the middle of next week but put a deadline on pickup. The drop off at Veterans Memorial Park could be extended for residents.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that this is a tremendous service the Town is providing. The Town Council still needs to discuss how this will be paid for. Councillor Yagaloff explained that his concern is the Town can not have an open ended program and then suggested that the Town Council authorize the use of $1,000,000 at this time and then use Town resources.
Mr. Galligan stated that he agrees with the approach, but is concerned with the hanging limbs, which are very dangerous.
Mr. Reichle added that there are hundreds of hangers throughout South Windsor. There is a crew working on hangers and a crew from North East Utilities helped the Town for one week with hangers. Councillor Yagaloff suggested that the hangers be prioritized and the Town re-negotiates with the contractor on hangers.
Councillor Snyder felt using the Town staff may not be cost effective and authorizing the Town Manger to use $2,000,000 at this time is important.
Councillor Havens stated that he would be supporting the recommendations of Town staff and authorizing the use of $2,000,000.
Mayor Delnicki felt the Town Council should provide funding to continue the Debris Management program. In the spring, the Town staff could do a pickup.
Mr. Doolittle explained that the Town has not been reimbursed from FEMA from Storm Irene. The Town will try to be reimbursed from FEMA for private contractors that have been hired by the Town.
Emergency Meeting – Town Council
December 1, 2011
Page 3
ITEM:
3. Items for Discussion
- Letter from Governor Malloy
Mr. Galligan read a response letter from Governor Malloy, as shown in attached Exhibit C.
Councillor Anwar left the meeting at 6: 49 p.m.
- Opinion Letter from Robinson & Cole
Mr. Galligan read into the record an opinion letter from Robinson & Cole, as shown in attached Exhibit D.
Mayor Delnicki thanked the Town Manager for getting an opinion as quickly as he did.
Mr. Galligan explained the process between bonds and notes.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano left the meeting at 6:56 p.m.
Mr. Galligan stated that he would have the fund balance for the Council on Monday, December 5, 2011. The concern of cutting the current budget is if there is another storm and something is not considered a dire emergency, then what would the Town do for funds.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that if Ashbritt sends a bill to the Town before the Town is reimbursed from FEMA, the Town will have to find a way to pay that bill. Mr. Galligan said he would research this issue further.
4. New Business
- Resolution Authorizing Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to use Additional Funds for Debris Management
WHEREAS, the debris pickup has progressed, but it has come to the Town’s attention that the total debris pickup will exceed the estimated amount of 150,000 cubic yards as well as the approximate total of $6,000,000; and
WHEREAS, it is the wish of the Town Council to complete the Debris Management as quickly as possible
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to use no more than an additional $2,000,000 to complete this process.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
Emergency Meeting – Town Council
December 1, 2011
Page 4
ITEM:
4. A. (Continued)
Was made by Mayor Delnicki
Seconded by Councillor Prague
Councillor Yagaloff stated he is not comfortable approving $2,000,000 but would be comfortable authorizing $1,000,000 and having Town staff come back to the Council if more funds are needed.
Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to Amend the $2,000,000 to $1,000,000. Mayor Delnicki seconded the Amendment.
Mayor Delnicki stated that five votes are needed to continue the Debris Management process. The Council can visit this topic again if more funds are needed. If the Council does not pass this resolution, tomorrow the contractor will not be able to do any more work.
Councillor Prague stated he would reluctantly support this Amendment.
Councillor Snyder felt that operations should not be interrupted and the Town Council should trust the Town Manager and Town staff. Councillor Snyder stated she would not be supporting this Amendment.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that the goal tonight is to give the Town Manger what he needs and $1,000,000 is what is needed and he would be supporting this Amendment.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Reichle stated he could not guarantee that the appropriation of $2,000,000 would protect residents. The Town does not manage trees, the Town manages risks.
Councillor Bazzano returned to the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Galligan explained that $2,000,000 was put into the resolution because the hangers cost a lot and are a safety issue. It is hopeful that the cost is less, but do not want to cut the program short. Mr. Galligan stated that the Town Council should put a cut off date on this program
Councillor Bazzano felt that if the $2,000,000 figure is approved, a date to cut off the program should be established.
Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the Amendment. It failed on a Roll Call vote of 1 to 5 with Councillor Yagaloff voting in favor of the Amendment; and Mayor Delnicki, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillors Havens, Prague and Snyder voting in opposition to the Amendment.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
Emergency Meeting – Town Council
December 1, 2011
Page 5
ITEM:
4. A. (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Bazzano made and Amendment to the Resolution by adding to the last paragraph to have the process completed by December 23, 2011. Councilor Snyder seconded the Amendment
Councillor Havens stated he would not support the deadline date.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that if pickup continues at the same rate as was shown, by December 23rd the Town will run out of funds again. Councillor Yagaloff stated he would support the date for the deadline to be December 14, 2011 and the Town can continue efforts.
Mr. Galligan stated that the Town Engineer has suggested the deadline date be set for December 16, 2011 and then if necessary the Town Council could request for an extension at the December 19, 2011 Town Council meeting.
Councillor Bazzano withdrew the date of December 23rd and changed it to December 16th. Mayor Delnicki also withdrew the date of December 23rd and seconded the revised date of December 16th.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he would support the $2,000,000 with the deadline of December 16, 2011.
Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the Amendment; it was approved, unanimously.
Mayor Delnicki then called for a vote on the Amended Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
The resolution to read as follows:
WHEREAS, the debris pickup has progressed, but it has come to the Town’s attention that the total debris pickup will exceed the estimated amount of 150,000 cubic yards as well as the approximate total of $6,000,000; and
WHEREAS, it is the wish of the Town Council to complete the Debris Management as quickly as possible
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to use no more than an additional $2,000,000 to complete this process; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Ashbritt, Inc. and Science Applications International Corporation “SAIC” d/b/a Beck Disaster Recovery will complete debris pickup on December 16, 2011.
Emergency Meeting – Town Council
December 1, 2011
Page 6
ITEM:
5. Adjournment
At 7:41 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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