TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 January 23, 2012
TOWN COUNCIL – Special Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Tom Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano (arrived at 7:04 p.m.)
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. Executive Session
At 7:02 p.m. Councillor Anwar made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a draft agreement which would result in disclosure of public records or information which is exempt from disclosure at this time pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-210(b)(1) and §1-210(b)(4) and to discuss possible purchase of real estate for the Town. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
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ITEM:
5. Executive Session (Continued)
The following individuals went into Executive Session to discuss a draft agreement which would result in disclosure of public records or information which is exempt from disclosure at this time pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-210(b)(1) and §1-210(b)(4): Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan, Director of the Chamber of Commerce Shari Fiveash, Mayor Delnicki, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Anwar, Beaulieu, Havens, McCann, Snyder and Yagaloff. Councillor Prague recused himself.
The following individuals went into Executive Session to discuss possible purchase of real estate for the Town: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan, Mayor Delnicki, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillors Anwar, Beaulieu, Havens, McCann, Prague, Snyder and Yagaloff.
Executive Session adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
6. Special Business
A. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Thirty-Nine (39) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to thirty-nine (39) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refund being $4,820.00, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Councillor Snyder
The motion was approved, unanimously
B. Discussion Item: Amendments to the Town Council Rules & Procedures, as shown in attached, Exhibit B
Mayor Delnicki began discussion by explaining the proposed changes will help the Council to address the business of the Council at the beginning of the meetings instead of having the resolutions rushed through at the end of each meeting. The Council’s Communication section and the Town Manager’s Report will be moved to the end of the meeting which in turn will
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ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
push resolutions closer to the beginning of the meeting. The other change
will be to combine public input and public participation into one item. Examples of the proposed changes are shown in attached Exhibit B.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he supports these changes and feels the Mayor has the right to run the meetings as he feels is appropriate.
Mayor Delnicki added that he feels it is very important that the actual business of the Council get moved up so that people that are at the Town Council meetings are able to speak on a resolution towards the beginning of the meeting.
Councillor McCann felt this is a terrific idea to move the business portion of the Town Council meetings forward and suggested that other agenda items be reviewed to determine if those items should come after the resolutions also. Councillor McCann then reviewed the purpose of public input and public participation and stated that he feels it makes sense to keep both items.
Mayor Delnicki explained that on the current agenda, both public input and public participation occur before the discussion of resolutions. By combining public input and public participation they will still occur before the discussion of resolutions, but in one item both tasks will be accomplished. The Council can try this and if it does not work the agenda can be modified again.
Councillor Anwar stated he feels this is a good idea to make the meetings more efficient and to get the business of the Council done towards the beginning of the meeting. Councillor Anwar requested that the Council members be allowed to respond to the public after the public speaks on resolutions.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano requested that Council members be allowed to speak on resolutions prior to the public being given an opportunity to speak.
Councillor Snyder questioned the different items on the agenda and then stated that she agrees with Councillor McCann that public input and public participation should both be kept on the agenda which would give the public
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ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
the opportunity to speak on both items that are on the agenda and items that are not on the agenda in a structured manner.
Councillor Beaulieu suggested that if public would like to speak at the time resolutions are being discussed, a time limit should be established which would allow the meeting to keep running on a certain schedule.
Councillor McCann felt that combining public input and public participation; and allowing the public to speak during each resolution could potentially make a meeting longer. If there is a contentious issue, essentially it could turn a debate of nine individuals to a debate of an even greater number because the public will be allowed to discuss an issue while the Council is deliberating over an issue.
Answering questions from the Council, Mayor Delnicki explained that if there is something of major importance and the agenda needs to be changed, the Council can call to suspend the rules and move the agenda item forward.
7. Adjournment
At 8:47 p.m. Councillor McCann made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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