TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 April 2, 2012
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Tom Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor M. Saud 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
5. Public Input
Mr. Taseen Anwar, 93 Rockledge Drive came before the Town Council. Mr. Anwar explained that on March 27, 2012 he went to the Community Center leaving his bike unlocked on the bicycle rack. When Mr. Anwar returned to the bike 10 minutes later, someone had stolen his bike. The South Windsor Police Department arrived 5 minutes later and said they would call him back later. Mr. Anwar requested the following:
- The Town Council purchase and install security cameras in populated areas.
- When a Police Office says they will call someone, please make sure the calls are returned.
- The bicycle had great sentimental value and asked if anyone has seen the bike to please return it (Silver, Diamondback seven gear bike).
Mr. Jacob Hill came forward and requested that a skate park be constructed in South Windsor. The Town has many sports fields and parks in Town, but there are no skate parks. Unlike other sports there would be very little costs associated with a skate park after it is constructed.
ITEM:
5. Public Input (Continued)
Mr. Luke Beland also came forward to request that a skate park be constructed in South Windsor. A skate park can be used by everyone in the community. There is no where else in Town to skate.
Mr. Craig Zimmerman, 5A Amato Drive explained that he is on the Park & Recreation Commission and a skate park is something that is proposed on the Park & Recreation Master Plan. Park & Recreation Commission fully supports have a skate park in Town but will see how the budget goes in the next couple of years.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Zimmerman explained that the design is in the next year of the Master Plan and there was input from the young people of the community and will most likely be done again.
Mr. Zimmerman then announced that an “Opening Day” Ceremony for the new Baseball/Softball Hitting & Pitching Practice Facility will be held on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m. The High School Baseball team will be playing at 4:15 p.m. following by a reception at 6:00 p.m.
Councillor Havens thanked Craig Zimmerman and John Pelkey for their leadership on this project.
At 8:18 p.m. the Mayor recessed the Regular Meeting in order to finish the Work Session. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:25 p.m.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
None
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 Session Meeting of March 19, 2012; Regular Meeting of March 19, 2012; and Special Meeting of March 21, 2012.
Was made by Councillor Havens
Seconded by Councillor Snyder
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Reports from Standing Committees
None
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
12. Consent Agenda
Councillor Snyder and Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to approve Agenda Items 13. A. through 13. B., and 14. A., as the Consent Agenda. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
13. Unfinished Business
* A. Resolution Appointing Katie Graham (R) a Full Member to the Park & Recreation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Katie Graham (R) a full member to the Park & Recreation Commission for a term ending December 31, 2016.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
* B. Resolution Appointing Daniel Van Horn (R) an Alternate to the Park & Recreation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Daniel Van Horn (R) an Alternate to the Park & Recreation Commission for a term ending December 31, 2013 to fill the unexpired term of Katie Graham.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
ITEM:
14. New Business
* A. Resolution Reappointing Linda Jeski (D) to the Economic Development Commission and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby reappoints Linda Jeski (D) to the Economic Development Commission for a term ending November 30, 2015 and postpones consideration of this motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
B. Resolution Authorizing the Appropriation of Excess Bond Premium to Pay Interest on Bonds and a Contribution of $200,000 to the Retirement Plan for Employees of the Town of South Windsor
WHEREAS, the Town issued $2,000,000 of General Obligation Bonds and $9,050,000 of General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes dated February 21, 2012, (the “Obligations”), at a premium of $202,148 (the “Premium”); and
WHEREAS, in accordance with tax laws applicable to the Obligations, the Premium should be used to pay interest coming due on the Town’s outstanding general obligation bonds; and
WHEREAS, the Retirement Plan for Employees of the Town of South Windsor (the “Pension Plan”) pays retirement benefits for individuals retiring from the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Town Manager believes it is in the Town’s best interest to appropriate excess monies available in the General Fund for contribution to the Pension Plan
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby (1) appropriates the Premium to be used to pay interest on the Town’s outstanding general obligation bonds; and (2) appropriates $200,000 from the General Fund for contribution to the Pension Plan and Authorizes Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, to make such contribution.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
14. B. (Continued)
Was made by Councillor Beaulieu
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Councillor Beaulieu stated that while it makes sense to add some funds to the pension plan, those funds may be better used to pay debt for the sewer plant.
Mr. Galligan explained that there would be an excess of $200,000 in debt service fund but these would be used to pay the bond down. The Actuary came up with one set of documents to meet ARC and the Auditor came up with another document. At this time the ARC has a $198,000 short fall. This is a policy decision and the Town Council will have to decide to pay the pension fund or sewer plant.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the pension plan does not meet the ARC this year.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he would be inclined to support the resolution.
Mr. Galligan stated that if the Town Council decides the policy is going to be to pay the debt service, there will be an extra $200,000 to pay the debt.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano felt that the funds should be used for the sewer plant.
Mr. Galligan reminded the Council that the idea every year is to meet the ARC.
Mayor Delnicki requested that the Town Council make it clear what the legislative intent is and requested that a resolution be drafted for the next meeting.
Councillor Beaulieu made a motion to table this resolution. Councillor Snyder seconded the motion; and it passed on a roll call vote of 8 to 1 with Councillor Havens voting in opposition to postponing this resolution.
ITEM:
14. New Business
C. Resolution Endorsing the Buckland Area Transportation Study
WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has conducted and completed the Buckland Area Transportation Study which identifies alternatives to address near and long term transportation needs within and around the Buckland commercial area; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Regional Council of Governments, the Town of Manchester, the Town of South Windsor, area stakeholders and the public had an opportunity to offer input and guidance into the study process; and
WHEREAS, the individual components have not been finalized and are subject to change, and there are elements to the Study that need refinement, including addressing local traffic and noise concerns, and therefore the Town Council endorsement of the Study is not to be regarded as a final endorsement of each planning concept; and
WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation acknowledges concerns raised by the Bryan Farms neighborhood residents and the fact that additional alternatives will need to be reviewed prior to any reconfiguration of the Exit 63 off-ramp of Interstate-84
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of South Windsor endorses the recommendations indentified in the Buckland Area Transportation Study.
Was made by Councillor Anwar
Seconded by Councillor Havens
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he would be supporting this resolution because he feels it is very important for South Windsor to play a leadership role in this study as it goes along.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
14. C. (Continued)
Mayor Delnicki amended the resolution in the last paragraph, at the end of the paragraph to insert “with the exception of the proposed Interstate-84 West, Exit 63 off-ramp”. Councillor McCann seconded the amendment; it passed on a roll call vote of 8 to 0 with Councillor Snyder abstaining.
Councillor McCann amended the resolution further in the last paragraph, at the end of the amended paragraph, insert “also except that such endorsement does not include the opening of Slater Street”. Councillor Havens seconded the amendment.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he would support the amendment but feels this might be brining more attention to something that is not in the plan at this time.
Councillor Havens stated that this plan is something that the Town Council can’t agree on, how will the State and where the funds will come from.
Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the amendment; it passed on a roll call vote of 8 to 0 with Councillor Snyder abstaining.
Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the amended resolution, it passed on a roll call vote of 8 to 0 with Councillor Snyder abstaining.
The Resolution to read as follows:
WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has conducted and completed the Buckland Area Transportation Study which identifies alternatives to address near and long term transportation needs within and around the Buckland commercial area; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Regional Council of Governments, the Town of Manchester, the Town of South Windsor, area stakeholders and the public had an opportunity to offer input and guidance into the study process; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
14. C. (Continued)
WHEREAS, the individual components have not been finalized and are subject to change, and there are elements to the Study that need refinement, including addressing local traffic and noise concerns, and therefore the Town Council endorsement of the Study is not to be regarded as a final endorsement of each planning concept; and
WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation acknowledges concerns raised by the Bryan Farms neighborhood residents and the fact that additional alternatives will need to be reviewed prior to any reconfiguration of the Exit 63 off-ramp of Interstate-84
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of South Windsor endorses the recommendations indentified in the Buckland Area Transportation Study, with the exceptions of the proposed Interstate 84 West, Exit 63 off-ramp and such endorsement does not include the opening of Slater Street.
- Resolution Reaffirming Town Council Policy Concerning the Payment of Sewer Treatment Plant Bond Expense
WHEREAS, the voters of the Town of South Windsor approved a referendum authorizing the issuance of bonds to fund the reconstruction of the Town’s Sewer Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor thereafter obtained Clean Water funding for said reconstruction, and the cost of reconstruction was significantly below original estimates; and
WHERAS, the repayment of the bond expense for said reconstruction will commence in 2013; and
WHEREAS, a previous Town Council approved a policy whereby the payment of the bond expense would be from the general fund and not through sewer user fees; and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
WHEREAS, the Town Council has created a subcommittee led by the Town Manager whose purpose is to join with the Water Pollution Control Authority and members of the public to prepare a comprehensive plan for managing sewer fees and sewer capital expenditures into the future; and
WHEREAS, certain members of the current Town council have expressed dissatisfaction with the previously approved policy concerning payment of the bond expense from the general fund; and
WHEREAS, the possibility of a change in policy by the Town Council has created budget planning confusion for the Town Manager, Town staff, and the Water Pollution Control Authority, and for the subcommittee
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council reaffirms the vote of the previous Town Council whereby the bond expense for the reconstruction of the sewer treatment plant shall be paid for from the general fund and not through sewer user fees.
WHEREAS, the Town issued $2,000,000 of General Obligation Bonds and $9,050,000 of General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes dated February 21, 2012, (the “Obligations”), at a premium of $202,148 (the “Premium”); and
Was made by Councillor Yagaloff
Seconded by Councillor Havens
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the construction of the sewer treatment plant should be complete in May of 2012. The first repayment of the 1/20th payment will be due in September 2013.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that the purpose of this resolution is to inform the Town Manager if there will be a policy change regarding this issue.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to table action on this resolution until the subcommittee comes forward with their findings regarding the repayment. Councillor Snyder seconded the motion; and it passed on a roll call vote of 6 to 3 with Mayor Delnicki, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Beaulieu, Councillor Prague, Councillor McCann and Councillor Snyder voting in favor of tabling this resolution and Councillor Anwar, Councillor Havens and Councillor Yagaloff voting in opposition of tabling this resolution.
15. Passage of Ordinance
A. Resolution Adopting Amendments to Article IV, Blight and Nuisance Ordinance
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby adopts amendments to Article IV, Blight and Nuisance Ordinance, said Ordinance more fully described in attached Exhibit A., a copy of which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Councillor Prague
Seconded by Councillor Snyder
Mayor Delnicki explained that Attorney Kari Olson is on vacation and has not had the ability to make any changes to this Ordinance yet.
Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to postpone action on this Ordinance until the April 16, 2012 meeting to give the Town Attorney the necessary time to review this Ordinance. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
16. Public Input
None
ITEM:
17. Communications and Petitions from Council
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Sewer Subcommittee will have recommendations to the Council regarding the payments of the reconstruction of the sewer plant before the Town budget and the WPCA budget are complete.
Councillor Yagaloff requested to see the drafts of different ways the repayment of the Sewer Treatment Plant is being reviewed to be repaid.
Mr. Galligan explained that everything is in draft form and the subcommittee used assumptions for the next two years.
Councillor McCann felt that WPCA and the Town Manager’s Office should work with DEEP and OPM to make sure the Plan of Conservation and Development that is on file with the State of Connecticut is compatible with the plans for future development within the Town of South Windsor.
Mr. Galligan explained that things are interpreted differently within both agencies may have different opinions.
Mayor Delnicki informed the Council that he attended Sergeant Daniel Martin’s retirement party. The South Windsor Walk & Wheel Ways will be hosting a Community Bike Ride which will consist of 12.5 miles on May 20, 2012 beginning with registration at 12:00 p.m. at the South Windsor High School parking lot. The Penguin Plunge was held and was very successful raising $35,000. The Town Council will recognize the participants at a future Town Council meeting. The Mayor’s Cup award will be presented to the winners of the Pinewood Derby race held on April 2, 2012.
18. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Mr. Galligan informed the Town Council that he would not be able to attend the Joint Work Session with the Town Council and Board of Education on April 3, 2012 because there was a death in his family.
ITEM:
19. Executive Session
At 9:20 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue, (agreement between the Town of South Windsor Job Classification and Fringe Benefit Description for non-Bargaining Unit members). Councillor McCann seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan, Mayor Delnicki, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Anwar, Councillor Beaulieu, Councillor Havens, Councillor McCann, Councillor Prague, Councillor Snyder and Councillor Yagaloff.
At 9:42 p.m. Councillor McCann made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
20. Adjournment
At 9:43 p.m. Councillor McCann made a motion to adjourn the Regular 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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