TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Tom Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Cindy Beaulieu
Councillor Ed Havens
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Janice Snyder
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor M. Saud Anwar
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Kari Olson, Town Attorney
3. Public Participation
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan informed the Town Council that Attorney Kari Olson is present at the meeting to discuss the proposed Blight Ordinance.
Mayor Delnicki explained that at the last meeting this item was postponed. The legislative intent of the changes to the Ordinance was to maintain what the Town already had for a Blight Ordinance and then have the Ordinance expanded to give the Town the ability to go on an abandoned property and remediate a situation that was bringing harm to a neighborhood.
Town Attorney, Kari Olson stated that the original Ordinance was revised to give the Town that ability to go onto abandoned properties to remediate a situation that may be bringing harm to a neighborhood and also to allow other means of special assessments. Attorney Olson reviewed the changes that have occurred on the Ordinance.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that the amended Ordinance is a healthy replacement for the existing Ordinance that the Town had and really clarifies the Ordinance as a whole.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
Answering questions from the Commission, Attorney Olson explained that since the Town did not repeal the existing Ordinance, there would be two Ordinances that probably could not be enforced. The amended Ordinance gives the Town the same ability to enforce anti-blighted properties that are not vacant and allows the Town to enter properties that are vacant and abandoned. If a property is abandoned, this Ordinance allows the Town to go onto a property to rectify any type of dangerous situation, but even if a property is abandoned, the Town does not have the right to go inside the dwelling or any structure on the property without written consent of the owner.
Mayor Delnicki questioned if there have been significant changes to the Ordinance that would require the Town to hold another Public Hearing? Attorney Olson felt that changes were minimal and would not require another Public Hearing.
Councillor Yagaloff requested that the Town Council get information from the WPCA sub-committee? Mr. Galligan stated that the Town Council received that financial information tonight in their packets. It was sent out to the WPCA sub-committee this morning. There is an estimate of what the sewer user fees would be if increased by 5% or 10%.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that these estimates do not include anticipated fees if the plant were incorporated into the payments. Mr. Galligan explained that the estimates include the first 1/20th payment. Also given to the Council is the debt service.
Councillor Yagaloff requested that the WPCA explain how they went from a beginning fund balance of $961,000 in this fiscal year to an ending balance of $1,813,000 when they made those major expenditures for the work that has been done. Mr. Galligan stated he would have the Director of Finance give an analysis on that.
Mayor Delnicki stated that he received a communication from a resident that lives on Murielle Drive and the concern was of the increase of air traffic low flying jets. Mr. Galligan said he would find out from Bradley International Airport if there have been any route changes.
Mayor Delnicki also has another concern from a resident regarding liens being placed on properties for delinquent sewer bills. When is that done typically? Mr. Galligan answered that liens are usually put out at the end of April or May but can be done any time after February. Residents have up until June 30th to file those liens. The Town Clerk had requested that if there were going to be liens if they could be filed now because there will be a lot of work being done with the Probate Court issue and they would like a little bit of time to record them into the record.
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion
A. Library’s Budget Presentation
Ms. Mary Etter, Director of the South Windsor Public Library came forward and reviewed the Public Library’s budget, as shown in attached Exhibit A. Ms. Etter explained that the Library has followed the Town Manger’s instructions, allowing a 3.5% increase adjustment to personnel and has attempted to keep other line item changes to a minimum. Expenditures are for materials in the Library. The number of positions has not changed over the last five years. The total for student positions does not change, but the number of filled positions does change from year to year. Ms. Etter explained the technology changes and the costs of different items.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he shares the concern of the changing in technology as well as the pricing and costs. The problem with the access to the Library is that everything gets booked so quickly. The demand is so great and the availability is small compared to the demand. It would be nice to see if we could get more funds to improve the materials.
Ms. Etter stated that is why the Library Board policy is to essentially sweep the change of all of the other accounts into materials at the end of the year. A task force has been established to try to figure out a method all this new technology.
Answering further questions from the Council, Ms. Etter explained that the Library does not have longevity payments that go to employees. The longevity line item is used for actual course work that would be available under the educational benefit to staff members. There is a decrease in the office equipment of 44% because the Library is in the process of changing out all of the public computers. There will be warranties for the next year so it was felt that could be cut back. Those computers are being purchased with grant funds.
B. Human Services Budget Presentation
Mr. Dennis Sheridan, Director of Human Services came before the Town Council to present the Human Services budget, as shown in attached Exhibit B. Mr. Sheridan introduced Andrea Cofrancesco, Senior Center Coordinator; Joanne Moriarty, Youth and Family Services Coordinator; and Lindsey Ravalese, Social Services Coordinator. Mr. Sheridan explained that he would like to increase a current position from 24 hours per week to 30 hours per week.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Sheridan explained that the items that the Town Manager took out of the budget were for an increase in hours for a social worker and an increase in salary for the Social Services Coordinator. At this time the increase in the administrative secretary position is due to the transportation needs of the senior population. The increase would be for $5,492. Human Services has had a space needs issue for some time and unfortunately this subject did not get addressed when the Town held a referendum, but Human Services is trying to be
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
creative by using the gazebo for some activities. It is hopeful in the future that additional space needs will be addressed for Human Services.
At 8:01 p.m. Mayor Delnicki recessing the Work Session in order to bring the Regular Meeting to order. The Work Session reconvened at 8:28 p.m.
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Sheridan stated that at this time the part time position is the most critical need in Human Services. There was an increase in over time due to the Administrative Secretary, which is a union position, covering night meetings for the department.
Councillor Havens stated that the residents that use the Human Services Department need the services that are provided and Councillor Havens thanked Human Services for everything they do.
Councillor Snyder stated that Human Services reaches across all age groups and feels Human Services does a wonderful job.
Answering questions, Mr. Sheridan explained that salary increase of 2.5% was put into the budget which was reduced by the Town Manager from 3.5%. The over time increase in the budget is due to a union employee covering meetings at night. The $17,000 under the line item of department equipment is for a new bus. The Town owns the bus that is being retired, but the Human Services Department has requested that Human Services retains that bus for use.
Councillor Snyder stated that she would rather see a small percentage growth in a budget than a 0% growth.
Councillor Yagaloff asked if the seniors are able to use the gym at the Community Center: Mr. Sheridan explained that initially seniors would use the gym at the Community Center for pickle ball but then there was too much demand for that space. The seniors then went to Ellsworth and used that gym space. The Town needs to find a solution for the senior space needs. Ten thousand square feet of additional space was used for the plan that had failed in the referendum. The ten thousand square feet was arrived at looking into the future but any space would be appreciated. Deputy Mayor Bazzano felt that the Town Council should discuss this issue and decide what makes sense and go forward with what is decided upon. Mr. Galligan felt that the Town Council should make a policy decision.
Mr. Galligan suggested that a public/private partnership be done. Councillor Prague stated he would like the Town to use a different architect than who has been used for other Town projects. Councillor McCann suggested that for an immediate solution, the Town should look at renting space which could be shared with Recreation.
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Mr. Sheridan acknowledged the great job his staff did in October for the unprecedented storm. There were 14 people in and out of that shelter everyday who are part of the Human Services staff. Thanked everyone who participated with Dancing with the Stars. Also thanked the Building Maintenance Department for their part in helping with set up in the Community Center. Thanked Mayor Delnicki for the
Christmas lights which raised over $1,200 for the Food and Fuel Bank along with the food donations. Mr. Sheridan then informed the Council and the public about programs that are going to be held. They are the Broken Dreams program on May 8th and 9th which is an accident recreation and the Teen Center Tag Sale is scheduled for May 19th.
C. Public Works Budget Presentation
Mr. Michael Gantick, Director of Public Works came forward to present his budget. Other staff members present were Karl Reichle, Superintendent of Operations; Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer; Clay Major, Facilities Manager; and Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control. Mr. Gantick gave the Town Council an overview of Public Work’s main functions. A lot of the work done by Public Works centers around community health and welfare whether it is dealing with ensuring that infrastructure is in place so people can travel to where they are trying to get to, keeping the streets safe and clean during the winter time. Managing the storm water and the waste water. Ensuring that from an environmental protection perspective everything is up to snuff. Certainly a big part of our budget is
focused on those main functions as described in attached, Exhibit C. A couple of things are driving the budget which is utilities, fuel and equipment needs. Staffing levels have decreased where the amount of streets have increased as well as recycling. The Fleet Manager which is a necessary position in Public Works has not been funded for this budget. Mr. Gantick also presented the Council with an explanation of budget changes (Exhibit D), items removed from the budget by the Town Manager (Exhibit E) and accomplishments by the Public Works Department (Exhibit F).
Mr. Galligan stated that additional information that was provided to the Council regarding condo reimbursements for recycling, (Exhibit G). Mr. Galligan felt that the Leaf Collection program should be reviewed. No matter what is trimmed on this budget will affect a program.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano requested that a five year history of positions and salaries be given to the Town Council.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Gantick explained that the truck that is being requested is under the 442 account. This year’s budget there was supposed to be a purchase of chasse for a truck and then in next year’s budget was supposed to be to buy the body and another small dump truck in the proposed budget along with miscellaneous small equipment. A large truck has not been purchased in four
ITEM:
6. C. (Continued)
years. Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated he would be inclined to support the purchase of another truck, but some of the other items seem like large increases.
Mr. Gantick explained that in the accounts associated with snow removal, the Town is looking at surplus, but the tree budget has increased.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano requested that the Town Manager get the number that has been turned back into the general fund for the last five years. Anything that is under expending goes back into the fund balance unless the Council passes a resolution to use those funds differently. Deputy Mayor Bazzano felt that it should be discussed whether the funds get turned back into the fund balance or utilized towards other projects. That is a decision that the Town Council would make.
Mr. Gantick explained that the Town was just approached by the Town of Manchester because there is grant money that is available which would be used to get salt brine producing and application equipment. The Town of South Windsor’s share would be approximately $25,000 for a system that is around $120,000. The Department is also looking at other ways to leverage business opportunities with other communities in Connecticut in order to hopefully reduce spending. Mr. Galligan felt that could be a way to reduce overtime expenses. Councillor Snyder explained that the Town could pre-treat roads three to four days before the snow comes and it gets rid of black ice. The product is easy to use and it is very economical.
Mr. Majors explained that the increase in long distance charges is because A T & T has State contracts and the station charge increased. The Town switched from Sprint to Verizon cell phones because Verizon is the only carrier that has generators at all of their cell towers. When the storm happened, the Town did not have use of the cell phones. Councillor Prague felt that after keeping vendors for more than 10 years the Town should review other users because the cost will most likely be cheaper. Mr. Galligan suggested that the Charter be changed to go out to bid for anything larger than $20,000 instead of $5,000.
Councillor McCann stated that there are a number of things that have been implemented into the Town’s way of doing business which have benefitted both the Town as well as the budget. Corrections need to be made on the sewer user map because that has impact on the people who want to develop property that is identified on the map incorrectly as conservation property.
Answering questions, Mr. Gantick explained that the Town has to commit to CRCOG each year a certain amount of salt and the Town has to buy at least half of that amount and the Town can not buy any more than 50% of the amount that is given to CRCOG. This year not much salt was used and the Town had to buy the half amount, 1,250 tons. This could save on the next year’s budget but it would be a risk. The Town has budgeted for the average year but the Town has to make sure
ITEM:
6. C. (Continued)
inventory control is done. There are times where the Town could not get more salt so the Town has to have enough to make sure it can get through storms. Mr. Gantick explained that there will be salt that will be used for next year but there is a potential for taking a risk and not buying as much salt next year. In the budget it is budgeted to buy 3,000 tons.
Mr. Reichle explained that he likes to keep the salt shed full. Last year during January, the Town of Vernon called and requested salt from South Windsor. In January Town’s can not buy salt.
Mr. Galligan explained that based upon projection, the Town will have a lot of snow and could use all of the salt in the salt shed. Mr. Gantick explained that there have been difficulties in the past getting salt and this year there will be $169,000 returned from that line item. The Town could take risks and cut the budget, but then Contingency would have to be used if the town runs out.
The salt shed is approximately 90% full which is approximately 3,000 tons. The Town is committed to take 50% of the salt and if the Town has to pay for it, the Town should own it. The company who sells the salt will hold the salt at $5.00 per ton. The salt presently costs about $80.00 per ton. Mr. Gantick stated that the price a few years ago was up over $100.00 per ton.
Mayor Delnicki stated that the brine equipment makes a lot of sense from the stand point of avoiding over time or having a reduction in over time. Mayor Delnicki requested that by May 1st he would like to know what the projected surplus is in the Public Works Department based on the course they are on right now.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 9:53 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Snyder seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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