TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 May 21, 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 Thomas 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
Dwight Johnson, Town Attorney
Following the Roll Call, Mr. Michael Gantick, Director of Public Works came forward to present individuals with awards in the categories of the Rich Boudreault Award (All the Divisions of Public Works and the Parks & Recreation Department), Citizen Award (Pat Botteron), and Business Partner Award (Lutz Tree Service) for National Public Works Week. Mayor Delnicki read a proclamation into the record recognizing National Public Works Week.
Mayor Delnicki then read another proclamation into the record recognizing and congratulating Mike Gantick for being chosen as a Leadership Fellow by the American Public Works Association.
5. Public Input
Mr. Ken Sek, 285 Griffin Road came forward to invite the Council members to the Connecticut Trail Days on Sunday, June 3, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Major Michael Donnelley Land Preserve. The South Windsor Open Space Task Force and the South Windsor Walk & Wheel Ways are hosting this event.
ITEM:
5. Public Input (Continued)
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came forward and stated that he is upset that the Board of Education has not turned the surplus for the last two years back into the general fund. The Town needs these funds to create a larger fund balance which affects the rating of the Town.
State Representative Bill Aman, 878 Strong Road came before the Town Council to review the State Legislation 2012 Major Acts.
Councillor Yagaloff requested that the updates be sent to him by email.
Mr. Robert Dickinson, 19 Birch Road came forward and expressed support for Item 14. D. on the agenda regarding a discussion on the sidewalk ordinances being repealed. Mr. Dickinson stated he is hopeful that these changes can be adopted in the near future.
Mayor Delnicki recessed the Regular Meeting at 8:41 p.m. in order to finish the Work Session. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 10:00 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: Special Work Session Meeting of April 23, 2012.
Was made by Councillor Snyder
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
The motion was approved, unanimously
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
ITEM:
10. Reports from Standing Committees
None
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
Councillor McCann reported that the Sidewalk & Bikeway Sub-Committee had a meeting this past week and had a presentation from Sandy Fry who is from CROCOG regarding Complete Streets Principles which are essentially focused on making all of our streets accessible to everyone. These Principles are adopted by the State of Connecticut with the statute that requires 1% of public funding for road works to go towards sidewalks and bikeways and it is something that is worked into the Engineering Department. The Complete Street presentation is available to entire Council.
12. Consent Agenda
Councillor Havens made a motion to approve Agenda Items 13. A. and 14. A. through 14. B., as the Consent Agenda. Councillor Anwar seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
13. Unfinished Business
* A. Resolution Reappointing Cile Decker to the Redevelopment Agency
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby reappoints Cile Decker to the Redevelopment Agency for a term ending December 31, 2016.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
ITEM:
14. New Business
* A. Resolution Reappointing James Throwe (D) an Alternate to the Patriotic 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 appoints James Throwe (D) an alternate to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending December 31, 2014 to fill the unexpired term of Daria Plummer and postpones consideration of this motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
* B. Resolution Reappointing Daria Plummer (D) a Full Member to the Patriotic 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 appoints Daria Plummer (D) a full member to the Patriotic Commission for a term ending December 31, 20142to fill the unexpired term of James Throwe and postpones consideration of this motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to bring Item 14. I. forward. Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
13. Unfinished Business (Continued)
B. Resolution Appointing a Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2012/2013
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager, as Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2012/2013.
Was made by Councillor Beaulieu
Seconded by Councillor McCann
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
14. New Business (Continued)
C. Discussion Item: Proposal to Place Funds from Agricultural Land Leases into Open Space Maintenance
Mayor Delnicki read a letter from Chairperson Betty Warren into the record as shown in attached, Exhibit A.
Ms. Betty Warren came forward and explained that there has been concern about adequate funding for passive recreation and the Conservation Commission has overseen the building of trails, blinds, walk ways and bridges with the help of Mr. Jeff Folger, Environmental Planner. The funds that have been used for these type of projects were some grants and a fine levied by on a local business by DEEP and those funds will run out at some point. It was felt that transferring the funds from the agricultural land leases into the open space maintenance may be a way to continue to provide those services. It has been requested that the Council consider making this a free standing fund, simply open space management maintenance and that it be ongoing.
Answering questions from the Council, Ms. Warren explained that these funds would be used for properties such as the Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve, the Wildlife Sanctuary and Wapping Park. Areas that have not been targeted and have used volunteers organizations to be an adjunct to that. The amount of the funds is approximately $16,000. There are nine properties that we lease to farmers in this $16,000. The Town gets the same amount farmers are paying the same as they would pay to a private property owner. At the Priest Property, the Hartford Hospital building that is going up on Sullivan Avenue has agreed to put a trail from the Sullivan Avenue property to the Land Trust property as part of the mitigation and that trail goes through the Priest property.
Councillor Anwar stated that when this item comes to the Council as a resolution, he would request that these funds be under the guidance of a certain institution. Ms. Warren suggested that the Conservation Commission be designated to oversee these funds.
Councillor McCann suggested that these funds be carried over from year to year and would have the Manager work on an appropriate way for an account to do that.
ITEM:
14. C. (Continued)
Councillor Havens stated that although he supports this, he feels this should have been done with the budget. Mr. Galligan explained that the Town will be $16,000 short in revenues but hopefully that can be made up some where.
Ms. Pat Botteron, 34 Victor Lane stated that the Town is blessed to have the wonderful volunteers that work on different projects to keep these areas safe.
D. Discussion item: Sidewalk Ordinances (requested by Councillor McCann)
Councillor McCann explained that this is a matter that came up during a Sidewalk & Bikeway Sub-Committee meeting. The Committee felt that the ordinances that the Town has in place which impose costs and liability on abutting land owners for the installation of sidewalks and for the repair of sidewalks could hinder the expansion of sidewalks throughout Town. It creates a predisposition by the abutting land owners to opposed sidewalks being created throughout Town. The Sub-Committee is requesting that the Town Council look at the ordinances that are involved. The ordinances that would need to be reviewed are sections 86-82, 86-83, 86-84, 86-87 and 86-88. The purpose of bringing this forward is to have a discussion and assessment by the Town Council as to whether these ordinances should be
revised, repealed or remain in place. Guidance from the Town Attorney will be necessary regarding the affect of any changes that may be made to these ordinances and also with respect to the enforceability of the ordinances as they now exist or may exist after changes.
Councillor Anwar felt that it is time to re-evaluate this issue. Having sidewalks is healthy for the community.
Councillor Beaulieu feels that taking the burden off of the homeowner will help to have sidewalks throughout Town. This is part of a plan to make the Town more accessible for the community.
Councillor Havens stated he is in support of sidewalks but the Council has to review this issue very carefully because it may be something that costs the Town a lot of money in the long run.
ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
Councillor Yagaloff feels it is important for the Town to have a plan of where the sidewalks should be. The community needs to be involved with discussions regarding this issue. A major concern is the snow and ice on the sidewalks. Manchester has signs that say “walk at your own risk” and Councillor Yagaloff stated he does not want something like that in South Windsor. It is imperative that the Town makes sure the sidewalks are cleared in the winter so the community can use them safely.
Councillor McCann stated that the Town needs to address such issues as moving forward with a plan for sidewalks as well as making sure that the costs are taken care of and the liabilities are properly assessed. The liability of the homeowner for removal of snow and ice is by statute and the Town can not change that. The Chairperson of the South Windsor Walk & Wheel Ways has produced a map that shows a plan for priority of installation of sidewalks, particularly on major roads throughout the Town. At the next Sidewalk & Bikeway Sub-Committee meeting that issue will be discussed and a plan should be available for the Town Council.
Mayor Delnicki requested that the Town Manager review this issue and see what costs would be associated with sidewalks to the taxpayer. The report should be given to the Council and to the Sub-Committee.
E. Discussion Item: Underground Utilities (requested by Councillor McCann)
Councillor McCann explained that this is a discussion regarding underground utilities and whether the Town Council should address a policy regarding the desirability of underground utilities in the Town. Councillor McCann requested that this item be removed from the agenda for the Regular Meeting and be placed on an upcoming meeting under the Work Session agenda.
15. Passage of Ordinance
None
16. Public Input
None
ITEM:
17. Communications and Petitions from Council
Mayor Delnicki stated that he attended a meeting held by the DOT over in Manchester on May 17, 2012 regarding ramp changes on Exit 63 off of I-84. This work is strictly in Manchester and is a project that is not part of the Buckland Area Transportation Study. If anyone has any comments they can be submitted to DOT.
Mayor Delnicki then informed the Council that he had attended a Gold Award Ceremony for three girl scouts. Councillor McCann explained that the Council does the Mayor’s Cup for the Boy Scouts and would like to request that something be done for the Girl Scouts.
- Communications and Reports from Town Manager
None
19. Executive Session
None
20. Adjournment
At 10:44 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Councillor Yagaloff seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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