TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, JUNE 4, 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 Thomas Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano (arrived at 7:36 p.m.)
Councillor M. Saud Anwar
Councillor Cindy Beaulieu (arrived at 7:42 p.m.)
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
Mayor Delnicki reported that he attended the Memorial Day Ceremonies on May 28, 2012. It was a good ceremony. Mayor Delnicki also reported that he had attended an Eagle Scout Ceremony for Matthew Torres. Mayor Delnicki then announced that the Town Council has a new Hartford Courant reporter for the summer, Rebecca Robbins. The Hartford Magazine awarded South Windsor in the category of Medium Sized Towns the overall ranking of number three and South Windsor came in at number five for the overall ranking of the top 30 Towns in Connecticut.
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan explained that in the Town Manager’s report there is an update on the various bridge projects and other projects throughout Town from the Town Engineer. At the CRCOG meeting there was an approval of the Avery Street project. There is a resolution tonight to move that project forward. The Stoughton Bridge has to get done by the end of September because it is part of the route for the Hartford Marathon.
Councillor McCann explained that there are a series of hearings coming up for the State Plan of Conservation and Development concerning the map for the development of South Windsor. South Windsor has a map that is part of that State plan that identifies properties as to whether or not they can hook up to our sewer system which potentially has a very restrictive impact on development in South Windsor. It also would hamper some of our homeowners in Town from hooking up to the system if their private septic system failed. It is vital for the Town of South Windsor to have representatives at those
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
hearings and to testify at those hearings to make sure that the map is appropriately amended so that the Town does not have unnecessary restrictions on the hook up to sewers that are in our streets.
Mr. Galligan stated that Michele Lipe, Fred Shaw, Jeff Doolittle and himself will all be going to those hearings. Murtha Cullina has been monitoring the mapping. Mr. Galligan said he would send the Town Council the dates of the hearings and who will be at those hearings.
Councillor Yagaloff requested that sidewalks be staked out on Avery Street so residents can have a visual of where the sidewalks would be located. This would help residents when meetings are held and give them the ability to voice their opinion on the plan.
Mayor Delnicki requested that the Town Council be informed when meetings with residents will be held.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan stated he would get the cost for the ramp at the Community Center to the Council. The Stoughton Bridge on Main Street should be complete late August or early September. It was imperative for the Town Council to make a quick decision on the field at the High School in order to get the field back and ready for use. The Council needed to be informed in case any questions were asked from residents.
Mayor Delnicki felt that the mapping for the sewer systems needs to be addressed and encouraged members of the Council to attend one of the hearings and give testimony.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Update on proposed time line and progress for the Skate Park
Mr. Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation came forward to give update on the Skate Spot, as shown in attached Exhibit A.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Favreau explained that there will be posted rules at the Skate Park. The good thing about the location of the facility is that it is in an area where it is very visible and also the Police Department will be able to keep an eye on the facility as well. The cost of the project makes is necessary for this project to go out to bid. Councillor Anwar stated that he feels that any projects from the Town should go out to bid. Mr. Galligan explained that the Town Charter requires that the Town go out to bid for anything above $5,000.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Favreau stated that the kids seem to like the area where the Skate Spot is being proposed.
Councillor McCann said he is glad the Town is involving the kids who would like a Skate Park and also felt that creating this skating area will address safety concerns. Presently kids are skating in all different areas which is a safety concern.
Mr. Favreau quoted that statically 80% fewer injuries occur with a park versus random street skating.
Councillor Yagaloff felt that the local competitive bidding should be reviewed and reconsidered by the Town Council again.
Mayor Delnicki requested that the Town Manager review the legal opinion with the Town Attorney to make sure that the ruling was stated as saying the Town could not have local competitive bidding based on the way the Charter is written. Mr. Galligan stated he would have the Town Attorney reissue that opinion but he believes it was stated that a Charter change would be necessary.
Councillor Havens stated he would like to make sure this project goes through all of the land use Commissions necessary. Councillor Havens also voiced that he is totally against giving local businesses preference on any contract and would oppose such an Ordinance again if it came forward to the Council.
Councillor Anwar stated that he likes the term “Skate Park” rather than “Skate Spot”. Mr. Favreau explained that the terminology is based on the current trends and current vocabulary. A Skate Park is a much larger area which accommodates BMX bikers and skate boarders. This is going to be a fairly small area and an area of this size is usually referred to as a Skate Spot. Mayor Delnicki explained that the Town Council has the last say on that issue and could call it a Skate Park if that is what the Council would like to do.
Mr. Favreau explained to the Council that if the Town had to pay for materials for the Skate Park, that item would go out to bid, but will use voluntary services for the actual labor. The Town would get more for the $95,000 if volunteers are used.
B. Update on Recreation Projects (water features at VMP; safety fencing at My Friend’s Place at Nevers Road Park; handicap rail at VMP; neighborhood connector paths; refurbish playing surface to accommodate one (1) regulation tennis court, two-three (2-3) youth tennis courts and two-three (2-3) pickle ball courts at Rye Stret Park; and Multi-Purpose Field rehabilitation – cost and time line)
Mr. Ray Favreau updated the Town Council on various Recreation projects, as shown in attached, Exhibit A.
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Favreau explained that the cost of $30,000 for fencing at My Friend’s Place is because there is a certain type of fencing being looked at. If a product comes in close or similar to what is being sought, that product will be considered. The prices are coming in lower than anticipated and if the prices do come in lower, the fence may be able to be extended further along the Nevers Road property line.
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Caldwell explained that there were problems at the Multi-Purpose field from the beginning because it was a slow draining field. After doing some amendments to the field it seems to be going good and hopefully will be fully complete soon.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano requested that the Town Manager inform the public of what is happening with that field. Mr. Galligan stated that he would have it put on the website. Mr. Galligan also stated that hopefully the new Hartford Courant reporter will write something up about the fields in the newspaper.
At 8:00 p.m. Mayor Delnicki recessed the Work Session in order to call the Regular Meeting to order. The Work Session reconvened at 8:25 p.m.
Councillor Anwar stated that at the Rye Street Park there is a horrible mosquito problem which should be addressed. Councillor Anwar also felt that security camera’s would be a worthwhile investment in different areas of Town owned property to help with vandalism throughout Town.
Councillor McCann explained that he had visited the field the day the contractor started to strip the sod from those fields. The sod was very wet and after the sod was removed the ground was dry. The problem was in the sod and would not allow the water to get down to the subsoil to drain. Councillor McCann stated he looks forward of this being a viable solution and the fields being able to be played on again.
C. Underground Utilities
Councillor McCann requested that this discussion be postponed until all the information has been gathered regarding the expense of placing utilities underground.
D. Capital Projects
Mayor Delnicki explained that this item is on the Regular Meeting agenda and will be taken up at that time.
ITEM:
7. Executive Session
Will be taken up at the Regular Meeting
8. Adjournment
At 8:30 p.m. Councillor Havens made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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