PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
October 1, 2012
7:15 p.m.
South Windsor Town Council
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on Amendments to the South Windsor Code of Ordinances, Chapter 86, Article III. Sidewalks
Mayor Delnicki called the Public Hearing to order at 7:15 p.m.; and requested that the Clerk of the Council read the call of the meeting (a copy of which is attached hereto). There were approximately thirteen (13) people present in the audience.
Councillor McCann explained that he is a proponent of this ordinance and is also the Chairperson for the Sidewalk & Bikeway Subcommittee. The subcommittee brought these amendments forward after receiving a legal opinion from the Town Attorney. There are portions of the ordinance that impose monetary liability on abutters for repair or installation of sidewalks that are of questionable enforceability. They also impose costs on landowners that may make it less desirable for abutting landowners to have a sidewalk installed next to their property. Amendments will eliminate costs to abutting landowners for installation and/or repair of sidewalks except in the instance where the abutting landowner or landowners contractor have caused damage to the sidewalk. The Sidewalk & Bikeway Subcommittee recommends that
the Town Council approve these amendments.
Mayor Delnicki asked if there was anyone from the public that would like to speak.
Mr. Robert Dickinson, 19 Birch Road came forward to speak in favor of the amended ordinance. Mr. Dickinson stated the changes need to be made to make sidewalks more acceptable to abutting landowners and keep pedestrians safe.
Mr. Roy Normen, 158 Homestead Drive felt that these changes are necessary and he is happy to see these changes occur. Mr. Normen stated that his only concern is the liability as a homeowner if someone falls on the sidewalk abutting his property.
Mr. Skip Bourke, 91 Murielle Drive, came forward to speak in favor of the changes to the ordinance.
Mr. Ken Sek, 285 Griffin Road stated that he is in favor of these changes and also informed the Council that he presently has sidewalks in his neighborhood and feels it makes a safer situation for people to walk around their neighborhoods.
Mayor Delnicki asked for a Straw Vote, the results of which were as follows:
Those in support of amending the South Windsor Code of Ordinances, Chapter 86, Article III. Sidewalks: - 5
Those in opposition of amending the South Windsor Code of Ordinances, Chapter 86, Article III. Sidewalks: - 0
The public hearing was closed at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Deborah W. Reid, Clerk of the Council
Public Hearing Notice – Exhibit A
Proposed Ordinance – Exhibit B
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