TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 October 25, 2012
TOWN COUNCIL – Special Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the Special Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2. 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
3. Public Participation
Ms. Kathy Hale of 54 Orchard Hill Drive came before the Town Council to support the Connecticut Studios Project. Ms. Hale stated to the Council that to keep their eyes on the prize. This is a large project with long term benefits to the Town.
4. Communications
Mr. Galligan explained to the Council that there will be a meeting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. with all of South Windsor’s emergency personnel to discuss the storm that is being predicted. All of the equipment is being prepared in case the storm does hit Connecticut. The Emergency Operation Center has been moved to the Town Hall because the Police Department Dispatch area is being renovated. The Community Center will be used for a shelter unless the number of people exceeds a certain number, then the shelter would be moved to the High School. Facebook, Twitter and Everbridge are all ready to go.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that Chief Reed has been reviewing the establishment of an Emergency Response Team made up of community members.
ITEM:
5. Executive Session
At 7:11 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to go into Executive Session to have a discussion regarding Connecticut Studios – Contract Terms as Related to the Reverter Clause. Councillor Prague seconded the motion.
Answering questions from the Council, Attorney Johnson explained that this is an appropriate executive session item because it could result in potential litigation.
Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Delnicki, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Anwar, Councillor Beaulieu, Councillor Havens, Councillor McCann, Councillor Prague, Councillor Snyder, Councillor Yagaloff, Town Attorney Dwight Johnson, Mr. Dan Marsh, Mr. Tony DelVicario, Mr. Ralph Palumbo, Ms. Shari Fiveash and Attorney Brendan Smith
At 9:15 p.m. Councillor Prague made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
6. Special Business
A. Discussion Item: Status of Connecticut Studio Project
The Council decided to go right to the Item 6. B.
B. Resolution Extending the Reverter Clause Deadline
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of South Windsor and the South Windsor Redevelopment Agency, acting through their duly authorized officials, extend to December 3, 2012 the reverter deadline set forth in the fourth paragraph of a certain Statutory Form Quit Claim Deed to Connecticut Studios, LLC, dated October 26, 2009, and recorded at Vol. 2077, Page 183-184 on the land records of the Town of South Windsor, Connecticut; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Manager is authorized and directed to execute this date an amendment to Quit Claim Deed in the form presented to the Town Council this date.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Was made by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Seconded by Councillor Havens
Answering questions from the Council, Town Attorney Johnson explained that the amendment will modify the paragraph of the existing Quit Claim Deed to extend the deadline to December 3, 2012 and if the Council adopts the resolution the Town Manager will execute that amendment.
Councillor Anwar stated that the Town Council is working together to protect the Town, but also figure out a way to move this project forward.
Mayor Delnicki stated that this project will bring a little over $1,000,000 in tax revenue once this project is up and running. It will also bring a substantial number of jobs and a boost to the regions economy, but again the ball is in their court. The Council extended the deadline this time but that does not mean it would be extended again.
Councillor Havens said he would be supporting this resolution but the work is not done yet. This project will provide jobs and income for the community.
Mr. Ralph Palumbo, DiGennaro & Palumbo, LLP came forward and thanked the Council for this extension and support. Connecticut Studios will work hard to move the project forward.
Ms. Athena Loukellis, 135 Ridgefield Drive came before the Council and requested that more information regarding this project be posted on the website. The facts of the project over the last three years.
Mayor Delnicki requested that the Town Manager put the document the Council received tonight on the website as well as the creation of a time line that is easily understood as to what actions were taken with the dates. Mr. Galligan said he would do that but would need a little time.
Mayor Delnicki corrected the record on the Executive Session that Attorney Brendan Smith was also present in the Executive Session.
ITEM:
7. Adjournment
At 9:23 p.m. Councillor Havens made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Councillor Prague seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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