TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2013
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor M. Saud Anwar
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Janice Snyder
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mr. Mike Sullivan, 24 Jared Court came before the Town Council and stated that there is an agenda item on the Work Session tonight regarding the consideration of leasing options for different projects. Mr. Sullivan encouraged the Town Council to review the legalities or powers and authorities that the Town specifically has. It would be in the Town Councils best interest as well as the residents best interest that there be a review of what the Charter enables the Town to do, what the State regulations convey as a power to a municipality, and what under the current structure are the limits of the Town Councils authority. Leasing arrangements should be reviewed with the Town Attorney and what should be done in the future in regards to financing through leases.
4. Communications
Mayor Delnicki commended the Patriotic Commission, VFW and American League on the Memorial Day Parade and other events. There is a new Eagle Scout, Jake Allen Gilbert. Mayor Delnicki then reminded the Council and the public that Flag Day is on June 14, 2013 with a celebration also of the 150th Anniversary of the Schoolhouse on Ellington Road at 5:00 p.m. This celebration will be in honor of Robert Walsh who is the son of Warren and Joan Walsh. Also on June 14, 2013 the Opening Day Ceremonies will be held for Baseball. On Wednesday, June 5, 2013 there is a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Improvements at Orchard Hill Elementary School at 10:00 a.m. On June 4, 2013 there will be a public hearing sponsored by the Water Pollution Control
Authority on proposed Water Pollution Control budget and proposed sewer use charges, surcharges and sewer assessment schedules at the South Windsor Town Hall, Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report
Will be discussed in the Regular Meeting.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Common Sense Policies and Procedures Regarding Leasing (requested by Mayor Delnicki
Mayor Delnicki began discussions by stating that there needs to be some sort of rules and/or procedures for the Town to follow regarding the financing through leases. Mayor Delnicki suggested that any lease up to $1 million dollars be done as it currently is which is through 5 affirmative votes, anything $1 million dollars to $1.5 million dollars should have 6 affirmative votes and a public hearing should be held, and anything $1.5 million dollars and over should done by referendum. There can be exemptions considered that can be written into the rules. It is important that these rules apply to real and personal property. Mayor Delnicki then suggested that a Committee be established to come back with recommendations to the Town Council on policies for leasing. Mayor Delnicki felt that this item should
be in the form of an Ordinance.
Councillor Havens felt that the Town should discuss this issue with other Towns to find out how other Towns take care of financing through leases.
Mayor Delnicki said he would be contacting CCM to see what other Towns have faced in this type of situation.
Councillor Anwar felt that there is value in leasing as long as it is in control. The Community should be the final decision making of all large projects.
Mr. Galligan explained that the Town has always used leasing for Fire Trucks and Police Department vehicles. A policy should be established that will be reasonable and will allow the government to operate in its normal operating business and show rating agencies that there are certain controls over the amount that is being spent. There are certain things that should be put into the policy and certain things that should not be in the policy which will have to be decided upon by the Council.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he agrees the Town Council needs to establish the Committee to determine all aspects of leasing for different amounts. Clear guidelines need to be established as to what constitutes an appropriate lease for this Town. Councillor Yagaloff said he would be willing to sit on the Committee and feels this policy should become an Ordinance.
Mayor Delnicki requested that the Town Manager contact CCM to get information on how other communities have approached leasing options.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the cost to do a referendum separate from an election would cost approximately $12,000 to $13,000.
Councillor Anwar felt that referendums should be held in order to give the public a voice. If a referendum is done during an election it would not cost the public any more then the amount to hold an election.
Mr. Galligan suggested that referendums for different projects be held separate from elections.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano requested that when the Town Manager contacts CCM to see how other communities handle leasing of different projects that the Town Manager question what other Towns require for referendums also.
7. Executive Session
At 7:48 p.m. Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue, (Town Manger Review, Agreement Between the Town of South Windsor and Dispatchers, Animal Control Officers and Community Service Officers – NAGE Local R1-301). Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion; and 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 and Councillor Yagaloff.
The Executive Session was recessed at 8:00 p.m. in order to call the Regular Meeting to order. The Executive Session reconvened at 8:31 p.m.
At 9:03 p.m. Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councillor Beaulieu seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
8. Adjournment
At 9:03 p.m. Councillor Snyder made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Anwar seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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