TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 August 14, 2013
TOWN COUNCIL – Special Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the Special Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Cindy Beaulieu
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Janice Snyder
Members Absent: Councillor M. Saud Anwar
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Michael J. Gantick, Acting Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mr. Alan Witkin, 64 Lawrence Road came before the Council and stated that he understood tonight’s meeting is to decide whether the Town will have one or two nights of public participation on a field proposal. Mr. Witkin said the truth will come out in a referendum regardless of the number of nights devoted to a public hearing.
4. Communications
None
5. Executive Session
None
6. Special Business
A. Resolution Rescheduling the Date for a Public Hearing
WHEREAS, at the July 15, 2013 Town Council Regular Meeting, a resolution was approved scheduling a public hearing for Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. to receive citizen input on a proposed plan for athletic fields on the vacant 11 acres on Nevers Road across from Ayers Road; and
WHEREAS, it has come to the Town Council’s attention that the South Windsor High School will be holding their Open House that night at 6:30 p.m. which will conflict with the time for the public hearing and the Town Council has received notice from residents requesting that the date of the public hearing be changed
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby reschedules the public hearing date to Monday, September 16, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. to receive citizen input on a proposed plan for athletic fields on the vacant 11 acres on Nevers Road across from Ayers Road.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Councillor McCann stated that the resolution is self-explanatory. It does not restrict the hearing to one night. It moves the opening of the public hearing to September 16th to accommodate the schedules of many people who would like to attend.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated that as Chair of the Athletic Fields Sub-Committee, he was notified approximately ten days ago that the high school was having their open house the same night as the public hearing. As the high school would likely be a large contributor to the fields, the Sub-Committee felt it was necessary to allow those residents to attend. After discussing the matter, it made sense to move the public hearing to September 16th. If the public hearing was held on two nights, those who could not attend the first night would have to watch the first meeting in order to get all of the information. Deputy Mayor Bazzano also stated that field and lighting experts will be in attendance at the public hearing, and it would be difficult for them to attend two different public hearing
times.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mayor Delnicki stated that he is a great believer in affording every opportunity to speak. Some residents have made plans to attend the scheduled public hearing on September 3rd. The solution to the scheduling conflict is to call the public hearing to order on September 3rd and keep the public hearing open until September 16th. This information has been confirmed with the Town Attorney. Two nights of public input and comment are better than one.
Councillor Beaulieu stated that she understood that the rules of the Town Council would allow for anyone who was here on September 3rd to speak on that date regardless of whether there is a public hearing on the fields. Not having the public hearing that night does not eliminate those people from speaking. Residents have requested via email and phone that the public hearing be rescheduled.
Councillor Havens stated that he did not receive any feedback from residents about the public hearing. Mayor Delnicki’s suggestion of keeping the public hearing open for two nights is not a bad idea. These fields are very important to the residents, and the more public hearings that are held, the better. This topic has been dwelled on more than it should have been, and it could have been handled in the normal manner. There should be a better reason to reschedule a public hearing.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano asked Mayor Delnicki for clarification on written letters submitted by residents on September 3rd.
Mayor Delnicki stated that written letters will be read into the record. However, he felt many people would rather have the ability to speak.
Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the Resolution; it passed on a roll call vote of 5 to 2 with Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Beaulieu, Councillor Prague, Councillor McCann and Councillor Snyder voting in favor of the Resolution; and Mayor Delnicki and Councillor Havens voting in opposition of the Resolution.
7. Adjournment
At 5:13 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Ashley Summers
Executive Secretary
| 
