TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Regular Minutes Page 1 November 3, 2014
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Anwar called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor M. Saud Anwar
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councilor Thomas Delnicki
Councilor Andrew Paterna
Councilor Liz Pendleton
Councilor Carolyn Mirek
Councilor Janice Snyder
Councilor Stephen Wagner
Members Absent: Councilor Cary Prague
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Keith Yagaloff, Town Attorney
After roll call was complete Mayor Anwar and State Representative William Aman presented proclamations to Councilor Cary Prague to thank him for all of his years of dedication and volunteerism to the Town of South Windsor. Alex Prague accepted the proclamations for his father. Each Council member then said a few words to honor Councilor Prague as well as past Mayors (James Throwe, Marianne Lassman Fisher, John Mitchell, Howard Fitts, Linc Streeter and Matthew Streeter) and Town Manager Matthew Galligan.
Mr. Alex Prague came forward and stated that his father would like to thank everyone who came out tonight, is very proud to have everyone as friends, acquaintances and neighbors and also thanked everyone for their support over the past 35 months since he was diagnosed.
Mayor Anwar then presented a proclamation into the record recognize November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Ms. Sheila Citroni a Cancer Nurse Navigator from ECHN thanked the Town and informed the public that ECHN is offering low dose cat scans for folks who have had a history of smoking and this will allow very small nodules to become apparent before they are symptomatic. By doing this it allows individuals to have a better prognosis. Also being offered are free smoking cessation classes.
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Mr. James Throwe, 1330 Main Street came forward to speak in favor of having LoCIP funds go toward the Emergency Operations Center. Mr. Throwe urged the Council to vote in favor of the EOC which will help to protect the South Windsor citizens in times of an emergency.
Mr. Jeff Ham, 577 Barbara Hill Road stated that he is a member of CERT and came to the meeting to encourage Council members to vote for the EOC. The Town needs to be proactive and ready in case of large storms such as a tornado.
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came forward and stated that the Council has an item on the agenda tonight regarding the length of time to allow the public to speak. Mr. Gonsalves explained that he has been coming to the Town Council meetings for a long time and not once did any Council limit the public from speaking. In October of 2011 there was a meeting where someone from the public spoke for 45 minutes which left only 15 minutes to discuss health benefits. No Mayor has enforced this rule previously which is unfortunate.
Mr. Michael Balesano, 606 Rye Street came forward to speak in favor of funds going toward the EOC. Safety is a very important issue.
Ms. Nancy Yario, 20 Andreis Trail stated that she and her husband have been in negotiations for over a year with the Town regarding the noise at the Bark Park. The noise takes away from their quality of life. Ms. Yario said she does not understand why there has been no action.
Mr. Mark Glass, 406 Quarry Brook Drive explained that he is a big proponent for sports, but feels that an Emergency Operations Center is very important for the Town of South Windsor. This is not a political issue and should be supported for the safety of the entire Town.
Mr. Brian Jennings, 35 Shag Bark Road felt it is very important for the Town to have an EOC. Mr. Jennings informed the Council that there are a number of grants available through the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA that could be sought to help with the financial burden of this project.
Mr. Kevin McCann, 170 Lisa Drive explained that the Town Council as far as he can remember has always postponed the Town Council meeting that was scheduled the day before an election. This year there was an exception so that Cary Prague could be honored. Mr. McCann commended the Council and the
ITEM:
5. Public Input
Mayor for honoring Cary Prague but felt that the public hearing scheduled for tonight should be postponed to the next meeting so that anyone who could not be available tonight would have an opportunity at the next meeting.
Ms. Elizabeth McGuire, 89 Heritage Drive came forward and voiced her support of transferring funds for the EOC. The EOC is necessary and is important for the safety of the community during real emergency situations. Town staff has said that this is necessary.
Ms. Sandy Jeski, 75 Murielle Drive came forward to support the use of LocIP funds for the EOC.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Mayor Anwar stated that there was already on Environmental Health & Safety message tonight regarding lung cancer. There are early detection mechanism to identify lung cancer.
Councilor Mirek informed the Council and public that it is “Movember” which stands for moustache and facial hair for men because November is a month when you see a lot of men growing out their facial hair to raise awareness for health care issues for men.
7. Adoption of Minute of Previous Meetings
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings: Regular Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2014.
Was made by Councilor Snyder
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
Was approved, unanimously
8. Public Petitions
None
ITEM:
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Reports from Standing Committees
Councilor Wagner reported that South Windsor is fortunate to have been selected to participate in the Solarize Connecticut program. Solarize South Windsor will be launched on November 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. If anyone is thinking about putting solar on their roof it would be a good night to come to the Town Hall to get information. At the Chamber of Commerce, Discover South Windsor Expo there will also be a table about different energy programs including solarize.
Councilor Paterna informed the Council that the South Windsor Agriculture Arts and Nature Center Committee has been meeting to determine the use and development of the Priest Farm. The Committee is presently doing a fact finding mission and is visiting 8 different community farms in Connecticut to try to gather as much information in order to structure a similar community farm in South Windsor.
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
12. Consent Agenda
Councilor Pendleton made a motion to approve Agenda Items 14. A. through 14. B. as the Consent Agenda. Councilor Wagner seconded the motion; and was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
14. New Business
A. Resolution Appointing Elizabeth McGuire (D) an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Elizabeth McGuire (D) an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending November 30, 2017 to fill an expired vacancy and postpones consideration of this motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
B. Resolution Appointing Michael Balesano (D) an Alternate to the Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Michael Balesano (D) an Alternate to the Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission for a term ending December 1, 2016 to fill an unexpired vacancy and postpones consideration of this motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
(Approved by Consent Agenda)
13. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Appointing Richard Grigorian (D) a Full Member to the Park & Recreation Commission
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Richard Grigorian (D) a full member to the Park & Recreation Commission for a term ending December 31, 2015 to fill the unexpired term of Andrew Paterna
Was made by Councilor Wagner
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
The motion passed on a roll call vote of 7 to 0 with Deputy Mayor Havens abstaining.
ITEM:
14. New Business
C. Resolution Amending the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves an amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, as shown in attached Exhibit A.
Was made by Councilor Delnicki
Seconded by Councilor Snyder
Councilor Delnicki read the proposed change into the record and explained that in the past the Council held Agenda Meetings to determine what would be on the agenda for the following meeting. That meeting has been eliminated and Councilor Delnicki felt that the Council members should be informed as to what will be on the agenda. Councilor Delnicki proposed that on the Wednesday prior to the meeting an email be sent to all Council members informing them of the items that will be on the agenda. This will allow Council members the time to clarify and research any questions they may have regarding an item on the agenda. An informed Council makes the best decisions.
Councilor Mirek stated that the Council does not receive their packets until late Friday and only have Monday during the day to ask staff any questions that may arise. Agenda meetings gave the whole Council an opportunity to understand the items on the agenda.
Councilor Pendleton stated that she would not be supporting this proposal because 99% of the items on the agenda are from a previous meetings and the Town Manager is available all weekend if Council members have any questions.
Councilor Snyder said she would like to know what is on the agenda earlier and does not want to bother the Town Manager over the weekend. Councilor Mirek added that some of the questions would not be going to the Town Manager or Mayor, but other staff members.
At 8:00 p.m. Mayor Anwar recessed the Regular Meeting in order to go to the Public Hearing. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
ITEM:
14. C. (Continued)
Councilor Delnicki stated he does not want to be in a position where he has to contact the Town Manager and/or Town staff over the weekend. An informed Council makes the best possible decisions.
Mayor Anwar felt that there are other items in the Town Council Rules and Procedures that need to be changed and suggested that the Rules and Procedures be reviewed and all of the proposed changes be brought to the Council at the same time.
Councilor Wagner said that the Council just recently started to follow their rules and it seems to be working well and he feels the Council should continue this way for a while.
Councilor Snyder stated that understanding what is on the agenda is very important and helpful.
Mr. Galligan stated that he would not have a problem sending an email on Wednesdays to the Council informing everyone what is on the agenda.
Councilor Pendleton explained that there are other items that need to be changed in the Town Council Rules & Procedures, such as taking out the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. under Article IX – Committees.
Mayor Anwar felt that all corrections/changes should be done at one time in an efficient manner instead of doing corrections/changes in piecemeal.
Councilor Delnicki stated that he feels easy corrections/changes such as this proposal should be done immediately.
Town Attorney Yagaloff informed the Council that changes to the South Windsor Rules and Procedures need to be discussed at one meeting and then voted on at the next meeting. Town Attorney Yagaloff suggested that the Council make a motion to postpone consideration of this resolution until the next meeting.
Councilor Delnicki made a motion to postpone consideration of this resolution until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting. Councilor Mirek seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
14. New Business (Continued)
Councilor Wagner made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to move to Item 14. G. Deputy Mayor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
G. Resolution Appropriating $281,650,00 of LoCIP Funds for Improvements to the Town Hall Annex for an EOC/Business Center in the Town of South Windsor
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council having conducted the required Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2014, hereby approves the appropriation of $281,650.00 of LoCIP funds for improvements to the Town Hall Annex for an EOC/Business Center in the Town of South Windsor.
Was made by Councilor Paterna
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
Mr. Galligan reviewed the worksheet showing how much is available under the LoCIP funding, as shown in attached Exhibit B, which is $281,000. Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Town received $500,000 from a previous STEAP grant to go towards the EOC and has submitted a second request for another $500,000 STEAP grant but will not hear if the Town has been awarded those funds until December or January. The $466,000.00 showing as not being covered is for equipment that is being proposed to be leased and will be covered by the Town or if the Town can find a grant it will be covered under that. The total project cost is $1,734,000. If the Council approves this resolution, the project could go out to bid in a month and could begin work on the building.
Things such as the mechanicals and/or roofing could be started with the funds that the Town has already received. If the Town does not get the additional $500,000.00, every year funds could be put into the budget to do the rest of the project. Mr. Galligan stated that he would not have a problem breaking down the costs of the project.
Deputy Mayor Havens stated that he would be supporting this resolution. This project will help with the space needs at the Town Hall. There has not been a reason stated why the Town Council should not move forward with this project. The building will be a great addition to the Town Hall campus.
ITEM:
14. G. (Continued)
Mayor Anwar felt that it is necessary to go forward with this project because it is a community safety issue. Town staff, who are experts in the emergency field are requesting an EOC facility. The firehouse space can not be used legally for this purpose.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
Councilor Wagner made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to take Item 14. H. and Item 19 out of order. Councilor Pendleton seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Councilor Mirek made a motion to postpone Item 14. E. to the next Regularly Scheduled meeting. Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
- Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Thirty-Three (33) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to thirty-three (33) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refund being $4,878.16, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit C.
Was made by Councilor Mirek
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
19. Executive Session
At 9:28 p.m. Councilor Pendleton made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential claims and litigation (United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) Local 424 – Unit 65 and documents containing financial information provided in confidence and exempt from disclosure pursuant to C.G.S. §1-200(6) and §1-210(b)(5)(B) regarding The Connecticut Studios project. Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
19. Executive Session (Continued)
The following individuals were in Executive Session: Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Snyder, Councilor Wagner, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan, Town Attorney Keith Yagaloff, Attorney David Metzger (Metzger, Lazarek & Plumb LLC), Vanessa Perry (Director of Human Resource), Lisa Lazarek (Metzger, Lazarek & Plumb LLC) and Andrew Toff (Connecticut Studios).
At 10:50 p.m. Councilor Wagner made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
14. New Business (Continued)
D. Discussion Item: Connecticut Studios (requested by Mayor Anwar and Councilor Snyder)
Mr. Galligan explained that DCK will be moving forward with the Connecticut Studios project. Minor changes are needed to the PURA Agreement and it is hopeful within two weeks or so to have a Development Plan for the Council to review. There were discussions with the Town Attorneh of how to move forward with this project through a Memorandum of Understanding. DECK willb e reviewing DKC’s financials.
Mayor Anwar stated that the project seem to be moving forward and making sure the Town is protected.
Mr. Galligan explained further that DCK will be making changes to the project. Before DCK moves forward to the State Agencies, they will make sure the Town is in agreement with any and all changes to the project.
F. Discussion Item: Ebola Preparedness (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Mr. Galligan review the current updates relating to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as shown in attached Exhibit D. Any updated information will be sent to the Council as it is provided to the Town.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that it would be determined by Town staff the necessary safety equipment that will need to be bought which will be purchased by the Town.
ITEM:
14. F. (Continued)
Council members reviewed briefly different protocols and what would need to be done if one person needed to be quarantined or if multiple people needed to be quarantined.
15. Passage of Ordinance
None
16. Communications and Reports from Town Manager
None
17. Public Input
None
18. Communications and Petitions from Council
None
20. Adjournment
At 11:00 p.m. Councilor Wagner made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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