TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 June 1, 2015
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 Carolyn Mirek
Councilor Andrew Paterna
Councilor Liz Pendleton
Councilor Janice Snyder
Councilor Stephen Wagner
Members Absent: Councilor Matthew Riley
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Keith Yagaloff, Town Attorney
After the Roll Call was complete, Mr. Alan Lamson came before the Town Council to inform the Council and the public that Circus Smirkus (Bon Appétit, the 2015 Big Top Tour) will be coming to South Windsor High School, 161 Nevers Road on Saturday, July 18th with show times at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, July 19th with show times at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. This event is being presented by the Silk City Chorus in association with the South Windsor Park and Recreation Department and is being sponsored by Evergreen Walk, LLC/John Finguerra.
Mr. Roger Anderson from the Patriotic Commission along with Mayor Anwar presented certificates to the winners of the Essay Contest. They were as follows:
Kindergarten through 2nd Grade
1st Place: Anushka Halder, Second Grade, Wapping Hill Elementary School
2nd Place: Bhaavni Krishna, Second Grade, Eli Terry Elementary School
3rd Place: Mia Ruiz, First Grade, Wapping Elementary School
3rd Grade through 5th Grade
1st Place: Michael Ngo, Fifth Grade, Orchard Hill Elementary School
2nd Place: Anisha Bhatnagar, Fifth Grade, Pleasant Valley Elementary School
3rd Place: Summer Bauer, Fourth Grade, Pleasant Valley Elementary School
ITEM:
Patriotic Commission Essay Contest Winners (Continued)
6th Grade through 8th Grade
1st Place: Keshav Ramesh, Sixth Grade, Timothy Edwards Middle School
2nd Place: Van Anh Thi Tran, Seventh Grade, Timothy Edwards Middle School
3rd Place: Zoey Roland, Eighth Grade, Timothy Edwards Middle School
9th Grade through 12th Grade
1st Place: Anna Morson, Ninth Grade, East Catholic High School
2nd Place: Hirra Javed, Ninth Grade, South Windsor High School
3rd Place: Bridget Sharos, Twelfth Grade, South Windsor High School
Mayor Anwar read a proclamation, proclaiming June 1 through the 7 as CPR and AED Awareness Week in the Town of South Windsor and informed the public that CPR Training Professionals, LLC located at 479 Buckland Road will be providing free CPR classes on June 7, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
5. Public Input
Mr. Michael Berghuis, 18 Mountain View Road came before the Town Council and informed the Council that the abutting property owners of the field at the high school have no buffer and are very close. When the field is being used there is a large impact on the neighborhoods quality of life. There are no other homes in South Windsor where the fields and homes are as close to a field as on Mountain View Road.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
Mayor Anwar stated that there was a message today urging residents to learn CPR.
7. Adoption of Minutes
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings: Public Hearing Minutes of April 20, 2015 and May 4, 2015 (2 sets); Special Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2015; and Regular Meeting of May 4, 2015.
Was made by Councilor Delnicki
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Havens
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Reports from Standing Committees
None
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
12. Consent Agenda
None
13. Unfinished Business
None
14. New Business
A. Resolution Committing to Support the Municipal Bench Marking Initiative
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor recognizes that the State of Connecticut is a leader in energy efficiency programs and has agreed to lead by example by implementing and promoting energy efficiency programs and to collaborate with the Clean Energy Communities program administrators, representatives of Eversource, and bench marking consultants (“Consultants”); and
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
14. A. (Continued)
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor has pledged to become a Clean Energy Community, thereby committing to reduce its municipal building energy consumption 20% by the year 2018 and voluntarily purchase 20% of its municipal building electricity from clean, renewable energy sources by the year 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor agrees to establish a committee (hereinafter referred to as a “Green Team”) which is the designated municipal entities representative to coordinate with the Consultants for the duration of the Municipal Bench Marking Initiative. The Municipal entities should consist of representatives from the Office of the Executive Official, Department of Finance, Department of Facilities, Board of Education, and the South Windsor Energy Committee; and
WHEREAS, the “Green Team” agrees to provide its support to the above-referenced initiative and Consultants by providing information such as:
- Collecting and requesting historical energy usage for all municipal buildings from utilities representatives or municipal departments (Electricity, Natural Gas, Propane, Oil, Renewable Energy systems, Co-generation, etc); and
- Create/Update an Energy Star Portfolio Manager municipal account to include information on all municipal buildings with the exception of utility owned street lights accounts; and
- Grant “Read Only” access of Portfolio Manager municipal account to Clean Energy Communities program administrators of the use of monitoring energy reduction progress; and
- Grant “Editing” access of Portfolio Manager municipal account to designated intern, assigned by the Clean Energy Communities program administrators, to assist with data entry of building information and historical energy usage; and
- Researching and documenting municipal building information such as square footage, hours of operations, facility type, number of staff and other facility information specific to each municipal buildings; and
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ITEM:
14. A. (Continued)
- Attend Municipal Bench Marking Initiative in-person training workshops (approximately 2-3 workshops) over the duration of the initiative; and
- Schedule and attend weekly or biweekly Municipal Bench Marking Initiative progress tracking conference calls with Consultants and Clean Energy Communities program administrators; and
- Assist Consultant with monitoring municipal building energy usage and energy performance to identify inefficient buildings to be considered for energy evaluations and upgrades; and
- Identify at least one Green Team representative who will attend an in-person onsite energy audit and efficiency evaluation of an energy inefficient municipal building; and
- Assist Consultants with creating a customized Municipal Action Plan (MAP) which is a document that describes the progress to date and the subsequent steps which need to be completed in order for the community to meet the energy reduction goals of the Clean Energy Communities Program; and
- Provide Consultant with information regarding desired energy efficiency or renewable projects which the Municipality plans to pursue for the purpose of creating the Municipal Action Plan (MAP); and
- Identify a representative in the community to update Energy Star Portfolio Manager account monthly or quarterly to monitor municipal energy usage and track energy; and
- Present findings from the Municipal Bench Marking Initiative, along with the Municipal Action Plan, to the Town Council for adoption; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Windsor will endeavor to coordinate with Clean Energy Communities program administrators scheduled and green team assignments exceptions prior to the start date of the Municipal Bench Marking Initiative
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of South Windsor hereby makes its commitment to support the Municipal Bench Marking Initiative and work with all the above-referenced parties to promote energy efficiency and conservation in the community.
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ITEM:
14. A. (Continued)
Was made by Councilor Wagner
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Havens
Councilor Wagner explained that the resolution is the text that would be in the agreement that the Town would sign. This is an opportunity for the Town to document the achievements of Clean Energy, get an audit performed for free for one building, and assist the Energy Committee with a Strategic Energy Plan to help lead the Town into the next phase of a plan to improve the Town’s energy efficiency.
Mr. Galligan stated that this would be a lot of work, but he intends to look for community help which could lessen the burden on Town staff. There could be a potential savings for the Town.
Councilor Mirek, Councilor Snyder and Councilor Delnicki all voiced concern on the constraints this project would put on Town staff. It was also stated that it would be prudent to see how the LED project goes before committing to another project.
Mr. Galligan responded to their concerns by explaining that there was a suggestion that if there is a tremendous savings with the LED lights, that a position be created. A lot of the work will be upfront work to get the report and then down the road the work will consist of monitoring. Energy is a tough project, it takes a lot of analysis work but it is the Town staff’s responsibility to take care of the priorities of the Council.
Councilor Wagner felt that the initial effort is the activities that will lead to the Municipal Plan. Having help from an intern from Eversource and the Energy Committee, there should be less impact on the Town staff.
Councilor Paterna stated that he would be supporting this initiative and felt it to be a good way to move forward.
Councilor Delnicki said he see’s this as a mandate on Town staff and feels it would take away from other projects.
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ITEM:
14. A. (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Havens stated that his decision regarding this item would be based upon the Town Manager. If he says this should not be done, then it should not be done.
Mr. Galligan stated that if this project takes away from too many other projects, he would come back to the Council and let them know. Mr. Galligan informed the Council that he would put a team together which would probably consist of middle management and review all of the ramifications of this project.
Councilor Mirek requested a report of services that have been cut due to the reductions in the budget. Mr. Galligan stated that he would provide that to the Council and explained that the cuts will not affect the overall services provided by the Town.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the motion; it passed on a roll call vote of 5 to 3 with Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton and Councilor Wagner all voting in favor of approval; and Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Mirek and Councilor Snyder voting in opposition of approval.
B. Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing to Receive Citizen Input on a Proposed Ordinance Concerning the Capital Projects Budget
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, June 15, 2015, at 8:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the South Windsor Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut as the time and place for a Public Hearing to receive citizen input on a Proposed Ordinance Concerning the Capital Projects Budget, a copy of which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Councilor Snyder
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
ITEM:
14. New Business (Continued)
C. Resolution Referring the Barton Property Plan to the Park & Recreation Commission for Review and Comment
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council, pursuant to Town Ordinance Section 74-72(b), does hereby refer the Barton Property Multipurpose Use Plan to the South Windsor Park & Recreation Commission for its review and comment, and requests that the Commission makes its recommendations to the Town Council in the form of a written advisory report within 30 days.
Was made by Councilor Paterna
Seconded by Councilor Pendleton
Councilor Paterna stated that this property is proposed for a multi-use purpose and would be the permanent home for the Wapping Fair.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.
D. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Eight 98) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to eight (8) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refunds being $998.99, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit A.
Was made by Councilor Mirek
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
15. Passage of Ordinance
None
ITEM:
- Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Mr. Galligan reviewed the Town Manager’s Report as shown in attached Exhibit B.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that after Chief Reed retires, Deputy Chief Edwards will take over as Interim Chief and will be given a 90 day probation period.
A report will be given to the Council regarding the sink hole on Main Street but it has been estimated that it will cost between $300,000 to $500,000 to repair. This money is going to be taken from the bond funds. The funds will be taken away from other projects that were listed on a priority list, but the Town will search for other grant funds to make up the funds taken from the bond money. Mr. Galligan said an updated priority list can be given to the Council at the next meeting.
If the Town were to hire a Foreman under the Public Works Department, that position would be dedicated to the maintenance of the three fire houses. A part time position would not be feasible because at this time there are only three people taking care of all of the Town buildings. Councilor Delnicki requested that a written job description be provided to the Town Council along with a break down of the job position responsibilities.
Mr. Galligan explained that CCM put together 15 items that should be included in the SB1 bill and explained that no Town could meet the spending cap when doing a project.
The Town has applied for a grant in the amount of $52,000 for a bus at Human Services which would cost $65,000. The Town would have to come up with $13,000. Councilor Delnicki stated that if the Town receives the grant, he would like a discussion item on this issue as well as a resolution.
17. Public Input
None
18. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councilor Delnicki requested that the Mason Lodge leaders be invited to a Council meeting to be recognized for their donation to the Police Department for $13,000 towards the body cameras. Mr. Galligan stated he would contact them.
ITEM:
19. Executive Session
At 9:02 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential claims and litigation and a personnel issue regarding the Town Manager. Deputy Mayor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton, Councilor Snyder, Councilor Wagner, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan, and Town Attorney Keith Yagaloff.
At 9:20 p.m. Councilor Paterna made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and Regular Meeting. Councilor Wagner seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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