TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 April 20, 2015
TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Deputy Mayor Havens called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
4. Roll Call
Members Present: Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councilor Thomas Delnicki
Councilor Carolyn Mirek
Councilor Andrew Paterna
Councilor Liz Pendleton
Councilor Matthew Riley
Councilor Janice Snyder
Councilor Stephen Wagner
Members Absent: Mayor M. Saud Anwar
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Keith Yagaloff, Town Attorney
5. Public Input
Ms. Nancy Ainsworth, 96 Stonefield Trail came before the Town Council and explained that Eversource Energy is proposing an upgrade to the substation on Barber Hill Road. Some residents of Stonefield Trail received a letter (only six residents out of 21) from Eversource Energy stating that a petition was being sent to the Connecticut Siting Council for this project. It has since been discovered that the scope of the work being proposed is much larger then the letter indicated. The work includes 12 new transformers and a 130’ tower. This is not a little project and these items were not mentioned in the letter that was written by Eversource. In 2007/2008 there was a massive upgrade to the substation which created the loss of value to the homes in the area. The biggest concerns are noise,
visual effect of the tower and lighting. On Friday, March 27, 2015 residents of the neighborhood met with representatives of Eversource and voiced concerns. After not hearing from Eversource for about a week and a half, the neighborhood met with a reporter from WFSB on April 9th and received answers shortly after to questions asked by the neighborhood. Some of the remedies the neighborhood
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ITEM:
5. Public Input (Continued)
suggested were declined by Eversource who said the recommendations were too expensive. Ms. Ainsworth stated that the neighborhood needs the Towns help regarding this issue because now the Siting Council has approved Eversource’s petition. The neighborhoods quality of life is going to be impacted from this proposal.
Mr. Jim Ainsworth, 96 Stonefield Trail came forward and explained that he had attended the Siting Council’s meeting and there was not a lot of discussion on this matter and there was no discussion about the impacts on the neighborhood. There was no opportunity for the public to speak to this matter either. In the past, Eversource (who was CL&P at that time) made the same petition to the Siting Council. At that time it was stated that the visibility impacts of the expanded substation and the new structures would be minimal, which is false. They also said that the noise from the exposed facility would not be detectable from the area residences, which is also false.
Mr. Garvin Boudle, 130 Stonefield Trail stated that substation is in his backyard. The neighborhood is not saying that Eversource should not increase their reliability. The neighborhood is saying that Eversource should respect that these are our homes. The noise can be reduced at the source. Mr. Boudle explained that he worked with the Engineers from the State to put berms in and to have low lighting. This is not something he feels he should be doing, but the Town should have worked with the State and protected the neighborhood. The Mayor has just gotten involved and has requested the Town Attorney and the Town Manager review this issue and see if there is anything that can be done to protect the neighborhood. Mr. Boudle requested that the Town Council do something to help the
neighborhood because the project is going to begin in May or June.
Ms. Suzanne Piacentini, 99 Stonefield Trail came forward and requested that the Town support this neighborhood. The neighborhood is impacted by the noise from the substation and the view of the unsightly tower. The property values of the homes in the area will be reduced as well as the quality of life.
Mr. Frank Macchi, 250 LeFoll Blvd came forward to invite the Town Council to the Little League Opening Day on May 2, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Macchi thanked Deputy Mayor Havens for sponsoring two teams for the past 50 years.
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ITEM:
5. Public Input (Continued)
Mr. Mike Berghuis, 18 Mountain View Road came before the Town Council and questioned what the infill would be for the proposed synthetic turf field at the High School. In the past there were applications to the Inland Wetlands Agency, Mr. Berghuis questioned if this project would go to the IWA/CC to look at runoff from this project. The last question that Mr. Berghuis had was what the next step for this project is .
Mr. Mark Robitaille, 30 Stonefield Trail came before the Town Council and stated that the neighborhood is looking for the Town Council to protect the neighborhood from any further expansion and ensure that anything that is done, takes the neighborhood into consideration.
Deputy Mayor Havens asked if there is anything the Town can do.
Mr. Galligan explained that he has sent an email to Marcia Wellman from the Siting Council to meet and discuss this situation to see what can be done to resolve some of the issues of the neighborhood.
Councilor Delnicki requested that the Council receive data of the baseline noise measurements to see what the neighborhood is dealing with. He would also like documentation of what the existing condition of the illumination is in the area at night.
Mr. Jim Ainsworth, 96 Stonefield Trail explained that Eversource did provide some measuring point data for decibel levels at various locations around the substation. Even though the noise is below the statutory limits, it does not mean that it is quiet.
Councilor Mirek stated that if they were promised in the past that they would not hear it or see it, that type of documentation would be good to show to Eversource when the Town Manager meets with them.
Councilor Wagner explained that he has been involved in noise measurements in other situations and unfortunately the limits that they are trying to adhere to do not give you true peace and quiet.
ITEM:
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
None
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 April 6, 2015.
Was made by Councilor Pendleton
Seconded by Councilor Wagner
Councilor Snyder made an amendment to the minutes explaining that it should read Milone and MacBroom, not Milone and MacBrook. Councilor Wagner also stated that he had given the Town Council Clerk another correction.
Deputy Mayor Havens called for a vote on the motion; they were approved 6-0 and 2 abstentions with Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton, Councilor Snyder and Councilor Wagner voting in favor to approve the amended minutes; and Councilor Delnicki and Councilor Riley abstaining from the vote.
8. Public Petitions
None
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
None
10. Reports from Standing Committees
Councilor Wagner gave a final report on Solarize South Windsor and Energize South Windsor, as shown in attached Exhibit A.
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
None
ITEM:
12. Consent Agenda
None
None
14. New Business
A. Budget Presentation: Human Services Department
Ms. Andrea Cofrancesco, Division Director and Liz Langevin, Youth and Family Services Director came before the Town Council to present the Human Services budget, as shown in attached Exhibit B.
At 8:00 p.m. the Regular Meeting was recessed in order to call a Public Hearing to order. At 8:10 p.m. the Regular Meeting was reconvened.
Councilor Wagner stated that he understands that the Water Pollution Control Authority has been working with Human Services to develop a program for reduced sewer fees for qualified disabled individuals or seniors? Ms. Cofrancesco explained that Human Services staff will be handling the application which will be advertised in the next mailing.
Answering further questions, Ms. Cofrancesco explained that the grant application for the bus is due two days prior to the budget being set. The grant application will be handed in and if the $13,000 is not approved by the Council then CRCOG will be contacted and the Town’s application will be withdrawn. A 20 passenger bus is needed because the transportation for appointments and other needs of residents are scheduled in a certain way where the bus is being fully utilized.
Ms. Langevin explained that the Youth Bureau grant was put directly into the general fund and is used to cover a portion of two employee’s salaries. The Enhancement grant goes towards prevention programs.
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ITEM:
14. A. (Continued)
Ms. Cofrancesco told the Council that the 20 hour per week position for the Senior Café Manager and the 10 hour per week position for the Assistant were merged to one position for 24 ¾ hours per week. The existing caseworker position works 27 to 30 hours per week. Based on the salary of the employee that left, this position could be offered less money to work 30 hours or pay more in the salary for 27 hours.
Councilor Pendleton stated that there have been discussions about moving the Teen Center to Wapping School. Councilor Pendleton questioned how and if that would impact the Human Services Department? Ms. Cofrancesco stated that she is open to discussions on anything that will best meet the needs of the Teen Center. In talking with Ray and doing a tour of Wapping School, there is space for the Teen Center there, but there not necessarily space for the entire Youth and Family Services Division.
Answering further questions, Ms. Cofrancesco explained that the grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation is used to offset for the bus drivers salaries which are not fully budgeted.
Ms. Langevin told Council members that it is being requested to increase the hours for the position of the School Outreach Specialist from 24 hours to 30 hours.
Councilor Snyder requested that the cost associated with changing the School Outreach Specialist from 24 hours to 30 hours and from 24 hours to 35 hours be provided to the Town Council.
B. Budget Presentation: South Windsor Public Library
Ms. Mary Etter, Director of the South Windsor Public Library reviewed the South Windsor Public Library budget as shown in attached, Exhibit C. Ms. Etter explained that after this budget was completed, things changed on the State level which will affect the Library tremendously. In the mid 1970’s, Connecticut put together a program that established legislation and created a network of libraries and a resource sharing that would allow for library cards to be used in all of the public libraries of Connecticut. This program is
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14. B. (Continued)
called Connecticard. The second part of the program is called Connecticar which is a statewide delivery system that goes from library to library delivering materials that people have borrowed. Connecticut is still the only
state in the country that has this comprehensive program of delivery between libraries. The program is run through grants to public libraries that are very small. An additional part of the program has been the Connecticut Library Consortium. The Connecticut Library Consortium brings together 800 libraries that share programs, continuing education opportunities and the management of the discounts in which everything is bought. The contracts negotiated by the Connecticut Library Consortium last year saved South Windsor over $44,000 which is not in the budget. The Governors recommended budget zeros out Connecticard which means a library card in another town will no longer be able to be used in other town’s except the town in which an individual lives. It takes away a little less than
$1,000,000 that funds grant to communities that lend in excess of what their citizens borrow so it brings South Windsor approximately $18,000 per year. South Windsor uses that money to support all of the technology needs. The State Libraries own Rescissions will make South Windsor also ineligible for about $500,000 in federal funds which is part of the funding for the delivery system. While the delivery system itself is not removed in the Governor’s budget, the trickle down to the State Library budget does remove it. Connecticut Education Network, the internet service that connects libraries and schools statewide is zeroed out in this budget. For the first time every aspect that the South Windsor Public Library provides as part of an efficient statewide regional institution is being affected and the South Windsor Public Library will need support from the Town Council.
Answering questions from the Council, Ms. Etter explained that there are no new positions being requested in this budget.
Council members felt that it is important to show support for the South Windsor Public Library and oppose the decrease in funds from the State which will also support the existing programs. Councilor Delnicki stated he would like to sit down with Ms. Etter to create language for a resolution that will get the message out to legislators. Councilor Wagner stated that this is something that needs to be fixed before it gets broken because it will have a big impact on communities.
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ITEM:
14. B. (Continued)
Answering further questions from the Council, Ms. Etter explained that the $44,000 that was spoken about previously in regards to the Connecticut Library Consortium is a savings to the Town. South Windsor is a Net Lender and receives incentives for being in the program. Ms. Etter explained that the office equipment is kept at $15,000 which is for actual office equipment other than computers. The amount of funds used per year varies. If those funds are not spent, they go into books or other materials for the public.
Councilor Wagner made a motion to suspend the rules in order to go to Item 14. F. out of order. Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
F. Resolution Waiving Competitive Bidding for the Purchase of an On-Body Recording System for the South Windsor Police Department
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council, as well as the South Windsor Police Department feel the implementation and use of body cameras on each of its police officers are in the best interest of the Town, members of the community and members of the Police Department; and
WHEREAS, the system being proposed by Taser International, provides both the recording equipment as well as a data storage plan coupled with a cataloguing and retrieval system, the likes of which no other vendor offers; and
WHEREAS, using a single vendor for the equipment and the data storage and retrieval system will allow for a single point of control and provide the most efficiency for the Town
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby waives the competitive bid process and authorizes the use of a single vendor to provide for the purchase and maintenance of an on-body recording system for the South Windsor Police Department.
Was made by Councilor Paterna
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
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ITEM:
14. F. (Continued)
Councilor Paterna commended the Chief and the Police Department. This has been discussed all over the country and having South Windsor take this step forward is very positive.
Mr. Galligan suggested that in the NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED there should be a statement inserted saying it is in the best interest of South Windsor.
Answering questions from the Council, Chief Reed explained that the contract that has been proposed is a five year contract for approximately $160,000. The proposal has incentives in it with replacement of all of the tasers issued to the police officers. At the 2 ½ year mark of the contract will replace all of the on-body camera devices. At year 5 the contract will replace those cameras again.
Chief Reed stated that he is here tonight to encourage the Town Council’s support of the proposed resolution regarding the waiving of competitive bidding for the purchase of on-body recording devices for the Police Department. The system proposed is not simply a digital recording unit, but instead an enterprise system that includes digital recording devices, digital storage cataloging and retrieval system. There has been no other vendor found that offers this total package. South Windsor Police Officers support this initiative and support the value of protecting themselves and the community with this technology.
Councilor Delnicki felt that this equipment will protect the officers from any false accusations.
Council members discussed the wording in the resolution, “the likes of which no other vendor offers” and felt that it should be eliminated. Chief Reed explained that his department has not found another company that offers all of the technology together like Taser International does. South Windsor needs to move forward with this technology. There will be 25 units purchased and it is the intention of the department that anyone who is assigned a patrol will have their own unit. If this resolution gets approved tonight, the contract will go to the Town Attorney for review. The first year
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ITEM:
14. F. (Continued)
cost will be covered by a local group in Town. After the first year, it will cost the Town between $27,000 to $30,000 which will be incorporated into the operating budget.
Mr. Galligan stated that the cameras don’t only protect the police officer, but also the individuals who are in the car. CIRMA endorses this program.
Answering further questions, Chief Reed stated that there has not been a grant found that will address this purchase. The Police Department will search for state and/or federal funds that may be available.
Mr. Galligan felt that this program could make the rates for CIRMA steady or possibly go down.
Councilor Paterna made a motion to amend the second paragraph to eliminate “the likes of which no other vendor offers”, and the fourth paragraph to read “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is in the best interest of the Town of South Windsor to hereby waive the competitive bid process and authorizes the use of a single vendor to provide for the purchase of maintenance of an on-body recording system for the South Windsor Police Department.” Councilor Delnicki seconded the amendment; and it was approved, unanimously.
Deputy Mayor Havens called for a vote on the amended resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
The resolution to read as follows:
WHEREAS, the South Windsor Town Council, as well as the South Windsor Police Department feel the implementation and use of body cameras on each of its police officers are in the best interest of the Town, members of the community and members of the Police Department; and
WHEREAS, the system being proposed by Taser International, provides both the recording equipment as well as a data storage plan coupled with a cataloguing and retrieval system; and
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ITEM:
14. F. (Continued)
WHEREAS, using a single vendor for the equipment and the data storage and retrieval system will allow for a single point of control and provide the most efficiency for the Town
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is in the best interest of the Town of South Windsor to hereby waive the competitive bid process and authorize the use of a single vendor to provide for the purchase of maintenance of an on-body recording system for the South Windsor Police Department.
C. Discussion Item: Ordinance #199 – Ordinance Regarding Lease Referendum
Councilor Wagner explained that there are three ordinances that did not get put into the code book and no longer shows up on the list of uncoded ordinances. Ordinance #199 is important to some of the items that are on the agenda tonight.
Town Attorney Yagaloff stated that when ordinances are passed by the Town Council they go to the Town Clerk and the Town Clerk submits them to Municode. Municode is the organization that publishes the ordinance on the Town website and also publishes prints for the Ordinance book. Municode screens the ordinances. They have attorneys on staff that are comparing the ordinances that come in to Charter provisions. Two of the ordinances that were rejected were actually done properly and the Town will have to come up with a solution. The Town Clerk received a notice that three of the ordinances were omitted. Town Yagaloff explained further that he spoke with Municode and Ordinance #199 is a valid ordinance. Town Attorney Yagaloff stated that a public hearing will be necessary for the
financing of the synthetic turf field at the high school. The vote in favor of this project will also need to be redone because of the fact that a public hearing was not held and the vote was not valid.
Answering questions from the Council, Town Attorney Yagaloff explained that the 8-24 referral that was part of the previous motion connected with the approval of the synthetic turf field at the high school was valid and will not have to be redone.
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ITEM:
14. C. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan stated that this project can still go out to bid. The bid will not be approved unless the financing is in place and the approved by the Town Council. Mr. Galligan reviewed the projects timeline and stated that he did not feel that the timeline will be compromised due to the necessity to hold a public hearing. If everything goes according to the plan, the project could be complete by September 30, 2015. The Town is reviewing sand in-fill for the synthetic turf field.
Councilor Wagner made a motion to suspend the rules in order to take Item 14. E. out of order. Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
- Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing to Receive Citizen Input on Lease Purchase Financing for the Development of a Synthetic Turf Field at the South Windsor High School
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, May 4, 2015 at 8:30 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 lease purchase financing for the development of a synthetic turf field at the South Windsor High School.
Was made by Councilor Snyder
Seconded by Councilor Wagner
Answering questions from the Council, Town Attorney Yagaloff explained that that 8-24 referral is complete. The Town Council has approved the project itself. Mr. Galligan will present to the Council a revision of the surface material. The Council has to revote on the financing part. Therefore, if the Council wants to ask more questions or is concerned about any aspect of the project, those questions and concerns can be addressed when the financing is also discussed. The public can come to the public hearing and ask any questions that they would like answered. This item will probably not go to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a public hearing because this is a site plan modification. Once the Town Council votes on the financing, the project will be ready to go for approval of
a bid.
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ITEM:
14. E. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan stated that the Town will have a critical path analysis done once the bid comes in which will inform the Town the steps that need to be taken.
Deputy Mayor Havens called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.
D. Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing to Receive Citizen Input on Lease Purchase Financing for the Acquisition of Eversource Streetlights and Replacement LED Streetlights
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, May 4, 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 lease purchase financing for the acquisition of Eversource Streetlights and Replacement LED Streetlights.
Was made by Councilor Wagner
Seconded by Councilor Pendleton
Councilor Wagner explained that the Town is spending $400,000 per year to operate the streetlights. The streetlights are owned by the utility and the Town pays for rent, maintenance and the electricity which goes to Eversource. The new rates will increase the budget to approximately $460,000 per year. The steps included in the process will be to have bidder who will come in and do an audit which involves seeing how many streetlights of each different type of streetlight the Town has and the condition they are in. It is believed that the Town has 2,414 streetlights of various types throughout Town. The successful bidder will then propose a design for the system. Once the price is settled for purchasing the lights, the Town then buys them from Eversource and the contractor will
implement a design that has been agreed upon. The Town has gone out to bid and has received proposals from five companies. The Energy Committee is in the process of evaluating those bids. The price that is given at this time will be based on the 2,414 streetlights in Town which will change after the audit and design. It is possible that this project could go over $1.5 million dollars so it
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ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
is thought that doing the project in phases is probable. The first phase could consist of the audit, design and buy only a certain amount of streetlights. In the second phase the remainder of the streetlights would be done. The current streetlights system requires maintenance every five years. The experience with LED streetlights to date is that the maintenance goes down to approximately every 20 years and they come with a 10 year warranty. Part of the contract will be for a maintenance program for the first five years. The Energy Committee will hold a special meeting on April 28, 2015 to make a determination on the company that will be doing this project and then a recommendation will come to the Town Council for approval.
Mr. Galligan informed the Council that the Town just received information from Eversource that the electric bill will be increased by $109,000 next year. There are some lights that the Town does not own so the Town may get charged for rental of the pole. Mr. Galligan felt that with any savings from this project should be put towards another energy project.
Councilor Riley stated he would like to have a better understanding of the how much the Town will need to finance for this project. Mr. Galligan explained that after the audit of the streetlights is complete there will be a better understanding of the amount being financed. At the public hearing the worst case scenario can be given in order to give the Town Council an idea of approximately how much would need to be financed. Councilor Riley said he would be supporting this resolution but is concerned what will actually be put forth at the public hearing discussion because it does not sound like enough progress has been made as of yet.
Mr. Wagner explained that it is his intention at the public hearing to present a great deal of financial information regarding the project. It is hopeful that at the Public Hearing the financial information will be from the recommended supplier. Once a vendor is picked, there is still uncertainty in a final price because negotiations with Eversource still have not happened and the audit and design will not have been complete.
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ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
Councilor Mirek stated that she is a member on the Energy Committee and she believes the LED streetlights will save the Town a lot of money as far as the energy that is being spent at this time. LED lights are a lot brighter and spreads out so visibility is better. Once the design is decided upon, lighting for each street lamp can be adjusted. It was felt that the savings could be put into the lease payment. Councilor Mirek felt that being able to lease finance the conversion upgrades as the Town is able to, is in the best interest of the Town. A presentation and discussion needs to be held so that the Council and the public can have a better understanding of this project.
Mr. Galligan suggested that a presentation be put on the agenda for the Special Budget meeting on Monday, April 27, 2015. Councilor Paterna felt that a pilot project should be considered for public view. Councilor Mirek explained that as part of the program, vendors have agreed to do a pilot program.
Councilor Snyder stated that she would like to learn more about the project prior to it going to public hearing. Councilor Snyder also questioned why the Committee does not want this project to go to referendum? Councilor Wagner explained that a half of a year or a year would be lost if this project went to referendum. Councilor Snyder felt that if the Council wants to show success from this project, time should be given to educate the public and all interested parties.
Councilor Riley state his only concern with this resolution is it refers to the lease financing and those numbers are not known.
Councilor Pendleton said she would be in support of having a presentation the night of the public hearing, just as will be happening with the public hearing for the lease purchase financing for the synthetic turf field at the high school.
Councilor Riley felt that the difference is the field project and plan for the high school has been discussed for years in different venues. Councilor Riley requested that information be provided regarding the LED Streetlights project prior to the public hearing.
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ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
Councilor Wagner stated he would make a presentation on the April 27, 2015.
Deputy Mayor Havens called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.
G. Resolution Opposing the Proposals Contained in Senate Bill SB-1
WHEREAS, Senate Bill SB-1 presently under consideration by the Connecticut General Assembly would eliminate local control and collection of motor vehicle property taxes and replace them with a statewide motor vehicle property tax mill rate and collection; and
WHEREAS, as presently proposed, this statewide property tax mill rate and collection would result in a $2.4 million dollar decrease in tax revenue, as determined by Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan, to the Town of South Windsor which will result in either a substantial increase in property taxes on homes and businesses or a substantial reduction in the Town Budget, reducing services and hurting the education of our children; and
WHEREAS, as presently proposed, 100% of the motor vehicle property taxes collected from South Windsor taxpayers would not be returned directly to the Town of South Windsor but be returned at a lesser rate than taxes paid with some of these monies reallocated to other municipalities as determined by the State; and
WHEREAS, as presently proposed, SB-1 would divert from Towns like South Windsor substantial portions of real property tax revenues payable to the Town of South Windsor that are derived from new commercial and industrial projects to a regional entity that would allocate and redistribute these tax dollars from the South Windsor Taxpayers to other cities and towns in the region based on “relative fiscal capacity”; and
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ITEM:
14. D. (Continued)
WHEREAS, Regional redistribution of tax revenues that are derived from new commercial and industrial projects located in the Town of South Windsor would not only reduce tax revenues to the Town of South Windsor but also increase the tax burden on the taxpayers of South Windsor forcing them to make up the difference
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council, acting on behalf of the taxpayers of South Windsor does hereby oppose the proposals contained in Senate Bill SB-1 and directs the Town Manager to convey the Town Council’s opposition to this proposal to our legislative representatives and to continue to advocate on behalf of the Town of South Windsor, its residents and taxpayers in this matter.
Was made by Councilor Delnicki
Seconded by Councilor Pendleton
Councilor Delnicki explained that this proposal has been discussed over the past couple of years and has now come to fruition. Towns use 71% of their money for their budgets from property taxes. The one redeeming feature about property taxes is when taxes are sent into South Windsor, 100% of that money goes and stays in the Town of South Windsor. If this bill gets passed, it will have a terrible effect on the budget and on the taxpayers of South Windsor.
Mr. Galligan felt that this bill will pit bigger cities against smaller towns. From an operational standpoint, motor vehicles taxes are the most difficult tax to track people down when they have left the community. The Town hires a sheriff to go out and find individuals. The State will not have this ability to do this.
Deputy Mayor Havens called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
14. New Business (Continued)
H. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Twenty-Three (23) South Windsor Taxpayers
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to twenty-three (23) South Windsor Taxpayers, the total of said refund being $8,701.64, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit D.
Was made by Councilor Mirek
Seconded by Councilor Pendleton
The motion was approved, unanimously
15. Passage of Ordinance
None
- Communications and Reports from Town Manager
Mr. Galligan reported on the following item:
- There will be further discussions regarding Bill SB-1 tomorrow.
- Councilor Wagner and himself spoke at Central Connecticut State University for a class about Local Government run by Attorney John Woodcock.
17. Public Input
None
18. Communications and Petitions from Council
Councilor Pendleton stated she received an email from Mr. Mike Berghuis and requested that all the questions from Mr. Berghuis be answered at the public hearing. Councilor Pendleton also stated that knowing that all of the drainage from the athletic field at the high school goes into Plum Gully she is concerned about after the synthetic turf field is installed she would like something that could protect Plum Gully.
ITEM:
18. Communications and Petitions from Council (Continued)
Mr. Galligan explained that the in-fill that is being proposed is sand based, not rubber. It has been tested by Duke University and there are no known environmental impacts.
19. Executive Session
At 10:40 p.m. Councilor Wagner made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss pending claims and litigation concerning docket #314CV00847WWE. Councilor Pendleton seconded the motion; and it was approved unanimously.
The following individuals went into Executive Session: Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton, Councilor Riley, Councilor Snyder, Councilor Wagner, Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan, and Town Attorney Keith Yagaloff.
At 10:55 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councilor Paterna seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
20. Adjournment
At 10:55 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councilor Paterna seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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