PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
May 4, 2015
8:30 p.m.
South Windsor Town Council
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on Lease Purchase Financing for the Development of a Synthetic Turf Field at the South Windsor High School
Mayor Anwar called the Public Hearing to order at 8:00 p.m.; and requested that the Clerk of the Council read the call of the meeting (a copy of which is attached hereto). There were approximately sixty-four (64) people present in the audience.
Mayor Anwar asked if there was anyone from the public that would like to speak.
Ms. Pam Beaudry, 26 Mountain View Road requested that the Council include in this resolution language that spells out the type of material that will be used for the in-fill. Also, she would like language in the resolution allocating money for remedies for the abutting homeowners (privacy fence, moving of the bleachers, restrictions on use and the rules regarding noise).
Mr. Rich Mabey, 30 Dogwood Lane came forward and voiced support for this proposal. The synthetic turf field will address safety issues for the athletes.
Ms. Gloria Kaczmarek, 135 Talcott Ridge Road came forward and read a letter from her husband into the record speaking in support of the synthetic turf field.
Chairperson David Joy from the Board of Education came forward and stated that the resolution should be amended to include language that would have the approval of this plan be contingent upon the acceptance of the project by the Board of Education. This plan has never been presented to the Board of Education and should be done. Any improvements to school buildings or properties need to be accepted by the Board of Education. It is troubling that the Town is discussing a lease of more than $1 million dollars at the same time when the Board of Education has been requested to decrease their operating budget request.
Ms. Willa Holcome Buckley Berghuis, 18 Mountain View Road expressed that she does not feel the neighborhood should be punished for living near the high school. Funds should be used to support privacy fencing solving noise, privacy problem and restriction of use. The neighborhood should not have privacy and peace taken away.
Ms. Susan Hollander, 24 Judge Lane stated that she feels the field should be done.
Mr. Kevin Greer, 86 Windshire Drive came forward to lend his support for the field at the high school. Nothing will be changed other then the material used on the field.
Ms. Robin Klemba, 99 Chapel Road stated that as a parent she supports the high school field to be completed with synthetic turf.
Mr. Tim Mulcahy, 71 Lake Street came forward to speak in support of this project. The fields in Town are in poor condition and the creation of a synthetic turf field will move the progress of the Town forward.
Lease Purchase Financing – Turf Field at South Windsor High School
May 4, 2015
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Mr. Daniel Sullivan, Principal of South Windsor High School stated that like many, he is in support of the turf field. As a resident and parent of young athletes he recognizes the value of this project. As Principal he understands that this field will give athletes access to quality practice and playing fields as well as competitive balance. South Windsor High School will do the best to make reasonable accommodations to the neighbors and mitigate any concerns. It is important to give students all of the tools necessary to be competitive academically and athletically.
Mr. William Greider, 555 Clark Street came forward and stated that the fields are a disaster. Mr. Greider felt that turf fields are an even surface which are safer.
Mr. Craig Zimmerman, 5A Amato Drive explained that the Board of Education’s budget is being decided Monday, May 11th and he felt it would be really great if there were this many people in the room when the decision on the budget is done. The Town is presently using areas that were not intended as a field, but are being used as fields.
Mr. Dave Zatulick, Director of Physical Education Health and Athletics at South Windsor High School. South Windsor as a district has worked very hard with its students and schools to provide them with the best possible education. There needs to be a balance between academics and athletics to provide the students with an opportunity to compete with other competitive districts.
Mr. Kevin Foley, 498 Main Street came forward to voice support for the fields stating that South Windsor has to invest in our future. This request is about the student athletes.
Mr. Eric Mahan, 50 Henry Road stated that this issue has been discussed for a long time and he is in support of this item. It is not one or two Town’s that have turf fields, it is about 20 other Town’s. South Windsor should be a destination where people want to come and live.
Ms. Jo Kaczmarek, 135 Talcott Ridge Road who is student athlete came forward and stated that South Windsor is one of the best Town’s around, but South Windsor needs to support a synthetic turf field.
Ms. Tami Sarra-Romejko, 2 Cardinal Lane explained that it is embarrassing when other Town’s come to play in South Windsor and see the fields in South Windsor. Other Town’s have figured out how to construct synthetic turf on fields in their Town and South Windsor should do the same.
As is the custom, the Mayor asked for a show of hands for a straw vote on the proposal. The results were as follows:
Those in favor of the Town to lease purchase financing for the development of a synthetic turf field at the South Windsor High School: - 43
Those in opposition of the Town to lease purchase financing for the development of a synthetic turf field at the South Windsor High School: - 4
Lease Purchase Financing – Turf Field at South Windsor High School
May 4, 2015
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The public hearing was closed at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
Attmt. (1) Public Hearing Notice
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