Madden Room – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Gary Bazzano, Town Council
John Caldwell, Superintendent of Parks
Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation
Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager (conference call)
Bob Goldman, South Winsor Soccer Club
David Hodge, South Windsor Panther Football
Karen Isherwood, Volunteer Civil Engineer
Al Maximino, South Windsor Little League
Mike Mundo, parent of youth athlete
Jim Ray, parent of youth athlete
Chris Wanner, South Windsor High School Athletic Director
Dana Weber, South Windsor Girls Lacrosse Club
Craig Zimmerman
Members Absent: Brogan Canty, student athlete
Eric Lajoie, South Windsor Boys Lacrosse Club
Keith Yagaloff, Town Council
Others Present: Cindy Beaulieu, Town Council
3. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Mr. Mundo made a motion to approve the June 27, 2012 minutes. Mr. Caldwell seconded the motion; and they were approved, unanimously.
Ms. Wanner made a motion to approve the July 5, 2012 minutes. Mr. Mundo seconded the motion; and they were approved, unanimously.
4. Public Participation
Ms. Elaine Smith, 104 Wyndemere Court, President of the Condominium Association came forward to speak in opposition of the proposal of fields and lights on Nevers Road. This type of development will have an impact on property values and privacy in the condominium complex. The condominiums have never had an issue with selling, but now that the fields are proposed, there have been issues.
ITEM:
4. Public Participation (Continued)
Ms. Carol Hatch, 101 Wyndemere Court stated that as said previously, there was never a problem selling the condominiums quickly until these fields were proposed. There are already fields in the front. Ms. Hatch said that these fields will affect the resale of the property because of the noise and lights.
Ms. Mary Sullivan, 102 Wyndemere Court requested to hear the next steps that would be taken for this proposal.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained that there has not been anything formally done yet. This sub-committee is Town Council appointed and will be coming up with a plan to bring to the Town Council. The Town Council will decide on the project and the funding mechanism.
Ms. Elaine Smith, 104 Wyndemere Court came forward again and questioned why abutting property owners have not been notified about anything.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained that after a plan has been developed and approved by the Town Council, any other Boards/Commissions that have to make a decision on this project would notify abutting property owners.
5. Items for Discussion:
a) Overview of the Plan Presented to the Town Council
A plan was presented to the Town Council, as shown in attached Exhibit A.
Committee members discussed the hand out on page 2 which is labeled “Identified Need” where it says 7 major programs annually utilize 44 athletic fields throughout Town. Mr. Zimmerman stated that the Town does not have 44 athletic fields that can be used for games. Mr. Favreau stated he could put something together that shows official fields and open space areas. Mr. Caldwell said that they can also include in the descriptions if the fields are shared and by which sports. The limitations for each field can be represented by official game playing field and practice fields. Ms. Wanner requested that the number of participants be included on the count. Mr. Favreau stated something would be put together and shared with the Athletic Fields Sub-Committee.
ITEM:
5. a) (Continued)
Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained that turf on the Stadium Field at the High School is still up for discussion. The issue with the Stadium Field is the funding mechanism. If a 63-20 Corporation is done, it is not known if a 63-20 Corporation could cover the field because it is on the Board of Education property. Mr. Mundo felt that the sub-committee should concentrate on the 11 acres where everyone can use the fields.
Mr. Zimmerman questioned why lighting at the High School is not wanted and would the South Windsor Football team use the property across the street? Ms. Wanner explained that the Football team could use the property across the street but the issue would be that there is no locker room over there. Ms. Wanner stated she would like to see turf put on the Stadium Field which is part of the High Schools campus. Having a turf field would expand the ability to help protect fields that do not have turf. Ms. Wanner stated that the conduits are going to be included in the plan of the field at the High School. Mr. Caldwell stated that the fields at the High School have tremendous use and turf would help save the other fields that do not have turf.
Sub-Committee members then discussed the ability to maneuver the fields where the lights would not be a problem with the neighbors and the use of fencing to help with the noise. Mr. Caldwell explained that the field being proposed to have turf and have lights is the furthest one away from Wyndemere Court and it is not the whole 11 acres that would be lit.
b) 63-20 Corporation
Mr. Galligan explained how a 63-20 Corporation would work for the financing of this type of project.
Answering questions from the Committee, Mr. Galligan explained that a resolution will have to be brought to the Council to establish a Board and then the Council would appoint members to that Board. The Council would have to move this project forward which will have a design before the 63-20 Corporation is established. The project is supposed to be built to the design that is established.
ITEM:
5. b) (Continued)
The Committee would go to the Town Council to show them what is being proposed, the Board would be appointed and then the Board would take those numbers and the design and get a guaranteed maximum price for the project. A group such as PFIC will come in and take the design and get the guaranteed maximum price, float the bonds, build the project, the Town starts leasing the improvements and that is what pays for the cost. These lease payments becomes part of the budget. After the project is paid off the Corporation will sell the project back for a $1.00 to the Town and the Town would own it.
A project at the High School usually can not be funded through a 63-20 Corporation. The Town Attorney and Bond Counsel will have to look into seeing if the 63-20 Corporation could be used for the fields at the High School.
c) Presenting the Town Council with a resolution
Deputy Mayor Bazzano questioned if the Sub-Committee has a plan and a dollar amount estimate, would the suggestion be to bring a resolution to the Council to form a 63-20 Corporation specific to the 11 acres? Mr. Galligan answered yes but the Council has to be ready to go forward. Mr. Galligan explained further that if the Town Council approves the 63-20 Corporation, the Council would appoint the Board and then the Board goes out and does the project. The Board would consist of an odd number of people usually between 5 to 7 individuals.
The sub-committee discussed the creation of a Recreation Center and where it would be located. The sub-committee also discussed the facilities that would be built at the CREC school.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated that the sub-committee could meet in a week or two and discuss a plan that could be brought to the Town Council.
ITEM:
6. Unfinished Business
Public
Ms. Carol Hatch questioned if the sub-committee is going to propose fields on the 11 acres? Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated that the sub-committee is going towards the development of the 11 acres.
Ms. Carol Hatch explained that the individuals that are impacted will not be able to sell their properties. Because a 63-20 Corporation is being proposed, the resident will never have a voice in this matter because it will not go to referendum? Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained that it will have to go through the Planning & Zoning Commission and other regulatory agencies which is where the residents would have the opportunity to speak regarding this project.
Ms. Suzanne Errickson, 206 Wyndemere Court requested that fencing and plants be put in to buffer the condominium complex from this project. Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated that the sub-committee could look at the cost for fencing and a berm on the north side.
Answering questions from the public, Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained that the field where lights are being proposed is the furthest field north.
Ms. Mary Sullivan stated that it sounds like the proposal is further along and the neighbors have known nothing about this and have not had any input. Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained the sub-committee has not met since July and the proposal has been the same since then.
Mr. Favreau then explained that this sub-committee is an advisory committee which is not a decision making body. The sub-committee’s goal is to come up with a recommendation that has to go through a series of approvals by decision making bodies like the Town Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Ms. Elaine Smith requested that the neighbors be included when a meeting is scheduled. Deputy Mayor Bazzano asked the residents to give their email to the Council Clerk and when an agenda is established those individuals will be contacted.
Mr. Matt Riley stated he would like to see synthetic at the High School on the Stadium Field and feels it should be part of the whole proposal.
ITEM:
6. Unfinished Business (Continued)
Mr. Galligan stated he would send to the sub-committee what the cost to each taxpayer would be if this was to be approved through a 63-20 Corporation.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated at the next meeting the sub-committee will discuss the resolution that will be brought to the Town Council.
7. New Business
None
8. Set Next Meeting Date
The next meeting has been scheduled for January 31, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Madden Room.
9. Adjournment
At 7:13 p.m. Ms. Wanner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Maximino seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Council Clerk
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