Windsor Town Council Unapproved Minutes Mayor Hogan called the regular meeting to order at 7:31 PM. 1. ROLL CALL - PRESENT- Mayor Hogan, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council member Albano, Council member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock, Council member Pacino, Council member Simon, and Council member Trinks 2. PRAYER - Council member Haverstock 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council member Haverstock 4. RESOLUTIONS AND AWARDS None. 5. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS Bradshaw Smith, 23 Ludlow Road, noted the new form of communication - electronically, for which he commended staff for implementing, however, he said West Hartford has been using the internet for a number of years, including for its subcommittees information. Niyazi Ozbelli, a native of Turkey who has been here since 1985, distributed information to the Council regarding the quality of education which he feels is very important to the Town. He said attracting business is also very important to Windsor because their contribution is much higher than the individual taxpayers’. 6. BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT President Kenneson gave the report. She commended the town on its web site. The WHS renovation project is on the web which updates how construction is moving along, etc. Ground has been broken and foundation footings were poured this morning. The superintendent is creating a citizens advisory committee which the board has established as a goal. The committee will meet on 1/26/00 at LP Wilson. Community participation is welcome. There were no reported Y2K glitches. Council member Pacino asked about grade requirements for athletic participation. President Kenneson will see that the Council gets a copy of the Board’s policy. 7. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Huntington House Update An "option to purchase agreement" for the property located at 289 Broad Street, (the Huntington House) was signed on October 6, 1999. The option price was a non-refundable $8500.00, and is valid for six months, or until April 6, 2000 to make a final decision. The agreed purchase price of this property is $365,000 and would require the following steps:
The property will be sold in "as is" condition. The house contains a gross living area of 5,000 square feet and is structurally sound. There is a need for minor repairs as found in a report by DeLucco Associates of Newington. The electrical and heating systems are not adequate for non-residential use and would need to be addressed. Any improvements or alterations to the house shall be designed and monitored by a Connecticut licensed architect. The Town of Windsor will list the Huntington House with the Windsor Historical Society and shall seek to have the house listed with the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to preservation, the town’s interests include rear driveway and connectivity to Windsor Public Library, which is dependent upon consensus with Grace Episcopal Church. I suggest a public information forum on Monday, January 24, 2000 to further discuss this potential transaction and receive public input on potential future uses of this property. Y2K Update The Civil Preparedness Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened at 9:00 PM on Friday, December 31, 1999 and remained open until 1:45 AM on Saturday, January 1, 2000. Members of Windsor’s Civil Preparedness Unit, the Chief of Police and the Chief of the Windsor Fire Department staffed the Center. Shortly after midnight, the Police Dispatch Center tested all town radio frequencies (police, fire, ambulance, and public works) and telephone lines to the EOC. No problems were encountered. At 1:00 AM, the Fire Chief terminated the Fire Department's stand-by status. From Wednesday, December 30 through Monday, January 3, communications were maintained with the State Office of Emergency Management in the form of daily status reports. In addition, our computer network transition to the year 2000 has been successful. We randomly tested computers throughout Town Hall shortly after midnight to verify the success of the transition. In summary, New Year's Eve was a very quiet night, perhaps more quiet than a normal New Year's Eve.
House Decorating Contest The 1st Annual Holiday House Decorating Contest sponsored by the Recreation Department had 13 entries from all over town. Judging took place on Saturday, December 18th with the following Windsor homes being awarded decorative gift baskets filled with items for the family and the home: Grand House: 7 Macktown Road Most Spirited: 528 Stone Road Most Unique: 1980 Poquonock Avenue Brightest: 41 Faneuil Avenue Congratulations to the winning homes!
Mark your calendars for Saturday April 8, 2000. Plans are being made for the first Wilson Neighborhood Conference. This initiative will encompass a broad scope of topics, opportunities for citizen involvement, speakers, breakout sessions and more. Details will be forthcoming.
For one Windsor fifth grader, this past holiday season was more about giving than receiving. 10 year old Stephanie Fenner, a student at Oliver Ellsworth Elementary School started a "loose change" drive at her school to collect money for the families of the six Worcester firefighters who lost their lives in the December 3rd fire. This week, Bob Bolasavich, Fire Inspector, and representatives of Windsor Fire Companies will be meeting with Stephanie and her parents to discuss how they can help Stephanie with her fund raising efforts. Stephanie raised $300 - $400 on her own and our volunteer fire fighters are ready to pitch in. Plans are being made to have collection jars available at town buildings throughout Windsor. For more information, you can call our Fire Marshall’s office at 285-1972.
Public Hearing A public hearing will be held on site at 330 Windsor Avenue on Thursday, January 13, 2000 at 6:30pm to receive public input on potential uses for that property as well as the application for use of Community Development Block Grant Funds.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Council member Albano-- None. Council member Broxterman -- None. Council member Haverstock -- thanked and congratulated staff and emergency preparedness for their job well done. Council member Pacino-- None. Council member Simon -- Happy New Year. Council member Trinks-- None. Deputy Mayor Curtis -- Happy New Year to all. Complimented Staff on the Winter Edition of There’s a Lot to Do in Windsor Brochure. Mayor Hogan -- Happy New Year to everyone. She thanked staff for their work regarding Y2K. She congratulated Town Manager Churchill on one year of service. 9. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES Health and Safety Committee -- none. Town Improvements - none Special Projects -- none. Finance Committee-- none. 10. ORDINANCES None. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 12. NEW BUSINESS a. Windsor Housing Authority Annual Report to the Town Council No one was present to give the report. b. Presentation on Capital Improvements Program Town Manager Churchill gave the report and reviewed CIP for 2001-2006 and highlights. Year 1 Highlights - all projects begun in FY 2000 remain on schedule for FY2001; Construction phase for 5 road projects; Lang Road bike path construction; Design funds for Rte. 159 Corridor Enhancement, Clover Street field renovations; outdoor skate park; Renovations to Milo Peck and replacement of Town Hall Roof; and BOE surplus available for implementation of Safety Committee recommendations less than original projection. Year 2 Highlights - Construction of Route 159 corridor enhancements; construction of leachate collection system at landfill; Clover Street field renovations, construction of skate park, reconstruction of Corey Street; and begin to moderate level of bonding. Years 3 - 6 highlights - Bonding in FY 2003 limited to Clover St. School window and Poquonock School office projects; reconstruction of Prospect Hill Road; replacement of 2 fire and rescue vehicles; Day Hill Road jogging and walking trail; I-91 / Route 75 ramp modification; and timing of library project contingent upon new design concept. He also discussed the Town’s financial condition - debt service. The next steps to be done are - January 2000 - Review of CIP by TIP; February 2000 - Review of CIP by TP&Z; and March 2000 - Final approval of CIP by Town Council. 13. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS Council member Pacino made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks, to table items A through U. The Motion Passed 8-0-0. 14. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING a. Minutes of December 11, 1999 and Minutes of December 14, 1999 Special Meetings Deputy Mayor Curtis made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks, to approve the Minutes of the December 11, 1999 Special Meeting correction: Council member Albano indicated all of his votes were no. The Motion Passed 8-0-0. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Pacino, to accept the Minutes of the December 14, 1999 Special Meeting The Motion Passed 8-0-0. b. Minutes of December 20, 1999 Regular Meeting Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman to accept the Minutes of the December 20, 1999 Regular Meeting corrections: Page 2 - Jack Cowan was misspelled; item 9 - Bob Gange was misspelled The Motion Passed 8-0-0. Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks, to add item c to the agenda - Minutes of the December 20, 1999 public hearing. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Pacino, to approve the minutes of the December 20, 1999 public hearing. The Motion Passed 8-0-0.
15. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS None. 16. ADJOURNMENT Council member Haverstock made a motion, seconded by Council member Simon , to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 PM. The Motion Passed 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Abigale LaViolette cc: Town Clerk Main Library Wilson Branch |