Windsor Town Council Unapproved Minutes Public Hearing to Hear Budget Requests from Citizens for the FY 2000 - 2001 Budget PRESENT - Mayor Hogan, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council member Albano, Council member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock (arrived at 7:10 PM), Council member Pacino, Council member Simon, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks Mayor Hogan called the public hearing to order at 7:05 PM and read the Legal Notice. Diana Gopin, 82 Pebblebrook, Windsor, requested that the Montessori School extend into the elementary program. She asked the Council why they have not acted on the issue by now. She said she was given false hope that the program would be in place prior to now. Her daughter will be ready to attend in September, however, the program will not be available. Helen Giunta, 120 Bloomfield Avenue, discussed the wonderful program provided by Montessori. She would like to see funds going to refit 330 Windsor Avenue to allow programs from other areas in town to move into that structure, such as the Caring Connection, PAL, Head Start. She urged the Council to call her if it needs help with regard to Montessori. She also noted people are purchasing houses in other communities, especially West Hartford, for the Montessori Schools. Mayor Mary Hogan read a letter from Brian T. Griffin which stressed the importance of the PAL program, and also noted other worthwhile programs provided by the police department. The Public Hearing adjourned at 7:16 PM.
Windsor Town Council February 7, 2000 Unapproved Minutes Mayor Hogan called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 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, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks 2. PRAYER - Council member Trinks 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council member Trinks 4. RESOLUTIONS AND AWARDS None. 5. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS None. 6. BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT President Kenneson gave the report. WHS Renovation - the project is proceeding on schedule. Steel work began today. The students enrolled in the Introductory Construction course have used the project’s plans in their classes. The superintendent’s newly formed Diversity Committee has met for the first time. The committee is intended to explore diversity within the community and establish goals. The BOE has started budget hearings. Preliminary information regarding CMT scores is available. A special meeting will be held this Thursday, 2/10/00, at 7:00 PM, at LP Wilson, Room 17, to discuss the CMT scores.
For our safety, the Town of Windsor Fire Marshal’s Office, Windsor Police and Volunteer Fire Companies would like to extend a reminder to residents to remove any accumulated snow from their sidewalks and/or fire hydrants adjacent to their property. According to the town ordinance, the owner of any premises adjoining and fronting upon any public sidewalk or bikepath should clear a minimum of a 4-foot wide path within 12 hours following a snowstorm. If a snowstorm occurs during the night, the ordinance calls for the snow to be removed within 12 hours of sunrise. If you have questions, or would like further information, call 285-1971.
Windsor is Full of "Sweet Talk" On Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14, 2000 from 8:00 – 5:00pm any couple with a valid blood test conducted in Connecticut can receive their marriage license FREE at the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall on Broad Street. In honor of Windsor’s 38 year tradition, of awarding free marriage licenses on Valentine’s Day and the new millennium, a Justice of the Peace will be available for the entire day to perform ceremonies for couples who wish to marry immediately. Town Clerk George Tudan started the tradition of free marriage licenses in 1962. In partnership with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, special gifts donated by local businesses will be given to participating love birds. A decorated trellis will ornate the Town Clerk’s office and refreshments will be served. For more information call 285-1900.
Volunteer Support Program Applications Welcome This past summer, the town established a Volunteer Support Program to assist community groups and neighborhoods with small-scale physical improvement projects. Grant requests may be submitted by any Windsor volunteer, civic organization, neighborhood association or group interested in undertaking an enhancement effort, and able to match the amount of the grant award by some combination of donated materials, volunteer labor or cash. Applications for the second round of this program are due February 15, 2000. Information packets, and applications are available at the Town Manager’s office located at Windsor Town Hall, 275 Broad Street. Past recipients include: the Windsor Historical Society, The Windsor Rivers and Trails Coalition and the Windsor International Little League. Citizen Participation Encouraged The Town of Windsor welcomes citizen’s participation in all of our decision-making processes. In particular, several recently proposed projects such as 330 Windsor Avenue and the Huntington House Estate have generated a large volume of dialogue and communication. As we approach the budget season, I would like to encourage residents to continue providing this valuable feedback. It is very helpful to staff and myself as we continue to discuss these and other proposals before making recommendations to the Town Council. There are several ways of communicating your thoughts and ideas on any of these issues, they include: 1.) the Public Communications and Petitions segment of all Town Council and Board of Education meetings, 2.) written correspondence to the attention of my office at 275 Broad Street, or 3.) sending an e-mail to: townmanager@townofwindsorct.com In addition, I would like to remind everyone about Windsor E-Mail Direct. This electronic mailing list provides Windsor residents with up to the minute town news and information directly on their home or office computer. Anyone can subscribe to this e-mail distribution list free of charge by visiting the Town of Windsor website at http://www.townofwindsorct.com/EmailDirect.htm. Subscribers receive: information on town-wide events and school news, hyperlinks to various town services, special event notifications and emergency information.
Community Development Block Grant Update The Department of Economic and Community Development has awarded the Town of Windsor $127,050 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to continue Windsor's Small Business Loan Program. For those of you here this evening, we have brochures available on the table to my right outlining this program. Anyone in our WIN-TV viewing audience who is interested in learning more about this program can contact the Office of Community Development at 285-1984. 8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Council member Albano-- none. Council member Broxterman -- none. Council member Haverstock -- none. Council member Pacino-- inquired as to whether Windsor has a sign ordinance, i.e. tag sale signs. In addition, there is a nice article in the newspaper about the Windsor Jester’s upcoming play. Council member Ristas--none. Council member Simon --none. Council member Trinks-- Jaycees will be hosting the annual senior citizen brunch on 2/13/00 from 10:30 AM - Noon the LP Wilson Community Center. Deputy Mayor Curtis -- thanked the school bus company which kept buses running at night when the nights were frigid to ensure getting children to school; some towns had to cancel school due to buses not starting. Mayor Hogan -- asked Town Manager Churchill to get more information on Montessori. Thanked John Simone for his years of service in First Town Downtown, he has recently moved on, and she thanked all the staff who have been working on recruitment. Congratulated Scott Kuhnley on his achievement. At a recent CROG Mayor Hogan was given an award which she read. The Windsor Food Bank needs donations, food can be dropped off at the library and LP Wilson. 9. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES Health and Safety Committee -- Council member Broxterman -- no meeting. Town Improvements - Deputy Mayor Curtis -- met last Thursday and discussed the skate park. They also discussed 330 Windsor Avenue and asked that the 2/7/00 deadline be eliminated. Special Projects -- Council member Simon -- met on 1/27/00 and discussed the issue of enhancing Windsor’s brand name. Finance Committee-- Council member Trinks -- he asked that two projects be referred to the Finance Committee --1. the East Barbar Street Boat Launch Project; and 2. Clover Street Field House. Mayor Hogan referred those projects. Mayor Hogan referred the Huntington House to the Special Projects Committee. 10. ORDINANCES None. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 12. NEW BUSINESS a. Air & Water Pollution Abatement Commission Annual Report to the Town Council Mayor Hogan said the Commission has not met in two or three years. Council member Albano said they did attempt to meet last year but did not have a quorum. Mayor Hogan made a request of town staff to give a report back as to whether the Air & Water Pollution Abatement Commission can be combined with the Conservation Commission. b. Additional Appropriation of $35,000 for Rainbow Fire Station Project contingency Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman. That $35,000 be appropriated from the Capital Outlay Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to the Capital Outlay Fund Account: (02-507) Rainbow Road Firehouse Project. Council member Trinks indicated that the Finance Committee on 1/26/2000, unanimously passed a motion to appropriate $35,000 for the Rainbow Road Firehouse Project as reflected in the memo dated 1/12/2000 from Al Neumann, Building and Facilities Superintendent. The $35,000 proposed is for a new generator and to adequately fund the contingency line of the proposed budget. The PBC recommended that the Windsor Town Council allocate an additional $35,000 for the Rainbow Road Fire House Project. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. c. Authorization to purchase voting machines Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Albano, To authorize the purchase of four reconditioned mechanical voting machines and pay for this purchase from the funds set aside for the purchase of new electronic voting machines. Council member Albano gave an overview of the need for new voting machines. Donald Cunningham said if a motion is passed tonight he anticipates the machines to be available for March. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. d. Appointment of Auditor for Fiscal Year 2000 Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Ristas, that the Town Council extends the contract of the current audit firm (Scully & Wolf) for an additional year. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. 13. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Ristas Item A – One Republican member to the Air and Water Abatement Commission, Donald Jepson, for a 4 year term to expire 1/31/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item E – One Republican member – to the Board of Assessment Appeals, Leon Alford, for a 4 year unexpired term to expire 11/31/2001 or until a successor is appointed. Item H – One Republican Member to the Commission on Aging and Handicapped, re-appointment of Janice Lawlor, for a 3 year term to expire 1/31/2003 or until a successor is appointed. Item L – One Republic member to the Conservation Commission - reappointment of Samuel Hinckley, for a 5 year term to expire 11/30/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item O - Republican member - to the Historic District Commission, Loretta Raney, for a 2 year term to expire 10/11/2002 or until a successor is appointed. Item P - One Republican member to the Historic District Commission - reappointment of Marcia Hinckley, for a 5 year term to expire 10/11/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item R – One Republican member to the Housing Code Board of appeals, Michael McDonald, for a 5 year term to expire 10/31/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item U – One Republican member to the Library Advisory Board, reappointment of Lalitha Mehta, for a 3 year term to expire 1/31/2003 or until a successor is appointed. Item W – One Republic member - Library Advisory Board, to appoint David Raney for a 3 year term to expire 1/31/2003 or until a successor is appointed. Item X – One Republican member Town Planning and Zoning Commission, Elizabeth Parker, for a 5 year unexpired term to expire 11/13/2000 or until a successor is appointed. Item Y – One Republican Member - Town Planning and Zoning Commission to reappoint David Kelsey, for a 5 year term to expire 11/8/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item Z – One Republican Alternate Member - Town Planning and Zoning Commission, Katherine Chiodo, for a 2 year term to expire 11/11/2002 or until a successor is appointed. Item BB – One Republican Member - Windsor Housing Authority, to appoint Frank MacDonald, for a 5 year unexpired term to expire 7/31/2001 or until a successor is appointed. Item EE - Republican Alternate Member, to the Youth Commission, appoint Frank St. Martin, for a 2 year term to expire 9/30/2001 or until a successor is appointed. Item FF – One Republic Alternate Member - to the Zoning Board of Appeals, reappointment of Ruth Wood, for a 2 year term to expire 11/9/2001 or until a successor is appointed. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman, Item B – to re-appoint Arthur Machado to the Air and Water Pollution Abatement Commission for a 4 year term to expire 1/31/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item C - to reappoint Norman Nadeau to the Air and Water Pollution Abatement Commission for a 4 year term to expire 1/31/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item D - to reappoint John Waters to the Air and Water Pollution Abatement Commission for a 4 year term to expire 1/31/2004 or until a successor is appointed. Item I - to reappoint Joan McVey to the Commission on Aging and Handicapped for a 3 year term to expire 1/31/2003 or until a successor is appointed. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Pacino, to add Item GG - One Republican alternate member, Michael McDonald, to the Board of Assessment Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Leon Alford who became a full time member, term to expire November 30, 2001 or until a successor is appointed. Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Haverstock, Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks to add Item II to appoint a member to the Windsor Housing Authority to replace Mary Smith; And to add Item JJ – to appoint a member to the Wilson Deerfield Advisory Committee to replace Eugene Aubrey. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks, To appoint One Republic member to the Board of Assessment Appeals, Michael McDonald, and to appoint Sam Robinson to the Windsor Housing Authority. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman, to appoint Kenneth Means to the Wilson Deerfield Advisory Committee to fill the term of Eugene Aubrey (deceased). The Motion Passed 9-0-0. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Ristas, 14. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING a. Minutes of the January 18, 2000 Regular Meeting Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Ristas, Minutes of the January 18, 2000 Regular Meeting. Addition: Town Manager Churchill indicated the decision to not relocate the voting site for district one pending the determination of other potential voting precincts. This decision was made with the concurrence of the both registrar of voters and the superintendent of schools so Wolcott can remain the Precinct One voting location. The Motion Passed 9-0-0. 15. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS None. 16. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS a. Discussion Concerning the Appointment, Employment, Performance, Evaluation, Health or Dismissal of a Public Officer or Employee Council member Haverstock made a motion, seconded by Council member Simon, a. Discussion Concerning the Appointment, Employment, Performance, Evaluation, Health or Dismissal of a Public Officer or Employee The Motion Passed 9-0-0. At 9:40 p.m. Executive Session. 17. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Broxterman made a motion, seconded by Council Member Albano, to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 PM. The Motion Passed 9-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Abigale LaViolette cc: Town Clerk Main Library Wilson Branch |