Mayor Trinks called the regular meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

1. Roll Call – Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Albano, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Mulligan, Councilor Pacino, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker.
2. Prayer – Councilor Mulligan
3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Mulligan
4. Resolutions and Awards

None.

5. Public Communications and Petitions

None.

6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions

None.

7. Town Manager’s Report

Who needs "Wheel of Fortune" when you can tune in to From the Booth, and find out all the things that are going on in Windsor! From the Booth is your Town of Windsor news source and airs on WIN-TV Channel 21 on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM, and before most Town Council and Board of Education meeting broadcasts. In addition to many program and service announcements, this month’s show features winter storm information, an update of the Windsor High School renovations and a special interview with Windsor Mayor Don Trinks. There’s nothing boring about Windsor – and you can find out why by tuning in to From the Booth. For more information, call 285-1835.

The preparation of the proposed Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2003 – 2008 has been completed and distributed to Town Council members and the appropriate boards and commissions. The plan is the result of a process of prioritization by a cross-departmental committee followed by refinement based on financial and operational considerations. The process begins with an invitation to all boards, commissions, and the public for their suggestions for the CIP.

The proposed plan meets certain financial goals, which were set early in the process such as maintaining debt service to within 8% of budgeted expenditures. The plan also schedules new bonding authorization that achieves a moderate level of total debt as measured by debt per capita (i.e., approximately $1,600) and debt as a percentage of the net grand list (i.e. approximately 2.5%).

While financial constraints prevent the town from undertaking every project considered, the proposed plan follows through on some major initiatives. These include the enhancement of parks and recreational facilities, the beginning of improvements on Route 159 and in town center, and closure of the landfill. At the same time, it provides for the preservation of major town assets such as fire department equipment and town buildings.

The proposed plan is scheduled to next be reviewed by the Capital Improvement Committee, which was created during the last charter revision. In order to proceed with that step, members will need to be appointed to the committee. The plan is then reviewed by the Council’s Town Improvement Committee, the Public Building Commission, and the Town Planning & Zoning Commission before being presented to the Town Council for review and adoption next Spring.

Copies of the Proposed CIP are available in the Finance Department and can be seen online at the Town’s website.

Following a review of operations and resources, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch has announced that they will be closing the courthouse located in West Hartford, which serves geographical area 16.

Geographical Area 16 currently hears minor criminal matters and motor vehicle cases from all the towns in the Hartford Judicial District, which includes Windsor. The West Hartford courthouse will close at the end of business on December 31, 2001. The boundaries of geographical areas 14 (located in Hartford), 15, (New Britain) and 19 (Rockville) will be expanded to accommodate cases previously handled in West Hartford.

Earlier this month, the Civic Participation Project wound up its assessment and planning phase by creating a draft action plan for improving civic participation in Windsor.

This group, many of whom attended all three meetings from October to December, has built its action plan around five focus areas:

1. Volunteerism
2. Voting
3. Information Sharing and Communications
4. Government and Citizens
5. Neighborhoods

The plan is a thoughtful and quite detailed strategy and is available for viewing on the town’s website in the citizen participation area. At the end of the last meeting, the group agreed to a number of steps to get from the planning phase to implementation.

First, town staff is reviewing the draft to provide feedback, as requested by the Civic Participation group. Additionally, volunteers from the group will do some refinement and tightening of the plan before bringing it back to the entire group in January.

The facilitator from the National League of Cities has agreed to come back again in January to help the group set up a structure for implementation and identify champions for each initiative.

Over the course of the planning phase, more than 90 residents participated, all of who deserve our thanks and congratulations on the fine work they performed. There is still work to be done, of course. Citizens interested in getting involved in the implementation phase can do so by calling 285-1892 or by responding to the e-mail link on the town’s website.

The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund recently announced that Windsor would be one of the 46 Connecticut communities that will receive a one-year Discovery Grant. The $25,000 grant will make it possible for recipients to engage in an intense research and planning effort focused on the well being of young children in the community.

The collaborating team in Windsor is the Healthy People partnership, which brings together a wide range of town, school and private entities. Friends of Northwest Park will be the collaborative agent for the grant.

Through the Discovery Grant, the Healthy People collaboration hopes to identify the needs of families and young children in town, to assess the resources available and to produce and disseminate a plan for future action. The activities planned to develop this information will include a community forum and focus groups to gather input from town residents, as well as a structured research effort. Finally, an action plan based on the information gathered will be created and disseminated.

The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, based in Hamden, Connecticut, is committed to the improvement of life and educational outcomes for young children. Over the years, the Memorial Fund has worked closely with a number of Connecticut communities in the "Children First Initiative." The organization has described the Discovery Grant process as one that will enable them to use information generated by the participating communities "to fashion future grant making strategies and approaches that respond to what children need and that accomplish the work most effectively."

Further information about the Discovery Grant can be obtained by contacting the Healthy People partnership through Charles Petrillo, Director of Health and Social Services for the Town of Windsor, at 285-1823, or Ceila Robbins, Coordinator of Grants and Innovative Programs for the Windsor Public Schools, at 687-2000, ext. 272.

Councilor Pacino requested an update on the shopping center. Jim Burke, Director of Economic Development, responded that the contractor for the project has completed the bulk of the work and they are now installing a strip of fascia and additional brick at the bottom of some of the columns. The project will be completed within two weeks.

8.  Communication from Council Members

Councilor Albano – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday.

Councilor Broxterman – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday.

Councilor Jepsen – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday.

Councilor Mulligan – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday. He also thanked the Town Manager and previous Town Council for having the foresight to get e-government started.

Councilor Pacino – wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season. He reminded everyone about Toys for Tots and food basket donations. Councilor Pacino announced that Dom’s Broad Street Eatery has opened up near Geissler’s. He encouraged all to patronize the restaurant. He also reminded the Council about the Town Manager’s six-month review. Recently he has received several calls regarding signs that have been left at intersections past the event date. He suggested referring the topic to the Special Projects Committee.

Councilor Simon – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday.

Councilor Walker – wished happy holidays to everyone. He encouraged residents to support the small businesses in town.

Deputy Mayor Curtis – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday. He also echoed Councilor Walker’s remarks regarding visiting businesses in town.

Mayor Trinks – wished everyone a happy and safe holiday. He thanked the Post Office for recognizing the Safety Services of the town.

9.  Reports of Standing Committees

Finance Committee – met on December 10, 2001 to discuss the proposal of a Steering Committee to oversee the process of seeking use of the landfill site.

Motioned by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Albano, to add Item 12(e). Discussion of Landfill Steering Committee.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Health & Safety – met on December 12, 2001 to discuss the transfer of Batchelder and Island Roads to the Loomis Institute.

Special Projects Committee – reported on the town electronic meeting notifications of which 510 direct e-mail subscribers have been offered the option of receiving town meeting notifications. Many thanks to Enita Jubrey and the town staff for the work they have done. He encouraged all residents to browse the town website.

Mayor Trinks referred the review of sign posting in town Right of Way to the Special Projects Committee.

10. Ordinances

None.

11. Unfinished Business

1. Abandonment and Conveyance of Batchelder and Island Roads

At its December 11^th meeting, the Town Planning & Zoning Commission moved to recommend to the Town Council that the Town of Windsor release portions of Batchelder Road, Island Road and Rowland Lane and that those portions be quit claimed to the Loomis Institute but subject to the following 1) the Town Manager’s terms and conditions for the transfers should be incorporated; and 2) Loomis should specifically reaffirm its commitment to make its best effort to facilitate a trail connection by Riverfront Recapture.

The Town Council’s Health & Safety Committee approved the transfer and referred it back to the Town Council at its December 12^th meeting. There is a strong need from a safety standpoint to transfer Batchelder and Island Roads to the Loomis Institute.

Annual savings in operations and maintenance costs are estimated at $5,200 based on the town budget and national standards. The town also avoids the liability that runs with the roads.

Councilor Pacino encouraged setting the Special Town Meeting for January 22, 2002. He is concerned that construction firms are scheduling work and that the delay of the transfer could impact Loomis Institute’s ability to schedule work on the roads.

Councilor Simon is concerned about whether the transfer is a gift or if there will be compensation paid to the Town of Windsor. It is in his opinion that there should be additional compensation besides the operations and maintenance costs saved.

Councilor Broxterman feels that the item should be referred to the Finance Committee. He remarked that a short delay wouldl not affect any construction scheduling.

Councilor Mulligan also recommended referring this item to the Finance Committee. He commented that the asset value of the road be considered versus what it would cost to make the needed improvements to bring this road up to town standard.

Deputy Mayor Curtis encouraged referral to the Finance Committee. It is important to see the financial impact of the transfer and the value of the property before the Special Town Meeting date is set.

Councilor Albano requested clarification of the Univac Lane abandonment without a Special Town Meeting. Town Manager Churchill replied that the value was less than $10,000 and did not require a Special Town Meeting.

Mayor Trinks referred the abandonment and conveyance of Batchelder and Island Roads to the Finance Committee for review.

12. New Business

1. Set date for Special Town Meeting for Batchelder and Island Road Transfer

Motioned by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Mulligan to table Item 12(a), a resolution regarding a Special Town Meeting be scheduled for Batchelder and Island Roads.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

1. Introduce an ordinance entitled "An ordinance appropriating $375,000 for reconstruction and alignment of Laurel Avenue and related improvements and authorizing the issue of $375,000 bonds and notes to finance the appropriation".

Mr. Tom Lenehan, Town Engineer, provided an overiew to the Council. The reconstruction of Laurel Avenue has been on the Capital Improvement Program for many years. The pavement surface has deteriorated. The existing storm drainage system is inadequate in both size and coverage and requires frequent maintenance. It is proposed to reconstruct Laurel Avenue, approximately 965 feet from Windsor Avenue to Plymouth Street, installing new drainage, curbing, sidewalks, landscaping and pavement section.

It is proposed that $375,000 in bonding be authorized for the design and reconstruction of Laurel Avenue. An 8-24 will need to be approved for this project before work can commence.

Councilor Pacino asked about the landscaping and the effect on the older trees on the street. Mr. Lenehan responded that the intent is to save as many trees as possible. Some trees have deteriorated. Councilor Pacino asked Mr. Pavitt, Finance Director, if this road qualifies for any grants to eliminate the bonding. He also asked if the $375,000 includes design work and will cover all costs. Mr. Pavitt responded that there were no grants available. Mr. Lenehan replied that the design is almost complete and the $375,000 will cover the costs.

Motioned by Councilor Simon, seconded by Deputy Mayor Curtis to resolve that the reading into the minutes of the text of the ordinance entitled "An Ordinance appropriating $375,000 for Reconstruction and Realignment of Laurel Avenue and Related Improvements, and Authorizing the Issue of $375,000 Bonds and Notes to Finance the Appropriation" is hereby waived, the full text of the ordinance having been distributed to each member of the Council and copies being made available to those persons attending this meeting; and that the full text of the ordinance be recorded with the minutes of this meeting.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

2. Set date for Public Hearing for Laurel Avenue improvements for bond ordinance

Motioned by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to resolve that a Public Hearing be held at the Windsor Town Hall in the Council Chambers on Monday, January 7, 2002 at 7:15 p.m. (prevailing time) on the foregoing ordinance. Further resolved that the Town Clerk is authorized and directed to post and publish notice of said Public Hearing.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

3. Approval of Annual Shad Derby Day Festival for May 18, 2002

Mr. Michael Rabbett, 2002 Co-Chairman of the Windsor Shad Derby Festival, requested use of the town green for the Shad Derby Day Festival on May 18, 2002.

Motioned by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Walker to permit use of the town green for the Shad Derby Day Festival on May 18, 2002.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

5. Discussion of Landfill Steering Committee

Councilor Simon spoke of establishing a Steering Committee to review the use of the landfill site after the landfill is closed. The Finance Committee recommended a five-person committee to be appointed. They request that the Mayor appoint the chairman of the committee. The committee would report their recommendations to the Council in May 2002. He recommended an e-mail direct and press release regarding the committee and appointments.

Councilor Walker requested that the selection of this committee not be political and be a cross section of the community.

Town Manager Churchill has received some calls showing an interest in the committee and his office has a list of about 90 names that would be qualified to be on the committee.

Councilor Albano recommended that residents from all areas in town be represented.

Mayor Trinks requested that the Finance Committee recommend committee members to the Council.

Motioned by Councilor Albano, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to establish a Landfill Steering Committee based on the Finance Committee’s recommendations.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Motioned by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Pacino to add Item 12(f) Charter section 8-3 Town Manager’s Budget Format.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

6. Charter section 8-3 Town Manager’s Budget Format

Mayor Trinks referred the item to the Finance Committee for review.

Councilor Simon noted that the Finance Committee would have to meet prior to January 7^th to discuss the Charter.

13. Resignations and Appointments

Motioned by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to reappoint:

Board of Assessment Appeals, Democratic Member – George Bolduc

Board of Assessment Appeals, Democratic Alternate Member – Randall Graff

Board of Assessment Appeals, Democratic Alternate Member – Julie Tashjian

Commission on Aging & Handicapped, Democratic Alternate Member– Linda Rickard

Historic District Commission, Democratic Non-resident Member – Mary Ann Pleva

Historic District Commission, Democratic Non-resident Alternate Member – Agnes Pier

Public Building Commission, Democratic Member – Richard Hazelton

Public Building Commission, Democratic Alternate Member – Thomas Dembkoski

Town Planning & Zoning, Democratic Member – Anita Mips

Town Planning & Zoning – Democratic Alternate Member – Michael O’Brien

Town Planning & Zoning, Democratic Alternate Member – Robert Dallesander

Zoning Board of Appeals, Democratic Member – Frances Rothenberg

Zoning Board of Appeals, Democratic Alternate Member – George M. Bolduc

Zoning Board of Appeals, Deomcratic Alternate Member – Roseanne Lombardo

And to appoint new members to the:

Conservation Commission, Democratic Alternate Member – Paul Cipriano

Human Relations Commission, Democratic Alternate Member – Joyce Armstrong

Youth Commission, Republican Member – Sarah Thrall

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Motioned by Councilor Albano, seconded by Councilor Pacino to accept the resignation of Leon Alford from the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Motioned by Councilor Pacino, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to table items D, F, H, I, K-O, R, T-V, Y, CC-GG, II-MM, OO, PP, and SS.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

14. Minutes of Preceding Meetings

1. Minutes of the December 3, 2001 Town Council Meeting

Corrections – Page 11, Resignations and Appointments - March 31^st; Councilor Pacino requested that Motions be placed after the discussions in the minutes and that the Executive Session section be recorded in order; Page 6 - Senior staffing motion, Councilor Albano made a friendly amendment to add "additional" to the motion.

Motioned by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Mulligan to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2001 Town Council Meeting.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Councilor Walker spoke about the traffic situation on Columbia Road turning east onto Route 218 during rush hour traffic. He has received some calls on the danger of the intersection. Councilor Walker agreed that it is a dangerous intersection.

Town Manager Churchill responded that the item was brought to his attention two years ago. Route 218 is a state road. Two years ago, the traffic didn’t meet the state’s requirements for a traffic light. He will look further into the situation.

16. Executive Session

None.

17. Adjournment

Moved by Councilor Mulligan, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to adjourn the Regular Town Council Meeting at 9:03 p.m.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Respectfully submitted,

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

Cc: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch