- Roll Call – Present: Mayor Hogan,
Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council Members: Albano,
Ristas, Pacino, Haverstock, Trinks, Broxterman
and Simon.
- Accept a Parcel of Land Located Along East
Barber Street from the Sasportas Company
Town Engineer, Tom Lenehan, described a parcel
of land, Parcel A, adjacent to the East Barber
Street residential development known as Fisherman’s
Landing. This parcel is being donated by the
Sasportas Company to act as an additional buffer
between the railroad tracks and the residential
properties. It consists of 11,265 square feet.
Council member Haverstock asked if there are
any concerns of environmental liability on taking
this property. Town Engineer Lenehan indicated
that this is "virgin" land and that this
was approved by the Town Planning and Zoning
Commission at their July 10, 2001 meeting.
- Approve Easement in Favor of Metropolitan
District Commission along East Barber Street
Town Engineer Lenehan indicated that in
conjunction with the development of Fisherman’s
Landing on East Barber Street a 20 foot easement
is required for the maintenance of the sanitary
sewer system. The easement would be granted to the
MDC.
A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Curtis to
accept approximately 11,265 square feet of land
from the Sasportas Company, located along East
Barber Street, designated as Parcel A on the plan
entitled ‘FISHERMAN’S LANDING’ prepared for
the Sasportas Company, East Barber Street,
Windsor, Connecticut, Ed Lalley and Associates,
Inc., 111 Prospect Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095,
(860) 688-2413, Scale: 1 IN = 40 FT January 2,
2000, with Revision dated 6/29/01. The motion was
seconded by Council member Trinks.
Motion passes 9-0-0.
A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Curtis to
approve an approximately 20 foot wide easement in
favor of the Metropolitan District Commission
within land owned by the Town of Windsor located
along East Barber Street, as shown on the plan
entitled ‘FISHERMAN’S LANDING’ prepared for
the Sasportas Company, East Barber Street,
Windsor, Connecticut, Ed Lalley and Associates,
Inc., 111 Prospect Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095,
(860) 688-2413, SCALE: 1 IN = 40 FT January 2,
2000, with Revision dated 6/29/01. The motion was
seconded by Council member Trinks.
Motion passes 9-0-0.
- Discussion of Windsor/Bloomfield Landfill
Mayor Hogan thanked the Town Hall staff, the
Town Manager, and Landfill staff for all the work
they put into this project to prepare mailings and
presentations. Council members were also lauded in
their decision to make this issue a public
process, for their dedication of time and
commitment to hear all presentations and make a
decision. Mayor Hogan also thanked the public for
their input in this matter.
Mayor Hogan indicated that Council members will
make their comments and then will be open to
public comment in order of sign-up on the Public
Comment sheet.
a) Discussion by Town Council
Council member Trinks thanked all the people
involved in the process. He cited his involvement
dating back to 1995 when the Council started to
investigate the environmental and fiscal aspects
of closing the landfill. After meeting with
Bloomfield, evaluating study after study and the
impacts to the town, all the public opinion
expressed in the last six months – the answer is
to close the Landfill. He believes the two options
were to close the landfill at the end of its life
or to hire Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority
(CRRA) to expand and operate the landfill as a
bulky waste facility. He is concerned with
Bloomfield’s reaction, but feels they should put
themselves in Windsor’s situation and decide how
they would react to the affect on property values
and the expansion of the landfill in a residential
and viable corporate area. Although there will be
a financial impact to the citizens of Windsor, he
is confident that the economic development program
will help offset the impact. He would rather see
income from new businesses in the corporate area
than from bulky waste. He will vote to close the
landfill.
Council member Albano assessed the positives
and negatives of the CRRA proposal. Positive is
that CRRA would assume all environmental concerns;
however, he is concerned with the unknowns. He
noted a substance that was previously approved by
the DEP that became a hazardous waste. He is
concerned that once CRRA comes into town they
would not leave and would try to further expand
the landfill. The option of closing would see this
issue finally put to rest and closing the landfill
would not result in any environmental surprises.
The negative aspects are the closing costs and the
concern of the impact on the average homeowner. He
is for closing the landfill.
Council member Haverstock commended fellow
council members for not prematurely judging this
issue, keeping open minds, and viewing all sides
of the issue before making a decision. The council
needed to decide where Bloomfield is coming from,
evaluate the best offer from CRRA, and evaluate
the long-term consequences of their decision.
There is a genuine passion about the quality of
life in Windsor. After considering expansion, he
feels the safest course for Windsor is for closure
of the Landfill. He noted the tax consequences and
the town’s ability to meet the financial
obligation to close the landfill. Higher costs for
trash pickup were also indicated. He noted that
99% of the public comment was negative for the
expansion and he will cast a no vote for
expansion.
Council member Ristas noted the valuable asset
provided by the landfill and the Town of
Bloomfield’s participation in this asset. He
noted the expansion of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
in the 1990’s. The landfill must be closed when
it reaches capacity in 2004 and the town must
decide whether to face the costs now or go to an
outside operator for bulky waste. To close the
municipal landfill and open up for bulky waste
would increase out of pocket costs for trash
collection. The CRRA presented an attractive offer
in assuming the financial responsibilities of
closing the landfill; however, he will vote to
close the landfill because acceptance of CRRA will
jeopardize the quality of life in Windsor. CRRA
option closely resembles opening a new landfill,
by an outside party, in a first class residential,
recreational and corporate area. He is concerned
with the financial impact on residents and Windsor’s
relationship with Bloomfield.
Council member Simon feels the outcome is a
foregone conclusion. He will dissent on voting for
closure of the landfill. He feels this is
premature and further negotiations could be made
with CRRA on how they would deal with the eminent
domain issue. Negotiating a contract does not mean
accepting the contract. This contract might not
address all concerns, but now the town will not
know if it could. Closure restricts other projects
in town and will increase the cost of trash
pickup. He believes there should be a referendum
on whether to close the landfill, but the town
Charter does not provide for this. He feels the
landfill will return for discussion in 2004 as it
reaches capacity. Property revaluation will also
take place in 2004 and might impact the
discussions and ultimately the taxpayer. Public
sentiment is not unanimous and he believes that
people may have changed their minds. After vote is
made to close the landfill he hopes the Town
Council will address how to reduce the financial
impact to the taxpayers of Windsor.
Council member Pacino stated that the recent
developments of CRRA and MDC have persuaded him to
vote for closure. Everyone has had input on this
project. This is the largest decision the Council
has faced in many years. He feels it is time to
put this issue to rest.
Council member Broxterman said that the future
of the landfill is one of the largest decisions
made by council and will impact all citizens. He
feels disposition of the landfill should be made
by a town referendum, but since that is not
possible he will vote for closure of the landfill.
Deputy Mayor Curtis intends to vote to close
the landfill as this is the most advantageous to
the town. The original goal was to operate the
landfill until it met the break-even point for the
closure costs. The break-even point would be
another 18 years. There have been concerns
expressed in Wilson of asthma cases related to the
Hartford site and how expansion would affect
residents in Windsor. Northwest Park is another
reason he will vote for closure. Moving to close
the landfill will only enhance the activities and
life at Northwest Park.
Mayor Hogan listened to all comments and future
environmental liabilities and has decided on
closure. Landfills are not going to go away and we
need to solve the problem of trash; however, she
encourages everyone to continue being active in
finding solutions to trash disposal as it is a
problem state-wide.
b) Public Comment
Peter Kosak of 23 Valley View Drive felt the
issue should have been brought to referendum or at
least a mailing to all residents asking for their
opinion of the closing of the landfill. The
financial impact could have been an issue of the
referendum and he voiced displeasure that a
referendum could not be undertaken.
Randall Graff, 16 Buckland Way, is a life long
resident of Windsor who has served on the Town
Council as Finance Chairman and has previously
been involved with the landfill issue. He served
as Chairman of the ad hoc landfill committee
during the MSW expansion discussions. He has
considered all aspects of this issue and feels it
is time to close the landfill.
Joe Spalluto, 456 Lantern Way, who spoke on
behalf of WHALE, expressed appreciation in having
the opportunity to discuss the landfill in an open
dialogue with the Town Council. Regardless of what
takes place tonight, WHALE’s objective has been
to have the landfill closed and finds this in the
most financial and environmentally practical way
possible.
Mr. Niels Schulz, 14 Lochview Drive, had
nothing to add to what has been said but thanked
the staff for their work.
Steve Hawco, 443 Lantern Way, said that the
town should be reminded of the 32 years of benefit
that we assumed from the landfill. The financial
benefits are not clear and he is certain that
there will be an environmental risk. The council
has been working on this the last four years,
looking at the economic issues in the corporate
area and the impact to surrounding land,
particularly Northwest Park.
Mark Sussman, 62 Timothy Terrace, has lived in
Windsor 20 years and worked as a volunteer to
improve the environment. He has worked with CRRA
for 18 years and has tried to develop a proposal
to address all issues addressed by the Town
Council and residents. Speaking as a resident,
everyone produces solid waste and we cannot
recycle everything, consequently, there still
remains the need for landfills and waste disposal
operations. It is easy for people to say no to a
waste facility and let another town deal with it.
He feels this is a political decision and not an
environmentally or fiscally smart decision.
Closure will require the construction of a larger
transfer station and will result in larger truck
traffic. Closure costs and monitoring and leachate
systems will increase bond issues to borrow money
for closing the landfill. Pending the outcome on
the discussions with Bloomfield, the impact could
be much greater. Closing the landfill will do more
damage than good to the town.
Ann Marsella, 1 Kendrick Lane, appreciates the
council coming forward and expressing their desire
to close the landfill. This is not an issue about
Bloomfield but about Windsor. All landfill
meetings have been open to the public and chided
those who did not feel everyone had a voice. She
is looking forward to being a long time resident
of Windsor.
John Nelson, 359 West Wolcott Avenue, feels
this should go before the people with a
referendum. Does not want to see a tax increase
and fee increase. He also noted that asthma is an
issue in Wilson.
c) Council Deliberation and Action
Council member Trinks moved that the Town
Council direct the Town Manager to develop a
landfill closure and re-use plan which conforms to
state and federal regulations. The motion was
seconded by Council member Albano.
Council member Haverstock asked if this motion
is specific enough. Town Manager Churchill
indicated that plans for closure would be made in
conjunction with the Town Attorney and noted that
discussions with Bloomfield are part of the
closure procedure.
Council member Ristas noted that the Town
Council is not empowered to put this issue on a
referendum. This can only be done through
petitions and procedures. If enough signatures are
received, this could be done. Mayor Hogan
indicated that voters could overturn a decision of
the Town Council within 10 days and force a town
meeting. Another petition would then be required
to move to a referendum vote.
The motion passed 8-1-0 with council member
Simon opposing.
- Adjournment
Janet M. Burke