2002 Minutes Archive

 

Windsor Town Council

Council Chambers – Town Hall

July 1, 2002

Approved Minutes

 

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, and Councilor Simon.

    2. Absent: Councilor Walker

  2. Prayer – Councilor Broxterman
  3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Broxterman
  4. Proclamations/Awards

    5. None.

  5. Public Communications and Petitions

    6. Ms. Karin Hawkinson, 40 Marshall Street, spoke to the Town Council regarding her strong support of installing lights at O’Brien Stadium. She read a letter from the Windsor High School senior class, written by Mathew Hawkinson. She submitted the letter to the Town Council.

    Mr. Peter Kosak, 3 Valley View Drive, addressed the Town Council regarding sports in the school system. He would like to see the school football team’s SAT scores. He feels that education should be the number one priority, not sports. Mr. Kosak also spoke about economic development. He spoke about the dangerous situation at the railroad tracks bridge area. He feels there are better ways to spend money than on cosmetic enhancements. He asked for fiscal accountability.

    Mr. Las Wilby, 302 Mercer Lane, spoke to the Town Council about the house located behind his property, which is a group home. It was shocking to him to discover that a group home was located in a residential area. He tried to find out if zoning laws allow this type of home in the area and he had no success.

    Ms. Glenda Reed, 320 Mercer Lane, discussed the group home. She is in favor of the O’Brien Field improvements project. She is frustrated with the process that the Town Council and Town Manager have been following in finding a resolution to this issue. She has seen half-hearted attempts and inaccurate information brought before the Town Council. It is in her opinion that sports do teach leadership and teamwork, which prepares you for the real world. She verbalized that the town faces a serious safety and liability issue with the poor playing surfaces in town. She urged that the necessary research be completed and that the Town Council make a decision as quickly as possible.

    Mr. David Howlett, 154 East View Drive, addressed the Town Council regarding sports. He feels that they are very important in developing leadership skills. He also feels that with the diversity of the town, supporting sports will bring the town together. It is very unfortunate that parents can support their children throughout the educational system but are not able to support sports because they are working. He commended the Board of Education and the curriculum. He noted that the students who were recognized for sports excellence are hard working students and said that the bands also support the athletics. If lights are installed at this field, more of the community will come out and see the events and this will help in building the community. It is in his opinion that this is a win-win situation. He feels that a decision has to be made soon or it will continue to be another eight years before this project is brought forward for evaluation.

    Mr. Mark Welch, 114 Lincoln Way, Head Coach at Windsor High School spoke to the Town Council. He discussed the educational accomplishments of the football team members and iterated that education is the number one priority for team members.

    Ms. Kay Nowiszewski, 64 Alden Road, addressed the Town Council. Her son is an honor student in honors classes at Windsor High School and has never played football until he attended the high school. He is required by all of his coaches to do well in his classes. She shared her views by stating that the music program in this town is phenomenal. There are as many band supporters as athletic supporters at the games. She feels that sports are one of the reasons that her kids do so well in Windsor.

  6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions
  1. Human Relations Commission

    2. Mr. Warner-Prouty, Chair, reported on the Human Relations Commission. General tolerance and inter-religion understanding have been a priority with the Commission. In October, they spoke with Mr. Shannon Perry of the National Conference for Community and Justice to discuss future programs that might address inter-religion and racial issues.

    Another goal of the Commission was to have a complaint form and procedure implemented. The form is now completed and available. Several meetings have taken place to explore sponsoring a public forum on Islamic religion. The consensus showed that the commission itself needed to learn more about the Islamic religion before they could hold a public forum.

    The 2002 Windsor Bridge Builder’s Awards Program will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 6 p.m. at the Windsor Library.

     

  2. Housing Code of Appeals

    3. Withdrawn.

  3. Board of Education

    4. Ms. Jane Garibay, President of the Board of Education, reported to the Town Council. Next week interviews begin for the High School principal position. The panel will be made up of teachers, students and parents. Dr. Feser, Superintendent of Schools, will be coming on board as of July 15, 2002. Mr. David Ross will be joining the Insurance Commission. The Town Council won the volleyball game 2-1.

    Councilor Simon asked Ms. Garibay how the Board of Education felt about the lighting project at the football field. Ms. Garibay responded that the Board of Education has not yet had a formal presentation or a formal vote.

    Councilor Jepsen asked about Connecticut Scholars and the Windsor High School student who had a combined SAT score of 1570. He asked if many students are performing that well on their SATs. Ms. Garibay said that a lot of students do well while many score over 1300. A few years ago a student had an almost perfect score. There are many students that are high achievers at Windsor High School.

  4. Public Building Commission

Mr. Joe Novak, Public Building Commission (PBC) Chairperson, reported to the Town Council. The contract for 330 Windsor Avenue site improvements was approved. The low bid was over budget, but with deduct alternates the contract was approved with in budget. The bidding process for the building construction phase will begin soon and results should be in by the end of August. The L.P. Wilson Center roof had some contract issues that have been resolved. The Poquonock asbestos project had an additional $30,000 expense, which can be funded from the current project appropriation.

The Windsor High School project budget is very tight and they will be asking the Town Council for additional funds (1-2%) in the next few weeks. The reasons for the additional funds are to pay for door replacements which are needed and screening that needs to be added to the air conditioning units on the roof (approximately $75,000). Additional site work and the bonding costs have also increased by $30,000.

Councilor Mulligan asked Mr. Novak about the six coolers behind the counter in the cafeteria area. There is some concern that there have been a number of calls for maintenance on these units. He is not sure that restricted access to these coolers is being reinforced after school hours. People may be trying to gain unauthorized access to the coolers and are damaging the doors in the process. Mr. Novak responded that he would look into the issue. He also stated that the warranties do not go into effect until the project is complete.

Councilor Simon inquired about the 1-2% appropriation, his calculation is

$350-$700,000, and asked if the appropriation is refundable by the State as in the original proposal? Mr. Novak said that the State looks at the project as a whole. He would have to discuss the reimbursable percentages with Finance. He feels that a majority of the appropriation would be reimbursable.

Councilor Pacino asked about the site work. Mr. Novak responded that they would have to work with the town on the plans. It is primarily landscaping, trees, and plantings outside of the school.

Councilor Jepsen asked if in the above mentioned 1-2% appropriation if there are any items that are non-structural. Mr. Novak said that there is some contingency money that needs to be covered. An amount of $156,000 will be needed for change orders, which could be non-structural such as asbestos abatement. There will be approximately $50,000 left in contingency due to a lower than anticipated cost for the furniture and equipment. It is possible that we will not need all of the funding, but the timeline for bonding is critical.

  1. Town Manager’s Report

    2. Windsor Bridge Builder Awards

    Citizens for United Windsor and the Town of Windsor’s Human Relations Commission have announced that that they are currently accepting nominations for the 2002 Bridge Builders Awards. The Citizens for United Windsor organization is a grass roots organization works to foster greater trust, understanding and solidarity across the full spectrum of Windsor’s racial, ethnic, and religious diversity.

    In its eighth year, the Bridge Builder Awards showcase true community role models in human relations. This can include students who have worked toward greater understanding of others in their school or neighborhood.

    Anyone, of any age, may fill out an official nomination form for the Windsor Bridge Builder Awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is Thursday, -August 1, 2002. Nomination forms are available at Town Hall, both libraries and the L.P. Wilson Community Center. Call 688-8483 for more information.

    Noise Study Continues

    The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be holding two public meetings for the Part 150 Noise and Land Use Study for Bradley International Airport. These meetings will be identical in content and format. They will include reports on the status of existing conditions and proposals for noise abatement and land use measures intended to minimize the impacts of aircraft noise.

     

    Some of the proposals could result in increased noise impact on Windsor, especially for areas in the northern and western parts of Town. Citizens are urged to attend and express their thoughts on future impacts and provide information on existing levels of aircraft noise being experienced. That is why I have urged the Advisory Committee on the Part 150 Study to retain the current and previously approved flight pattern.

    The meetings will be held Tuesday, July 16 at 7 PM at the East Granby High School Auditorium and Wednesday, July 17 at 2 PM at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks.

    Following these meetings a draft report on the Part 150 Study and its proposals will be submitted for review by the Advisory Committee. Once the Advisory Committee reaches a consensus on the proposals, a new draft will be presented at public meeting(s) in the fall of this year. The final report and proposals will then be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval.

    For more information, contact the Windsor Planning Department at 285-1980.

    FY 2003 Budget Shortfall Projected

    The upcoming budget is likely unbalanced today, July 1, 2002. Revenue estimates for interest earnings are not materializing as projected by several sources. The budget estimate assumes the Federal Reserve would increase the discount interest rate to 3.0% by the end of this calendar year. There has been no movement since February and the rate currently remains at 1.8%. Our estimated financial impact is now at $250,000. I recently froze some positions from getting filled until an evaluation of the Town’s financial situation could take place this October 2002. The outlook could improve if various other revenue sources exceed their budget estimate. Conversations will also be necessary with the new Board of Education superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth E. Feser, on their financial status, particularly in light of significant turnover at the executive level.

    On a brighter note, the State Budget signed today by the Governor may offer some relief for Windsor depending on how these funds are used. Non-education funding will decrease by $73,020 when compared to the Governor’s Proposed FY 2002-03 Budget. However, education-related funding will increase by $259,490, resulting in $186,470 more in State funding than budgeted by the Town.

    I hope to report on the use of these funds by the Town Council’s next meeting on August 5, 2002.

    Mosquito Control Update

    Town of Windsor mosquito control activities for the 2002 mosquito season has been in operation since early April. The town’s mosquito control contractor, Integrated Mosquito Control (IMC) out of Madison, Connecticut, conducted early larviciding activity on town owned property in April. This early treatment combined with the dry fall and winter plus the widely fluctuating temperatures during the spring have resulted in a lighter than usual mosquito season. However, the heavier than usual rains in the spring have begun to increase the mosquito population. To date, the Department has received less than 20 mosquito calls from residents, far less than the 125 received by this time last year. The hot dry weather that we are presently experiencing will assist in drying up the few standing water breeding areas and will help to kill off the adult mosquitoes that have hatched. If the present weather pattern continues throughout the summer, mosquito activity throughout town should be less than normal.

    Mosquito control activities this season has been slightly different than in the past. First, the "drought" conditions experienced for the past year and the very light winter precipitation allowed the town’s mosquito contractor to larvicide town owned property, especially along the rivers, earlier than usual. Checks in these areas have shown very few mosquito larvae indicating that the early treatment has been successful. Second, the mosquito contractor has expanded the number of town-owned property that it is treating from 12 to 25. This expansion was initiated after a survey of all town-owned property over the winter to determine which properties were potential mosquito breeding areas. Third, on June 24, departmental personnel began larviciding town catch basins. It hopes to complete this first treatment by July 4. A second round of catch basin treatment will be conducted in early August. Fourth, the department began distributing larviciding material to residents. The Town Council had appropriated $10,000 for fiscal year 2003 for residential larviciding material. However, the Department was able use current funds to begin the distribution program in late May. To date, 84 packets have been distributed to Windsor residents (each packet contains 6 "mosquito dunks").

    The State of Connecticut began testing dead wild birds for West Nile Virus on May 6th. To date, Windsor has submitted six (6) birds for testing. Tests have been completed on four (4) of those birds and all are negative. Statewide, four (4) birds have tested positive for WNV those coming from (New Haven (2), Rocky Hill, and West Hartford). Birds will continue to be tested until November 1.

    For more information, call the Windsor Health Department at 285-1823.

     

    Big Wheel Award from CRCOG

    The Town of Windsor received an award from CRCOG in recognition of its commitment in improving conditions for bicyclists on the town roadways along Old Day Hill Road and Mack Street. The idea was thought of by town staff that while paving the streets, stripe lines could be added to give bicyclists a safer route along these routes.

    We are also the first town to be a recipient to this award.

    CRCOG Recognizes Exemplary Intertown Cooperation

    To Town of Windsor recently received recognition from the Capital Region Council of Governments for providing mutual aid assistance to Manchester during the NAMCO incident on July 26, 2001. Approximately 140 public safety personnel responded to this major fire. In today’s environment, where there are heightened concerns for safety and security, this represents a great example of why regional cooperation is important.

    Yankee Doodle Festival

    This Thursday on the Town Green from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the annual Yankee Doodle Fest, sponsored by the Family & Leisure Services Department and First Town Downtown. FTDT volunteers will be on hand to pass out watermelon to help you keep your cool and at 11:30AM, the 2nd Annual Seed Spittin' Contest will begin. Take the opportunity to win a ribbon for the Longest Spit, the Shortest Spit, and the Most Creative Spit. (Don't ask me who started this!). Last year's winner of the longest spit sent a watermelon seed over 32', so come on down and see if you can beat last year's champ! For more info, visit www.firsttowndowntown.org.

    Town Manager Churchill stated that he would like to comment on the group home mentioned earlier this evening. As is customary, we learn of these homes in this manner as towns in Connecticut play no role in the siting of group homes. The state bypasses local ordinance and zoning laws as far as use and types of homes. We do know that this home is residential in nature and is probably leased to a state agency. We have not yet determined which is the specific agency in this case. We typically try and address specific nuisances and try to open a dialogue and mitigate those specifics. The powers of local government are small if any. We will pursue the matter.

    Mayor Trinks asked about the Capital Improvements Budget process and the high school field improvements. Town Manager Churchill stated that CIP process starts internally in late summer and fall. He further stated the lighting and the improvements to the field are two separate projects.

  2. Communication from Town Council Members

    3. Councilor Albano – None.

    Councilor Broxterman – None.

    Councilor Jepsen – feels that putting the lights on the CIP is very sensible.

    Councilor Mulligan – discussed the lights for the football field. There is no question as to whether the Town Council supports the lights. He noted that there is a height restriction for zoning in that area and that zoning approval would be needed. The Planning & Zoning Commission is meeting on July 9, 2002 with 17 items on their agenda. They would need another special meeting in July to address the lights at the football field. He has decided that it should be removed from the agenda tonight and suggested to have it added to the CIP process, which starts in late August and September. He feels this project would be beneficial for the entire town, not just for the athletes, band members, the dance troupe, and other groups. Councilor Mulligan mentioned the possibility of a traffic light at Columbia Road and Rt. 218. He has begun the process with Councilor Walker to move forward on the issue.

    Councilor Pacino – wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. He encouraged all to attend the event on the green. He thanked the staff responsible for the volunteer brunch yesterday. He hopes that a peaceful and equitable solution can be made regarding the use of the Bell School on Palisado Ave.

    Councilor Simon – said the fiscal situation for the Town of Windsor has changed in the last three months since we put the budget together. There is a deficit and there are some positions that will go unfilled. The Town Council was informed tonight that there would be an additional expense of $350-$700,000 for Windsor High School renovations. He cannot support lighting for the fields when there are projects that have already received approval that necessitate funds. He also would reconsider his support to the ice rink because the funds would come out of the general fund as well.

    Deputy Mayor Curtis – discussed the lights. He felt it was unfair to the Planning & Zoning Commission to add an additional public hearing to their next agenda. It has become clear that it would be impossible to install permanent lights for the next football season. He agrees with the suggestion to add the project to the CIP and feels that it would be a good topic for the Joint Board of Education and Town Council meeting. He wanted to clarify that elderly citizens would not be appropriate tenants for the Rappaport building because of the railroad tracks. He encouraged parents to get family museum passes from the library.

    Mayor Trinks – mentioned the First Town Downtown meeting. He made a correction that the additional funds raised from the volleyball game were from the Simon and Mulligan families. The volunteer recognition brunch was well attended. He feels that the lighting project should be placed on the CIP, especially in light of the budget shortfall. Mayor Trinks requested Councilor Simon to accept the position of Chair of the Joint Board of Education and Town Council Committee. Councilor Simon accepted.

  3. Reports of Standing Committees
  1. Finance Committee – None.
  2. Town Improvements Committee – their next meeting will be about the soccer field and the library expansion.

C. Health and Safety – None.

D. Special Projects – None.

  1. Ordinances

    2. None

  2. Unfinished Business

    3. None.

  3. New Business
  1. Funding Criteria for Human Services Agencies

    2. Town Manager Churchill gave an overview on the criteria. The range of funding is from $500 to over $124,000. It would require greater documentation and accountability for agencies that receive $15,000 or more in funding. In all cases, they would be incorporated and approved by the IRS. The Finance Committee reviewed the proposed eligibility and criteria and consented to its content.

    Councilor Pacino stated that if a non-profit organization is registered with the State, but not the IRS, it could be expensive to obtain IRS approval. Town Manager Churchill responded there could be some flexibility providing that the non-profit is in the process of obtaining IRS approval.

    Councilor Broxterman feels that further research needs to be done on the issue of a non-profit having State non-profit status without IRS approval. Town Manager Churchill stated staff will research the topic.

    Councilor Pacino said that the motion could be passed and clarified at a later date. Town Manager Churchill agreed that this motion is for the next budget process next winter, so there is time to clarify it.

    Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Jepsen that the attached Recommended Funding Criteria for Human Services and Non-profit Agencies be adopted and implemented beginning with the FY 2004 Budget process.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

     

  2. Authorize Town Manager to enter into an Agreement with the State of Connecticut for a Project Grant for Pioneer Drive

    3. In the fall of 2001, the town renovated the Pioneer Drive Bridge, specifically the culvert sections carrying Hathaway Hollow Brook under Pioneer Drive. Through the State of Connecticut’s Local Bridge Program, the town is eligible for a grant in the amount of $58,237.96.

    Resolved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Jepsen that Town Manager, R. Leon Churchill, Jr. of the Town of Windsor be authorized to negotiate and execute on behalf of the Town of Windsor a Project Grant Agreement with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to renovate the Pioneer Drive, Bridge No. 164002.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  3. Strategy and negotiations with respect to collective bargaining – WPDEA Labor Contract
  4. Strategy and negotiations with respect to collective bargaining – CILU Union #45 Labor Contract

Moved by Councilor Pacino, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to move Items C & D to after the Executive Session.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

  1. Resignations and Appointments

Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to re-appoint Mr. Frank Stewart to the Human Relations Commission for a three year term to expire May 31, 2005 or until a successor is appointed; re-appoint Reverend Bradford Howard, Jr. to the Wilson/Deerfield Advisory Committee for a three year term to expire April 30, 2005 or until a successor is appointed; and re-appoint Donna Mucha to the Wilson/Deerfield Advisory Committee for a three year term to expire April 30, 2005 or until a successor is appointed.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to table items A-K, M-R, T, and V-W.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

  1. Minutes of Preceding Meetings
  1. Minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for Neighborhood Assistance Act

    2. Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Deputy Mayor Curtis to accept the minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for the Neighborhood Assistance Credit Act. Corrections: None.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  2. Minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for the Light Rescue Truck

    3. Moved by Councilor Pacino, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for the Light Rescue Truck. Corrections: None.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  3. Minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for Goslee Pool, Phase II Project

    4. Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to accept the minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for the Goslee Pool, Phase II project. Corrections: None.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  4. Minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for the DPW Facility Improvements

    5. Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to accept the minutes of the June 17, 2002 Public Hearing for the DPW Facility Improvements. Corrections: None.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  5. Minutes of the June 17, 2002 Regular Town Council Meeting

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Simon to accept the minutes of the June 17, 2002 Regular Town Council Meeting. Corrections: bottom of page 12, Town Manager Churchill stated that to his knowledge, it has not been discussed formally by the Board.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

  1. Public Communications and Petitions

    2. Mr. Adam Gutcheon, 49 Pierce Boulevard addressed the Town Council regarding the Conservation Commission. They have learned that 18-19% of the town is used for farmland and they would like to keep it that way by way of a Purchase of Development Rights Program. They will send two proposed ordinances to the Town Council this summer. The first is to create a fund for open space, Public Act 90-239, a self-sustaining fund. The second ordinance is to amend the zoning code of the town to allow the Planning & Zoning Commission to take 10% of the value of a subdivision of five or more parcels, instead of taking the land, to the open space fund. By 2035, Windsor will no longer have farmland if it continues on its present course.

  2. Executive Session

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Mulligan to enter into Executive Session for the following items:

  1. Strategy and negotiations with respect to collective bargaining – WPDEA Labor Contract.
  2. Strategy and negotiations with respect to collective bargaining – CILU Union #45 Labor Contract.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Town Council entered executive session at 9:30 p.m.

Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Albano, Councilor Broxterman,

Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Mulligan, Councilor Pacino, and Councilor Simon.

Absent: Councilor Walker

Staff: Town Manager Leon Churchill, Assistant Town Manager Peter Souza,

Human Relations Director Amelia Bliss, Captain Kelvan Kearse, Chris

Rogavich, MIS Supervisor

Guest: Town Attorney Kevin Deneen

 

Moved by Councilor Pacino, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to leave Executive Session and reenter the regular Town Council meeting at 9:55 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Pacino that the Town Council accept the proposed labor contract with the Windsor Police Department Employee Association (WPDEA) for FY 2003, 2004 and 2005 as discussed in Executive Session.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen that the Town Council accept the proposed labor contract for FY 2003, 2004, and 2005 with the CILU #45 as discussed in Executive Session.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

  1. Adjournment

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Pacino to adjourn the Regular Town Council Meeting at 10:02 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

Cc: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch