Mayor Trinks called the regular meeting to order at 7:33 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 Broxterman
   
    
3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Broxterman
   
    
4. Proclamations/Awards
   None.
   
    
5. Public Communications and Petitions

   Mr. Joseph Novak, 18 Hampden Place, addressed the Council regarding streetlights. The lights at Lancaster Woods are 20 years old and on 4x4 boards. Poles have fallen and are in poor condition. He stated that he is not against or for purchasing the lights from CL&P, he just wants the town to use caution.
   
    

6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions

1. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission

   Mr. Gerald Golden, Chair of Inland Wetland and Watercourses Commission, reported to the Council. He recognized members of the commission. They reviewed 38 applications and 19 short applications for minor issues. They have collected $16,920 in fees. There were seven violations and four cease and desists.

   Councilor Jepsen asked if the Wetland Agent is still overwhelmed with work. Mr. Golden responded that having the Wetland Agent part-time has greatly improved the workload.
    

2. Public Building Commission

Chairperson Joe Novak reported that the WHS project is essentially complete. The parking lot lights are still an open issue and will be repaired in the next few weeks. Work continues on the rooftop HVAC screening. Additional interior doors are on order and should be installed this fall. The southeast parking lot has been re-paved. Mr. Gustafson has dedicated a lot of time on the paperwork and the town is considering hiring him to accomplish this task.

Goslee Pool – they are awaiting for the awnings to be finished.

330 Windsor Avenue - The Caring Connection has moved into the building and work has begun in other areas.

L.P. Wilson Roof – the final plans have been approved.

Library Expansion Project – is on hold until the referendum.

Public Works Facility – trying to get on the TP&Z agenda this month.

Town Hall Roof Project – the project is finished.

 

1. Finance Committee – None.
2. Town Improvements Committee – None.
3. Health and Safety – None.
4. Special Projects – None.
5. Joint Board and Council Committee – None.
   
    

10. Ordinances
    None.
    
     
11. Unfinished Business

1. Report on Newspaper Racks

Councilor Pacino requested additional information on the draft ordinance relative to regulating newspaper racks.

Town Manager Churchill said that there has been discussion of a draft ordinance, along with further research concerning regulating size, colors, and locations. The Town Attorney completed additional research which was outlined in an April 2003 memorandum. The State Department of Transportation has stated they will oppose the installation of corrals based on safety concerns, therefore proposed language requiring news racks to be screened by corrals has been eliminated. The issue of color and size has some doubt because only in the most extreme cases can the color and size be uniform. The model they are working on is one that both New Britain and Hartford utilize. It is believed that we are solid legally and he will supply the Council with the April legal opinion.

Councilor Pacino asked if the boxes can be placed anywhere or can we direct the placement. Town Manager Churchill stated that there is no enforcement for placement, but there are certain criteria regarding distance from the road, not causing obstructions, and other criteria. The criteria currently contemplated may or may not change the mailboxes or newspaper boxes at the post office. What may be necessary is a capital improvement for that location.

Councilor Jepsen asked if anything has changed much since April. Town Manager Churchill said that the Council and Health and Safety Committee have taken the time to digest the information. They have received some complaints and comments.
 

12. New Business

1. Presentations regarding Property Maintenance Ordinance

Dr. Charles Petrillo, Director of Health & Social Servies and Mr. Glenn Cussano, Health Department, made the presentation to the Council. Dr. Petrillo reviewed the Property Maintenance Ordinance.

The ordinance does not cover brush piles, leaf piles and blowing leaves, overgrown landscaping, wild flower gardens, home businesses, open windows in vacant structures, personal items left on lawns, house paint colors, cracked driveways, barking dogs, noisy children or people on the property, etc.

The enforcement philosophy they use is to gain compliance in the most expeditious manner possible while observing individual rights.

Mr. Cussano said that a complaint can come into any of the town offices. The complaint used to be hand written and now there is an electronic tracking system referred to as the customer response system (CRS). Staff notifies the property owner about the complaint, either via phone or a visit. The majority of time this results in compliance. However, on occasion, it doesn’t. If after five days this method is not successful, a written order specifying the violation, remedial action required to bring about compliance and a time frame for compliance are put into place. If a violation is not corrected, each violation is a separate offense, each day is a separate offense, and each separate offense is punishable by a $100 a day fine. Enforcement entails a citation or summons and legal proceedings in the Superior Court.

Councilor Pacino agrees with the recommendations to review the ordinance on a periodic basis.

Councilor Walker asked if we have the proper staff to address these complaints. Dr. Petrillo said that Mr. Cussano takes approximately 98% of the complaints. He is handling it very well. Councilor Walker asked how many complaints were received from Windbrook Drive. Dr. Petrillo responded that two complaints were received. Councilor Walker stated he believes that more than two complaints were made to Town Hall and they were lost somewhere in the process.

Deputy Mayor Curtis asked if violators could find out who placed the complaint. Mr. Cussano said only after 30 days is a case closed, if the person making the complaint left their name.

Mayor Trinks commended the department on their work of handling the complaints. He encouraged basic communication between residents of Windsor to resolve issues and complaints.

Residents can call the Health Department at 285-1823 to report any complaints.

2. Presentation regarding Property Revaluation

   Mr. Steve Kosofsky, Town Assessor, reported to the Council. State law now requires that a revaluation be completed at least once every four years in all municipalities. The last revaluation was in 1999.

   Motor vehicle tax bills will be less next year compared to today. Motor vehicle assessments are determined each year at 70% of current values, rather than once every four years as real estate assessments. However, revaluation will cause the mill rate to be lower, thus causing the motor vehicle tax to be less.

   Notices of new values will be mailed to property owners in November. When residents get their new value, they cannot estimate their taxes using the current mils rate, since the mill rate will decrease. The exact increase will not be known until the grand list is ready in January 2004.

   The total cost of this revaluation is $179,000. However, this does not include any specific appraisal and/or legal fees that may arise as a result of any litigation filed against the town contesting the new revaluation values.

   Mr. Kosofsky gave an estimate as to where we are heading with the results of this revaluation. At this early stage, it appears that residential portion of the grand list will increase from 67% to 70%.

   Councilor Jepsen asked if there are other classes besides real estate. Mr. Kosofsky said that there are two other classes that will not be affected by this--motor vehicle and business personal property.

   Councilor Pacino asked if tax-exempt properties have any effect on the pie chart. Mr. Kosofsky said that they do not.

   Mayor Trinks noted that the landfill will be up for revaluation as well.
    

3. Purchase of Street Lights

   Town Manager Churchill; Mr. Brian Funk, Director of Public Works, and Mr. Bob Dinello, Project Engineer, Department of Public Works, discussed the proposed purchase of streetlights. The Town of Windsor pays an average yearly maintenance and electricity cost of $341,000 on 2,923 streetlights owned by the Connecticut Light & Power Co. which are installed in town.

   It is recommended that the town purchase the streetlights from CL&P through the lease-purchase method.

   Councilor Mulligan asked if CL&P owns the lights in Lancaster Woods. Mr. Funk confirmed this and said that an inspection of the poles would be done prior to any acquisition.

   Councilor Walker asked if the projected costs factored in the total amount in taxes paid by CL&P on the assets (streetlights). Mr. Funk responded that only the taxes paid on the value of the street lights would be lost, other property taxes CL&P pays would not be affected.

   Councilor Albano asked for clarification of acquisition of the streetlights, pole, bulb, wire, etc. Mr. Funk confirmed that all of these elements would become the town’s responsibility on poles which do not have multiple utilities. Only single purpose poles, (i.e. those with street lights only) will become town property, the underground wire still being the responsibility of CL&P.

   Councilor Simon requested that the committee contact other towns that have purchased lights from CL&P to ascertain what savings they have experienced.

   Mayor Trinks referred the item to the Finance Committee.
    

4. Introduce amendments to ordinance for Human Relations and Fair Rent Commission

   Resolved by Councilor Pacino, seconded by Councilor Albano, that the reading into the minutes of the text of the ordinance entitled CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 2, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION, OF THE Windsor Code 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

   Moved by Councilor Pacino, seconded by Councilor Albano that an ordinance entitled, "CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 2, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION, OF THE Windsor Code be introduced".

   Councilor Broxterman asked if we have trouble getting people to serve on the Human Relations Commission. Town Manager Churchill responded no. Councilor Broxterman also asked how many members served on the Commissions. Town Manager Churchill said that 11 members serve on Human Relations, including alternates, and about 10 on Fair Rent.

   Mayor Trinks supports these motions tonight to get them to Public Hearing. He is very concerned about an 18-member commission.

   Councilor Mulligan thought that the original intent was to reduce the number of people serving, as well as merging commissions. He also has concern about a commission having 18 members.

   Councilor Pacino agrees with 18 members being too many, and asked if the ordinance can be changed to make it a nine-member commission.

   Deputy Mayor Curtis asked if the commission could have only nine members and request the other members to volunteer for other committees. This particular merger is not solving the issue of filling vacancies on other committees.

   Councilor Mulligan recommended withdrawing the items and sending it back to Committee. He doesn’t feel that this necessarily represents what we have in mind.

    

   Councilors Pacino and Albano withdrew the motion to introduce the ordinance.

5. Set Public Hearing for amendments to ordinance for Human Relations and Fair Rent Commission for October 6, 2003 at 7:15 p.m.

   This item was withdrawn.
    

6. Presentation of Human Resources Performance Audit

Ms. Amelia Bliss, Human Resources Director, spoke to the Council regarding the review. The Black & Veatch Corporation were hired to perform a management review of the Human Resources Division. The study consisted of a review of background information, interviews with division personnel, observations of work in progress, comparisons with other towns and analysis and recommendations. Ms. Bliss discussed the findings of the report. She also discussed the HR Action Plan and Goals. HR will develop an applicant tracking database, complete updates of the union job descriptions, continue to learn and utilize the new MUNIS system, continue the best practice of reviewing and updating personnel policies on an annual basis, and begin to address succession planning. These activities will be integrated into the town’s business planning efforts.

Councilor Jepsen noted the goal of 40 hours of training and asked how many hours of training and asked how many we have done in the past. Ms. Bliss said that training hours by individual employee has not been tracked organization wide in the past.

Deputy Mayor Curtis asked about the best practices and HR performances. He asked where the list came from. Ms. Bliss stated the auditors looked at best practices nationally and also from their own experience.

Councilor Pacino asked if there were any confidentiality problems with employee files being kept in multiple locations. Ms. Bliss stated that the potential exists, but there has not been any problems that she is aware. None the less efforts will be undertaken to centralize the record keeping process.

Councilor Broxterman asked if any of the towns that responded had consolidated the HR functions of town and education. Ms. Bliss responded that she was not aware of any consolidations within those towns

Mayor Trinks asked about the updating of job descriptions. Ms. Bliss replied that in 2001, the non-union job descriptions were updated to comply with ADA. They are working on revising the union job descriptions now and noted that the next step will be to get union comments and reviews completed.
 

13. Resignations and Appointments

Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to:

• Reappoint Sharran Selig Bennett as a member to the North Central Connecticut Tourism Bureau for a three -year term to expire July 1, 2006 or until a successor is appointed;
• Reappoint James McQueeny as a member to the Fair Rent Commission for a three-year term to expire March 31, 2006 or until a successor is appointed;
• Reappoint Colin Edwards as an alternate member to the Human Relations Commission for a three-year terms to expire May 31, 2006 or until a successor is appointed;
• Reappoint Olivia Harvey as a member to the Library Advisory Board for a three-year term to expire April 30, 2006 or until a successor is appointed;
• Reappoint Florence Barlow as a member to the Youth Commission for a three-year term to expire September 30, 2006 or until a successor is appointed; and
• Reappoint Joe Novak as a member to the Youth Commission for a three-year term to expire September 30, 2006 or until a successor is appointed.

Motion Passed 9-0-0
 

14. Minutes of Preceding Meetings

1. Minutes of the August 25, 2003 Special Town Council Meeting

   Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the August 25, 2003 Special Town Council Meeting. Corrections: None.

   Motion Passed 9-0-0
    

2. Minutes of the September 2, 2003 Public Hearing – Amendments to Chapter 16, Article II, Parking for Handicapped Persons

   Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the September 2, 2003 Public Hearing – Amendments to Chapter 16, Article II, Parking for Handicapped Persons. Corrections: None.

   Motion Passed 9-0-0
    

3. Minutes of the September 2, 2003 Public Hearing – Bond ordinance for Windsor Library Renovation and Expansion Project

   Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Walker to accept the minutes of the September 2, 2003 Public Hearing – Bond ordinance for Windsor Library Renovation and Expansion Project. Corrections: Mr. Bill Chiodo.

   Motion Passed 9-0-0
    

4. Minutes of the September 2, 2003 Regular Town Council Meeting

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the September 2, 2003 Regular Town Council Meeting. Corrections: None.

Motion Passed 9-0-0
 

15. Public Communications and Petitions
    None.
    
     
16. Executive Session
    None.
    
     
17. Adjournment

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to adjourn the Regular Town Council Meeting at 10:26 p.m.

Motion Passed 9-0-0

Respectfully submitted,

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

Cc: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch