2004 Minutes  
 

 

Windsor Town Council

Council Chambers – Town Hall

December 20, 2004

Approved Minutes

Mayor Trinks called the regular meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

  1. Roll Call – Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Ellingwood, Councilor Dean, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker

    2. Absent – Councilor Mulligan

  2. Prayer – Councilor Ellingwood

  3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Ellingwood

  4. Proclamations/Awards

    5. None.

  5. Public Communications and Petitions

    6. None.

  6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions

  1. Public Building Commission

Mr. Joseph Novak, Chair, reported to the Council.

WHS – The circuit breakers have been labeled. They will close out the project at their meeting tomorrow, 12/21/04.

Welch Pool Renovation – materials have been ordered and work will progress during the winter.

Clover Street Window Replacement Project – will start in the fall of 2005.

L.P. Wilson and Sage Park Gyms – the floors are complete.

Poquonock Office Improvements – complete. There are a few minor change orders pending.

Library Expansion Project – bidding was postponed until today and they will be reviewing the bids. Add alternates will also be reviewed. The low bid came in at $4,041,000. The project is budgeted for $4.2 million with a $400,000 contingency. There is $500,000 for furniture in this budget

Councilor Jepsen asked for clarification on why the Poquonock School project is over budget. Mr. Novak said they are not over budget on that project. There were a number of change orders that were presented to them that they did not approve. If they had approved them, they would have gone over budget. Councilor Jepsen also asked about the indefinite closure of the WHS pool. He asked if anything could have been done in renovation to prevent the closure. Town Manager Souza said that the inside pool was closed due to the water needing to be clarified. The pool has been reopened as of today.

  1. Town Manager’s Report

    2.  

    Traffic Light at RT 218 Columbia Road

    The new signal is now installed and is placed on flash this week. An inspection is planned for later this week. If the inspection goes well it is DOT's intention to begin operating the new signal later this week.

     

    Open Space Fund

    The Windsor Conservation Commission has begun a fundraising effort designed to help preserve and protect Windsor’s natural resources. Letters explaining the initiative will be mailed to Windsor residents in the coming days. Tax deductible donations will be placed in Windsor’s Open Space Fund to be used toward projects to preserve wetland areas, wildlife corridors, greenways and other open space. For further information, please call Terry Langevin at 298-9873.

     

    Windsor Fuel Bank

    The Windsor Fuel Bank is accepting financial donations from businesses and individuals. These tax-deductible donations are used to provide emergency fuel assistance for families in need during the heating season. Please contact Windsor Social Services at 285-1842

     

     

    Happy Holidays

    Please note that the Town Hall will be closed all day on Friday, December 24, 2004 due to the Christmas Eve holiday. We will also be closed for business Friday, December 31, 2004 due to New Years.

    Councilor Dean asked about the L.P. Wilson closure noted on the town’s website. Town Manager Souza said that the gymnasium was closed due to one of the basketball backboards being replaced and an incident that occurred last week where the floor was damaged.

    Councilor Broxterman asked if donations to the fuel bank are tax deductible. Town Manager Souza said that cash donations to the fuel and food bank are tax deductible.

  2. Communication from Council Members

Councilor Broxterman – wished everyone a happy holiday and reminded residents to make sure the fire hydrants are accessible.

Councilor Dean – happy holidays and drive safely.

Councilor Ellingwood – happy holidays.

Councilor Jepsen – wished happy holidays to all.

Councilor Simon – None.

Councilor Mulligan – Not present

Councilor Walker – reminded residents to support local businesses with their holiday shopping. He thanked the State DOT employees, Councilor Mulligan and Town Manager Souza for their help with the traffic light at Rt. 218. He wished everyone happy holidays.

Deputy Mayor Curtis – wished everyone happy holidays and encouraged residents to patronize Windsor businesses.

Mayor Trinks – reminded all to check on their elderly neighbors during poor weather. He thanked those who managed the Torchlight event. He thanked the staff for their preparation of the landfill meeting.

Councilor Broxterman added that residents are welcome to attend any Council or Committee meetings.

  1. Reports of Standing Committees

  1. Finance Committee - they met on December 14, 2004, to discuss two items on the agenda, items 12 C & D. They also discussed potential for additional tax relief for elderly residents.

  2. Town Improvements Committee – None.

  3. Health and Safety – None.

  4. Special Projects – None.

  5. Joint Board of Education and Town Council Committee – the next meeting is scheduled for January 3, 2005.

  6. Personnel Committee – None.

  1. Ordinances

    2. None.

     

  2. Unfinished Business

    3. None.

  3. New Business
  1. Approve accepting a parcel of land at Southwood Drive

    2. Moved by Councilor Ellingwood, seconded by Councilor Broxterman, to accept the parcel of land (not as a public highway at this time), approximately .406 acres, as shown on the map entitled "R.O.W. FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES PREPARED FOR RIVERTOWN ASSOCIATES, LLC NORTH OF SOUTH WOOD WINDSOR – CONNECTICUT, by Ed Lally and Associations, Inc., July 27, 2004 with Revision Date, 11/11/04." This is acceptance of a parcel of land but not as a public highway.

    Mr. Tom Lenehan, Town Engineer, discussed the donation. The future road would increase the potential for a desired link from Park Avenue to West Wolcott Avenue, therefore providing better emergency service for the numerous residential units located in between. The land is being donated, having a value of approximately $25,000. The Town Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval at their June 8th meeting.

    Mayor Trinks asked how we avoid having this situation happen again. Mr. Lenehan said the cul-de-sac would be eliminated if the road does go through. That area was developed with the knowledge that there would be a possible future road in the area. Town Manager Souza added that through deed research, it was noted that the road was a possibility, but owners may not have read their deed thoroughly.

    Councilor Jepsen asked about the road. Mr. Lenehan said that it can be a possible future road and there are issues with developing the land right now. There are wetlands and it would currently be impossible to develop it, but this is the last chance the town has to acquire the property.

    Councilor Broxterman asked why this is so attractive to the town. Mr. Lenehan said that it is strictly for the future possibility of placing a road at this location. Town Manager Souza added that the length of the cul-de-sac (1,200 feet) is more than the length of the current regulations, which are now 850 feet.

    Councilor Dean asked when the construction would start and how long it would take. Mr. Lenehan said that the roadway into the main area started six months ago and the houses have not been constructed yet.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  2. Approve submittal of grant application to the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for the reconstruction of Pleasant Street

    3. Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Walker, resolved that the attached resolution, which authorizes Peter P. Souza, Town Manager, to file an application with the Department of Economic and Community Development for up to $600,000 in Community Development Block Grant – Small Cities funds for the reconstruction of Pleasant Street be adopted."

    Mr. Jim Hallisey, Community Development Coordinator, discussed the project.

    Councilor Ellingwood asked if the funding is for the street. Town Manager Souza said that it would be for the reconstruction of the street, including sidewalks and curbs.

    Deputy Mayor asked about the timeline from the State. Mr. Hallisey said they should hear by May or June with design taking place in 2005-2006 as proposed.

    Councilor Jepsen asked what would be bonded. Town Manager Souza said that if successful this summer and fall, the project would be bid and constructed in the summer of 2006. Bond authorization allows us to fund it out of on-hand cash and then we would be reimbursed by the grant.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

     

  3. Authorize Town Treasurer activity regarding review of FY 2005 budget and in preparation of FY 2006 budget

    4. Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Jepsen, that resolved, that the Town Council direct the Town Treasurer to review the FY 2005 budget for potential savings, as well as to identify potential cost savings for FY 2006.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

    Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Jepsen that resolved, that $3,000 be transferred from the Town Council’s FY 2005 budget to the Town Treasurer’s FY 2005 budget.

    Councilor Simon discussed the activity. Reviewing the Town Charter, the Town Council has the authority to use the Town Treasurer to look at budgetary items and report back to the Council. It is not meant as a slight to any town employees, it is merely trying to get another set of eyes to get a perspective.

    Councilor Ellingwood asked Mr. Randy Graff, Town Treasurer, how much time would be needed. Mr. Graff was thinking it would take until about January to review the current budget. The second part would probably take a little more time, prior to the budget process in conjunction with the Town Manager and Finance Committee. He said the hours would depend on how much work is requested.

    Councilor Simon also discussed ideas for compensating the Town Treasurer. There is no obligation to accept the recommendations from the Town Treasurer. He is uniquely qualified to act in this regard and he would expect that he would have some worthwhile proposals.

    Councilor Jepsen asked if this could be compared to ValueNet. Town Manager Souza said that ValueNet savings were over $100,000. Mr. Graff stated that ValueNet was looking for process improvement. This motion is involves reviewing the budget.

    Councilor Walker is in favor of doing whatever is necessary to meet a zero growth budget. He is more focused on those accounts in town that have funds leftover from finished projects or accounts in limbo.

    Deputy Mayor Curtis added that he hopes this is not viewed by the community that something else is going wrong. What we are trying to do is get to the point of maintaining services without raising taxes.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  4. Discussion regarding estimated fixed costs for FY 06 budget

Town Manager Souza explained the two options to reduce previous fixed cost estimates with the primary changes in debt service and sewer services.

Councilor Simon asked what time frame for decision making is needed to proceed with the options. Mr. Gregg Pavitt, Finance Director, said that the time frame would be the end of January or beginning of February. The second Council meeting in January (1/17/05) would be preferable.

Councilor Jepsen asked if Lang Road was included. Town Manager Souza said that Lang Road is not included in these options. Elm Street is in need of work.

Councilor Simon said that of the $4.5 million of fixed costs, $2 million are allocated toward salaries on the Town and Board of Education side. We have to think about asking town employees to participate in the town tax freeze.

Councilor Ellingwood said that we should address this and then go back to the professional staff and tell them that we need to achieve this and let them come up with the ways to achieve it, whether it be a reduction in services or something else.

Councilor Jepsen said there are vacancies now and we can continue with those vacancies. We are either going to get concessions or the loss of jobs or a combination of both.

Councilor Walker said that whatever the increases were to the residents of Windsor, we need to do something to mitigate the charges. He believes that we can do something to demonstrate to the residents that they will have relief in the next tax year. The town staff has taken sacrifices. In both options presented, the mill rate increases under the fixed costs.

Deputy Mayor Curtis said that salaries are a difficult issue, particularly with bargaining units. The bargaining unit can say no. You can throw the threat of bodies versus money and that may be the way to do it. He is concerned about employees who are residents of Windsor. Are we to expect them to pay higher taxes and take a salary cut? We have to be delicate with how we handle this. Perhaps this should be a topic at the Joint Board of Education/Town Council meeting.

Mayor Trinks agrees with Councilor Ellingwood that we have given Dr. Elizabeth Feser, Superintendent of Schools and Town Manager Souza the charge for a zero tax increase. The only product we produce is services for the town. He has faith in the town staff to come in at this amount.

Councilor Simon reminded the Council of its vote to maintain no tax increase with maintaining services. If we are going to do this, we have to attack fixed costs. He didn’t raise this issue as a threat to the employees and is not projecting a salary cut. He is requesting a reduction in the salary increase. We may have to ask and people should know that it may be a consideration that comes from us.

Councilor Dean appreciates the Town Manager for putting together these two options, but it is a bit premature until we get the information back from the Treasurer, when we can make a better-educated decision.

  1. Resignations and Appointments

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to appoint James Pacino to the Youth Commission for a two year unexpired term to expire September 30, 2005 or until a successor is appointed.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

  1. Minutes of Preceding Meetings
  1. Minutes of the December 6, 2004 Public Hearing

    2. Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Dean to accept the minutes of the December 6, 2004 Public Hearing. Corrections: None.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

  2. Minutes of the December 6, 2004 Regular Town Council Meeting

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Dean to accept the minutes of the December 6, 2004 Regular Town Council Meeting. Corrections: None.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

  1. Public Communications and Petitions

    2. None.

  2. Executive Session

    3. None.

  3. Adjournment

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Dean to adjourn the Regular Town Council Meeting at 9:05 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

 

Cc: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch