Mayor Trinks called the regular meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.

1. Roll Call – Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Dean, Councilor Ellingwood, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker
   Absent - Councilor Mulligan
   
    
2. Prayer – Councilor Jepsen
   
    
3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Jepsen
   
    
4. Proclamations/Awards
   
    
5. Public Communications and Petitions

   Ms. Patty Day and Mr. James Mason representing the Windsor League of Women Voters encouraged the Town Council and members of the viewing audience to participate in the League’s ongoing WG-TV television series, "Know Your Town." Past shows have featured topics such as the budget, mental health issues and safety services/ambulance in Windsor. On March 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m., live on Windsor Government Television, the series will feature a panel discussion on "Smart Growth" and local and regional transportation issues.
   
    

6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions

1. Board of Education – none
    
2. Board of Assessment Appeals
   Mr. George Bolduc, Chair of the Board of Assessment Appeals, reported that the purpose of the board is to investigate appeals by citizens who feel their property has been unfairly assessed. There are three members and three alternates on the board. With this being a revaluation year, Vision Appraisal Technology, the company contracted by the town held 300-400 hearings. Of those, approximately 100 cases were unable to be resolved and will be heard by the Board of Assessment Appeals. The board has been and will continue to meet on a more frequent basis because it is a revaluation year. Evening and Saturday hearings have been scheduled to accommodate scheduling needs of residents.
    
3. Board of Ethics – none
    

7. Town Manager’s Report

Snow Removal Funding Reimbursement

The December 5^th through 7^th, 2003 snow storm was declared an emergency by the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA), allowing the town to apply for a reimbursement of expenditures associated with the storm. The town has been notified that we will receive 75% of our eligible costs that totaled $65,271.48. The Council will be updated with the final amount of reimbursement upon arrival of the check.

Recreation Receives Tennis Grant

A $4,000 grant has been awarded to the Recreation Department through the "Tennis in the Parks" initiative of the National Recreation and Parks Association and the United States Tennis Association. The goals of the "Tennis in the Parks" grant program is to assist organizations to grow and/or improve the game of tennis in their community. The Recreation Department will be using the funding to hire a certified tennis instructor and incorporate the USTA Tennis Program into Windsor’s Summer Fun Playground Program.

Volunteer Brochure Now Available

If you enjoy helping and working with people, completing projects, and can make a commitment of some of your time, you are just the person Windsor needs. A recently published brochure, created by town staff involved in the Healthy Community business plan, outlines more than 30 volunteer opportunities available within town services. From computer work, to driving, to outdoor landscaping, the volunteer opportunities listed in the brochure outline a wide variety of jobs working with a many age groups at various sites throughout town. The brochures are available at all Town of Windsor facilities as well as on the town’s website where you can view the brochure by clicking the "citizen involvement" button. For more information, call Gaye Rizzo at 285-1931.

Bond End Note Sales

Taking advantage of low interest rates, the town saved approximately $14,000 on what we had been planning on spending on our debt repayment next year on our recent bond sales. These rates, (3.53% on our bonds, 0.98% on our 1-year note) are the lowest we have seen in over 30 years.

Registration Open for Citizens’ Police Academy

Windsor Police are offering a Citizens’ Police Academy for 12 weeks beginning Tuesday, March 16^th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Citizens’ Academy is a program designed for community members to see local law enforcement from a different view--the Police Officer’s view. During the twelve-week course, students will be instructed on a variety of topics that will provide a better understanding of how the Police Department functions.

If you are interested in the criminal justice field or are just curious about what cops do, this class may be for you. The program is not meant to train participants as police officers. Local police officers and other experts in the criminal justice field will teach classes. Students will have the opportunity to do "hands on" training as well as having the option of riding with an officer during a patrol shift.

Applications to participate are due by March 10^th and can be obtained by contacting Officer Renee LeGeyt at the Windsor Police Department at 688 5273.

Presidential Primary and Voting Locations

As a reminder, all Windsor polling places will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 2, 2004 for the Presidential Preference Primary of the Democratic Party. You must be a registered Democrat to vote in this primary. For more information, call 285-1902.

The polling locations are:

VOTING DISTRICT LOCATION OF POLLING PLACES

1	L. P. Wilson Community Center	599 Matianuck Avenue
2	J. F. Kennedy School	530 Park Avenue
3	Town Hall	275 Broad Street
4	330 Windsor Avenue	330 Windsor Avenue
5	Oliver Ellsworth School	730 Kennedy Road
6	Poquonock School	1760 Poquonock Avenue
7	Rainbow Firehouse	750 Rainbow Road

 

Update on Sale of Town Properties

Bids for the Daniels House, located at 124 & 126 Palisado Avenue closed at 4:00 p.m. today and are currently being reviewed by staff. Four bids were received. One proposal will be selected to begin final negotiations.

There has been a large volume of interest (30-40 inquiries) in the Bell School property located at 235 Palisado Avenue. We are hoping to conduct an open house at the property in the very near future, but have respectfully delayed contacting the tenants to schedule open house dates due to the passing of Minister Mary Barnes. We anticipate arrangements for the open house will be finalized by the end of this week.

Detailed information on these properties can be obtained on the town’s website or by calling 285-1870.

As a footnote, the house at 122 East Street will be on the market for sale in the near future as the appropriate discussions relating to Veteran’s Cemetery continue.

Prescription Coalition Update

The RFP for eventual bidding has been delayed a week or longer than originally expected due to additional interest from other municipalities in the State. Even with this slight delay, the Coalition is still within the timeframe of completing the RFP process for an effective date of January 1, 2005. As you are aware, the $7,500 fee decreases to $7,000 if 14 municipalities enter and decreases again, to $6,500 if 17 municipalities enter. To date, 11 municipalities committed to the prescription coalition. The additional interested groups could bring the total group size to 17 municipalities. I’ll continue to keep the Council and general public updated as this issue progresses.

Windsor Police Officer of the Year

The Police Department recently completed the process for selection of the Windsor Police Officer of the Year. The award is based on the following criteria:

1. Quality of Work

2. Law Enforcement Practices

3. Leadership

4. Initiative/Tenacity

5. Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork

6. Commitment to meet the needs of the Community & Department

7. Effective Communication: Written Verbal & Listening

8. Personal Accountability/Ethics/Integrity

All of our WPD personnel are expected to conduct themselves with these attributes in mind. However, the WPD takes time to recognize someone who lives these attributes with a little more rigor than most. I am happy to report that Officer Ray McLaughlin is the choice for Police Officer of the Year. Officer McLaughlin rates highly in all of the areas mentioned above and is truly an outstanding representative for Police Officer of the Year. He will be acknowledged in a ceremony later this week at the annual Exchange Club’s ‘Salute to Windsor’s Finest’ dinner at Loomis Chaffee School this Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.

Councilor Simon requested an update on ValueNet from the Town Manager.

Town Manager Churchill reported that research continues, although the project is slightly behind schedule. Half of the reports have been submitted ranging from energy management to copying and paper costs. ValueNet is also working with the Board of Education. A final report is expected within the next two weeks and the Town Manager will provide a report at the March 15^th Town Council meeting.
 

8. Communication from Council Members

Councilor Broxterman – None.

Councilor Dean – None.

Councilor Ellingwood – received a communication from a senior citizen inquiring about legislation that allows towns to offer veterans tax relief. He would like to learn more, and looks forward to meeting with the Town Manager to learn more.

Councilor Simon – None.

Councilor Broxterman – The Congregation Beth Ahm Church will be hosting their annual "Beat the Clock " auction on Saturday, March 13, 2004. He encouraged everyone to support both the boys and girls high school basketball teams as they begin participation in the state tournaments.

Councilor Walker – None.

Deputy Mayor Curtis – congratulated the boys and girls Windsor High School Basketball teams and wished them good luck in the state tournament. The Deputy Mayor also noted his thanks and appreciation for the services of Leo Salvatore and Carol MacMullen of the Board of Education who have announced they will be retiring.

Mayor Trinks – reminded everyone that Tuesday, March 2, 2004 is the Presidential Primary as well as "Read Across America Day."
 

9. Reports of Standing Committees

1. Finance Committee – Councilor Simon reported that the Finance Committee met on February 24, 2004 to review the CAFR, (Comprehensive Annual Financial Review). The report contained the following highlights: The town has a healthy fund balance, our revenues exceeded expenditures, the Caring Connection and Discovery Center enterprise fund showed small profits, the landfill showed a loss, but Councilor Simon noted that this was due to allocating funds for closure and post closure costs.

   Overall, the report showed the town is in a very strong financial condition with few issues to be addressed. The auditors did make the following recommendations, and they are: there needs to be more segregation of duties in some departments with regards to the handling of cash, school activity funds need to be monitored more closely, building permits require a better number tracking system and there needs to be improvements with the system currently in place for those authorized to endorse checks.
    

2. Town Improvements Committee – None.
    
3. Health and Safety – None.
    
4. Special Projects – None.
    
5. Annual Review of the Windsor Town Manager – Councilor Dean reported that the committee had met to discuss the review, which will be addressed in Executive Session.
    
6. Joint Board of Education and Town Council Committee – None.
   
    

10. Ordinances
    None
     

11. Unfinished Business
    None.
    
     
12. New Business

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman that item 12 d) "Annual Performance Review of Town Manager" be added to the agenda and that it be taken up at the conclusion of item 16 b).

Motion passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan absent)

1. Presentation on land record management

   Town Manager Churchill introduced staff members from the Town Clerk’s Office, Agnes Pier (Assistant Town Clerk), Kathy Quin (Town Clerk) and Debbie Bouvier. Ms. Pier provided a spirited overview of the technological advances and process improvements taking place in the Town Clerk’s Office with records management. Records received by the Town Clerk’s Office are now indexed and scanned in the office. The book is printed on archival paper and the original document is returned. Each night the system is backed up. Once a month a CD is mailed to the printing company and they transfer the images to microfilm. Microfilming of the document remains a requirement under State Statutes despite technological advances. This process improvement was enabled by the Town Council’s appropriation of $48,000 last spring for technology upgrades in the Clerk’s Office. Staff estimates that the annual savings will be $10,000.
    

2. Authorize the Town Manager to execute an application to the State of CT State Library for a Historic Preservation Grant

   Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to authorize the Town Manager to execute an application to the State of CT State Library for a Historic Preservation Grant.

   Town Clerk Kathy Quin provided an overview of the grant for the preservation and management of historic documents. If approved, the grant money will be utilized by the Town Clerk’s Office to pay a consulting firm to review the town’s existing records practices. A gap analysis will be performed to identify the desired situation (where the town needs to be), the current condition (where the town is now), and the differences between the two. They will make recommendations for resolving identified deficiencies, highlight technology and process issues that must be addressed, identify strategies and actions required to bridge identified gaps and define success factors for building a comprehensive records retention program.

   Motion Passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan absent)
    

3. Presentation of GIS online

Town Manager Churchill introduced Information Technology Director Frank Angelillo and Town Assessor Steve Kosofsky for a presentation on the towns’ technological advances with GIS (Geographic Information Systems). They provided an overview of the history of the town’s involvement and progress with GIS, which can now bring digital GIS into residential homes via the internet. The system combines the town’s parcel based digital mapping with the Assessor’s CAMA database to combine both parcel and property improvement to the public and town staff without the need for costly software.

Councilor Jepsen noted that since 9/11 there has been a heightened awareness in the realm of security and inquired if this was a concern taken into consideration.

Mr. Kosofsky stated that the information now available online has always been available to the public in the Town Assessor’s Office located at Town Hall. He noted that citizens do have the option to request that their information not be listed online. If this request is made, Mr. Kosofsky will honor the request and a disclaimer is shown on the computer monitor if that particular information is selected to be viewed.

Councilor Walker also expressed his concern with privacy issues, particularly with individuals who may be involved in domestic disputes or law enforcement personnel who may desire a higher level of privacy.

Mr. Kosofsky noted that of the 10-12 requests he has received from individuals to remove their information from the website, 8 of those were law enforcement professionals.

Mayor Trinks noted that this is a very nice feature for realtors to use when researching information on various properties and saves an enormous amount of time as you do not have to physically travel to the Town Hall to gather the information. He feels this technological advance will put Windsor leaps and bounds ahead of other municipalities.

13. Resignations and Appointments
    None
     

14. Minutes of Preceding Meetings

1. Minutes of the February 17, 2004 Regular Town Council Meeting

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the February 17, 2004 Regular Town Council Meeting. Corrections: Page 10 – the motion passed 8-0-0 not 9-0-0 as Councilor Broxterman was absent.

Motion Passed 7-0-1 (Councilor Broxterman abstained because he did not attend the February 17, 2004 meeting – Councilor Mulligan absent)
 

15. Public Communications and Petitions
    None

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to enter into Executive Session at 8:58 p.m. to discuss the following issues:

1. Discussion regarding the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee
2. Strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims and litigation (Riccio vs. Town of Windsor)

Motion passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan absent)

 

16. Executive Session

Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Dean, Councilor Ellingwood, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker

Absent: Councilor Mulligan

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

Guest: Town Attoreny Vincent Oswecki

Town Attorney Vincent Oswecki left Executive Session at 9:15 p.m.

Assistant Town Manager Peter Souza left Executive Session at 9:15 p.m.

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to leave Executive Session and re-enter the Regular Town Council meeting at 9:40 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan absent)

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to authorize the Town Manager to negotiate a settlement as discussed in Executive Session for Riccio vs. Town of Windsor.

Motion Passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan absent)

12 (D) Annual Performance Review of Town Manager

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman that the Town Council authorize a 2.5% raise on base salary, effective January 1, 2004, and a $2,000 bonus be made payable immediately to R. Leon Churchill, Jr., Town Manager.

Motion Passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan absent)

17. Adjournment

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to adjourn the Regular Town Council Meeting at 9:42 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0 (Councilor Mulligan abssent)

Respectfully submitted,

Enita J. Jubrey

Substitute Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

Cc: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch