Mayor Trinks called the regular meeting to order at 7:53 p.m.

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

Absent – Councilor Ellingwood

2. Prayer – Councilor Simon

3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Simon

4. Proclamations/Awards

None.

5. Public Communications and Petitions

Mr. George Yeramian, 739 Prospect Hill Road spoke to the Council regarding the landfill. He commended and thanked the Council for their decision not to accept gypsum material at the Windsor – Bloomfield Landfill.

Mr. Art Perry, political director for Service Employees National Union, addressed the Council regarding a problem and labor dispute in the Town of Windsor. They represent service employees from physicians to janitors. They have 200 service employees in Windsor, in which seven are janitors. About a year ago, they started the contract negotiations requesting modest wage increases and paid healthcare. The contract was settled before the holidays. A modest wage increase, paid healthcare and a pension plan were approved. Five days later, the union employees were kicked out and non-union employees were brought in at 575 Pigeon Hill Road with the exception of Moore Printing Company. They need help supporting higher standards of living for people who require assistance. He requested that the Council contact the building owner to encourage them to adopt the provisions. Mr. Jose Restrupult spoke in support of his fellow co-workers from Windsor. He also asked the Council to support them.

Mr. Bradshaw Smith, 23 Ludlow Road, spoke regarding the proposal to pave part of a parking lot that serves the river trail to make it handicapped accessible. As of this date, little if any of the river trails has been plowed. It makes no sense to make the trail accessible six months of the year, but inaccessible for another six months of the year. The Town Manager has indicated in writing that it is perfectly acceptable. If we are going to do this, it needs to be accessible year round.

6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions

1. Board of Education

Ms. Jane Garibay, Board of Education, gave a report to the Council. The search for a High School Principal is underway and they are hoping to attract strong candidates for this position. They received a $20,000 grant from McDonald’s Charities for technology. The Windsor High School basketball team remains undefeated. At the next Board meeting, there will be a report on how the higher standards for extracurricular activities are going. The Superintendent is proposing a $2.98 million budget increase.

Deputy Mayor Curtis asked about the tentative date the BOE will vote on the budget. Ms. Garibay said it would be voted on at the Board meeting next week.

Councilor Broxterman asked if there was a contact person that residents could speak to regarding the principal search. Ms. Garibay responded that residents can contact Mr. Mark Winzler, Human Resource Director, for input regarding the principal search.

Mayor Trinks inquired about the proposed cuts to the budget. Ms. Garibay said that the proposed budget has position cuts, most with realigned or tightening of classes. The cleaning of the schools will be cut along with some summer positions. They are cuts that we are going to feel and the Superintendent assures the Board that it does not hurt the integrity of the schools. A social studies curriculum leader was added as well as a liaison to personal development to help with the achievement gap. Principals in the elementary schools will work more with the vice-principals in developing the curriculum. The maintenance was cut and it is a concern of the Board. The plant manager has assured the Board that for one year they could step back and reduce maintenance during the summer months. Mayor Trinks asked about the cutting of summer school and asked for confirmation that summer school was mandated. Ms. Garibay responded that the kids in most need of summer school would not be effected. She encouraged anyone with questions about the Education budget to call the Superintendent’s office, the Finance Director or the PTA/PTOs.

7. Town Manager’s Report

On-Line Tax Information

Preparing your taxes doesn’t have to be stressful - especially for Windsor residents, now that the town has posted on-line tax information in an easy to use format. Property and motor vehicle tax information is at your fingertips at the Town of Windsor website. A link to the on-line tax information is located on the town’s homepage at www.townofwindsorct.com. Simply enter your name or address find taxes paid this past year.

Grand List Growth

The October 1, 2004 Net Taxable Grand List totals $2,288,392,580, which is an increase of $44,625,490 or (1.99%) compared to last year’s total. At the present mill rate of 28.83, this increase would produce $1,286,552 in new tax revenue.

 

Real Estate

The Real Estate portion of the October 1, 2004 Grand List totals $1,815,715,570 which is an increase of $26,299,970 or 1.47% over last year.

Motor Vehicle

The Motor Vehicle portion of the October 1, 2004 Grand List totals $167,328,950 which is an increase of $10,093,890 or 6.42 % over last year. This year, according to information provided to us by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, there are 27,409 registered motor vehicles in Windsor, up slightly from last year's 27,014.

Personal Property

The Personal Property section of the October 1, 2004 Grand List totals $305,348,060 which is $8,231,630 or 2.77% greater than last year.

 

Home Improvement Series Offered for Residents

The Town of Windsor is once again offering a series of four free workshops focusing on home improvement. The workshops will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning March 9^th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Activity Room 1 at the Windsor Community Center, 330 Windsor Avenue. This is a unique opportunity to learn about various aspects of home improvement from experts in the field. Topics include interior decorating, energy conservation, landscaping and home repairs and maintenance.

Interested persons may attend one or more of the sessions, depending on their personal interests. Please contact the Office of Community Development at 285-1984 to register or further information.

Northwest Park at Night

In addition to the ongoing coffeehouses and maple sugaring programs at Northwest Park, their annual "Northwest Park at Night" community event will be held this Saturday February 12^th at the park from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The evening will include a live birds of prey demonstration, indoor planetarium shows, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along illuminated trails, (rental equipment available) a bonfire and refreshments. The Nature center, animal barn and gift shop will be open for all visitors. To learn more, call 285-1886.

Winter Festival

Join in the family fun Friday, February 11^th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Youth Service Bureau’s Winter Festival held at the Community Center at 330 Windsor Avenue. Shake off the winter blues with games, crafts, face painting, music, refreshments and bounce-house amusements. This festival has something for everyone. Admission is $2.00. For more information call 298-9976.

Love is in the Air at Town Hall

Sustaining a 43 year tradition in Windsor, the Town Clerk’s Office will celebrate Valentine’s Day with the distribution of free marriage licenses. Those wishing to receive a license may do so free of charge next Monday February 14^th. Applicants are reminded to bring a photo i.d. For more information, call 285-1902.

 

Conversation on Race 2005 Kick-off

Windsor's Conversations on Race will meet to kick-off a third season on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Council Chambers of Town Hall. The Conversations on Race series is committed to raising awareness of different cultures and religions. This year's kick-off will feature a forum on the "Role of Race in Education" featuring parents, educators and students candidly discussing their views and experiences.

Beginning in March for five consecutive session evenings, there will be opportunities for the residents to participate in smaller group discussions. To register for any of these sessions, call Diane McDougald at 285-1984.

Councilor Broxterman asked Mr. Brian Funk, Director of Public Works, about pre-treating streets before a storm hits. He asked if we are continuing to do that. Mr. Funk said that we are doing it on a limited basis, primarily on the Day Hill corridor. It is a salt brine, which is sprayed on the street typically before a storm, but can be used during a storm.

Councilor Simon asked Mr. Funk how many positions are open and if any are frozen and how are these vacancies affecting snow removal (i.e., costs of overtime). Mr. Funk said that there are five vacancies, some frozen, and some due to retirements. The open positions haven’t affected the costs, but it has affected the level of service in a timely manner. Councilor Simon said that if we are running out of funds for basic public services do not hesitate to ask.

Councilor Simon requested information from Town Manager Souza regarding an analysis of the potential lost revenue and potential impact on the closure date as well as any impact on the landform that the Council supported and sent to the DEP for its review.

8. Communication from Council Members

Councilor Broxterman – None.

Councilor Dean – None.

Councilor Jepsen – None.

Councilor Simon – received a phone call from a citizen who could not attend the meeting. The citizen felt the Council made the right direction in trying to create a budget without a tax increase this year. Councilor Simon provided a correction on a public comment a citizen made this evening. He did not advocate a pay freeze for town employees. He advocated opening discussions with bargaining units.

Councilor Mulligan – None.

Councilor Walker – None.

Deputy Mayor Curtis – thanked residents who came out for the public hearing on the budget. He commented that there is no slush fund.

Mayor Trinks – commented that the Council got us into this and we will get us out of it. He thanked Ms. Garibay for answering a few issues regarding the Education Budget.

9. Reports of Standing Committees

1. Finance Committee - At the previous meeting, they reviewed the annual audit, a report from Town Treasurer regarding the current budgets expenses, purchase orders, an update on the mid-year budget, and senior tax relief. They will meet again sometime next week. He requested that any Council members bring ideas forward before the budget.

2. Town Improvements Committee – None.

3. Health and Safety – None.

4. Special Projects – None.

5. Joint Board of Education and Town Council Committee – None.

6. Personnel Committee – None.

10. Ordinances

None.

11. Unfinished Business

None.

12. New Business

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to move Item 12. F. Presentation from SummerWind to this point in the agenda.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

6. Presentation from SummerWind

Mr. John Berky, Ms. Jane Goodale, and Ms. Michelle Mattei gave a presentation to the Council.

Councilor Dean asked where is the status now with the insurance company regarding the claim and what are the estimated legal fees and the length of the process. Mr. Berky said there is the replacement canopy and extra insurance resolving the costs with the canopy. The major issue is still to be resolved and may have to go to court either in mediation or litigation. The insurance company doesn’t want to pay anything toward the new design, they would rather just replace what was there. With a membrane structure such as this and the original manufacture is not around so they have to go back into the design phase to redesign a membrane structure to fit over the canopy. They have received some money, about $250,000, and have used it to pay for some of the design. They are looking to bring this to conclusion as soon as possible. They will be approaching the creditors this month.

Councilor Walker asked if they were aware that Simsbury is in negotiation with Hartford Symphony. Mr. Berky said they have Talcott Mountain now, but they are requesting the Hartford Symphony to cover some of the costs. They are a classical music symphony and we would like to host them. The type of concerts that we are doing, more jazz, Celtic roots, popular, family oriented events are different.

Deputy Mayor Curtis thanked Mr. Berky and the volunteers for their efforts. At the events he attended, he met a lot of people from out of town and out of state who had wonderful things to say about Windsor. He realizes it was a tough decision to cancel this season and he hopes that a decision regarding the canopy will be made soon. Mr. Berky added that the show must go on, but they have to be fiscally prudent.

Councilor Simon asked about the status of the loan from Savings Bank of Manchester, which the Town guaranteed at $250,000. Mr. Berky said that at this point New Alliance Bank (formerly Savings Bank of Manchester) has shelved the mortgage payments. They have requested that the lines of credit be possibly restructured during this period.

Councilor Mulligan expressed his hope that SummerWind is able to overcome this obstacle and be up and running soon.

Mayor Trinks asked what insurance company is handling the claim. Mr. Berky answered that it is Harleysville Worcester Insurance Company.

1. Introduce proposed 2006-2011 CIP

Town Manager Souza discussed the proposed 2006-2011 CIP. The Capital Improvements Committee met to review the proposed CIP and voted unanimously to accept the document as presented and recommended no changes to the draft FY 2006-2011 Capital Improvements Program. The Town Planning and Zoning Commission will be reviewing the proposed CIP.

Mayor Trinks referred the proposed 2006-2011 CIP to the Town Improvements Committee for review and subsequent recommendation to the Town Council. It is desirous to have the CIP adopted in March or early in the FY 2006 budget process.

2. Discussion of Annual Property Revaluation Process

Mr. Steve Kosofsky, Town Assessor, discussed the proposed Annual Revaluation 2005 and community outreach efforts to educate the community regarding annual revaluation. At this time, the anticipated total cost of completing a revaluation effective October 1, 2005 will be approximately $45,000, excluding any additional litigation costs resulting from such a revaluation. Funding for these services are budgeted in the FY 05 operating budget.

Councilor Simon thanked Mr. Kosofsky for his presentation and the outreach efforts. He looks forward to the implementation.

Councilor Dean reiterated Councilor Simon’s comments and said that it is a good plan with a lot of communication, which is important and will be covered well. This is new ground for Connecticut and Windsor, but we have taken a step in changing the process. The longer you wait, the bigger the increase will be and it will not go away.

Deputy Mayor Curtis asked what the state’s mandatory reval date would be. Mr. Kosofsky said that it is 2008. Deputy Mayor Curtis asked about the additional residential properties and its affect on commercial. Mr. Kosofsky said that any growth to the grand list is good and a good balance is beneficial. Any type of development you have is going to have an effect on the types of services the town will have to provide.

Councilor Jepsen asked how this impacts the physical inspection of properties. Mr. Kosofsky said that the inspection statute (12 years) was not changed when the revaluation cycle was changed to five years. It is recommended that legislature fix the inspection cycle. If the legislation gets passed, it will be more flexible than what is on file right now. If physical inspections were required, the report recommends that the data can be derived from data values. It does not include an interior inspection. Councilor Jepsen asked if we set aside money for the four year valuation and where it is. Mr. Kosofsky said that it was a sinking fund and it will be used in this fiscal year to pay our contractual obligations for performing a revaluation.

Mayor Trinks asked if we can choose to forgo yearly valuations in the future if we lose a major manufacturer and it shifts to residential. Mr. Kosofsky said that anything prior to 2008 is optional. A decision to do the yearly revaluation would have to be made mid-point, February, March or April at the very latest.

3. Approval to apply for a National Recreation Trails Program Grant

Mr. Paul Norris, Director of Recreation & Leisure Services, discussed the National Recreational Trails Program grant. The Recreation Trails Program funds may be used for construction, maintenance and restoration, access to trails by persons with disabilities, acquisition, purchase and leasing of equipment and education. The Town is requesting $26,000 in grant money to be used to pave approximately one-third of the Palisado Avenue parking lot for handicap parking, with direct paved access to the Riverwalk. The town is required to provide a 20% match for this grant ($5,200).

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman that the town Manager is authorized to submit an application to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection under the National Recreation Trails Program for improvements to the Riverwalk trailhead on Palisado Avenue.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

4. Approval of Open Purchase Orders

Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Mulligan to re-approve the prior year purchase orders listed on the report "Purchase Orders by GL Account", dated 02/01/05.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

5. Introduce proposed amendments to Personnel Rules concerning Disability Benefits

Ms. Amelia Bliss, Director of Human Resources, discussed the proposed changes to the Personnel Rules. The town has been researching and assessing the feasibility of modifying the current short-term disability plan and offering a long-term disability plan for employees. The objective was to fill the gap in coverage in cases where the employee has a permanent disability or a disability that lasts more than one year. The secondary objective is to allow management flexibility in filling positions sooner when it is known that the employee is permanently disabled.

Mayor Trinks referred the proposed amendments to Personnel Rules concerning Disability Benefits to the Special Projects Committee.

7. Set a Public Hearing for February 22, 2005 at 7:15 p.m. for reconstruction of Elm Street Bond Ordinance

Mayor Trinks apologized to Mr. Smith for the improperly posted ordinance.

Resolved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman that the reading into the minutes of the text of the ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $445,000 FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF ELM STREET FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH BROAD STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH PRESTON STREET AND RELATED AMENITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING SIDEWALK AND CURBING INSTALLATION AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $445,000 BONDS AND NOTES TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION" is hereby waived, the full text of the ordinances 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 8-0-0

Resolved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman, that a Public Hearing be held at the Windsor Town Hall on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 7:15 p.m. (prevailing time) on the following ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $445,000 FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF ELM STREET FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH BROAD STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH PRESTON STREET AND RELATED AMENITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING SIDEWALK AND CURBING INSTALLATION AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $445,000 BONDS AND NOTES TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION" and that the Town Clerk is authorized and directed to post and publish notice of said Public Hearing.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Dean to move item 12. H. Approve settlement for Wyman versus the Town of Windsor following item 16. B.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Dean to move item 12. I. Authorize Town Manager to negotiate and execute a lease with the Recovery Club for the Sill House located at 118 Palisado Drive prior to Item 17.

8. Approve settlement for Wyman versus the Town of Windsor

9. Authorize Town Manager to negotiate and execute a lease with the Recovery Club for the Sill House located at 118 Palisado Drive

13. Resignations and Appointments

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

Item A: Accept the resignation of Robert Rispoli from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission

Item B: Accept the resignation of George Bolduc from the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

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

Item H: Appoint Randall Graff to the Economic Development Commission for a five year term to expire January 31, 2010 or until a successor is appointed.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

14. Minutes of Preceding Meetings

1. Minutes of the January 18, 2005 Public Hearing (Elm Street reconstruction)

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the January 18, 2005 Public Hearing (Elm Street reconstruction). Corrections: None.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

2. Minutes of the January 18, 2005 Regular Town Council Meeting

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to accept the minutes of the January 18, 2005 Regular Town Council Meeting. Corrections: None.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

15. Public Communications and Petitions

None.

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to enter into Executive Session at 10:20 p.m. for the purpose of:

1. Strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims and litigation (Wyman vs. Town of Windsor)

2. Discussion of the selection of a site or a lease, sale or purchase of real estate (Sill House)

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to extend the regular Town Council meeting to 11:10 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Dean that the town attorney is authorized to execute the settlement in the case of Wyman versus the Town of Windsor, as discussed during Executive Session.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Simon to adjourn the Regular Town Council Meeting at 11:08 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Respectfully submitted,

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

c: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch