Unapproved Minutes

Mayor Hogan called the public hearing to order at 7:50 PM.

Special Town Meeting: To approve or disapprove the following ordinance: " AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $80,000 FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION BY GIFT OF 330 WINDSOR AVENUE AND THE BUILDINGS THEREON."

The Town Assessor gave a brief overview, noting all of the street’s residents are in agreement to the change.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

Anthony Visone, Junior, said he has lived on this road for many years and urged the Council to approve the name change for safety reasons, noting quite a few years ago his family was in need of an ambulance and help was delayed due to difficulty locating the road.

Unapproved Minutes 

Mayor Hogan called the regular meeting to order at 8:00 PM.

1. ROLL CALL - PRESENT- Mayor Hogan, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council member Albano, Council member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock, Council member Pacino, Council member Simon, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks

2. PRAYER - Deputy Mayor Curtis

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Deputy Mayor Curtis

4. RESOLUTIONS AND AWARDS

None.

5. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Maryann Doyle, 4 Kellogg Street, has children the middle school and urged the Council to approve a skate board park in Windsor.

Mike Doyle, 4 Kellogg Street, said the skate park is a good idea as it will provide exercise for the youth and be a better form of recreation than video games.

John Killing, 19 Diana Lane, spoke in favor of the skate park which he hopes will include in-line skating. He noted safety concerns of children skating in the streets without helmets, etc. and said the supervised skate park is a good idea for the town.

6. PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION REPORT

Mr. Novak gave the report.

WHS Project - the bids came in at $260,000 under budget. They are negotiating with subcontractors. Preliminary discussions have concluded; one contract was signed today. The project should complete in August, 2000. Phase 2 - the schematic design is essentially complete. The design development phase is in progress.

Sage Park Roof Project - the contractor is completing a punch list. About $28,000 is expected to be left over.

Rainbow Road Firehouse Project - they are trying to work through the additional money which is required for the MDC easement.

to move item 12. a. and 12 b. to this point in the agenda. The Motion Passed 9-0-0.

12. NEW BUSINESS

a. Zoning Board of Appeals Annual Report to the Town Council

Jack Collin represented the Commission and gave a brief report.

The responsibilities of the ZBA are contained both in Connecticut State Statutes and in Town Zoning Regulations. The Commission’s basic function is to receive, hear and make decisions on requests for variances on town zoning regulations. They also sometimes hear cases involving appeals on decisions from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

The Commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month in Council Chambers.

The Commission consists of 8 members with 5 regular members and 3 alternate members.

b. Renaming of a Section of Douglas Street to Enders Road

Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Albano,

That the southern portion of Douglas Street be renamed to Enders Road; effective change date - March 20, 2000. The Motion Passed 9-0-0.

7. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Community Employment Opportunities

Our Human Resources Office has established a "Community Employment Opportunity" Board which is located on the second floor of Town Hall. The CEO Board is a town-wide posting site for employment opportunities in Windsor businesses and organizations.

The Human Resource Office has partnered with area Windsor businesses and organizations to develop one central place to list employment openings. You may visit the Human Resource Office to peruse the listings Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or make arrangements for a weekend or evening visit. Call 285-1852 for information.

"There’s a lot to do in Windsor" Brochure

Residents will be receiving the newest edition of the "There’s a lot to do in Windsor" brochure in the mail soon. This is our tenth edition, and it includes over 500 listings of programs, services and events sponsored by the town and schools.

Several Windsor residents, business owners and staff participated in a series of focus groups this past Fall to evaluate the usefulness of the brochure and offer suggestions on how we might improve it. Many of those suggestions have been implemented.

One thing no one wanted to change is the wonderful cover photography which is graciously donated each issue by Windsor’s own Dr. Leonard Hellerman, and I thank him once again for his participation in this project.

 Volunteer Support Program Recipients

This past summer, the town established a Volunteer Support Program to assist community groups and neighborhoods with small-scale physical improvement projects. Grant requests may be submitted by any Windsor volunteer, organization, neighborhood association or group interested in undertaking an enhancement effort, and able to match the amount of the grant award by some combination of donated materials, volunteer labor or cash.

It is my pleasure to announce this evening the following three grant awards:

1) Windsor Historical Society – "The Hands-on History Center"

The Windsor Historical Society submitted an application for $5,000 to assist with the building of "The Hands-on History Center." The society plans to recreate an 18th century woodshed in its Fyler House facility and to purchase reproduction tools, household items, toys and games. This project will provide patrons with a living history experience to help interpret the daily lives of Windsor residents during the 18th-20th centuries. Grant funds would also be applied toward the purchase of smaller, portable reproduction tools and household items to create a "Traveling History Trunk." The trunk would be used for community outreach programs to schools, retirement communities and other facilities. The applicant’s matching funds are comprised of corporate sponsorships and volunteer labor.

2) Windsor International Little League – "Field #1 Improvements - Lighting"

The Windsor International Little League applied for $5,000 to help fund installation of lighting on Field #1 at its Welch Park facility. Field #1 is used primarily by the league’s Softball Division. Light installation will increase safety for children playing during early evening games and permit games to be started at later times, which will allow more parents to attend games after work.The applicant’s match consists of pledges, league funds, fundraising and volunteer labor.

3) Windsor Rivers & Trails Coalition – "Trailmarker & Signage Program"

The Windsor Rivers & Trails Coalition applied for $5,000 to help fund two projects under its town-wide "Trailmarker and Signage Program. More specifically, grant funding would go toward the development of a trail logo and to erect at least two trailhead markers (one at the parking lot on Palisado Avenue and one at the River Street Canoe Launch). The logo design will serve as an identifier to help market the growing trail system in Windsor. The trailhead markers will highlight key entry points to existing trails and provide information on safety, use and rules of the trails, and the importance of good stewardship. The applicant’s match consists of private grants and volunteer labor.

 Former Students Share Learning Experience

Sarah Boehm and Peri Mason, two young adults who grew up right here in Windsor and attended Windsor Public Schools, recently spent six months on the Caribbean Island of Antigua studying nesting sea turtles. They will be sharing what they learned in an upcoming program and slide presentation at Northwest Park on Tuesday, December 28th at 7:00pm. This free program is open to the public. For more information. Call 285-1886.

Volunteer Medical Drivers Needed

Windsor Senior and Adult Services is in need of volunteers to drive seniors and disabled persons to out-of-town medical appointments during the week to Bloomfield, Hartford, and other surrounding towns. This program is in addition to our Dial-A-Ride program. Town cars are available for use. Volunteers do not provide any personal assistance, as people who use this program are independent. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 285-1839.

8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS

Council member Albano-- wished everyone a happy holiday season.

Council member Broxterman -- wished everyone a happy holiday and reminded all that the joy is in giving.

Council member Haverstock -- wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season. He said he is concerned about the recent publicity regarding the use of the tennis courts as a skate park.

Council member Pacino-- wished a safe and happy holiday to all. He thanked everyone who came out for the town meeting tonight.

Council member Ristas-- hoped everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

Council member Simon -- wished everyone a healthy and happy new year.

Council member Trinks -- wished everyone a happy holiday. Reminded all that the town parking ban is in effect.

Deputy Mayor Curtis -- wished all a safe and happy holiday season. Complimented town staff for the seasonal decorations in town.

Mayor Hogan -- wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. They have been assured that Windsor will be fine on January 1st. She thanked staff who worked many over time hours when the Yankee Gas problem occurred. She hopes to have a meeting with the gas company to have better communication.

She appointed an evaluation committee for Town Manager’s evaluation with the following members: Deputy Mayor Curtis Council member Trinks and Council member Pacino. All other Council members are encouraged to join.

9. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Health and Safety Committee -- Council member Broxterman --no meeting.

Council member Broxterman gave an overview of the meeting he attended recently regarding the MDC fire which took 4-5 days to put out.

Town Improvements - Deputy Mayor Curtis -- met on 12/14. The main item was the skate board park. General discussion was held regarding cost, hours of operation, and time frame of the project. Bob Gangy will continue discussion with town staff.

The item will remain on the Committee’s agenda.

Special Projects -- Council member Simon -- a couple weeks ago they met for a half day retreat to work on long-term goals.

Finance Committee--Council member Trinks --no meeting. The audit report has not arrived.

10. ORDINANCES

None.

11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

13. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

Council member Albano made a motion, seconded by Council member Haverstock,

Item D - to appoint John Purcell - to the Commission on Aging & Handicapped for a 2 year term to expire 11/12/2001 or until a successor is appointed.

The Motion Passed 9-0-0.

Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Albano, to table items A,B,C, and E through V.

The Motion Passed 9-0-0

14. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING

Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman,

to accept the minutes of the December 6 1999 regular meeting.

Council member Pacino clarified - Page 1 - under Resolution and Awards - Council member Pacino read items a and b and Council member Broxterman read items c and d.

Mayor Hogan - under the BOE - President Kenneson’s name was misspelled.

The Motion Passed 8-0-1 with Council member Haverstock abstaining because he was not at the meeting.

15. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Helen Giunta, and Pranish Kantesaria, 442 Pond Bridge Road, spoke of the proposed purchase of 330 Windsor Avenue and the scholarships for the Montessori School.

16. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

None.

17. ADJOURNMENT

Council member Pacino made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks , to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM. Motion 9-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Abigale LaViolette

cc: Town Clerk

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