Windsor Town Council
September 18, 2000
Present: Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council member Albano, Council
member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock, Council member
Pacino, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks
Deputy Mayor Curtis called the public hearing to order at 7:09 PM and read the legal notices. Pioneer Drive Culvert Reconstruction – Department of Transportation Local Bridge Repair Program Tom Lenehan gave a brief overview of the project. Repairs are needed on the culvert sections carrying Hathaway Hollow Brook under Pioneer Drive. The project has been approved for partial funding from the DOT, Local Bridge Program. The DOT in an inspection discovered that the 6 foot culverts are cracked along the top of the pipe and that the joints have separated. The plan is to repair these sections by lining the reinforced concrete pipe sections with plastic pipe. The estimated cost of the project is $129,000. DOT will commit to funding 30.99%, the remaining $89,010 will be reimbursed from LOCIP funding.
Windsor Town Council Council Chambers – Town Hall September 18, 2000 – Regular Meeting Unapproved Minutes
Deputy Mayor Curtis called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
Deputy Mayor Curtis presented the award and read the resolution. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the Mayor and the Windsor Town Council that: September 20, 2000 to be Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Day and urge all the citizens of the Town of Windsor to take cognizance of this event and participate in its observance. Deputy Mayor Curtis read the resolution and presented the award to Mrs. Gilman. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the Mayor and the Windsor Town Council that September 17 through 23, 2000 be designated Constitution Week in Windsor and that all citizens are urged to reflect during that week on the many benefits of our Federal Constitution and the privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship. None. Deputy Mayor Curtis said the President of the BOE was in negotiations with the teacher’s union on this evening. Council member Trinks read her written report. Council member Pacino asked Deputy Mayor Curtis to get some information for him at tomorrow’s meeting which he is unable to attend due to work – he asked for a copy of the SAT report; he received a phone call regarding phasing out the Challenge Program at Clover Street School and requested an answer as to whether this is accurate; regarding the new certified staff of 50 people – is this all teachers or paraprofessionals or what; and how many new teachers were hired. Council member Haverstock asked Deputy Mayor Curtis to ask Ms. Kenison whether she will delegate someone from the BOE to do a live presentation to the Council. Council member Broxterman noted that the lack of the school board being at the Council meeting should not stop anyone from going to a BOE meeting or call the BOE members or superintendent of school’s office. Council member Ristas suggested taking the BOE report off of the Council agenda if no one from the Board is going to do a presentation. Peter Souza gave the report. Bond Rating Update Windsor has maintained its high-grade bond ratings with the major credit rating firms as the town prepares to sell general obligation bonds for continued high school construction and two economic development projects. Moody's assigned Windsor Aa2 status with a stable outlook while Standard and Poor's gave the town a AA rating with a stable outlook. Both agencies attribute the strong ratings to Windsor's aggressive economic development measures, sound financial management, and favorable fund balance. The $3.98 million bond sale is scheduled for September 20, 2000. Have You Found the Butterfly? Only two weeks remain in the "Find the Butterfly" contest, and there is still time to enter! Simply locate the butterfly picture in the 2000 Fall edition of "There’s a Lot to do in Windsor", send in a postcard identifying the page number and watch as we draw for the prizes live on WIN-TV on October 2nd prior to the Town Council meeting. We will be drawing the names of 15 lucky readers who have correctly located the hidden butterfly. Prizes valued at $25.00 or more each have been donated by Windsor Chamber of Commerce businesses. Complete details on the butterfly contest can be found on page 2 of the brochure, or by calling 285-1835. 6th Annual WIN-TV Chili Challenge Organizers for the 2000 WIN-TV Chili Challenge are working to make this year’s event "hotter" then ever. The annual chili cook-off held on the town green is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 in partnership with the Lions Club Arts and Craft Fair. Many local businesses, civic groups and creative cooks have reserved their spot on the green – and openings are still available! If you are interested in participating in this year’s event, or would like more information, call the WIN-TV Studio at 688-2626. Bridge Builder Award Ceremony This Thursday, September 28, 2000, Citizens for a United Windsor will be honoring the 2000 Windsor Bridge-Builder award winners with an hors d’oeuvres reception beginning at 6:00pm at the Windsor Public Library. In recognition of their outstanding contributions to Human Relations in our town, the following recipients will be honored: Anthony (Joe) Cymerys, Thomas Lerario, Gaye Rizzo, and Grace Episcopal Church’s "Fun in Learning" program. Call 688-8483 for more information.
At this time I would like to ask Dr. Charles Petrillo to come forward to present an update on the West Niles Virus. Dr. Petrillo gave an update on the West Nile Virus. Infected dead birds have been found in 48 of the communities in the state, but no positive birds have been found in Windsor. However, Dr. Petrillo assumes that the virus is in Windsor because it is in all of the surrounding towns. The danger should be eliminated at the first frost. This completes my report. It will be available on our website tomorrow morning at www.townofwindsorct.com
Council member Broxterman – noted all the sports starting up and urged everyone to get out and support the local teams; WHS football team opens up against Fermi on Saturday. Council member Haverstock – he discussed the police cruiser emblem and suggested not micromanaging those details; he has questions he would like to raise to the BOE and would like them to make a presentation to the Council – i.e. the status of the performance evaluation of the superintendent, how to interpret the recent SAT scoring results, has the BOE determine whether or not it wishes to participate in another education summit, etc. Council member Pacino – congratulated all the Windsor teams who opened last week; he noted the upcoming Chili Festival; he would like to see the town seal and not the star on the police car. Council Member Simon – none Council member Ristas – discussed a JI article regarding SAT’s wherein an educator said more teachers and staff are needed. The enrollment has gone up by only 60 students during the last 5 years, and the employment has gone up from 477 to 624. Council member Trinks – further discussed the BOE and noted he has no problem with the current status (written reports to the Council). He has always gone right to the superintendent’s staff with his questions and has received satisfaction. There will be outstanding Chili available at the Chili Festival on October 7, 2000 from 11-4. The country fair will be held this weekend from 10-4 at Northwest Park. Deputy Mayor Curtis – he will pass on the questions and comments of the Council to the BOE; at 5:30 AM on Saturday is the torch run. Finance Committee – Council member Trinks – none. Health and Safety – Council member Broxterman – they met last week. They had the chief of police in and discussed the reorganization for which he gave a brief overview. Special Projects – Council Member Simon – none. Town Improvements - Deputy Mayor Curtis - none. An ordinance adopting the provisions of CT Public Act 00 –120 to provide property tax exemption for eligible members of the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and the Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Association Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Pacino, to table this item to the October 2, 2000 meeting. The Motion Passed 7-0-0. None. Peter Souza said the chairperson requested this item be rescheduled to the first meeting in October. Katie Breen gave an overview. The objectives of the plan are to slow traffic down, make the center more pedestrian friendly, add the availability of on street parking and beautify the center. The issue of Palisado Avenue by the railroad bridge needs to become more pedestrian and bike friendly. Access into the library needs to be revised. In the area in front of the post office and CVS there is a lot of congestion at the post office drop off boxes. Six options were looked at initially, five options were eliminated and they are down to one. No major changes will be made to the green. Now there are three sub options, which she discussed and showed map displays. They would like to move forward with option three which would enlarge the green, making more of a hub for activity, easier for pedestrians to cross the street, on street parking, slowing traffic. The town manager and engineering department will meet with the DOT next week. Thereafter a public workshop will be held, hopefully by late October. A gazebo is being looked at for the project. Peter Souza gave a brief overview. This is done every year. The Town of Windsor’s Dial A Ride Service was created to assure that Windsor residents age 60 and over and disable adults, have access to transportation to medical and other services in town, and limited out-of-town medical appointments. Through Greater Hartford Transit District the Connecticut DOT has made funds available to support this. The Town has been authorized to receive $13,200 through the Greater Hartford Transit District to support elderly and disabled transportation. In order to be eligible for the grant the Town must spend $13,200 of its own funds for the same purpose, which has already been appropriated as part of the FY2000-2001 budget. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman, That the Town Council approve the use of $13,200 in General Fund Account 141.230, already appropriated as part of the FY2000-2001 budget, as the local share for the provision of mass transportation services for the elderly and disabled persons for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001. Further the contract covering the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001, is approved and the Town Manager is authorized to execute such contract on behalf of the Grantee to execute and to take any other action necessary to complete and implement said Contract. The Motion Passed 7-0-0. Tom Lenehan gave a brief presentation. The developer for JDS Uniphase has proposed a manufacturing complex for construction at 1975, 1985 and 1995 Blue Hills Avenue Extension in the vicinity of the intersection with Day Hill Road. For future planning purposes, the developer has offered to deed a 25-foot strip of land to the Town of Windsor along the property line on Day Hill Road. There is no financial impact. The TP&Z recommended approval of accepting the parcel from the developer at the September 12, 2000 meeting. Council member Broxterman made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks, Move to recommend the acceptance of a 25 foot wide parcel of land, in deed, on Day Hill Road alongside the proposed manufacturing complex at 1975, 1985 and 1995 Blue Hills Avenue Extension contingent upon approval of the town attorney. The Motion Passed 7-0-0.
e. Accept an easement for land at the intersection of Pierson Lane and Kennedy Road for constructing and maintaining a sidewalk Tom Lenehan gave the overview. It is proposed to construct a portion of a sidewalk at the intersection of Pierson Lane and Kennedy Road, on property owned by Katherine Hastings and Fleet Bank. The easement and sidewalk to be constructed as part of the reconstruction of Kennedy Road, is desirable to align the sidewalk apron on the southwest portion on the intersection with the apron on the northwest portion. The property owners have agreed to grant the easement. The TP&Z recommended accepting this easement at its meeting of September 12, 2000. There is no financial impact. Council member Broxterman made a motion, seconded by Council Member Simon, to recommend the acceptance of an easement for land at the intersection of Pierson Lane and Kennedy Road from Katherine H. Hastings and Fleet Bank for the purposes of constructing an maintaining a sidewalk. The Motion Passed 7-0-0. Council member Trinks made a motion, seconded by Council Member Simon, Item B – to appoint Timothy Fitzgerald to complete the three year ON THE Fair Rent Commission to expire 3/31/2003 or until a successor is appointed; Item E – to reappoint Christopher Watts to the Historic District Commission for a two year term to expire 10/12/2002 or until a successor is appointed; Item G – to reappoint Andrew Dowe to the Housing Code Board of Appeals for a five year term to expire 10/31/2005 or until a successor is appointed; Item I – to reappoint Ed Samolyk to the Insurance Commission for a four year term to expire 10/31/2004 or until a successor is appointed; Item K – to reappoint Florence Barlow to the Youth Commission fo ra three year term to expire 9/30/2003 or until a successor is appointed; Item L to appoint Vivian Cicero to the Youth Commission for a two year term to expire 9/30/2002 or until a successor is appointed; Item M to reappoint Joseph Novak to the Youth Commission for a three year term to expire 9/30/2003 or until a successor is appointed; The Motion Passed 7-0-0. Council member Pacino made a motion, seconded by Council member Broxterman, To table items A,C,D,H and J. The Motion Passed 7-0-0. Council member Trinks made a motion to accept the minutes of September 5, 2000 Public Hearing, Seconded by Council member Broxterman, Change – change the heading to Public Hearing on the rather than a Regular Meeting. The Motion Passed 6-0-1 with Council member Haverstock abstaining because he was absent. b. Minutes of the September 5, 2000 Regular Council Meeting Council member Pacino made a motion to accept the minutes of September 5, 2000, Regular Council Meeting Seconded by Council member Haverstock Council member Ristas - Change – item 16 – executive session – he asked to add in the first sentence after the words executive session add "to discuss" and then list items a. b. and c. that follow. 12 a – spelling of Mr. Samolyk. The Motion Passed 7-0-0. None.
Council member Pacino made a motion, seconded by Council member Trinks, To adjourn at 9:08 PM. The Motion Passed 7-0-0. Respectfully submitted,
Abigale LaViolette Clerk of Windsor Town Council Cc: Town Clerk Main Library Wilson Branch
|