Video index
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Mary Sullivan, Wyndemere Court - There were several fields around me not being used today. We don't want our local area turned into a grass field all the way around. Would like less traffic, pollution to area. This new financial plan will not touch Town taxes - gravel parking lot will turned into a paved parking area - lights will be needed eventually. Sidewalks will be constructed. Tonights hastly called meeting with a religious holiday - a lot of people did not know about this meeting. next month there will be a new council. please do not approve this at tonights meeting. what is the hurry.
Jim Throwe, 1330 Main Street - 50 years ago I was on the TC. we had just started town government. we had a new charter that took us from selectman to town manager. we were required to go to referendum for projects to schools, town hall. we did everything by referendum because it was required by charter. leasing and 6320 are just ways to get around a referendum. Playing games with the town charter. people at wyndemere court are surrounded by fields. why is this such a rush - because there is an election this year. upset that you are using ways to get around the charter. i f you think you are going to lose, replan it.
Jan Nicolas, 60 Nevers Road - perhaps at these trying times this proposal should be put on a back burner until other items are settled. we can revisit this after the committee has done more investigation. put this issue to a referendum so that everyone can be present and have a voice and a vote. it appears that the council has been foreced to push through something twice the size for seemingly not supporting sw youth, councl represents everyobyd. If you want to leave a legacy in sw why not one that says how great these kids are on the fields. perfect the fields we have and put snythetic turf on ones that we already have. sw is a majestic town lets keep it that way for everybody.
Jim Morrison, 157 Ayers Road - to continue to push a special interest program without the residents who do not have a say in it. There is a cost to the resident even with a STEAP grant and tell the TM to come up with 46,000 out of the budget every year. There is a reason you are not on the ballot. upset with the way you are doing this project.
Carol Hatch - Wyndemere Court - we are here to ask the council for some compassion. These fields will bring a lot of noise to the aea. we would like very much for you to consider us. schools need repairing and the seniors need a larger area. please think of us.
Richard Grigorian, 369 Main STreet, one important factor, NEED - I have asked five questions of why snythetic is being used there instead of at the high school. I was furnished last week there entire schedule for the fields in SW. they made me aware that we only have 36 1/2 instead of 44. Having difficulty accepting once you add the hours the 11 fields that are being used in soccer the total number that is used is 1532 hours. There is near double amount of that used. there is 1300 unused hours. if we used magnet school which is going to be available there is another 500 hours. grand total 1800 hours of unused fields. a field is considere 225 hours per week on that basis you have 7 empty fields in town that is a lot of fields. it does not give me assurance that there is a need. a survey or audit was not done. Nobody vetted this program. There is no need.
Mohammed Cr - just moved from Coventry - There seems to be plenty of fields - eventually we will have to pay for this now but will have to at some time. Dissatisfaction of this meeting and is a lease not a purchase not happy. Have plenty of space to play.
Mike Sullivan, 24 Jared Court - Emotionally frustrated - lack of respect to the Council member. I can't believe that was reported about the scheduling and reschuduling of this meeting. have been following this since the beginning of this. Do not believe that there were 18 months of slaving over this project. How can a TC as a body without knowing the amkount of hours that fields are used. That should have been proved. Duirng budget deliberations there was discussion about 50,000 of engineering studies - why has that not been done. How can you reach a decision without doing the work first (engineering) rushing to have this meeting and the politics - as we get closer to election time here is a project that has been discussed for 18 months. Really discredits that you have the best interest of the town. The athletics want this but not the rest of the community.
Betty Warren, 494 Abbe Road, chair of SWALPAC - find it interesting that we were never asked - this is an agricultural field that is presently leased. the lease should not be broken when ther eare other areas to use. should be done by referendum - holding htis meeting in such a rush on a holiday
93 Broad Brook Drive - holiday today which is equivalent to Christmas - Three Council members - in the future it would be great for Council to show respect for all reglions.
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail -
Jim Neary, resident for 30 years. Live on Ellington Road - Have concerns regarding proposal. Right now the BOE is meeting regarding plans - we should be there not here. two new fields with CREC so that eliminates the need for fields. A lighted field may be in the future but right now no. The schools come first. I have been told that some of our teachers have to lock the classroom doors from the outside. Ballfield with lights is not important - schools more important.
Joe Candeius, 258 Nevers Road - if this goes through will hav ea lot of mad residents. 17% of the people that make up this group out of 27,000 is special interest. you have seen a lot of people turn out even though there was not a lot of notice. trying to achieve a purpose for a select through. read 1987 letter - open space should be sought, farmers shoudl be encouraged to farm, should remain with greenery. this was a letter from 1987 for referendum for open space not ball fields.
Bridget Kelly, Sophomore at SW High School - We want turf field at the Stadium. Ther eare great off campus field but on campus we need fields. Stadium field already has everything we need except synthetic turf.
Jackie Kenney - Senior - Captain of Field - support having the turf field at the high school. Varsity Athletics would not be able to use fields across the street, only for practice.
Jill - Sophomore - need synthetic at high school. not proud of our fields. games on turf are much better.
Kristen Wun - Senior - field hockey - many of the athletes here will not be able to play on the synthetic turf but still care about the fields. need turf at the hgih school.
Al Larson - Parks & Recreation - 46 Jacques Lane - this proposal is a compromise to reduce costs by 1.5 million dollars. One of the ideas that was floated - Tolland - sports group will be helping to pay for bond. Police presence was never discussed. in the future as the Chair of Park & Rec these proposal should go through Park & Recreation. Craig Zimmerman made this comment also. BOE has been silent on this subject. Tolland's turf field have agreed the revenue would be split between school and recreation program. Everyone should be allowed to use these fields. We sshould share in revenue producing opportunities. The Park & Recreation Commission strongly stands by this propsal. (comjpromise).
Nilofer Haider - live 185 Fairview Drive - late 1980's - moving back to SW was very easy. We were welcomed with open arms. There are very few Muslim families at that time in SW but the teachers made an effort. Respect should be given to our holiday. The issue is relevant - if it had been Christmas this would not have happened. Tonight speak as citizen - in the future respect our feelings, we are american citizens.
Son, 35 Cardinal Way - we would like to see respect given to our holiday - please keep the Muslim community in your planning.
Susan Strange, 178 - reiterate comments made at last meeting. in the minutes of a prior meeting Bazzzano said the committee had looked at putting turf at the high school but the neighbors were opposed. the neighbors whre it is being proposed now are also opposed. Referendum needed.
John Mitchell, 40 Windy Hill Drive - it was not that long ago that Council approved a budget for 2013 - tonight we are here just a little over 100 days in this new fiscal year. we are looking to spend 900,000 out of this new budget. council should be holding down spending. This council is trying to railroad this project through. Do not believe this is the most important project that needs to get done. The TM is not here tonight to answer any questions. Will this resolution be contingent on receiving this grant.
David Hodge, we came to the public hearing with my son after the meeting on the ride home he had a lot of questions and the opinions voiced. My son's take away was why are they so mad, can't the compromise and feel tht is what occurred. 900,000 is a drop in the bucket - hope when referendum for schools come around hope everyone will support it.
Eric Lajoie, 170 Candlewood Drive - unfortunate that there is a lot of bitterness. Do not have kids or elderly - have been asked to support both. just want a lighted field - this is clearly a divided town. there seems to be no compromise, we have come down 1.5 million dollars.
Charlie Regulabuto, not here to support or oppose. this council should not put one segment of the public against another. a referendum should be held. this council should discuss the surplus, etc.
Steve Wagner, 181 Tumblebrook Drive - I believe that nobody intended to have a meeting on a holiday. suggest to avoid this happening in the future - have TM, Town Clerk or Clerk of theCouncil to put together a calendar with all the different religious holidays. could have avoided having a meeting tonight.
Mike Mundo, 249 Maskel Road - this committee has been working every single day. We apoligize on a meeting. kids will benefit with these fields. we scaled down and compromised. rather see something put in the area - there is a demand for these fields. WE met with the BOE - we know there is a demand for these fields. this will benefit this community. We have listened to the people with what they want.
Dana Weber, Jonathan Lane - I believe we need this field. Do we need a senior center - they will use what facilities we have. do we need new elementary facilities - kids will still be going to school. If we don't want to have any change then don't do anything. this is a step.
4. Communications
Bazzano - Suspend the Rules to take up 6A and 6B, Beaulieu, unanimous.
5. Executive Session
6. Special Business
A. Resolution Concerning Nevers Park Fields Project
Bazzano, Yagaloff Bazzano - the plan did call for a - the turf gets leased. There is no conveyance of the front property. If the Town did not pay the lease, the leasing company could come and take the turf. The High School will be discussed with the Committee. Part of this resolution will be to work with the BOE to make something happen eventually. The high school will use this field. These fields would be used by the high school. Students should go to the BOE meetings to tell them what they want. Someone talked earlier about compromise. we did a lot of compromise. subcommittee came together and discussed this. we have worked with the neighbors. we added fencing, before the concession stand was taken out we moved that. Joe who lives on the other side requested a berm. we have worked with the neghbors. there was a subcommittee working on the plans. Councilor yagaloff covered all of the concerns in the resolution. urge this council to stand behind this resolution. urge council to support. not going to be in this year's budget. we talked to TM about this project. STEAP grant will be applied for in April - this project will not move forward until we have the funding. This is something to work towards for next years budget. Still has to go to P & Z. Anwar - concerns with this proposal. The location - no one who is going to be impacted has said they want this proposal. This compromise is a process and will expand in the future. so this is a phased process. As long as it is not in my backyard it is ok. that is not acceptable. should not put this propsal in others back yards. 47,000 per year pending the STEAP grant. when we were looking at the budget we were told this is a barebones budget. wher eis 47,000 coming from every year. wht service will be cut. if nothing is cut then I will say to the TM that this is not a barebone budget. Suddenly we can find 47,000 every year and not effect taxes. WE have not talked about how much it is going to cost to maintain this. The process - we are going against the essence of our charter. The charter says what it says and we are going to bypass that charter. This is for passive recreation - not for active recreation. Respect to 18 months of hard work. in the last two weeks we have found out that there are 36 1/2 fields rather then 44 fields. the number have been changed. Traffic has not been considered. WE are bypassing the referendum. Information on the website is old. The timing of this propsal. we have had the highest tax increase in the past 20 years and on top of that we want a proposal of fields. People with smaller homes have been effected the most. There is an important referendum coming forward in March regarding the schools. The right choice would be to support the schools. we need a strategy - This not hte most critcal need of the town at this time. will not support this proposal. would support in a timely fashion. McCann - Apoligize to Muslim community and Councilor Anwar - we were unaware - no intention to insult or disrepect any religion. We have a bipartisan resolution being brought forward. they worked together to cvome up with aplan to address the field needs in Town. Several towns have done two fields at a time because would be more cost effective. if we have turf fields we need lights because then those fields could be used for a longer period in a day. I support this compromise. is easonable, affordale. There was a ph held regarding this issue. our charter says if you want to issue bonds you have to go to referendum. The reason is legislature has said bonding is ------ we are not going to isseu bonds for this project so there is no need for a referendum. there is no provision in our charter. need for fields - did receive chart includes areas that are not full size athletic fields and the schedule shows the fields being used until 8:30 p.m. which can not be done because it is dark. Coventry just dedicated their turf field about three weeks ago. turf should be in stadium - couple of reasons - met with athletic director - there are constraints with the track. would be an undersized field. there is another reason why not taking another used field and turning it into turf. that owuld not be adding fields which is needed. I do support this project. eventually neeed to put in concession stands, Miracle field, lights. lets get the process started. let smove forward for the benefit of the entire town. Will support this compromise. Yagaloff - do want to say I support our Muslim neighbors. This is a lesson in government. we have a room full of people here and some come on a regular basis. some are here on this specific subject. The problem with comjpromise is it does not get you anywhere. Anyone who wanted the big project is going to hate me for distroying our big project. everyone that doesn't want project is going to say they put fields in. There is no win in conpromise. When this issue came up one year ago I said I was not interested in a big project. If a small project comes foward I think there are advantages. It is interested in how this project has evolved. The small project has an advantage. the resolution crafted was done specifically to cover the loop holes that I was concerned about. the new project is higher then what I wanted - cost to town is 400,000. Town needs to take advantage of grants. This is a small project but will change the landscape of that area. Practive area for the high school kids. There are no lights in this plan. It will have to go through P & Z for those items. That entire area is fields - this will change the environment - the beenfit to the community and to the high school warrants it. I will support this - I take one vote at a time. doing what I think is right at this time. Beaulieu - apoligize about the Muslim Holiday - It will never be the right time if you don't like the project. There has been a lot of work - there was a pulblic hearing. tonight is a lesson in compromise. The need has been established. will support this project - it is what this town needs and is the right time. Am making the best decision I feel. Havens - the way I see it all of the information we have gotten regarding this proposal. I am not going to support because the public has voiced concern. There have been other proposals that the public remembers. The timing was terrible. will not support the fields for many other reasons, the cost, school needs support more then ballfields, - this whole situation will be decided on election day. there was no need to rush into this. Thank the committee for all their work. I have supported more fields then any of these 8 other people. Snyder - if nothing else this issue has brought out a lot of people. as frustrating as this topic might have been I have appreciated people's thoughts. Thanked the pubic and residents for their thoughts. This was a learning experience. This is a compromise. I was not in support of larger project. they did stop and listened and came back with something more reasonable. It is very important that if this goes forward the neibhros are kept well informed. make sure we keep neighbors concerns in the forefront. Cricket is a very exciting sport. there is no cricket pitch in sw and this plan will allow for cricket to be played in SW. This will support other residents needs. Thanked Councilor Yagaloff and Bazzano - who worked hard on this project. Prague - Apoligize to Dr. Anwar - I am not supporting this but am going to vote in this. It is ashamed it is in senior housing area. Motion to make an amendment against taking from Recreation budget. Beaulieu seconded McCann - against taking out but will vote for it. Yagaloff - completely against taking that out. This is recreation - pulling out language would be unbelievable - if there is a shortfall funds need to come from Recreation. I can not support. 4-5 failed (amendment) Delnicki - this will forever change the landscape of that area. STEAP grant - 1 year ago wanted to complete the Old Post Office. Do not think we will get two STEAP grants. In budget we just passed, $50,000 past and do not believe any of those funds have been spent. $47,000 in htis years budget has yet to be identified. Do believe we could put a cricket pitch somewhere else in Town. I will not be supporting this. Need to focus on the school referendum - wish we could have been at that meeting tonight. Will not be supporting this. Bazzano - Good to see people in the audience. the reason the cricket pitch is being put in this area is because there is no other area to place a cricket pitch. The location was picked because it is near the High School. Referendum - we buy 700,000 fire truck and do not do referendum. Computers, etc. we have 103M budget does not go to referendum. Delnicki called for a vote - 6-3 passed
B. Resolution Authorizing Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to Negotiate, Sign and Execute all Necessary Agreement/Contract Documents on Behalf of the Town of South Windsor with the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management
Bazzano, Snyder McCann - Anwar - STEAP - we need more economic develpment opportuntiites - Emergency Operation Center is a much more priority. vote against. STEAP grant shoudl not be used for recreation project. Havens - will not support this resolution. Too bad Mr. Galligan not here. This may never happen with STEAP money - may come out of Town funds. Thanked Gary for the work he did Bazzano - recreation does stir up economic development. Sports stir economic development. I am confident that we can get a STEAP grant for this project. In favor of a sTEAP Grant. Yagaloff - Gravel parking lot is 89 spaces, so this is a small project. there is no room for expansion of the parking. Tolland got a STEAP grant. The Tow is prohibited from making up the shortfall. If the STEAP grant does not happen then the Town can not use other funds from the Town. shall not go into taxes. this project is contingent on STEAP grant. if that does not happen then the project will not happen. The resolution just passed was built the mechanism for paying for this and can not go back into the budget and pay for more of the project out of the budget. Anwar - I think we have a difference of opinions. think worthwhile to look at model from Detroit. Business, Industry and Manufacturing are real economic models. We need jobs in town. need to focus on real items. We need a deeper plan then people coing to McDonalds. Delnicki - Tolland has a great lobbyist - Lieutenant Governor lives in Tolland. We have been talking about finally coming up with something for the Old Post Office. That is something that has been sitting for years. Will be opposing this. 6-3 passed
7. Adjournment
9:34 p.m. Prague, Bazzano unanimous
Oct 15, 2013 Town Council Special Meeting
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1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Mary Sullivan, Wyndemere Court - There were several fields around me not being used today. We don't want our local area turned into a grass field all the way around. Would like less traffic, pollution to area. This new financial plan will not touch Town taxes - gravel parking lot will turned into a paved parking area - lights will be needed eventually. Sidewalks will be constructed. Tonights hastly called meeting with a religious holiday - a lot of people did not know about this meeting. next month there will be a new council. please do not approve this at tonights meeting. what is the hurry.
Jim Throwe, 1330 Main Street - 50 years ago I was on the TC. we had just started town government. we had a new charter that took us from selectman to town manager. we were required to go to referendum for projects to schools, town hall. we did everything by referendum because it was required by charter. leasing and 6320 are just ways to get around a referendum. Playing games with the town charter. people at wyndemere court are surrounded by fields. why is this such a rush - because there is an election this year. upset that you are using ways to get around the charter. i f you think you are going to lose, replan it.
Jan Nicolas, 60 Nevers Road - perhaps at these trying times this proposal should be put on a back burner until other items are settled. we can revisit this after the committee has done more investigation. put this issue to a referendum so that everyone can be present and have a voice and a vote. it appears that the council has been foreced to push through something twice the size for seemingly not supporting sw youth, councl represents everyobyd. If you want to leave a legacy in sw why not one that says how great these kids are on the fields. perfect the fields we have and put snythetic turf on ones that we already have. sw is a majestic town lets keep it that way for everybody.
Jim Morrison, 157 Ayers Road - to continue to push a special interest program without the residents who do not have a say in it. There is a cost to the resident even with a STEAP grant and tell the TM to come up with 46,000 out of the budget every year. There is a reason you are not on the ballot. upset with the way you are doing this project.
Carol Hatch - Wyndemere Court - we are here to ask the council for some compassion. These fields will bring a lot of noise to the aea. we would like very much for you to consider us. schools need repairing and the seniors need a larger area. please think of us.
Richard Grigorian, 369 Main STreet, one important factor, NEED - I have asked five questions of why snythetic is being used there instead of at the high school. I was furnished last week there entire schedule for the fields in SW. they made me aware that we only have 36 1/2 instead of 44. Having difficulty accepting once you add the hours the 11 fields that are being used in soccer the total number that is used is 1532 hours. There is near double amount of that used. there is 1300 unused hours. if we used magnet school which is going to be available there is another 500 hours. grand total 1800 hours of unused fields. a field is considere 225 hours per week on that basis you have 7 empty fields in town that is a lot of fields. it does not give me assurance that there is a need. a survey or audit was not done. Nobody vetted this program. There is no need.
Mohammed Cr - just moved from Coventry - There seems to be plenty of fields - eventually we will have to pay for this now but will have to at some time. Dissatisfaction of this meeting and is a lease not a purchase not happy. Have plenty of space to play.
Mike Sullivan, 24 Jared Court - Emotionally frustrated - lack of respect to the Council member. I can't believe that was reported about the scheduling and reschuduling of this meeting. have been following this since the beginning of this. Do not believe that there were 18 months of slaving over this project. How can a TC as a body without knowing the amkount of hours that fields are used. That should have been proved. Duirng budget deliberations there was discussion about 50,000 of engineering studies - why has that not been done. How can you reach a decision without doing the work first (engineering) rushing to have this meeting and the politics - as we get closer to election time here is a project that has been discussed for 18 months. Really discredits that you have the best interest of the town. The athletics want this but not the rest of the community.
Betty Warren, 494 Abbe Road, chair of SWALPAC - find it interesting that we were never asked - this is an agricultural field that is presently leased. the lease should not be broken when ther eare other areas to use. should be done by referendum - holding htis meeting in such a rush on a holiday
93 Broad Brook Drive - holiday today which is equivalent to Christmas - Three Council members - in the future it would be great for Council to show respect for all reglions.
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail -
Jim Neary, resident for 30 years. Live on Ellington Road - Have concerns regarding proposal. Right now the BOE is meeting regarding plans - we should be there not here. two new fields with CREC so that eliminates the need for fields. A lighted field may be in the future but right now no. The schools come first. I have been told that some of our teachers have to lock the classroom doors from the outside. Ballfield with lights is not important - schools more important.
Joe Candeius, 258 Nevers Road - if this goes through will hav ea lot of mad residents. 17% of the people that make up this group out of 27,000 is special interest. you have seen a lot of people turn out even though there was not a lot of notice. trying to achieve a purpose for a select through. read 1987 letter - open space should be sought, farmers shoudl be encouraged to farm, should remain with greenery. this was a letter from 1987 for referendum for open space not ball fields.
Bridget Kelly, Sophomore at SW High School - We want turf field at the Stadium. Ther eare great off campus field but on campus we need fields. Stadium field already has everything we need except synthetic turf.
Jackie Kenney - Senior - Captain of Field - support having the turf field at the high school. Varsity Athletics would not be able to use fields across the street, only for practice.
Jill - Sophomore - need synthetic at high school. not proud of our fields. games on turf are much better.
Kristen Wun - Senior - field hockey - many of the athletes here will not be able to play on the synthetic turf but still care about the fields. need turf at the hgih school.
Al Larson - Parks & Recreation - 46 Jacques Lane - this proposal is a compromise to reduce costs by 1.5 million dollars. One of the ideas that was floated - Tolland - sports group will be helping to pay for bond. Police presence was never discussed. in the future as the Chair of Park & Rec these proposal should go through Park & Recreation. Craig Zimmerman made this comment also. BOE has been silent on this subject. Tolland's turf field have agreed the revenue would be split between school and recreation program. Everyone should be allowed to use these fields. We sshould share in revenue producing opportunities. The Park & Recreation Commission strongly stands by this propsal. (comjpromise).
Nilofer Haider - live 185 Fairview Drive - late 1980's - moving back to SW was very easy. We were welcomed with open arms. There are very few Muslim families at that time in SW but the teachers made an effort. Respect should be given to our holiday. The issue is relevant - if it had been Christmas this would not have happened. Tonight speak as citizen - in the future respect our feelings, we are american citizens.
Son, 35 Cardinal Way - we would like to see respect given to our holiday - please keep the Muslim community in your planning.
Susan Strange, 178 - reiterate comments made at last meeting. in the minutes of a prior meeting Bazzzano said the committee had looked at putting turf at the high school but the neighbors were opposed. the neighbors whre it is being proposed now are also opposed. Referendum needed.
John Mitchell, 40 Windy Hill Drive - it was not that long ago that Council approved a budget for 2013 - tonight we are here just a little over 100 days in this new fiscal year. we are looking to spend 900,000 out of this new budget. council should be holding down spending. This council is trying to railroad this project through. Do not believe this is the most important project that needs to get done. The TM is not here tonight to answer any questions. Will this resolution be contingent on receiving this grant.
David Hodge, we came to the public hearing with my son after the meeting on the ride home he had a lot of questions and the opinions voiced. My son's take away was why are they so mad, can't the compromise and feel tht is what occurred. 900,000 is a drop in the bucket - hope when referendum for schools come around hope everyone will support it.
Eric Lajoie, 170 Candlewood Drive - unfortunate that there is a lot of bitterness. Do not have kids or elderly - have been asked to support both. just want a lighted field - this is clearly a divided town. there seems to be no compromise, we have come down 1.5 million dollars.
Charlie Regulabuto, not here to support or oppose. this council should not put one segment of the public against another. a referendum should be held. this council should discuss the surplus, etc.
Steve Wagner, 181 Tumblebrook Drive - I believe that nobody intended to have a meeting on a holiday. suggest to avoid this happening in the future - have TM, Town Clerk or Clerk of theCouncil to put together a calendar with all the different religious holidays. could have avoided having a meeting tonight.
Mike Mundo, 249 Maskel Road - this committee has been working every single day. We apoligize on a meeting. kids will benefit with these fields. we scaled down and compromised. rather see something put in the area - there is a demand for these fields. WE met with the BOE - we know there is a demand for these fields. this will benefit this community. We have listened to the people with what they want.
Dana Weber, Jonathan Lane - I believe we need this field. Do we need a senior center - they will use what facilities we have. do we need new elementary facilities - kids will still be going to school. If we don't want to have any change then don't do anything. this is a step.
4. Communications
Bazzano - Suspend the Rules to take up 6A and 6B, Beaulieu, unanimous.
5. Executive Session
6. Special Business
A. Resolution Concerning Nevers Park Fields Project
Bazzano, Yagaloff Bazzano - the plan did call for a - the turf gets leased. There is no conveyance of the front property. If the Town did not pay the lease, the leasing company could come and take the turf. The High School will be discussed with the Committee. Part of this resolution will be to work with the BOE to make something happen eventually. The high school will use this field. These fields would be used by the high school. Students should go to the BOE meetings to tell them what they want. Someone talked earlier about compromise. we did a lot of compromise. subcommittee came together and discussed this. we have worked with the neighbors. we added fencing, before the concession stand was taken out we moved that. Joe who lives on the other side requested a berm. we have worked with the neghbors. there was a subcommittee working on the plans. Councilor yagaloff covered all of the concerns in the resolution. urge this council to stand behind this resolution. urge council to support. not going to be in this year's budget. we talked to TM about this project. STEAP grant will be applied for in April - this project will not move forward until we have the funding. This is something to work towards for next years budget. Still has to go to P & Z. Anwar - concerns with this proposal. The location - no one who is going to be impacted has said they want this proposal. This compromise is a process and will expand in the future. so this is a phased process. As long as it is not in my backyard it is ok. that is not acceptable. should not put this propsal in others back yards. 47,000 per year pending the STEAP grant. when we were looking at the budget we were told this is a barebones budget. wher eis 47,000 coming from every year. wht service will be cut. if nothing is cut then I will say to the TM that this is not a barebone budget. Suddenly we can find 47,000 every year and not effect taxes. WE have not talked about how much it is going to cost to maintain this. The process - we are going against the essence of our charter. The charter says what it says and we are going to bypass that charter. This is for passive recreation - not for active recreation. Respect to 18 months of hard work. in the last two weeks we have found out that there are 36 1/2 fields rather then 44 fields. the number have been changed. Traffic has not been considered. WE are bypassing the referendum. Information on the website is old. The timing of this propsal. we have had the highest tax increase in the past 20 years and on top of that we want a proposal of fields. People with smaller homes have been effected the most. There is an important referendum coming forward in March regarding the schools. The right choice would be to support the schools. we need a strategy - This not hte most critcal need of the town at this time. will not support this proposal. would support in a timely fashion. McCann - Apoligize to Muslim community and Councilor Anwar - we were unaware - no intention to insult or disrepect any religion. We have a bipartisan resolution being brought forward. they worked together to cvome up with aplan to address the field needs in Town. Several towns have done two fields at a time because would be more cost effective. if we have turf fields we need lights because then those fields could be used for a longer period in a day. I support this compromise. is easonable, affordale. There was a ph held regarding this issue. our charter says if you want to issue bonds you have to go to referendum. The reason is legislature has said bonding is ------ we are not going to isseu bonds for this project so there is no need for a referendum. there is no provision in our charter. need for fields - did receive chart includes areas that are not full size athletic fields and the schedule shows the fields being used until 8:30 p.m. which can not be done because it is dark. Coventry just dedicated their turf field about three weeks ago. turf should be in stadium - couple of reasons - met with athletic director - there are constraints with the track. would be an undersized field. there is another reason why not taking another used field and turning it into turf. that owuld not be adding fields which is needed. I do support this project. eventually neeed to put in concession stands, Miracle field, lights. lets get the process started. let smove forward for the benefit of the entire town. Will support this compromise. Yagaloff - do want to say I support our Muslim neighbors. This is a lesson in government. we have a room full of people here and some come on a regular basis. some are here on this specific subject. The problem with comjpromise is it does not get you anywhere. Anyone who wanted the big project is going to hate me for distroying our big project. everyone that doesn't want project is going to say they put fields in. There is no win in conpromise. When this issue came up one year ago I said I was not interested in a big project. If a small project comes foward I think there are advantages. It is interested in how this project has evolved. The small project has an advantage. the resolution crafted was done specifically to cover the loop holes that I was concerned about. the new project is higher then what I wanted - cost to town is 400,000. Town needs to take advantage of grants. This is a small project but will change the landscape of that area. Practive area for the high school kids. There are no lights in this plan. It will have to go through P & Z for those items. That entire area is fields - this will change the environment - the beenfit to the community and to the high school warrants it. I will support this - I take one vote at a time. doing what I think is right at this time. Beaulieu - apoligize about the Muslim Holiday - It will never be the right time if you don't like the project. There has been a lot of work - there was a pulblic hearing. tonight is a lesson in compromise. The need has been established. will support this project - it is what this town needs and is the right time. Am making the best decision I feel. Havens - the way I see it all of the information we have gotten regarding this proposal. I am not going to support because the public has voiced concern. There have been other proposals that the public remembers. The timing was terrible. will not support the fields for many other reasons, the cost, school needs support more then ballfields, - this whole situation will be decided on election day. there was no need to rush into this. Thank the committee for all their work. I have supported more fields then any of these 8 other people. Snyder - if nothing else this issue has brought out a lot of people. as frustrating as this topic might have been I have appreciated people's thoughts. Thanked the pubic and residents for their thoughts. This was a learning experience. This is a compromise. I was not in support of larger project. they did stop and listened and came back with something more reasonable. It is very important that if this goes forward the neibhros are kept well informed. make sure we keep neighbors concerns in the forefront. Cricket is a very exciting sport. there is no cricket pitch in sw and this plan will allow for cricket to be played in SW. This will support other residents needs. Thanked Councilor Yagaloff and Bazzano - who worked hard on this project. Prague - Apoligize to Dr. Anwar - I am not supporting this but am going to vote in this. It is ashamed it is in senior housing area. Motion to make an amendment against taking from Recreation budget. Beaulieu seconded McCann - against taking out but will vote for it. Yagaloff - completely against taking that out. This is recreation - pulling out language would be unbelievable - if there is a shortfall funds need to come from Recreation. I can not support. 4-5 failed (amendment) Delnicki - this will forever change the landscape of that area. STEAP grant - 1 year ago wanted to complete the Old Post Office. Do not think we will get two STEAP grants. In budget we just passed, $50,000 past and do not believe any of those funds have been spent. $47,000 in htis years budget has yet to be identified. Do believe we could put a cricket pitch somewhere else in Town. I will not be supporting this. Need to focus on the school referendum - wish we could have been at that meeting tonight. Will not be supporting this. Bazzano - Good to see people in the audience. the reason the cricket pitch is being put in this area is because there is no other area to place a cricket pitch. The location was picked because it is near the High School. Referendum - we buy 700,000 fire truck and do not do referendum. Computers, etc. we have 103M budget does not go to referendum. Delnicki called for a vote - 6-3 passed
B. Resolution Authorizing Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan to Negotiate, Sign and Execute all Necessary Agreement/Contract Documents on Behalf of the Town of South Windsor with the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management
Bazzano, Snyder McCann - Anwar - STEAP - we need more economic develpment opportuntiites - Emergency Operation Center is a much more priority. vote against. STEAP grant shoudl not be used for recreation project. Havens - will not support this resolution. Too bad Mr. Galligan not here. This may never happen with STEAP money - may come out of Town funds. Thanked Gary for the work he did Bazzano - recreation does stir up economic development. Sports stir economic development. I am confident that we can get a STEAP grant for this project. In favor of a sTEAP Grant. Yagaloff - Gravel parking lot is 89 spaces, so this is a small project. there is no room for expansion of the parking. Tolland got a STEAP grant. The Tow is prohibited from making up the shortfall. If the STEAP grant does not happen then the Town can not use other funds from the Town. shall not go into taxes. this project is contingent on STEAP grant. if that does not happen then the project will not happen. The resolution just passed was built the mechanism for paying for this and can not go back into the budget and pay for more of the project out of the budget. Anwar - I think we have a difference of opinions. think worthwhile to look at model from Detroit. Business, Industry and Manufacturing are real economic models. We need jobs in town. need to focus on real items. We need a deeper plan then people coing to McDonalds. Delnicki - Tolland has a great lobbyist - Lieutenant Governor lives in Tolland. We have been talking about finally coming up with something for the Old Post Office. That is something that has been sitting for years. Will be opposing this. 6-3 passed
7. Adjournment
9:34 p.m. Prague, Bazzano unanimous
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