Minutes

Present: T. Callahan, B. Feldman, A.J. Pappanikou, E. Paterson, W. Simpson, G. Zimmer, R. Hudd, J. Bell-Elkins

Staff: M. Hart, M. Capriola, G. Paddick, J. Jackman, C. van Zelm,

1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None.

2. April 10, 2007 Meeting Minutes

The minutes of April 10, 2007 were passed unanimously.

3. University Spring Weekend

John Jackman, Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Director for the Town, distributed preliminary 2007 Spring Weekend work measures. The data represented the work load of all public safety entities helping with the event (i.e. state police, UCONN police, Mansfield Fire & Emergency Services). Approximately 300 public safety staff members worked each night of Spring Weekend. The number of incidents each evening qualifies as a mass casualty event. The work measures do not indicate the number of incidents that were prevented.

Mr. Hart commended the University and its students for providing and participating in alternative events at the Student Union. Mayor Paterson stated that positive changes in student behaviors and attitudes towards Spring Weekend are occurring. Mayor Paterson noted that the number of underage children participating in Spring Weekend was problematic. She recommended that the University and the Town work with EO Smith in future years to deter high school student activity in Spring Weekend.

Discussion occurred regarding ways to deter Spring Weekend non-University sponsored events. Mr. Jackman commented that the more difficult it becomes to drive and park on campus during the weekend, the less likely non-UCONN students are to participate in Spring Weekend. He also recommended that the University continue to sponsor alternative programming and venues to Carriage House, Celeron, and X-Lot. Ms. Bell-Elkins stated that the USG President and many students are on board to make positive changes; the window of opportunity to start making changes in the right direction currently exists. Mr. Zimmer asked if there was any way to require permits for private parties, with the permitees paying for security. Mr. Hudd and Mayor Paterson discussed the pros and cons associated with trying to stop students from participating in non-University sponsored activities.

Mr. Callahan stated that based on the preliminary work measures, 2 of the 3 Spring Weekend nights were better than last year (fewer incidents). Mr. Hudd said that weapons were brought to campus, but no guns were confiscated or discovered. From the UCONN police perspective, X-Lot (Saturday) is the most challenging event/night. For the most part, students were cooperative and thankful for the efforts of public safety personnel. Ms. Bell-Elkins commented that the concert had a weak draw, so it did not have much of an impact on deterring student participation in X-Lot. The weather was good, so more people participated in events than last year.

4. Pedestrian Safety on Local Roads

Mr. Hart spoke to the work being performed by Town staff to improve pedestrian safety. Hunting Lodge Road will undergo an 18 month project that will include a sidewalk/bikeway. Work will begin this fall with construction occurring in Spring 2008.

5. Community Water and Wastewater Systems Master Plan

Mr. Callahan stated that the consulting team has completed the draft. The team did a good job with projected demand, adequacy of supply, condition of infrastructure, value of infrastructure, and governance. The study looked at 100 university water/wastewater systems across the country; the only comparable system is in Dartmouth/Hanover. Most focused on demand, but the bigger issue is infrastructure and governance.

6. Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Ms. van Zelm reported on the April 26, 2007 public hearing. The hearing was continued to May 21, 2007 and she was working on a response. Mr. Zimmer asked if the applicant would consider the addition of a third pipe for reuse of effluent. Mr. Callahan provided an explanation to Mr. Zimmer’s question.

7. Mansfield Community-Campus Partnership

Mayor Paterson stated that Mr. Jackman was at the last meeting. The group will prepare a paper on Spring Weekend.

8. Other Business

None.

The meeting adjourned at 5:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria E. Capriola

Minutes

Assistant to Town Manager