Town of Mansfield

Special Town Meeting

June 8, 2009

E.O. Smith High School Auditorium

Mayor Elizabeth Paterson called the Special Town Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the E. O. Smith High School and called for the election of a Moderator.

Gregory Haddad moved to nominate Carol Pellegrine as Moderator.  The nomination was seconded and the motion to approve the nomination passed unanimously.

Mrs. Pellegrine read the notice of the meeting as published and posted. Without objection Town Clerk Mary Stanton was appointed as the Secretary for the meeting and Roberts Rules of Order were adopted.  Mrs. Pellegrine outlined the rules of debate for the meeting asking the public to limit their initial comments to five minutes. 

Mrs. Pellegrine recognized Town Council Finance Committee Chair Bruce Clouette who offered the following resolution:

RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $302,000 FOR COST WITH RESPECT TO WALKWAY AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG STORRS ROAD (CONN. ROUTE 195) AND FLAHERTY ROAD, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION.

RESOLVED,

(A) That the Town of Mansfield appropriate THREE HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($302,000) for cost with respect to walkway and streetscape improvements along the western side of Storrs Road (Conn. Route 195) approximately from its intersection with Bolton Road to the Liberty Bank Plaza property, walkway and streetscape improvements along Flaherty Road approximately from its northern intersection with Storrs Road to its intersection with Storrs Height Road, and related work and improvements.  The appropriation may be spent for design, acquisition, installation and construction cost, equipment, materials, engineering and other consultant fees, legal fees, net temporary interest and other financing cost, and other expenses related to the project.  The Town Manager is authorized to determine the scope and particulars of the project and may reduce or modify the scope of the project; and the entire appropriation may be spent on the project as so reduced or modified.

(B) That the Town issue its bonds or notes, in an amount not to exceed THREE HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($302,000) to finance the appropriation for the project.  The bonds or notes shall be issued pursuant to Section 7-369 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended, and any other enabling acts.  The bonds or notes shall be general obligations of the Town secured by the irrevocable pledge of the full faith and credit of the Town.

(C) That the Town issue and renew temporary notes from time to time in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds or notes for the project.   The amount of the notes outstanding at any time shall not exceed THREE HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($302,000).  The notes shall be issued pursuant to Section 7-378 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended.  The notes shall be general obligations of the Town and shall be secured by the irrevocable pledge of the full faith and credit of the Town.  The Town shall comply with the provisions of Section 7-378a of the General Statutes with respect to any notes that do not mature within the time permitted by said Section 7-378.

(D) The Town Manager, The Director of Finance, and the Treasurer, or any two of them, shall sign any bonds, notes or temporary notes by their manual or facsimile signatures.  The law firm of Day Pitney LLP is designated as bond counsel to approve the legality of the bonds, notes or temporary notes.  The Town Manager, The Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of them, are authorized to determine the amount, date, interest rates, maturities, redemption provisions, form and other details of the bonds, notes or temporary notes; to designate one or more banks or trust companies to be certifying bank, registrar, transfer agent and paying agent for the bonds, notes or temporary notes to provide for the keeping of a record of the bonds, notes or temporary notes; to designate a financial advisor to the Town in connection with the sale of the bonds, notes or temporary notes; to sell the bonds, notes or temporary notes at public or private sale; to deliver the bonds, notes or temporary notes; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the bonds, notes or temporary notes.

(E) That the Town hereby declares its official intent under Federal Income Tax Regulation Sections 1.150-2 that project cost may be paid from temporary advances of available funds and that (except to the extent reimbursed from grant moneys) the Town reasonably expects to reimburse any such advances from the proceeds of borrowings in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the amount borrowing authorized above for the project.  The Town Manager, the Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of them, are authorized to amend such declaration of official intent as they deem necessary or advisable and to bind the Town pursuant to such representations and covenants as they deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain the continued exemption from federal income taxation of interest on the bonds, notes or temporary notes authorized by this resolution, if issued on a tax-exempt basis, including covenants to pay rebates of investment earnings to the United States in future years,

(F) That the Town Manager, the Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of them, are authorized to make representations and enter into written agreements for the benefit of holders of the bonds, notes or temporary notes authorized by this resolution to provide secondary market disclosure information, which agreements may include such terms as they deem advisable or appropriate in order to comply with applicable laws or rules pertaining to the sale or purchase of such bonds, notes or temporary notes.

(G) That the Town Manager, the Director of Finance, the Treasurer and other proper officers and officials of the Town are authorized to take all other action which is necessary or desirable to complete the project and to issue bonds, notes or temporary notes.

The motion was seconded and Mr. Clouette was recognized for purposes of discussion.

Mr. Clouette described the scope of the project stating the goal is to improve the pedestrian-friendly character and walkability of the center of Town.  The concept was first endorsed by the Town Council in 2002.  Mr. Clouette stated the project is independent of but complimentary to the efforts of the Downtown Partnership.

Mrs. Pellegrine recognized Director of Public Works Lon Hultgren to further describe the project and to answer technical questions from those present.

Cynara Stities, Hanks Hill Road, requested a description of the types of flashing lights being considered at the crosswalks.

Answer: Crosswalk designs under consideration include pavement lights and lighted pedestrian crossing signs.

Tom Markland, Flaherty Road, asked who would be responsible for the snowplowing of the walkways.

Answer: The Town will maintain the area.

Martin Sommer, Warrenville Road, questioned the condition of the existing sidewalk in front of the high school and the town hall.

Answer: The existing sidewalk will need to be rebuilt even if this project is not approved.

Sondra Morrison, Farmstead Road, asked if a rotary at Rtes 195 and 275 is part of this project.

Answer: No it is not.

Robert Coughlin, Storrs Heights Road, asked if flashing lights at the crosswalks would be adequate.

Answer: DOT regulates what lighting is appropriate for Rte 195.

Lenore Grunko, Hanks Hill Road, asked if there is data that supports the use of flashing lights at crosswalks.

Answer: Studies have been done that show enhanced crosswalks are effective.

Ernest Herrick, Ravine Road, asked if variables such as change orders are included in the total amount to be appropriated.

Answer: Yes

Annie Perkins, Stearns Road, asked why the walkway was positioned on the western side of the road.

Answer: The slopes are too steep on the eastern side and therefore a walkway would be too costly to install.

Robert Dyjak, Atwoodville Road, questioned why the 5 existing pedestrian crossings on Rte. 195 are not adequate.

Answer: Residents have expressed a need for crosswalks in this area.

Aline Booth, Wormwood Hill Road, wondered whether the trees in front of the high school will be preserved and whether or not any changes are planned to the street side of the curb.

Answer: The preliminary plans show only one tree will be affected and all changes will be on the other side of the curb.

Moderator Carol Pellegrine thanked Mr. Hultgren and asked if there were additional residents who would like to speak.

Ric Hossack, Middle Turnpike, requested the vote on the resolution be by paper ballot.

The motion was seconded and passed with 162 in favor and 145 opposed.

Lyn Stoddard, Ravine Road, spoke in favor of the resolution commenting that its implementation would help us wean ourselves from vehicles and make the town more livable.  Ms. Stoddard noted that we would be spending $300,000 to receive over $1,000,000.

Karla Fox, Storrs Heights Road, explained the public safety issue for those living in the Storrs Heights area.  Ms. Fox commented that residents have been working on the issue for a decade.

Howard Raphaelson, Timber Drive, spoke in favor of the project saying it makes sense economically to approve the authorization.  The repairs on the existing sidewalks in front of the high school and the town hall will cost more than the matching funds will cost the Town.

Jane Blanshard, Sycamore Drive, commented that other sections of Town, including Glen Ridge, have also been requesting sidewalks.

Martin Sommer, Warrenville Road, spoke in favor of the motion for both fiscal and social reasons.  Fiscally we are sharing the burden of financing this project with everyone in the state whereas if we just do the repairs to the sidewalks it will come only from Mansfield residents.  Socially this project will improve the safety and well being of our citizens.

Deidre Goodrich, Westwood Road, stated that support for the project is an important step for planning for the future.

Jill Coghlan, Stafford Road, spoke in favor of the project and asked when the money will be available. 

Don Curtis, Fern Road, asked how Rte 195 was chosen over South Eagleville Road.

Don Baxter, Storrs Heights Road, spoke in favor of the project noting the high school students living on Storrs Heights Road are not bussed to school, making a safe walk way even more important.

Peter Millman, Dog Lane, spoke in favor commenting that the project shows one more way the Town is working to improve its livability.  In the future, Mr. Millman would like to see the sidewalks extended to Birchwood Heights.

Charles Dainton, Mansfield City Road, questioned the budgetary implications for the Department of Public Works and asked if the deterioration of the sidewalks is a result of lack of maintenance.

Stella Ross, Hanks Hill Road, spoke in support of the project and asked if any consideration had been made to providing post with doggy bags along the route.

Corine Noorgard, Wormwood Hill Road, called the question.

The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.

The vote on the resolution as presented was by paper ballot.  With 328 persons voting, the motion passed with 270 in favor and 58 opposed.

Without objection the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Mary Stanton

Town Clerk