South Windsor voters approved two of the five capital improvements referendum questions on Tuesday.
The two projects - the school and road improvements questions - total $9.79 million.The two questions that passed are the following:
- Question 1 will cost $5.79 million for school renovations, improvements and educational technology, including roof replacements at the high school (partial), Orchard Hill and Pleasant Valley elementary school (approx. $3.2 million); $195,000 to replace lockers in the high school gym; $78,720 to resurface the high school track; $1.35 million for computer equipment; $650,000 to repave the high school parking lot phase 2 of 5; replace the floor at Pleasant Valley kitchen ($52,500) and the serving line at Timothy Edwards School ($74,420).
- Question 3 will cost $4 million for paving and drainage improvements on six connector or arterial roads and neighborhood roads as well. $3 million would be set aside for the six connector roads and another $980,000 would go to neighborhood roads.
Question 1 passed by a total of 8,094 in favor to 4,650 against; Question 3 passed 7,029 to 5,568 against.
The three questions that failed to pass are the following:
- Question 2, which would have cost $1.27 million for renovations and improvements to town buildings, including $235,000 for community center boilers and heat pumps; $400,000 for police department oil/gas storage tank, generator, HVAC pumps and cooling tower; $75,000 for a community center generator; $220,000 for a generator at the high school shelter; $255,000 for town replacement of boilers, including gas mains, ADA improvements.
- Question 4 would have included $1.62 million for improvements to the town’s information technology systems, including the following: $555,000 for computers and equipment; $575,000 for network upgrades; $475,000 for GIS/database conversion and upgrade.
- Question 5 would have included $1.02 million for improvements to the park system, including the possible construction of a playground at Veterans Memorial Pool, as well as expansion of the bike path network and improvements to the irrigation systems and restrooms.
Question 2 failed to pass by a total of 5,447 for to 7,205 against.
Question 4 failed to pass by a total of 6,026 in favor to 6,587 against.
Question 5 failed to pass by a total of 5,941 in favor to 6,729 against.
"I'm disappointed they all didn't pass, but I'm thankful that the residents passed two of them," Town Councilor Jan Snyder, who spearheaded the capital improvements project referendum questions, said. "I am looking forward to moving ahead with the capital improvement program, which includes a 5-year plan. The passing of these two questions puts us on the right path to achieving that goal."
Mayor Tom Delnicki said that he believed that the proposed combination community center/ice rink project that was recently brought before the Town Council may have had a chilling effect on at least the recreation referendum.
"I know some people who said that they voted against all the referendum questions because of it," Delnicki said.
Still, Delnicki said that he was pleased that the roads and schools questions passed.
"We need to have roads repaired and we need those school roofs replaced," Delnicki said.
[This article was updated to reflect the addition of absentee ballots]
Everyone comes out a winner, families with children right thru to the seniors who have 720 sq feet at the existing center. It is an excellent addition to benefits of moving and living in Sputh Windsor. A few weeks ago I sent a letter to Ted regarding the inequity of the sewer tax and received no acknowledgement. I had to ask another TC member to intervene. Ted responded with more lip service. Bottom line, time for a change in members on the TC.
Don't you want to be known for some mayoral qualities. You have chance to do something special, that will last generations, to unify, but you have been closed minded from the start. You and Doc Anwar have been in the same wrong page, maybe you can start a smoke shop together. I think you will end up with more free time, next year, if you don't change your ways. How about you start listening! Find answers-don't be part of the problem.
Tatyana M.
There was no question on the ballott about the proposed Evergreen Walk complex It will take several months to vet that and create a real proposal that can be eventually done or voted on..
Cary-You have been the Mayor, a champion in regards to the Rec Center, Families, Seniors, Businesses! Can we count on you to unite the town, and be part if something special?!! Please tell us you are in support of this project. We need more leaders like you!
I write to you and all that may read these comments regarding the new Community Center. South Windsor became my home approximately 5 years ago. We were not limited financially as to where we could live and chose this great community for the opportunities in education, recreation, safety and the proximity of TARGET. Since my involvement with the South Windsor Youth Hockey Association 5 years ago, I have seen a dramatic change in the organizations leadership and approach to preparing our children in competitive sport as well as competitive life. My children played in a different organization the last two years and despite my excitement to be back with the Knights, it didn't take long to be reminded of how deplorable the facility conditions are at the South Windsor Arena. When my wife and I looked at the pros and cons of South Windsor, the one concern was the lack of a town center atmosphere similar to West Hartford. Like most choices, we had to weigh out these differences and make an educated decision that was best for our children. We are happy with our decision but find ourselves visiting Blue Back Square on a regular basis for dinner and other festivities. When making your final decision, please look at the pros and cons carefully and consider the future image of South Windsor. Let's make a great place to live and raise a family even better. Kind Regards
Question #5. Without commenting on the new Community Center and Fields Proposals, which will be decided upon in the future (both of which I support with some reservations), some people voting yesterday may very well have been confused on what was included in the referendum project. We may have gained some votes from people who support new fields and incorrectly thought that they were included and we also could have lost votes if some people not in favor of either turf fields or a new hockey rink again incorrectly thought were included. As a member of the Park & Recreation Commission and a 30+ year supporter of recreation in town I understand what the plan included (trails, playground, irrigation, etc...), but if only a few hundred people did not fully understand than it could very well have effected the final 53-47% results. It would be nice if all these recreation projects could be fully vetted by one group, like the Parks & Recreation Commission, priorities set, and then be brought forward in a more organized time frame. THANKS.
There is a small window of opportunity here. How could the Town Council vote No. Yes is the only thing that makes sense. Vote Yes, and let's get started with the project.
Delnicki was quoted as saying "I see Evergreen Walk as the big winner of this project" Delnicki, do you want evergreen walk to fail? The council and town manager should follow up this project and urge the deveopler to get housing in there next. Boy I miss Highland Park Market!
But Cheryl, your comments about Evergreen Walk are actually illustrative of the concerns that many folks, myself included, have about this most recent proposal. One thing that I have observed from the Evergreen Walk struggles over the many years is that they are a perfect example of exactly why you simply cannot believe whatever a developer promises. All the issues you cite for Evergreen Walk illustrates just how illusionary are these so-called “solid” developer plans and “no brainers for the town”. If you know the history of Evergreen Walk (and please ask Mr. McCann as he presided over P&Z through many of its gyrations) they went into their project with eyes-wide-open that no residential was allowed in the gateway zone! And as for Highland Park Market – same thing – no grocery store was allowed (and no residential) in the zone when they actually FOUGHT to get in. And still, AMAZINGLY the residential units, once finally approved, are still not built today! Likewise: the hotel that was green-light and part of their master plan from the beginning. Never built! Now they say they can only build a hotel with seven years’ worth tax abatement (while all the towns around us have built multiple hotels over the intervening period).
As for the recreation center why not use the old post office that the town paid 1.1 million dollars for. The town just recieved $500.000 grant from the state. There is plenty of parking and plenty of room for the seniors. Use the space the town already has. Do not go and look to spend more money when we do not have too. Use the resource that we already have. That's called being responsible. People move to this town not for ice ricks, but for their great school system, and for a safe place bring their childern up. Let try to keep the town affordable for new families.
Among other things, it is a booster shot in the arm to local businesses that would all clearly benefit from more potential shoppers coming through the area. It provides a central area for our community. It creates space for our senior citizens. It provides for a community center for everyone that includes indoor swimming, skating and gymnasium. All of this attracts new folks to our Town, and it all adds incentive for our existing citizens to remain in the Town. You mention good school system and safety for our kids. But the reality is that many towns have good school systems and safe neighborhoods for kids, including South Windsor. So, what makes new people want to move here, and what makes existing residents want to stay here? Good facilities may not be the complete answer, but they're certainly part of that puzzle. The financing possibilities for this project are a historic bargain. Nobody wants to spend bad money on a bad project. But on the flip side of the coin, we need to have the courage and intelligence to recognize opportunities to spend good money on a good project, and that's also called being responsible.
When looking for a house in a town you looking for a good school system which South Windsor year in and year out is near the top in the state and nationally. How are we going to get people in town when our schools are falling apart around the kids while they are in school. ie ceiling tiles falling from the ceiling, leaking roofs We have space that the town can use and not spend any money for a building . Once again there is the post office that can be used. People like new buildings and do not want to use things that we already a have. Use the grant money that the state gave us if it fits the grant. People have not answer the question still have who is to pay for the land where the building is going. The owner of Evergreen Walk is not going to give the land over to the town. That will cost the town money more then the 10.5 million that was talked about if I'm correct. I'm all in favor of great facilities for the kids it helps keep them out of trouble. But we have to be smart about it and not wasteful.
The project proposed to the town is one beneficial to so many of our residents and is still in works. It would have nothing to do with the others voted on. I don't believe that Evergreen Walk would be the only winner. there would be such wide demographic of people using that Center from our town and I'm sure other towns who wouldn't normally be in South Windsor that all win from this. Let's not let personality conflicts get in our way.
Paul McCluskey