BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING – BOARD OF EDUCATION & TOWN COUNCIL
JUNE 9, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Tom Harrison called the Workshop to order at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Tom Gugliotti, Bill Hooper, Steve McGuff, Mike
Monts, Jim Speich and Mark Zacchio.
II. OLD BUSINESS
03-04/03 FY 04/05 Budget: Discussion on Adjustments.
The Chairman explained the unusual circumstance of needing to hold a third Referendum for a Budget of the Town. He asked for suggestions/recommendations from members.
Mr. McGuff reported he feels it is the job of this Board to listen and to provide. His recommendation would be that a 2.7 mill increase, which would require $393,000 additional reductions taking into consideration previous reductions, he would recommend reducing the Town Operating Budget by $193,000; the Capital Improvement Plan by $293,000. which would result in a 2.78% increase in spending and a mill rate of 23.44.
Mike Monts indicated he feels it is necessary to make more reductions at the desire of the citizens, but he is looking to $165,000 from the Town Operating Budget which would result in a 3.2% increase in spending.
Mark Zacchio feels we need more than the $193,000 and he is recommending $200,000 from the Town’s Operating Budget, $25,000 from the Capital Program and $56,000 from the Board of Education.
Jim Speich would recommend an additional $200,000 be reduced from the Town’s Operating Budget, resulting in a 3.2% reduction in spending, and a 23.5 mill increase.
Tom Gugliotti commented when the last teacher’s contract was signed, it was not excessive; it put us right in line with other contracts being signed at the time. He is in agreement with the additional reductions and feels Mr. Monts $165,000 is a reasonable compromise.
Bill Hooper asked to use the chalk board to indicate how he justified reducing the $193,000 from the Town Council’s operating budget. He indicated the Board of Education has already had their budget reduced over $900,000 and he feels that what is left is absolutely bare bones. On a motion made by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mr. Gugliotti, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance, after the two prior adjustments, approve additional downward reduction of $193,000 coming from the Town’s Operating Budget.
Messrs. Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts and Speich voted in favor. Messrs. Harrison, McGuff and Zacchio voted nay.
After further contentious discussion, Mr. Harrison opened the meeting to comments and questions. Flo Stahl spoke that this action of the Board of Finance is an insult, it is not responsive, nor is it fair to the town’s citizens. In response to Bill Huebner’s questions it was reported that the teachers’ union refused to reopen negotiations after being asked by the Board of Education. Sam Levine, Denise Reinhardt, Joanne Sinisi , Robin Schwartz, Diane Hornaday, Diane Carney, Chris Casmer and Clair Henderson all spoke against the actions of the Board of Finance that were being discussed.
After listening to all the comments, the Chairman announced this will be discussed further at a Public Hearing on June 17th, 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Senior Center.
There being no further discussion, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Elinor Burns
06-09-04 Minutes
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