Advisory Committee Present: Randy Dinjian
January 15, 2013 Robert Czekanski
Mike Zelenkov
Naveen Rohatgi
Connie Benjamin
The Advisory Committee met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL ON AGING (541)
Present: Sheila Chmielowski, Director, Council on Aging, Panny Gerken, Council on Aging member and Sally Steele, Outreach Coordinator
The budget requested for FY14 is $46,383. As requested, $4,200 was added to the wages line item to increase the Outreach Coordinator’s hours from 6 to 12 hours per week.
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION (179)
Present: Robyn Roberts, Agricultural Commission member
The budget requested for FY14 is $1,746 and there were no revisions to the budget.
HOUSING AUTHORITY (549)
Present: Kevin O’Brien, Chairman, Housing Authority
The budget requested for FY14 is $200 and there were no revisions to the budget.
VETERANS AGENT (543)
Present: James Cabral, Veteran’s Agent
The budget requested for FY14 is $4,580 and there were no revisions to the budget.
AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT (231)
Present: Margy Diaz, Ambulance Director
The budget requested for FY14 is $188,892.
As a result of the budget discussions, the following revisions were made:
The Wages – EMT Call/Training line item was increased from $60,000 to $70,300. (call volume, $58,800; stipends, $8,000; and training, $3,500.)
The Wages – Full time EMT/Fire – Call/Training line item was increased from $8,000 to $8,800.
The Equipment line item was reduced from $26,500 to $6,500.
Ms. Diaz originally included $20,000 in the equipment line item for the purchase of updated software to complete the ambulance run sheets. The software is compatible with the current equipment in the ambulance. Ms. Diaz stated that they will not have any support for the current software in the near future. The Advisory Committee recommended that Ms. Diaz contact Gary Perwak, IT Manager to discuss the new software. The Advisory Committee will consider whether the expense should be submitted as part of the budget or as an article.
Advisory Committee recommended that Ms. Diaz keep track of the length of the training sessions to collect data to determine the amount needed in the training line item.
Ms. Diaz will report back to the Advisory Committee with the proposed purchases from the Purchases of Services Line item budgeted at $4,000. Ms. Diaz stated that Mr. Farrell’s primary duty as full time EMT/FF is operating and driving the ambulance to emergency calls and therefore uses the ambulance as transportation around town when handling other responsibilities (i.e. inspections) of his position. Ms. Diaz stated that when seconds and minutes count it is important that the ambulance is with him at all times in case of an emergency. The Advisory Committee will continue this discussion at a later date.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
Advisory Committee Analysis: The Advisory Committee reviewed the weekly analysis spreadsheet prepared by Mr. Dinjian.
Budget Review: The Advisory Committee discussed the level of understanding the department heads should have regarding their budgets being presented to the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee was provided with copies of revised budgets for the Treasurer (145) and MIS (155).
On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. (Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – yes, Cote – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day
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