TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
BUDGET COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 5, 2013
PRESENT Ram Aberasturia, Chair, Councillors Barbara-Ann Rossi, Esther Clarke
ALSO Marcia Leclerc, Mayor (arrived 5:38 p.m.)
PRESENT Mike Walsh, Finance Director
Bill Horan, Councillor
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Aberasturia called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 19, 2012 Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to approve the minutes from the January 19, 2012 meeting.
Motion carried 2/0. Abstain: Clarke
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
OLD BUSINESS
Update of Combining Services: I.T., Legal, Purchasing
The Chair asked for a general update of the trash and recycling consolidation with the Board of Education from Mike Walsh, Finance Director. The front loading refuse truck took some time to order and should be here in April. Mr. Walsh anticipates the start of the trash and recycling pick-up soon. The savings for this consolidation of services is approximately $25,000 annually. In the Human Resources area, the consolidation of services with the Board of Education was not a discussion, due to the heavy workload at the Board’s office. However, since the town has hired Santiago Malave, Human Resources Director, Mr. Walsh indicated that he would support discussing this option further. Regarding Corporation Counsel, Rich Gentile and Scott Chadwick handle and review all non-educational grants –
no need for formal consolidation in this department. The same holds true for the Risk Manager.
Purchasing Department: Frank Cassetta, formerly an Assistant Corporation Counsel, crafted two MOU’s which detailed a working collaborative with the town’s and Board’s I.T. and purchasing departments. Both MOU’s went unsigned. Mr. Walsh indicated that Michelle Enman, Purchasing Agent for the town, and Stan Staron, Purchasing Agent for the Board, work well together.
I. T. Department: Mr. Walsh indicated that the MOU prepared by Frank Cassetta was not signed by the Board. He also indicated that the supervisor’s union for the Board of Education refused to sign the MOU. However, the project to move the Board’s financial system to MUNIS is going forward – all contracts have been signed – and should be completed in about two years. Estimated cost savings is approximately $25,000 annually.
Chair Aberasturia asked if the town had considered paying employees through direct deposit (not a paper check). Mr. Walsh indicated that the town had included that in their recent union labor negotiations, but had lost that point in arbitration. It was also stated that the town could not require employees to be paid through direct deposit. However, the town will start issuing electronic pay stubs in the near future.
Mr. Walsh started a general discussion on the high-deductible health insurance plan.
NEW BUSINESS
Review of Department Organizational Charts
Mr. Walsh presented the Committee with an East Hartford 20-year old organizational chart and the town of Manchester’s organizational chart. Upon review East Hartford has increased their efficiency by consolidating responsibilities. Specifically we are 8 positions more efficient in the Finance Department and 5 positions at the Library. When we compare East Hartford’s Library to Manchester’s it appears we are 22 positions more efficient.
While he has a general overview of what each position requires, Mr. Walsh suggested that the Committee bring the organizational charts to the upcoming budget workshops to inquire of the directors what a job position specifically entails.
The Chair expressed that the intent of this process, was to get a head start on the upcoming budget and to access if we could find efficiencies. The Chair wanted to make clear that efficiencies would be attained through attrition and not layoffs.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Esther Clarke
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adjourn (6:15 p.m.)
Motion carried 3/0.
cc: Town Clerk
Town Council
Marcia Leclerc, Mayor
Mike Walsh, Finance Director
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