Annual Budget Meeting
May 17, 2005
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Town of East Windsor was held at the East Windsor Junior/Senior High School on Tuesday, May 17, 2005. The meeting was called to order by First Selectman, Linda Roberts at 7:35 P.M.
Motion was made by Ken Crouch and seconded by Peter Nevers that Linda Roberts preside as Moderator.
Motion was made from the floor and seconded by Kathy Bilodeau that nominations for Moderator be closed.
Both motions passed unanimously.
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Town Clerk, Karen W. Gaudreau, read the call to the meeting. She further stated that petitions containing the necessary 200 signatures have been verified by the Town Clerk’s office, requesting that the voting for the Town Meeting scheduled for this evening to consider and act upon the FY 2005-2006 budget be accomplished by ballot or voting machine.
Moderator read the statement of eligibility to vote.
Peter Nevers read the following resolution.
Resolved: That the budget for the Town of East Windsor for the fiscal year
2005-2006 in the amount of $28,002,072, as recommended by the Board of Finance be sent to referendum for vote. Said referendum will be set for Thursday, May 26, 2005 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mr. Nevers moved the resolution seconded by Kathy Bilodeau.
Jack Rajala, Main St. Asked for the motion to be re-read because he couldn’t hear it.
Marie DeSousa, Rice Road repeated the request to re-read.
Mr. Nevers re-read the resolution.
Kathy Bilodeau, Scantic Rd, proposed an amendment to change the date to May 25, 2005 due to a conflict with the Public Forum on the Charter being held the same evening. Don Arcari seconded the proposed amendment.
Dale Nelson, Board of Finance stated neither date needed to be changed.
Marie DeSousa, Rice Rd, agrees with Mrs. Nelson, and stated we shouldn’t change the date so one person can work at the polls.
Mrs. Bilodeau commented that it wasn’t because she had been asked to work at the polls, but that it would be a conflict of two issues of great importance to the Town.
Don Arcari, Harrington Rd, supports the change of the date.
Denise Sabotka, Board of Finance, stated that people signed the petition believing the Referendum would be held on May 26, 2005.
Town Clerk, Karen W. Gaudreau informed the meeting that the date of an adjourned Town Meeting is not set by petition signers, but per Connecticut General Statutes and the East Windsor Charter the date is set by the Legislative Body of the Town, namely those in attendance this evening.
Jack Rajala, Main St, asked how the referendum could interfere with the Charter Forum. He stated it could get more people interested
Hearing no further discussion on the amendment, Moderator asked for a show of hands. The amendment was defeated.
Bill Loos, Melrose Rd stated that seniors only got a 2½ % increase in their Social Security and can’t afford a 9% increase in their taxes. He further stated that since alarm calls are down, the Police Department should be cut to 3%. He went on to say that the Town doesn’t need a Capitol Improvement budget; it should be cut to –0-. He said the schools should be cut to 3%. He asked why the Board of Selectmen put a teacher back on the Board of Education?
Linda Roberts, First Selectman, informed him that by statute, the Board of Education appoints their own replacements
Kathy Bilodeau, Scantic Rd, questioned Conservation of Health showing a request of minus 11.4%, with the Board of Finance recommending an increase of 31.7%. Paul Catino, Board of Finance, said this was a straightforward recommendation. The Selectmen didn’t have the figures when they made their recommendations. They were waiting for a study of the Ambulance.
Don Arcari, Harrington Rd, Asked again this year for concessions from the Unions. If the Unions won’t make concessions, go to layoffs to lower expenses.
John Scully, Tromley Rd, stated East Windsor has been good to him. He asked why the Ethics line had a 700% increase. Dale Nelson, Board of Finance, said the Charter Revision Commission is included in the Ethics Line this year, and costs associated with the Charter Revision would be paid from this line. Paul Catino, Board of Finance, stated that using percentages is not an accurate way to determine increased amounts. The Ethics monatary increase was minimal.
Marie DeSousa, Rice Rd, suggested we not cut the Board of Education. Students in East Windsor are already behind other towns, She suggested we reduce the cemeteries instead. She asked if they have produced an audit. She stated the contingency fund is at an all time low, and asked if we were selling ourselves short?
Paul Catino, Board of Finance, The Fund Balance is more important and the Contingency fund is not an issue.
Linda Roberts, First Selectman, stated there were several contractual issues last year that affected the Contingency fund.
Paul Catino, Board of Finance, said Board of Finance expects audits from all agencies and may vote to withhold funds if audits are not received.
Sam McGill, Wells Road, said Board of Education seems to always get million dollar increases. Who does the negotiating? Why do teachers get raises every year? He stated he is retired and his pension hasn’t increased in years.
Blanche McGill, Wells Road, stated she is on a fixed income. Her buying power is not what it was. Seniors are getting a bad deal and need a break. She then stated we are losing our country fast enough, why do we have displays of oriental art in our auditorium?
Peter Nevers, South Main St, stated the Board of Finance did reduce amounts as requested. He acknowledged their hard work. Said he is listening to people who feel the budget is still too high and asked why they couldn’t come in with a lower number.
Paul Catino, Board of Finance, responded that the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance presented budget figures that were very close. Both boards endorse this budget. He further stated that neither board wants to raise taxes. He said there was a small increase in hours for a Part Time position and no new Full Time positions. There are big changes on the revenue side. The Fund Balance is like a Savings Account. The Town can’t keep using the Fund Balances to pay the bills. The salary increases are negotiated, if no concessions, layoffs could be expected. Health insurance costs are up dramatically, however Board of Education rates are down.
Linda Roberts, First Selectman, reiterated what Paul said. She stated we need to address the issues on a higher level, encouraging our legislators to stop unfunded mandates.
Paul Catino, Board of Finance, stated our neighbor Ellington has a population similar to ours and has a 38 million dollar budget with no full time Police Department. He asked for anyone to show him a town that compares to us with a 28 million dollar budget. He asked for anyone to show him the waste in the budget.
Don Arcari, Harrington Rd, suspects other towns are higher due to school population.
Bill Loos, Melrose Rd, seniors pay 17% for insurance premiums, why not teachers and town staff.
Andrew Masters, Rye St, Stated he is a teacher. His insurance costs are going up, teachers live by the same rules. In the next three years he will pay more. New residents expect services, Police, Park & Recreation, Fire, and Health Services. Nobody wants to pay more taxes.
Jack Mannette, Board of Finance, Stated the Board of Finance requested all agencies to submit 0 increase budgets, only contractual increases. Costs are driven by Union Contracts, they are tangible and it would be inappropriate to cut. The referendum gives everyone a chance to see what the budget is made up of. He wants the people to decide. If the referendum fails, the Board of Finance will have to go back and cut and people will be hurt.
Ed Farrell, Board of Finance, If Board of Finance has to cut funds, services will be lost.
Dale Nelson, Board of Finance, Services mean people.
With no further discussion, Linda Sinsigallo moved the original motion, seconded by Bill Loos. The Ayes prevailed and the motion to set the date of the referendum for May 26, 2005 carried.
Motion and second were received from the floor to adjourn, and meeting was declared adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted.
Karen W. Gaudreau.
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