Annual Budget Meeting
May 16, 2006
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Town of East Windsor was held at the East Windsor Junior/Senior High School on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. The meeting was called to order by First Selectman, Linda Roberts at 7:40 P.M.
Motion was made by Bill Loos and seconded by Don Arcari that George Butenkoff preside as Moderator.
Motion was made by Tom Sinsigallo and seconded by Bill Loos 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 2006-2007 budget be accomplished by ballot or voting machine.
Moderator read the statement of eligibility to vote.
Paul Catino, Chairman of the Board of Finance, read the following resolution.
Resolved: That the budget for the Town of East Windsor for the fiscal year
2006-2007 in the amount of $28,466,684, as recommended by the Board of Finance be sent to referendum for vote. Said referendum will be set for Thursday, May 25, 2005 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mr. Catino moved the resolution seconded by Don Arcari.
Paul Catino, Chairman of the Board of Finance explained that the proposed 5% increase in the budget related to a 3% increase in taxes. He stated the impact on property valued at $125,000 would be an increase of approximately $102.00 per year. He further stated that this budget is the cost of maintaining current services. There are no new programs, no new positions and no new services. He warned that not passing this budget at the first referendum would force the Board of Finance to cut into existing services; we have two choices, keep the current level of services or have less.
He stated that Capital Improvement Projects are terribly underfunded, have been reduced from last year.
He also stated that the Pension liability is seriously underfunded.
He stated the budget does not meet the needs of the Town; it is not keeping pace with the growth of the Town.
He said our Debt service while showing the largest increase is still well below most other towns; we are 94th of 169 towns.
He stated our Commercial/Residential mix is favorable. We are 28% Commercial/Industrial tax base, 7th out of 169 towns.
He said the Police Department had the largest increase 6%, however it is all contractual increases, there are no new positions.
He commented that the Education increase was 4.4%. He commended the negotiation of health benefits at less than 5% increase and said in per pupil spending we are 7th out of 169 towns.
Moderator asked for further discussion, and simultaneously Gil Hayes asked to speak while Bill Loos moved the question. Don Arcari seconded moving the question. Again Mr. Hayes asked to speak and was told that the question was moved and seconded and discussion had ended.
Moderator asked for a voice vote on moving the question and declared the Ayes had it.
Moderator asked for a voice vote on the resolution and declared the Ayes had it.
Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Loos and seconded by Don Arcari.
Moderator declared meeting adjourned by an Aye vote at 8:00 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted
Karen W. Gaudreau
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