FOURTH ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING
July 10, 2006
The Annual Budget Meeting of the electors and citizens qualified to vote in Town Meetings of the Town of East Hampton was held on Monday, July 10, 2006 at the East Hampton High School on North Maple Street.
Moderator Faber opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Moderator Faber directed Town Clerk, Sandra Wieleba, to read the Legal Call. Motion made by Mr. Alan Bergren and seconded by Ms. Allison Walck to accept the Legal Call. Motion passed with one vote against.
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Item. #1. To take action pursuant to Section 7 – 7 of the Connecticut General Statutes to set the time and date for a referendum by “YES” or “NO” vote on voting machines for the approval or disapproval of the Annual Budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 as recommended by the Town Council.
Moderator Faber requested resolution #1.
Ms. Allison Walck presented “RESOLVED that this Town Meeting sets the date of Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a referendum by “YES” or “NO” vote on voting machines for approval or disapproval of the annual budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 as recommended by the Board of Finance and approved by the Town Council”, seconded by Mr. Alan Bergren.
Moderator Faber asked if there was any discussion.
Mr. John E. Dash, 2 Bryon Road asked if absentee ballots would be available for the July 18th budget referendum. Town Clerk Wieleba indicated that it would available on July 11th for anyone needing to vote by absentee ballot. Mr. Dash asked for a summary of expenses listed under the heading of Administration & Finance – Contingency and the addition of $97,000. Mr. Bergren indicated that the Board of Finance added this amount in order to cost fuel costs. He further stated that the previous budgets did not take this into account.
Mr. John Dash asked why the Board of Finance did not breakdown the amount allocated for the electricity and fuel and how it had arrived at this amount. Mr. Bergren indicated that the Board of Finance had consolidated the full amount into one category which would only allow the Board of Finance and Town Council to transfer the funds as needed. Mr. Bergren further indicated that contributions to the capital funds for capital projects would be used for the water system in the village center.
Mr. John Dash asked about the compensated absences fund and why the last two budgets had allocated $60,000, but the current budget reflected a $0 amount. Mr. Bergren explained that the Board of Finance was able to utilize assets received from the sale of stock from Anthem Blue Cross. This fund would pay employees, when they left employment with the Town, for accrued sick and vacation time.
Moderator Faber called for a vote on the resolution #1 as there was no further discussion or questions. Vote declared in affirmative.
Motion by Ms. Allison Walck to recess the budget meeting at 7:13 p.m., to the referendum on July 18, 2006 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seconded by Mr. Alan Bergren. Motion passed.
Sandra M. Wieleba, Town Clerk
REFERENDUM July 18, 2006. Deputy Moderator Martin called the adjourned Town Meeting to order at 6:00 a.m. and voting began and continued until 8:00 p.m. Moderator Faber called for counting of machine votes. Moderator Faber reported that the budget FAILED. Motion to adjourn by Ms. Allison Walck and seconded by Mr. Peter Brown. Moderator Faber called for vote. Vote in affirmative.
Five voting machines were used and 31 absentee ballots were received and counted with none being rejected as follows:
SHALL THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL BE APPROVED?
Question |
YES |
NO |
|
|
|
Machine 153804 |
312 |
518 |
Machine: 84051 |
211 |
363 |
Machine: 149294 |
96 |
125 |
Machine: 155486 |
32 |
31 |
Machine: 68619 |
31 |
38 |
Machine Total |
682 |
1,075 |
Absentee Total |
15 |
16 |
TOTAL: |
697 |
1,091 |
Total 18% of voters:
34 non-resident votes
Adjourned: Sandra M. Wieleba, Town Clerk
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