Chairman Mauceri called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall in the presence of members Mr. Veno, Mr. Dardeno, Mr. O’Leary, Mrs. Bailey, Town Administrator Greg Balukonis and members of the Finance Committee.
1. COUNCIL ON AGING / VETERANS’ AGENT
Ms. Mary Prenney representing the Council on Aging presented her budget for FY07. Ms. Prenney stated that she is asking for reimbursement for internet and cell phone service, describing that she is currently paying for these services through grant money that could better be used to hire a part-time outreach employee. Ms. Prenney is also requesting $500 to attend a three day conference, as well as increased mileage and fuel costs.
Mr. Mauceri asked for more detail on the internet service and suggested that the pending contract with Verizon could alleviate that situation. Mrs. Bailey offered to approach Comcast to inquire if they would donate internet service for the Senior Center.
Mr. Tim Callahan, Veterans’ Agent, presented his budget. Mr. Callahan explained that his Public Assistance Program has been impacted by a local disabled, unemployed Veteran who has custody of his two small children. Mr. Callahan expects to see this Veteran either resume his employment or go on Social Security Disability in the future. Mr. Callahan reviewed other areas of the Veterans’ budget, including the reimbursement he expects to receive from the State.
2. COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Ms. Heidi Griffin, Planning Administrator, presented her budget for FY07. In particular, Ms. Griffin requested the lease of a color copy machine with digital capability. This topic was discussed in detail, including the need to incorporate a town-wide “master plan” to replace this type of equipment once it becomes obsolete. Mr. Balukonis said that he would bring the idea up for discussion at the next IT Committee meeting, but that the CPC office does have an urgent need for new equipment.
3. LIBRARY
Ms. Judy Segar, Assistant Director of the Flint Memorial Library, presented the budget. In particular, a request for additional employee funding was discussed. Ms. Segar stated that the request was made because the library would like to open on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
4. TOWN CLERK
Ms. Barbara Stats, Town Clerk, presented the budget, stating that it is in two parts, records and elections. In particular, Ms. Stats discussed that the town would soon be receiving three Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines, or DRE’s, that would be funded by the State but that would be programmed at a cost to the municipalities. The DRE’s are required by the Help America Vote Act, which requires these machines to be in place by September of 2006. The cost to program these machines is expected to be approximately $1,500. The machines will need to be programmed prior to every election.
Ms. Stats also requested a camera be purchased to be used for Passport photos.
5. TREASURER/COLLECTOR
Ms. Liz Craveiro presented the Treasury and Collector’s budget. Mr. Mauceri asked if the quarterly trash bill could be combined with another bill in order to reduce costs. Ms. Craveiro stated that she had considered this, but had not come up with a solution. The topic was discussed in further detail, with Ms. Craveiro stating that she will speak with her software company to see if they had any suggestions.
Ms. Craveiro provided detail on her request of $3,000 to purchase a cash register.
6. ASSESSING
Ms. Paula Dumont, Assessor, made a presentation. Ms. Dumont predicts that she will be understaffed by 1.5 employees by FY2008. Ms. Dumont’s budget requests money for a printer and a digital camera.
7. BOARD OF HEALTH
Mr. Martin Fair presented the Board of Health budget, stating that there are three key areas of the budget: administrative, environmental health and community health. There was a discussion regarding the budget for mosquito control and whether or not that amount should be increased due to the health risks associated with mosquitos. Mr. Fair felt that the town could perhaps do more public education, but other than that the mosquito control efforts currently in place are sufficient.
8. CODE ENFORCEMENT
Mr. Jim DeCola, Building Inspector, presented the budget for the Board of Appeals and Building Department. For the Board of Appeals, Mr. DeCola has requested an additional eight hours of secretarial support due to the amount of paperwork the office handles, especially for the 40B developments.
For the Building Department, Mr. DeCola has requested an additional $11,168 for additional staffing, $3,680 to be used for additional hours for the Assistant Building Inspector and $7,488 for a part-time clerk. These items were discussed.
9. RECREATION
Mr. Brian Wood presented the budget. For the fifth year in a row, Mr. Wood requested an additional $16,000 for administrative support. Mr. Wood also reviewed other increases in his budget and a miscellaneous capital request.
10. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Gene Tworek presented the budget. Mr. Tworek reviewed what his department has accomplished over the past year, and what he expects to accomplish in the upcoming year. Mr. Tworek requested $40,000 for an additional full-time employee.
11. ACCOUNTING & FINANCE
Mr. Joe Tassone presented the budget. Mr. Tassone explained that his budget was level funded except for contractual increases. Mr. Tassone informed the board that his long-term goal is to update the accounting software package.
12. ADMINISTRATION, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Mr. Balukonis made a presentation. Mr. Balukonis and the board discussed employee benefits at length, as well as county retirement, Medicare payments and worker’s compensation.
ADJOURN (11:30 PM)
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Date Joseph Veno, Clerk
| 
