302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741 BOARD OF
FINANCE MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 29, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. VICKY DUFFY PAVILION AT SAYBROOK POINT |
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BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay, Chairman
Brad Thorpe, Vice Chairman
Breck Lindley
Tom Stevenson
John O’Brien
Barry O’Nell
Carol Rzasa
In Attendance
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman (8:15 p.m.)
Carol Conklin, Selectman
Bob Fish, Treasurer
Lee Ann Palladino, Finance Director
Sarah Becker, Town Clerk
Michael Spera, Chief of Police
Jan Perruccio, Superintendent of Schools
Julie Pendleton, Director of Finance & Facilities
Heather McNeil, Director Y&FS
Larry Hayden, Director IT
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Call to order
Mr. LaMay called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. LaMay led the pledge.
Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of March 15, 2016 was made by Ms. Lindley, seconded by Mr. Thorpe and passed with 1 abstention.
A motion to approve the minutes of March 22, 2016 was made by Mr. Thorpe, seconded by Ms. Lindley and passed with 1 abstention.
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Board of Education Follow-up Discussion
Ms. Perruccio handed out and discussed the responses to the board’s questions.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ENROLLMENT:
The change in special education enrollment for in-district is approximately 4-6 students in total. The percentage of special education students versus regular education students is a small number overall therefore, a small decrease that is spread over all grade levels.
UNEMPLOYMENT:
The unemployment payments have ranged from $600 to $21,000 over the past ten years. This year two certified layoffs and two non-certified reductions are expected which will result in significant unemployment exposure. One certified layoff for unemployment could result in over $20,000.
COURSE SELECTION/CLASS SIZE:
As of March 29, 2016, course selection at the High School is nearly complete and spring kindergarten enrollment has been open for a number of weeks. After reviewing these numbers with district leadership, a reduction of certified staff is expected. At this time, there is no plan for a reduction of 3 positions beyond the two already budgeted as reductions in force. The intention is to replace two of the teaching positions left open through retirement. Reductions for these positions in our annual estimation of turnovers had already been taken, so can take nothing more.
Class sizes are expected to be:
PK through Grade 3 =15-16 students per class
Grades 4 and 5 = 17 to 21 students per class
Grades 6 through 8 = 20 to 21 students per class
Grades 9 through 12 = 5 to 29 students per class
--Lab. Classes, technology education, culinary classes are smaller for safety purposes and AP and other singleton classes that are part of a continuum, i.e. French 3, may be smaller in size)
-- Some singleton classes may be much larger because there aren’t enough students to support two classes but the classes themselves are approaching maximum. Other classes can support larger student numbers, i.e. physical education, music classes
FLOOD INSURANCE:
Ms. Perruccio gave current quotes for various deductibles. These rates were only for a 30 day period. It is expected that there will be a slight change in the rates quoted as of July 1, 2016.
Fire Department Budget Discussion
The board had questions for Chief Johnson and Chief Listorti. Among the discussion was education classes and age of the apparatus belonging to the Fire Department. This list included the make, year, hours recorded and mileage. A list of this apparatus was handed out to the board.
Department of Police Services Budget Discussion
Adam Stuart, Chairman of the Police Commission introduced himself and thanked the Board of Finance for inviting this discussion. He noted that the Police Commission was a new commission with a fresh, new set of eyes. He reported that this commission went over the budget with a fine tooth comb and passed it without one opposing vote. He noted that they felt it was fiscally responsible. The Personnel schedule was discussed as was the vacation day allotment, vacation day coverage, overtime, police holiday payout, police personnel sick/injury/family sick time replacement. Chief Spera passed out a sheet listing the position number, position title and name, step, FY 16-17 salary with step only; and FY 16-17 salary 2/25% increase.
Selectman Fortuna entered the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Mr. Stevenson requested a spreadsheet of vendors in Police Budget listed on pages 23 through 27 from Treasurer Fish.
At this time, it was brought to the attention of the Board the “slides excerpted from the: 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Operating Budget Proposal Presentation to the Old Saybrook Police Commission January 8, 2016. This can be seen in its entirety by contacting the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services.
Emergency Communications are in negotiations presently. Selectman Fortuna requested that two members from the Board of Finance sit in on negotiations. Brad Thorpe and Barry O’Nell will sit in on negotiations.
Mr. Stuart thanked the Board of Finance for the opportunity to discuss their budget as did Chief Spera. Mr. LaMay thanked Chairman Stuart and Chief Spera.
Marine Patrol
Chief Spera noted that the boat was parked outside in the parking lot. There is crew orientation ongoing. Selectman Fortuna reported that he spoke with Selectman Reemsnyder in Old Lyme and they are not patrolling the river this year.
Mr. LaMay thanked Chief Spera.
Emergency Management
Chief Spera reported that for storage purposes, only things that are temperature sensitive; hurricane preparedness and things of that nature are looked at.
At this time, Selectman Fortuna reported that there was a bequest of $80K that may come to the OS Fire Department, OS Ambulance; and Mac Fund.
Mr. O’Nell inquired about the Middlesex Hospital request. Selectman Fortuna noted that Old Saybrook would like to wait for more commitments from other towns.
Public Comment
The comments from the public touched on the following:
- Inventory of assets;
- Dockage of police boat;
- Elimination of donations to Police Department;
- Storing water in plastic bottles;
- Glastonbury budget staying flat; newspaper article;
- Newington budget staying flat; newspaper article;
- Plainville cut budget; newspaper article;
- Asking BOF to consider what other towns are doing;
- Consider a 3 year plan;
- Consider cuts;
Selectman Fortuna noted that he is willing to work with the Board of Finance.
Comments from The Chair
Mr. LaMay noted that the next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, April 5th, 6:00 p.m. at the first floor conference room at the town hall. He noted that the Public Hearing is Thursday, April 7th, 2016, Middle School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was recorded in its entirety and on CD in the Town Clerk’s office.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Thorpe, seconded by Mr. Stevenson and was so VOTED unanimously.
Submitted:
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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