MINUTES of ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING - April 30, 2013
MINUTES of ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING held Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Old Saybrook Middle School auditorium, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut,
with approximately 35 persons attending.
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman, called the meeting to order, welcomed all in attendance and led
the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Selectman Fortuna introduced Selectman Giegerich
and Selectman Gernhardt. Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Barbara Maynard and
unanimously voted, that Grant Westerson serve as Moderator of the meeting. Mr. Westerson
asked the Town Clerk, Sarah V. Becker, to read the call.
ITEM 1. To adopt the annual Budget for the Town of Old Saybrook for the fiscal year
July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 as recommended by the Board of Finance in the amount
of $39,760,553 and to make appropriations for the schools, highways, bridges, sidewalks,
library, cemeteries, fire protection, police department and all other necessary objects and
purposes:
General Government $16,200,705
Board of Education $23,559,848
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8, Section 4, and Chapter 9, Section 6 of the Charter of the
Town of Old Saybrook, and Section 7-7 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended, to
adjourn said Town Budget Meeting at its conclusion and to submit the question of the adoption
of said budget to vote, upon the voting machines of the Town of Old Saybrook, on Wednesday,
May 8, 2013, between the hours of 12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m. Said referendum shall take place at
the Old Saybrook Senior High School Gymnasium, 1111 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
The adoption of said budget, as recommended by the Board of Finance, shall be placed on the
voting machines of the Town of Old Saybrook in two parts, the first part being for the budget
of the General Government including Bonded Indebtedness, in the amount of $16,200,705, and
the second part being for the budget of the Board of Education in the amount of $23,559,848.
Said questions will be placed on the voting machines under the following heading:
Question #1. SHALL THE TOWN ADOPT THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT PART OF THE
ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,200,705.00
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM #1 OF
THE CALL OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING OF APRIL 30, 2013?
YES NO
Question #2. SHALL THE TOWN ADOPT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PART OF THE
ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK IN THE AMOUN T OF $23,559,848
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM #1
OF THE CALL OF THE ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING OF APRIL 30, 2013?
YES NO
The Moderator reminded us that this Item is for discussion only as it will go to a referendum vote
on May 8, 2013. The Moderator called on Selectman Fortuna who reviewed the deliberations
culminating in the Selectman bringing forth this budget. He also noted that the cost of employee
health insurance has increased 8% as well as increases in other insurance packages (workmen’s
compensation, etc.). Other towns that offer services like Old Saybrook have 3-4% increases.
Almost all employees are governed by collective bargaining units. We are being aggressive
in trying to bring more businesses to Town and there are some he cannot mention who are interested.
School projects as well as the police facility will be coming up soon. The Board of Selectmen is
working closely to assure that the bond for future projects does not negatively affect the budget.
Heston Sutman, Interim Superintendent of Schools, introduced Jan Perruccio who has just been
hired as Superintendent of Old Saybrook Schools. He reviewed the awards received and excellent
test scores achieved here. He commended Julie Pendleton for her efforts in finding ways to save
money and Pam Listorti for her assistance. He noted that this budget is reduced by one (1)
administrator and one (1) teacher.
A citizen thanked the Police Commission, Police Department, Board of Finance and Board of
Selectmen for including the SRO’s (Student Resource Officer) in this budget.
At the conclusion of discussion, Moderator Westerson reminded us of the May 8th Referendum.
ITEM 2. To adopt the following resolution: In accordance with the provisions of Section 12-142 of the
General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended, that the property taxes assessed and levied by the Town
of Old Saybrook on the Grand List of October 1, 2012 be paid in two semi-annual installments, the first
being due and payable on July 1, 2013 and the second to be due and payable on January 1, 2014, with
the exception of real property and personal property tax bills under $100.00 payable in one payment on
July 1, 2013; motor vehicle taxes due and payable in one installment on July 1, 2013; and Supplemental
Motor Vehicle tax bills due and payable in one installment on January 1, 2014
Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Scott Giegerich and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 2.
ITEM 3. To authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen to borrow such sums of money from the
Town of Old Saybrook fund balances and/or from other sources as the Board may deem necessary,
in anticipation of tax revenues, to pay the appropriations of the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2013
to June 30, 2014.
Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Julie Pendleton and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 3.
ITEM 4. As allowed under the provision of Section 12-129n of the General Statutes of Connecticut, to
act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance to provide tax relief to certain homeowners of the
Town of Old Saybrook aged 65 or over, or permanently and totally disabled, under the following conditions:
a) That the homeowner meet the requirements for age and/or disability under the specific provisions
of Section (1) and (2) of Section 12-129n(a) of the General Statutes of Connecticut.
b) That the homeowner be a taxpayer of the Town of Old Saybrook for a period of one year next immediately
preceding their receipt of tax benefits under this program.
c) That the homeowner meet the income requirements for eligibility for tax relief under the provisions
of Section 12-129b of the General Statutes of Connecticut.
d) That the total amount of relief allowed to taxpayers under this program for the Town of Old Saybrook
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013 shall not exceed the sum of $75,000.00
e) The relief provided under this program to a qualified taxpayer shall not exceed an amount which, when
added to relief for such taxpayers, is eligible under the provisions of Section 12-129b to Section 12-129d,
inclusive, or Section 12-170aa of the Connecticut General Statutes, which in the aggregate, exceed 75%
of the property tax for which such taxpayers would be liable but for the benefits hereunder and under said
above-referred to sections.
f) That is deemed necessary by the Old Saybrook Tax Assessor and Tax Collector, by reason of time
constraints, the property tax relief program for the tax year beginning July 1, 2013 may be implemented by
Certificates of Correction (for the full amount of the relief) issued with respect to the installment of taxes
due and payable January 1, 2014.
Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Julie Pendleton and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 4.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted at 7:30 p.m .t o adjourn to a Budget
Referendum on May 8, 2013 from Noon to 8:00 p.m. in the Old Saybrook High School gymnasium.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
TOWN CLERK
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