MINUTES – ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING - May 2, 2016
MINUTES of ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING held May 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Middle School auditorium, Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman, called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Approximately 40 persons were in attendance. Scott Giegerich moved, seconded by John Torrenti and unanimously voted that Grant Westerson serve as Moderator of the meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to accept the call of the meeting. Moderator Westerson called on Town Clerk, Sarah V. Becker, to read the call to the assembly.
ITEM 1. To adopt the annual Budget for the Town of Old Saybrook for the fiscal year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 as recommended by the Board of Finance in the amount of $44,532,466 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 $19,094,616
Board of Education $25,437,830
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8, Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Old Saybrook, and Section 7-7 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended, to adjourn said Annual 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 Tuesday, May 10, 2016, 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 $19,094,616, and the second part being for the budget of the Board of Education in the amount of $25,437,830. 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 $19,094,616. AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM #1 OF THE CALL OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING OF MAY 2, 2016?”
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 AMOUNT OF $25,437,830. AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM #1 OF THE CALL OF THE ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING OF MAY 2, 2016?”
YES NO
The Moderator advised that this item is for discussion only and will be voted on at Referendum on May 10, 2016. He then called on First Selectman Fortuna who reviewed the process and deliberations considered in arriving at this 2016-2017 budget request. The First Selectman introduced Lee Ann Paladino, Finance Director, who reported on the budget figures (General Government, Education and capital budget) amounting to a 2.74% increase. Costs will continually be reviewed to maintain steady to lower levels of expenses. Selectman Fortuna and Finance Director Paladino addressed questions.
Jan Perruccio, Superintendent of Schools, assisted by Julie Pendleton, Business Manager, presented the Education budget figures and explained where reductions were made due to a decrease in enrollments; predicted at 1,286 students with enrollments still being accepted. No questions were raised.
Moderator Westerson reminded all that this meeting will adjourn to a Referendum on May 10, 2016 from Noon to 8:00 p.m. in the Old Saybrook Senior High School.
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, 2015 be paid in two semi-annual installments, the first being due and payable on July 1, 2016 and the second to be due and payable on January 1, 2017 with the exception of real property and personal property tax bills under $100.00, payable in one payment on July 1, 2016; motor vehicle taxes due and payable in one installment on July 1, 2016; and Supplemental Motor Vehicle tax bills due and payable in one installment on January 1, 2017.
First Selectman Fortuna moved, seconded by Selectman 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, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
First Selectman Fortuna moved, seconded by David LaMay and unanimously voted to ADOPT ITEM 3.
ITEM 4. As allowed under the provisions 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, 2016 shall
not exceed the sum of $90,000.00.
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 he3reunder and under
said above-referred to sections.
f) That if 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, 2016 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, 2017.
First Selectman Fortuna moved, seconded by John Torrenti and unanimously voted to ADOPT ITEM 4.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. to the Budget Referendum on May 10, 2016 from Noon to 8:00 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Senior High School.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
TOWN CLERK
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