SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
3:00 p.m.
Town Hall – First Floor Conference Room
I. CALL TO ORDER-Mr. Giegerich not present but will join.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-Recited
III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC-None
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN – The First Selectman commented on the Governor’s proposal to place the burden of Teachers’ Retirement on the towns. This retirement was never designed, funded or controlled the towns. Now that it is a large burden on the State, the Governor would like to share its cost with the towns. This proposal simply is a cost shift to local property owners.
The Board agreed to take item VI first.
V. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Discussion and possible action for referral to the Board of Finance:
Streetlight purchase and LED replacement. Barry O’Nell joined the conversation and while not opposed to purchase is concerned about maintenance costs. The First Selectman discussed that he was in touch with Siemens international today and that he has pro formas from 3 other companies. It may also make sense to buy the streetlights from the municipal reserve account, and then finance the remainder.
B. Discussion and possible action on waiver of the Bid Ordinance, Town Code, Chapter 5, Section 5-3 B, to select a vendor from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities pre-qualified list of vendors in response to its “Streetlighting Request for Qualifications” of May, 2014. No action
VI. BUDGET WORKSHOP; FY 17–18 Budget- Chairman Adam Stuart and Chief of Police Spera presented. Mr. Stuart simply stated that the Board went with actual and that is how it come up with the budget. The Chief of Police went through a slide show that coordinated with his budget. Year over year, the budget is up 6%, with a significant majority of the increase to fund Holiday pay (over $50,000). (Mr. Giegerich joins by conference call) The Chief discussed UCOA changes, how any increase in the salary line item impacts other items, such as vacation coverage, additional hours, extra personnel, sick or injured replacement. Another large increase is the professional development line item for officers to maintain handgun certification and other certifications they must have.
Tasers will be introduced this year (less deadly force), Old Saybrook being one of the last municipalities to have tasers. While the first few years of financing the tasers may be covered by off budget funds, there will be training costs in the budget. The admin and utilites part of the budget increases modestly. (Mr. Giegerich joins in person) The Chief is also proposing to upgrade official policies to be more consistent with CALEA standards. Epinephrine and Narcan costs have also increased as has the cost of ammunition.
The Chief also spoke to Marine Patrol and increasing the budget to reflect a full season. He showed statistics from last year, demonstrating a busy year.
He spoke to financing 8 additional patrol vehicles, and trading in 8 patrol vehicles keeping the line item flat for this purpose.
There will be no increase in the Emergency Management budget.
Larry Bonin, The Director of Public Works, appeared next. His operations budget was nearly flat, excepting personnel. He is asking for an increase in the paving budget due to LOCIP decreases. He is also asking for the DPW sinking fund to be increased to 100k. He would like to replace the P & R truck and purchase a new backhoe to replace the current one which as 20,000 hours (this would be about a 130k cost).
In several years, a new roll off truck will be needed and we will have to start replacing some plow trucks.
The transfer station budget is also relatively flat. The First Selectman discussed the financial condition of MIRA which is not good leading to an increase in tipping fees. Mr. Bonin discussed composting food and recycling mandates which are coming in about 5 years.
The WPCA operation budget is up for personnel increases only. They need a van and a new vehicle to replace broken down van and the old Crown Victoria. Ms. Lewis discussed the operation of the sewer fund and how fortunate we are to have that for working capital. The First Selectman pointed out the great progress the program has made. The Town has spent a total of approximately 11m (which includes grants, general obligation bonding and benefit assessments).
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN-Bi-weekly payroll was discussed in the context of the letter from Mr. Bonin asking the Town not to go to bi-weekly. Mr. Raffalo, by letter, inquired when a handicap space may go in at the post office. This requires State permission.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT- 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman
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