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MINUTES of ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING - May 1, 2017
MINUTES of ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING held May 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Old Saybrook Middle School auditorium, Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut with approximately 40 persons attending.
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman, called the meeting to order and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Carl Fortuna moved, seconded by Scott Giegerich and unanimously voted that Grant Westerson be Moderator of this meeting. Moderator Westerson asked the Town Clerk, Sarah V. Becker, to read the call of the meeting; he noted that Item 1 is for discussion only since the questions will be voted at a Referendum May 9, 2017.
ITEM 1. To adopt the annual Budget for the Town of Old Saybrook for the fiscal year July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 as recommended by the Board of Finance in the amount of $45,377,322 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 $ 19,609,661
Board of Education $ 25,767,661
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 9, 2017, 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 the Bonded Indebtedness, in the amount of $19,609,661, and the second part being for the budget of the Board of Education in the amount of $25,767,661. 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 $19,609,661 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH ITEM #1 OF THE CALL OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING OF MAY 1, 2017?”
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 $25,767,661
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM #1 OF
THE CALL OF THE ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING OF MAY 1, 2017?”
YES NO
The Moderator called on First Selectman Fortuna to address the assembly. Selectman Fortuna was “pleased to report that the Town is strong and improving, our fiscal house is in order, expenditures controlled, revenues are steady and strong, longstanding major capital projects have been addressed, debt is manageable and declining, fund balance is the highest in the last 10 years. The 2017-18 General Government Budget is increasing by 1.8%, inclusive of debt service. The debt profile of the Town is excellent. The Town budget, when combined with the Board of Education budget, demonstrates Old Saybrook continues to be fiscally prudent.” He went on to discuss various aspects of Town government actions which will lead to savings for our residents/electors and even
though there are rough waters ahead because of less revenues anticipated from the State we are putting before the voters a low growth responsible budget.
First Selectman Fortuna then introduced Lee Ann Paladino, Financial Director, who reviewed the proposed budget figures. No questions were raised.
The Moderator then called on Jan Perruccio, Superintendent of Schools, who made a presentation reviewing the Board of Education 2017-2018 budget proposal. Superintendent Perruccio commented also on the declining enrollment projections for the next five years. They are working with UCONN preparing demographics to 2025 regarding declining enrollment. We are sharing personnel with smaller school districts (2 positions shared with Westbrook). We are adding a part time social worker, culinary position and person to facilitate students and career possibilities.
Following the presentations, the Moderator advised that a vote would not be taken at this meeting and the questions will be voted at the May 9, 2017 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, 2016 be paid in two semi-annual installments, the first being due and payable on July 1, 2017 and the second to be due and payable on January 1, 2018 with the exception of real property and personal property tax bills under $100.00, payable in one payment on July 1, 2017; motor vehicle taxes due and payable in one installment on July 1, 2017; and Supplemental Motor Vehicle tax bills due and payable in one installment on January 1, 2018.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was 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, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- That the total amount of relief allowed to taxpayers under this program for the Town of Old Saybrook fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 shall not exceed the sum of $90,000.00.
- The relief provided under this program to a qualified taxpayer shall not exceed an amount which, when added to reiief 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.
- 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, 2017 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, 2018
First Selectman Fortuna commented that 150 people applied for and qualified for this program.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 4.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to ADJOURN at 8:05 p.m. to the Annual Budget Referendum to be held May 9, 2017 at the Old Saybrook Senior High School from 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
Town Clerk
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