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Mayor Pelkey called the meeting to order at approximately 4:35 p.m.
Members Present
Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
Michael Gantick, Director of Public Works
Kathy Hale, Town Council
Patrick Hankard, Dir. of Facility Services, Board of Education
Dr. Robert Kozaczka, Superintendent of Schools
Kevin McCann, Town Council
Donna McKenty, Business Manager, Board of Education
John Pelkey, Mayor, Town Council (Chairperson)
Members Absent
Lisa Maneeley, Chair, Board of Education
Janice Snyder, Board of Education (Vice Chairperson)
Guests Present
Ray Favreau, Director of Recreation
Walter Summers, Fire Marshal
Scott Roberts, Director of Information Technology
- Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
NONE
Review of Town’s Capital Projects
Mr. Michael Gantick explained the items listed on the attached Proposed 2010-2011 Capital (Exhibit A) and answered various questions from the Committee Members. He also distributed and explained the attached Capital Adopted Budget History (Exhibit B).
Town Manager Galligan suggested that the Town Council pass a Capital Policy and have the Capital Projects Committee follow that policy. He thinks the Committee works very hard and needs direction from the Town Council. He reiterated what Mr. Gantick had said with regard to next year’s budget being paid for by this year’s surpluses. It is a classic financial mistake. He said it is also a terrible mistake to remove all equipment from the budget. He pointed out that in tough economic times, the Capital is where you can benefit because people start reducing their prices.
Councillor McCann stated that one of the problems that the Town Council and Board of Education face is that if you don’t reduce the capital expenditures in a bad economic year, and you want to focus on the operating expenses, the most expensive part of the Operating Expenses are personnel costs. If you want to reduce personnel costs, personnel needs to be reduced. People resist reducing personnel. He said that no one likes to layoff anyone because it hurts somebody’s family and that is the difficulty that is being faced.
The Town Manager said that the Capital Budget does not need to be increased, but leave it where it is so that it doesn’t deteriorate. He said the Council needs to determine what the Town’s core business is going to be.
Ms. McKenty stated that there are some items in Capital that belong in Operating. She said that the Capital Budget either needs to have a component to the budget that is core repetitive maintenance or some items need to be moved to the Operating Budget. There needs to be room in Capital for Capital growth.
Mr. Gantick confirmed for Councillor McCann that the list of items does not include Capital Leases. Town Manager Galligan explained that Bond Counsel recommended Capital Leases be separate.
Mr. Gantick explained for Ms. McKenty why the Computer Improvement Program and Safe Routes to Schools are so much.
Review of Board of Education’s Capital Projects
Mr. Patrick Hankard explained the items listed on the attached South Windsor Board of Education 2010-11 BOE Capital Projects (Exhibit C).
With regard to the first item, the SWHS ADA Updates (OCR), as a result of a meeting that the Superintendent held with the Lawrence Associates, the Board has gone ahead and are now moving forward on the design of several of the bigger items so that they will be much closer to schematic plans, hence much better budget estimates. It was confirmed that out of the $938,715 about $516,000 would be reimbursable.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Safe Routes to School program. Councillor McCann asked if it would impact the transportation costs for the schools. He thinks that the program should reduce the requirement or the need for as many buses. Ms. McKenty then briefly explained the new Transportation Policy. Councillor McCann stated that the next time the Policy is reviewed, the Safe Routes to School program should be taken into consideration.
Town Manager Galligan suggested getting high school students involved in a community project to act as crossing guards.
It was stated that they purchased software and have hired a Transportation Coordinator to allow for them to schedule the bus routes in house.
Mayor Pelkey pointed out that the Eli Terry Gym Floor Replacement does not meet the $50,000 qualification. He also asked if there were any grant or abatement money available for asbestos remediation. Mr. Hankard stated that code compliance is, but not if it is considered a repair.
The Town Manager explained that he put a placeholder of $1,261,605 in the budget and the Capital Projects Committee will determine what projects will get completed.
He also discussed his opinion on the ongoing legislation on the revaluation. He explained that at the CCM he suggested that it be pushed out two years, that it is not a good time to review it. For the Town of South Windsor it would push it out to the year 2014 rather than 2012. The bill is expected to be heard in May or June.
The Town Manager gave various suggestions with regard to what should be included in the budget. A copy is attached as Exhibit D.
There was discussion regarding the Life Safety Code Town Buildings item and how the overall project should be budgeted.
The Committee discussed various options to allow for roads to be done. The Town Council will discuss the items proposed.
5. New Business
NONE
6. Old Business
NONE
7. Adjournment
Dr. Kozaczka made a motion to adjourn at 6:04 pm; Councillor Hale seconded that motion; and the motion was approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
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Vanessa Perry
Recording Secretary
Attachments:
Exhibits A, B, C, and D
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