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TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 8, 2002
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Aman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor William Aman
Deputy Mayor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Barbara Barbour
Councillor Paul Burnham
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Marianne Lassman Fisher (left at 9:45 p.m.)
Councillor John Pelkey
Members Absent: Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Edward Havens
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
3. Public Participation
Board of Education Chairperson Kathleen Soucy Daugherty explained that the Board worked to provide the Town Council with a budget which was both educationally sound and fiscally responsible. She spoke of the separation of the powers of the Town Council and the Board of Education. She said that earmarking additional money for funding the gifted and talented program would be inconsistent with Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-222. She felt that it was unlikely that the Board of Education would feel compelled to comply with such a Town Council Resolution. If the Council approved additional money for the Board of Education budget, members of the Board would, in all likelihood, visit all of the budget reductions which were made and determine the best ways to use the money.
Ms. Daugherty referenced a newspaper article in which she was misquoted, and she explained what she had actually said--in her ten years on the Board of Education, the Board had never received more money than what they had requested; they received the amount requested and generally less. Additionally, Ms. Daugherty said that she was not in a position to talk about what the Board would do, but she could say that at the end of the Boardthose funds would be examined; and all of the cuts made in order to reach the 5.9% increase would be weighed.
Councillor Lassman Fisher questioned whether the Board decided not to fund the SWEPT Program because it no longer supports the Program, or whether the Board is not supporting the SWEPT Program because it doesn
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager's Report - None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Proposed 2002/2003 Budgets
Public Works Department (See attached Exhibit A)
Members of the Department were introduced by Director of Public Works Michael Gantick, who then presented the budget for that Department.
Mr. Galligan stated that fees will not be raised at this point; the Town will continue to use the grant programs which have been available.
Mr. Gantick advised the Council that they would soon be receiving an update from the Water Pollution Control authority. A facility plan update is taking place, and some long-term decisions will be necessary. When asked how costs were allocated, Mr. Gantick said that maintenance items were generally handled by Public Works and programmatic items were handled by the Recreation Department.
Mr. Gantick explained that any funding associated with strategic planning would come from the Total Quality Management Account.
Councillor Barbour questioned the increase of approximately $7,000 regarding the maintenance contracts, and Mr. Gantick referenced specific items related to OSHA inspections, as well as hazardous waste that is dumped long the side of the road.
The 20 percent increase in full-time salaries was questioned, and Mr. Galligan said that salaries have had to be increased in order to bring them up to a competitive level. He spoke of the loss of several employees because of the level of salaries.
Replacement of the rotary pavilion roof was addressed, and Mr. Gantick said the roof was 15 years old and that woodpeckers had caused a great deal of damage.
Regarding CRRA fees, Mr. Galligan said that the original number was $191, 500 and if the tipping fee remains at $6/ton, the number would be $44,900. Approximately $137,000 would not be needed for the fees. He said it would be a Council decision as to where that money would be placed. Mayor Aman said that a variety of adjustments would be made during the final negotiations of the budget.
When asked about the pool cover at VMP, Mr. Gantick explained that it is a contractual service, costing approximately $5,000 to put it on, $5,000 to store it, and $5,000 to take it off. Mr. Gantick spoke of the recreation programming and related fees.
Mr. Gantick noted that there is one less full-time employee in the Public Works Department in the current year than there was in 1990, and the growth of the Town during this period of time was discussed. Mr. Galligan explained that OSHA had conducted a surprise inspection, lasting three to four days, and South Windsor has passed with extremely favorable comments being made.
Mr. Gantick was asked how much money was being allocated for costs associated with open space purchased by the Town, and he said that he would be coming to the Council to discuss the forestry grant and how to better manage properties. A large number of volunteers, he said, have been engaged to assist in various programs. Where possible, they are looking to generate revenues to offset costs associated with maintenance.
Office of the Town Clerk
Mr. Galligan noted that the salaries in this department required adjustments. Town Clerk Gretchen Bickford said that the department has been extremely busy. Deeds, mortgages, liens, etc., come through this office, and fees are collected for these items and generate income for the General Fund. The only fees which they do not collect are tax liens through the Town. A fund is in place for preserving land records, and part of that fund is reimbursed.
There has been an increase to the Fees and Memberships Account for a conference which the Town Clerk will attend and also to the Capital Outlay Account for the purchase of some used equipment (desks and book shelves).
The deteriorating maps have been placed in special bags. Last year $2,500 was awarded for land record restoration. The State has increased the grant to $5,000 this year, and Ms. Bickford has applied for the grant.
The Town Clerk
A search terminal is located in the vault for the use of citizens.
Human Services Department
A presentation was made by Dennis Sheridan, Director of Youth & Family Services (see attached Exhibit B).
Mr. Sheridan explained that the part-time clerical position now being requested had originally been a request for a full-time position. He also explained that the Human Services I position which is currently shared by both divisions is included entirely in his budget.
Mr. Sheridan said that the SWAN Program (South Windsor Aid to Neighbors) is a parent education support program through which parent training and parent programs are offered. There is a parent outreach worker who visits homes, based upon referrals. The State grant does cover the cost of the program.
Mr. Galligan was asked how the Town compares with other Towns in receiving grants, and he indicated that there are not a lot of grants available. He said whenever there is a budget crunch, social service programs are the first to be cut. He estimated that 78 percent of the Town budget comes from tax dollars, versus outside revenue sources.
Mr. Sheridan stated that the Summer Youth Employment Program is sponsored by a grant and will involve 10 youths for 6 weeks at 20 hours per week at minimum wage pay. A portion of the grant is for a coordinator.
The Hire-a-Kid Program has been in place for a number of years and is basically a referral service. Youths between the ages of 12 and 18 fill out an application indicating what type of work in which they are interested, and they will then be put in touch with individuals requesting workers through the Human Services Department. Last year 135 students were involved in the program.
A presentation was then made by Valerie Ballard, Director of Adult & Senior Services (see attached Exhibit C.)
There has been a 12 percent increase in the South Windsor senior population. There are 894 individuals between the ages of 75 and 84.
There are 308 individuals 85 years of age or older.
The following are monies not generated from taxes:
Home Management Grant $13,273
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (3 year grant) first year $57,500. This paid for a programmer to do evening and weekend programming for the younger population. It paid for the purchase of 100+ chairs for the Community Center. It enabled them to renovate the senior lounge with new furniture and a new rug, as well as purchase computer equipment for the computer lab.
Greater Hartford Transit District - $9,100 toward the transportation system.
The federal portion of $35,680 was used for the purchase of a new bus.
United Way Emergency Food & Shelter Grant - $1,675 to help individuals with rent, etc.
South Windsor Housing Authority Grant - $13,977
Salvation Army Funds - $500
Archdiocese of Hartford - $4,000 for the fuel bank.
Donations from the Chamber (individuals, Churches, etc.) - $10,000 for the fuel bank
CRT Applications for fuel program - $65,475
Special Needs Account - donations of $3,000
Total funds coming in to the Town are $214,180 in one year.
The following are in-kind non-tax dollars generated by Adult & Senior Services for Social Services:
Friendly Visitor/Friendly Shopper Program - $27,000
Meals-on-Wheels Weekend Delivery Meal Program - Seventh Day Adventist Church provides a program - $6,240
Newsletter - $6,480
Food Bank - $6,525
Food Vouchers - $1,500
Holiday Programs - Food (304 baskets) - $22,800; Gifts - $22,800
Total of in-kind items coming in to the Department--$100,585
Total Non-Tax Dollars generated and used for residents of South Windsor - $314,765
Ms. Ballard noted that the main cut made between the Department
The following comments were made with regard to changes due to Budget cuts:
The response time to new requests will be lengthened.
The Conservator Program has been in effect for more than 20 years, and Human Services has worked closely with the Probate Court. Without a new person, no new conservator cases will be taken on, which, according to the Probate Judge, will be a tremendous blow for the Probate Court.
Home visits will only be done for immediate crisis intervention.
Senior Center programming will be affected if the clerical help is not available.
There was some question with regard to the numbers presented, and Mr. Galligan said that last year
Mr. Galligan stated that the $214,000 funds which come in from grants, etc., are not budgeted, neither the income, nor the expenditures. Mayor Aman said he didn
Mr. Galligan said that seven or eight new positions are needed throughout the Town, but they cannot all be added in one year. He said he would require detailed reports indicating hours associated with specific programs. He spoke of the possibility of a reception area which would service both the Recreation Department and the Human Services Department.
Recreation Department (See attached Exhibit D)
A presentation was made by Director of Recreation Ray Favreau, and it was followed by questions of the Council.
Mr. Favreau stated that the Recreation Department is currently focusing on pushing forward with an indoor facility which would be a membership-driven facility. Regarding administrative fees, Mr. Favreau said that they could charge more for programs and try to offset more of the administrative costs, but they don
Mayor Aman asked how South Windsor
Mr. Favreau said that the Recreation Department is asking for the Council's support for tax dollars to support the office operation so that they can provide $800,000 to $900,000 worth of programming at no cost to the taxpayer.
Discussion ensued with regard to some maintenance costs being listed under Public Works and others being listed under the Recreation Department.
B. General Budget Discussion - None
7. Executive Session - None
8. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made at 10:20 p.m. The motion was duly seconded and was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Merlyn P. Guild
Assistant to the Clerk of the Council
Attachments
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