TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAY 12, 2008
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 8:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Matthew Streeter
Deputy Mayor Cary placeCityPrague
Councillor Gary Bazzano (arrived at 8:09 p.m.)
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
Melanie Crucitti, Director of Finance
3. Public Participation
Ms. Ana Mae Davis of addressStreet9 Ridge Road came forward and requested that the Town Council address the artificial turf grass subject on whether it has been approved to be done, where the money will come from for the study, bid, and for the turf grass replacement. Ms. Davis then voiced her concern regarding a sign at the intersection of addressStreetDeming Street and addressStreetBuckland Road which blocks the view of oncoming traffic when coming out of addressStreetDeming Street onto addressStreetBuckland Road.
Mr. Donald Gonsalves of 40 Bayberry Trail stated that as the Town Council knows he has a problem with the way public hearings are held and has requested an agenda item to discuss this situation at the next regular meeting. At public hearings, the public is able to make comments and ask questions, but no answers are provided to the public. Mr. Gonsalves then voiced various concerns with the annual sewer charge in the general government budget and feels that this item
ITEM:
3. Public Participation (continued)
has increased significantly and has the same effect as a property tax increase. An item in the Board of Education budget called Retirement, has increased $383,000 over last year. I have never seen this item discussed and it is my understanding that this item is used to pay teachers when they retire for all the unused sick days and personal days. The public should have the right to know what the payoff is by employee, but not by names. Mr. Gonsalves objected to these payments.
Mr. James Kuzemchak of addressStreet33 Fox Hill Road came forward to speak in opposition to the budget increase and asked the Town Council to please try to keep the increase to a minimum.
Mr. Charles Margolis, Vice Chairperson for the Human Relations Commission came forward to request that the Town Council reinstate the $1,000 proposed to be taken from their budget. The money is necessary to continue the different programs that the Human Relations Commission provides to the community.
4. Communications
Councillor Hale congratulated Tracy Margiott, a student at PlaceNameSouth Windsor PlaceTypeHigh School who was named a winner of a National Merit Scholarship which is one of the most prestigious scholarships in placecountry-regionAmerica.
Deputy Mayor Prague announced that on Saturday, May 17, 2008 the Armed Forces Day celebration will be held at placePlaceNameNevers PlaceNameRoad PlaceTypePark. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
ITEM:
6. Special Business
A. Resolution Adopting the Budgets for the Special Revenue Pollution Control and Wastewater Treatment Fund and the Special Revenue Recreation Fund for Fiscal Year 2008/2009
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Special Revenue Pollution Control & Wastewater Treatment Fund Budget and Capital Expenditures Budget totaling $3,527,326; a Special Revenue Recreation Fund Budget with expenditures totaling $987,895 commencing on July 1, 2008, and terminating on June 30, 2009.
Was made by Councillor Pelkey
Seconded by Councillor McCann
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the rate for sewer use will be increased to $308.00, which is a 17% increase. A public hearing will be held by the Water Pollution Control Authority in June and adjustments may need to be made to the budget after the hearing. The Pollution Control budget does not include any amounts for the Water Pollution Control Authority Plant study or renovations to the plant. The renovations will be done by referendum. All architectural fees and study fees have been funded with the present budget.
Mr. Galligan then explained that the Recreation Department programs are self sustaining, but salaries are paid out of the budget.
Mayor Streeter called for a vote on this Resolution, it was approved, unanimously.
B. Resolution Adopting the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2008/2009
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditures totaling $60,000,000, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2008 and terminating on June 30, 2009, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Deputy Mayor Prague
Seconded by Councillor Maneeley
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17. B. (continued)
Mayor Streeter began discussions stating that the Board of Education’s budget was targeted to be kept at a 4½% increase which is keeping in line with all of the other departments in Town. The increase for the Board of Education budget is 4.48% which is a $60,000,000 budget.
Councillor McCann stated that he feels that a 4.48% increase is reasonable. The School Administration and Town Administration should take a look at some additional shared services between them which will achieve economic savings for both the Town and School Administration. He then stated that he would support this operating budge for this year.
Councillor Yagaloff stated he felt this was a terrible budget from the school’s perspective. There is $752,000 being cut from this budget which already had a significant cut by the School Administration. During budget time last year the State gave $2,000,000 of additional ECS money for education and all the money was spent in the general budget. This year there is less ECS money available, and if the money was not all spent last year there would still be money this year. There was an opportunity to reduce spending on the Board of Education side last year, and it was not done. This cut will put a tremendous hardship on the Board of Education and Councillor Yagaloff said he would not support this budget.
Deputy Mayor Prague explained that last years ECS revenues were $12,800,000 and this years ECS revenues are $13,200,000, so ECS revenues did not go down. In the 2006/2007 budget, the Board of Education received an increase of $2,500,000 and this year the Board of Education is receiving the same amount. Deputy Mayor Prague said he would love to be able to give more, but the Town Council has to balance the needs of the residents. Deputy Mayor Prague stated that he has faith that the Board of Education and School Administration will be able to work with this number.
Councillor Hale stated that she is going to vote no on this budget because she believes that this budget was established to repair deficits that have happened over the past several years. Councillor Hale said she does not want to see the Board of Education cut the literacy program being proposed in the budget. If focus is not given to teaching children how to read, students will not be competent citizens or employees in the future.
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17. B. (continued)
Councillor Pelkey voiced his concerns regarding this budget stating that he feels there will be a long term effect on the school budget if it keeps getting cut. There are more things that the schools have to handle than in previous years. Councillor Pelkey stated he would not be supporting this budget.
Mayor Streeter stated that this is a $2,570,000 increase over last year’s budget and feels the Town will continue to have quality schools.
Ms. Jan Snyder, Chair of the Board of Education came before the Town Council and said she would rather not see the budget cut. As stated previously, the enrollment is declining, but these cuts are in the lower elementary grades where more programs are being developed. Ms. Snyder then stated that the Board of Education and School Administration will work with the budgeted amount the Town Council has given.
Mayor Streeter called for a vote on this resolution, it passed on a Roll Call vote of 5-4 with the dissenting votes being cast by Councillors Havens, Hale, Pelkey and Yagaloff.
C. Resolution Adopting the General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2008/2009
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a General Government Budget with expenditures totaling $33,137,230, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2008 and terminating on June 30, 2009, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Councillor Maneeley
Seconded by Councillor McCann
Mayor Streeter began by explaining that he has reviewed the Town Manager’s reductions and then reviewed where all of the increases and reductions would be made in the General Government budget. After all calculations are complete, the Town Government operating budget increase is 4.24%.
Mayor Streeter made an Amendment to reinstate $1,000 to the Human Relations Commission. Councillor Pelkey seconded that Amendment and it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
17. C. (continued)
The resolution would read as follows with the Amendment:
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a General Government Budget with expenditures totaling $33,138,230, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2008 and terminating on June 30, 2009, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Councillor Yagaloff stated that while the Town needs to cut spending, he does not believe it is a good idea to project revenues that the Town does not have. To be over estimating the amount of money that will be taken in from fees and interest could create hardship on next year’s budget. If the Town wants to reduce spending, the amount of the income should not be inflated; items should be targeted for reduction.
Mayor Streeter responded by stating all revenues are less than last year, so the projections have gone down. Input has been requested, and the Town Council has heard that residents want spending reduced.
Councillor Hale felt this is a troubling budget. Last year Republicans established a 0% increase to the budget, which has affected this year’s budget. Projects have been stalled, costs are escalating, payments are being deferred and still spending is going up. Councillor Hale said she would be voting no on this budget.
Councillor Pelkey said that going forward with future budges, the Town Council will have to make up for funds being cut. Each year the budget is falling behind and meanwhile the Town is putting money into a building that is not owned by the Town. With regard to the same building, a lot of money has been wasted in leasing a building that is not being used.
Councillor McCann felt that this is an appropriate time, as stated by Councillor Yagaloff, to have a hiring freeze. Town Manager Galligan explained that presently a hiring freeze would effect a position of a part time Zoning Enforcement Officer which is a necessary position for the Town.
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17. C. (continued)
Councillor Havens voiced his concerns regarding the postponement to purchase the Town Hall Annex. Next year there will be a large payment, or a huge decision to make. The Architectural Field Study should give all options available. Do not want to hear about any more expenditures for next year because there are plenty of projects for next years budget and Councillor Havens also said he does not support this budget.
Councillor Pelkey requested that a formal report be created by the Health Director addressing issues in regards to artificial fields. Councillor Pelkey said he would be voting against this budget.
Councillor Hale suggested an Amendment to eliminate money from the PlaceNameplaceLawrence PlaceNameRoad PlaceTypePark budget, eliminate the Total Quality Management budget, and reduce the Town Council budget for food and entertainment. The Amendment failed due to the lack of a second.
Mayor Streeter stated that this was a very difficult budget season. He then called for a vote on this Item, it passed on a Roll Call vote of 5-4 with the dissenting votes being cast by Councillors Hale, Havens, Pelkey and Yagaloff.
Town Council Members took a five minutes recess at 9:43 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:48 p.m.
D. Resolution Setting the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2008/2009
BE IT RESOLVED that a tax rate of 27.42 mills be levied on the Grand List of October 1, 2007 based upon total Revenues excluding current taxes of $72,880,307, which includes an appropriation from Fund Balance in the amount of $1,000,000 to finance total expenditures of $93,138,230 made up of a Board of Education Budget of $60,000,000, and a General Government Budget of $33,138,230, both of which have been adopted by the South Windsor Town Council, and exhibits of which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2008 and terminating on June 30, 2009.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Mayor Streeter
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17. D. (continued)
Councillor Yagaloff wanted to make a few points. He started out by stating the spending increase in this budget is 5.02%. Spending continues to grow each year at an enormous rate. The second point is that this budget is going to cause an 11.2% increase on average in the mill rate. This is a horrible result for the tax payers.
Mayor Streeter responded that the calculations are incorrect and stated for the record that the minority party has not discussed any amendment to address their concerns with this budget. The only statement heard was that the Democratic party would have raised the taxes to fund more for the Board of Education.
Councillor Hale then responded saying because this is a reassessment year; the ball is being hidden here. There is a 5% spending increase, and there were spending increases last year that the Town Council is seeing the consequences of this year and this budget is a disaster. No one wants to talk about significant cuts on the Town side of the budget which is what Town Council has control over.
Mayor Streeter called for a vote on this Item, it passed on a Roll Call vote of 5-4 with the dissenting votes being cast by Councillors Hale, Havens, Pelkey and Yagaloff.
E. Resolution Appointing a Rate Maker for Fiscal year 2008/2009 and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manger, as Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2008/2009, and Hereby tables the same.
Was made by Councillor Bazzano
Seconded by Councillor McCann
The motion was: approved, unanimously
7. Executive Session
None
ITEM:
8. Adjournment
At 9:59 p.m., a Motion to Adjourn was made by Deputy Mayor Prague; seconded by Councillor Maneeley; and was Approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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