TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary Prague
Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Paul Oates
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mrs. Janice Snyder, Chair of the Board of Education came forward to request that unused funds be re-appropriated back into the Board of Education’s budget as follows:
$319,047 to fund the health care account
$315,097 to pre-fund the pension fund for next year
The Board of Education will be voting on the proposed budget on March 3, 2009 and will be then sending it to the Town Council.
Answering questions from the Town Council, Mrs. Snyder explained that the Superintendent brought to the Board of Education a 7.73% proposed increase to the budget. The Board of Education reduced the increase to 2.86%.
4. Communications
Councillor Yagaloff informed the Town Council that he has requested a legal opinion from the Town Attorney regarding text messaging and/or emails that are received during a Town Council meeting on individual phones regarding the issue that is being discussed at that time. Councillor Yagaloff wanted to know if the text messages and/or emails are subject to freedom of information. The Town Attorney will be responded to this issue. If there is a problem with FOI, Councillor Yagaloff stated he would be introducing an ordinance to the Town Council.
Councillor Havens felt that the Town Council should consider returning the requested money back to the Board of Education as long as the Town can afford to do so. Mr. Galligan felt the Town Council should wait to make any type of decision on this issue until the audited financial reports come in.
5. Town Manager’s Report
To be discussed at the Regular Meeting
6. Items for Discussion
A. Economic Policy created by Councillor Yagaloff
Councillor Yagaloff introduced an economic policy, attached Exhibit A. He explained that he would like the town to adopt an economic policy that would increase productivity and decrease spending. Councillor Yagalff requested that the Town Council members review this policy and provide feedback. Councillor Yagaloff would also like Board and Commissions to receive and review this economic policy for further feedback and any concepts for cost savings.
Mr. Galligan, Town Manager felt that this is not a bad idea to have certain goals and visions for the town. Mr. Galligan requested that the department heads look at this policy because they could probably provide the Town Council with a list of efficiencies and goals that have already been done. The town presently has the policy of constantly looking for way to improve the way business is conducted.
Councillor Oates felt this policy needs to be structured in a way in order to let town staff know exactly what the Town Council is seeking. Included in this policy should be a concept of value, not just efficiency. Residents want to live in a cost effective, high value town.
Councillor Pelkey felt this policy is a good business model. A town goal could be set up and that goal could be divided between Boards/Commissions and town. Each manager of that area would have a particular part of that goal as a target. The Town Manager could then break that down to each department and this could also be a key way to measure that in performance which could be part of an evaluation for individual employees. The public could also give feedback as to how they feel things could be done more efficiently.
Councillor Hale felt this was a good approach to have department heads look at the economic policy and then have Boards/Commissions look at it later. Councillor Hale then questioned if there has been a date set for shared services? Mrs. Snyder stated that she was hoping to discuss shared services more after the budget has been submitted. Mr. Galligan stated that the old reports are being redone and waiting for the Board of Education to complete. This issue would then come back to the Town Council.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 9: 26 p.m. Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Maneeley seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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