TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary Prague
Deputy Mayor Bazzano
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
None
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Recreation – Budget
Mr. Ray Favreau came forward and gave the Town Council an overview of the Recreation Department. Mr. Favreau reviewed the Special Revenue Funds. These funds are how the Recreation Department operates their programs, which are self-sustaining without tax dollars. The programs are funded through direct programming expenses with proportionate revenues generated by user fees and charges.
Mr. Favreau explained that the Recreation Department has decided that user fee costs will remain at the same cost as the 2008 prices, the 4th R program has been incorporated into the special revenue fund, the concert series has been made more cost effective, and the Recreation Department will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the department. All these factors have had an impact on the budget.
Work Session – Town Council
April 6, 2009
Page 2
ITEM
6. A. (continued)
The Recreation Department would also like to achieve the following goals:
- Integrate the Active Net Recreation Software program that tracks revenues with the MUNIS System in Town Hall.
- Continue to expand the on-line registration capabilities.
The Recreation Department accommodates the following number of participants in each program:
Pre-school - 250
Camp Discovery - 170 (30 on a waiting list)
Swimmers - 140 (Seal Swim Team)
Youth Basketball - 1,000
4th R Program - 160
The Recreation Department delivers over 280 programs annually. There are seven full time staff members in the office, 220 part time and seasonal employees, and well over 250 volunteers every year.
The Recreation Department is involved in many more projects and initiatives all requiring development, and management.
Mr. Favreau gave out a handout which includes what each full time employee handles for responsibility per program and also broke down how many staff, volunteers, and contractors that they supervise as well as the budgetary dollars that they are directly fiscally responsible for each year.
Answering questions from the Council members, Mr. Favreau explained that the cost to do the Recreation Magazine each season, (twice), is approximately $20,000. This cost is not paid for by taxpayers, it is absorbed through advertising fees and funded through the special revenue fund which are user fees. Councillor Yagaloff stated that if the cost continues to escalate, there will be a need to weigh the overall cost to the benefit that the department may be receiving.
The Work Session was recessed at 7:30 p.m. in order to hold a public hearing. The Work Session reconvened at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Favreau answered various questions from the Town Council.
Work Session – Town Council
April 6, 2009
Page 3
ITEM
6. Items for Discussion (continued)
B. Town Council - Budget
None
C. Town Manager - Budget
Town Council members discussed the Fund Balance. Mr. Galligan stated that he would have to give the Town Council a new analysis for the fund balance.
D. Boards & Commissions – Budget
None
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 7:56 p.m. Mayor Prague 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
| 
