TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAY 11, 2009
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Prague called the Special Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Cary Prague
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Paul Oates
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mrs. Ana Mae Davis, 9 Ridge Road came forward and requested that the Town Council come together to make a responsible decision regarding the Board of Education budget. The public is aware of the financial situation everyone is going through and a 0% increase would be ideal for this year. Mrs. Davis then stated that it is disturbing that the teachers union would not allow the teachers to forfeit raises to keep some positions.
Ms. Joanna Perkins, Main Street stated that South Windsor runs good quality school system and believes in a strong education. The Town Council needs to get to the bottom line that is needed because people can not afford anything more than that this year.
Mrs. Mary Tulley, 1010 Strong Road announced that the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade awarded the Town of South Windsor with the best Fire Department Contingency for a small Town. Chief Crombie, Walter Moriarty and Patrick Hankard came forward to accept the trophy.
ITEM:
3. Public Participation (continued)
Mr. Tom Munsell, 35 Stephanie Lane came before the Town Council and thanked everyone involved in the budget process. These are tough economic times and he requested that the Town Council keep the budget under control.
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
None
6. Special Business
- Resolution Adopting the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2009/2010
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, 2009 and terminating on June 30, 2010, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Councillor McCann
Seconded by Mayor Prague
Mayor Prague explained that the number above, which is a 0% increase, and was given in order for the South Windsor Republican Caucus to give a presentation. After the presentation, the Town Council as a whole can work together to make a decision on the budget. Mayor Prague presented the presentation to the Town Council.
Following the presentation, Councillor Hale, Yagaloff, Pelkey, and Havens all voiced concerns regarding the $1,500,000 deficit that the Town is facing. Mr. Galligan explained that the deficit of $1,500,000 is partially due to the Town Clerk fees and Building permit fees not coming in where they were estimated at. The Town is trying to use a conservative approach with these figures. The deficit may come in closer to $98,000, but is unknown at this time.
ITEM:
6. A. (continued)
Councillor McCann stated that the reductions in fees in the Building Department and Town Clerk were not anticipated and are beyond the control of the Town Council. An amendment will be necessary to bring this budget to a real number. It is hopeful that the Town Council can come to a consensus and put together a good budget.
After a lengthy discussion regarding the budget, Councillor Hale made a motion to call the question. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and the motion failed on a Roll Call vote of 4 to 5 with Councillor Yagaloff, Councillor Hale, Councillor Pelkey and Councillor Havens voting in favor of calling the question; and Mayor Prague, Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Maneeley, Councillor McCann, and Councillor Oates all voting in opposition of the question being called.
Councillor Havens voiced concern with a 0% increase to the Board of Education budget. Residents need and want services. Councillor McCann reminded the Town Council and public that the Board of Education came forward with a surplus of $430,000 and he does not feel that $500,000 is an unreasonable cut to the Board of Education budget.
Mayor Prague made a motion to amend the Board of Education budget as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditure totaling $61,242,056, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2009 and terminating on June 30, 2010, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Mayor Prague stated that this amendment would be a $1,242,056 or a 2.07% increase to the Board of Education budget. Councillor McCann seconded the motion.
At 8:50 p.m. Councillor Hale made a motion to recess the meeting for ten minutes. Councillor Pelkey seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously. The meeting reconvened at 9:00 p.m.
After a short discussion, Mayor Prague withdrew his amendment; and Councillor McCann withdrew his second.
ITEM:
6. A. (continued)
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to amend the Board of Education budget as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditure totaling $61,443,056, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2009 and terminating on June 30, 2010, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Councillor Pelkey stated that this amendment would be a 2.41% increase to the Board of Education budget. Councillor Yagaloff seconded the amendment.
At 9:18 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to recess the meeting for ten minutes. Councillor Maneeley seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously. The meeting reconvened at 9:28 p.m.
After a short discussion, Councillor Pelkey withdrew his amendment; and Councillor Yagaloff withdrew his second.
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to amend the Board of Education budget as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditure totaling $61,393,056, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2009 and terminating on June 30, 2010, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Councillor Yagaloff seconded the amendment.
Mayor Prague stated that this would be a 2.32% increase to the Board of Education budget.
Concerns with the proposed number that had been reached were voiced. Council members stated they would support this Amended Resolution in order to move forward with the budget process, and it was felt that the it was a good compromise between Councillors.
Mayor Prague called for a vote on the Amendment; it was approved, unanimously
Mayor Prague then called for a vote on the Amended Resolution; it was approved, unanimously.
ITEM:
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 9:45 p.m., a Motion to Adjourn the Special Meeting was made by Councillor Maneeley. Councillor Hale seconded the motion; and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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