TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, May 18, 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 Gary Bazzano
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Ms. Ivy Farinella of 594 Deming Street came forward to voice her concern of possible budget cuts to the South Windsor Police Department.
Mr. Larry Torff of 521 Quarry Brook Drive came forward and explained that he supports reducing Capital Projects for road repairs, computers, vehicles, Recreation, and building renovations. Additionally would like to see next years LoCIP grant built into the revenue side of the budget to fund part of the road repairs. Mr. Torff supports using part of the Recreation Fund Balance to cover a portion of the Recreation Department operating costs not covered by participation fees. The discussion on Union concessions was completely unsatisfying, many towns in the region have achieved concessions from their unions. Mr. Torff then questioned the Town Manager on whether all non-union salaries and wages have been frozen for next year including no cost of living adjustments. Mr. Torff then stated that in
his opinion a tax increase of 1% to 2% would be acceptable under the circumstances.
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan responded to Mr. Torff question explaining that there is not any managerial people that will be taking any type of raises, which is a $74,000 reduction.
Work Session – Town Council
May 18, 2009
Page 2
ITEM
6. Items for Discussion
A. General Government Budget
Mayor Prague stated he would like to see the Town Council work together to come up with a General Government budget. The handout for tonight has an increase of 1.89%. Do not want any substantial services cut, therefore left with one item and that is to look at salaries this year. The Town Council is forced this year to hold the line on taxes for our residents and would like to ask the workers of this Town to sacrifice as well. Mayor Prague is proposing reductions to the overall salary account of 2 ¼%. This will lower the overall tax rate to about 1.51% without any further changes. The Town Manager will be requested to implement this item as he see’s fit.
Councillor Oates stated that he would like to see an increase in the Fire Marshals budget of $25,000 to hire an additional part time temporary position to help with inspections. Previously, Mr. Summers gave the Town Council a report on the current results of inspection rates and the number of inspections that he is able to do as opposed to the regulation. The Town does not meet the mandates.
Answering questions from the Town Council, Mr. Summers explained that three family homes and anything above should be inspected once a year, which includes senior housing. With an additional part time employee it is hopeful that one or two complexes per year will get done. The part time employee will work 20 hours per week with no benefits. The State will allow the Fire Marshals Office to create fees for different items. The list of permit and fees and be created in conjunction with the Town Council at a later date. Mr. Summers then stated that the Fire Marshals Office is always looking for different grants to apply for in order to save the Town of South Windsor money.
Mr. Galligan answered various questions regarding the General Government budget from the Town Council.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 8:05 p.m. Councillor Pelkey made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Deputy Mayor Bazzao seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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