TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 March 30, 2015
TOWN COUNCIL – Special Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Anwar called the special meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor M. Saud Anwar
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councilor Thomas Delnicki
Councilor Carolyn Mirek
Councilor Andrew Paterna
Councilor Liz Pendleton
Councilor Matthew Riley
Councilor Janice Snyder
Councilor Stephen Wagner
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Mr. Wayne Estey, 88 Golf Street, Newington, CT came before the Town Council and explained that he will be relocating to South Windsor. One of the deciding factors to locate to South Windsor was because of the school system. South Windsor’s taxes are much lower then Glastonbury which has comparable housing stock. Mr. Estey thanked the Council for supporting the public school system.
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came forward and explained that he met with Tim Larsen who was at Manchester Community College giving a lecture. The main theme of the lecture was if people want change, they should get active with their community. Mr. Gonsalves stated that there are 15,000 in Town and he is the only one who is active. Mr. Gonsalves questioned the amount of fund balance that has been taken over the past 10 years for the budget. The Town always states how the fund balance needs to be raised and Mr. Gonsalves said he is shocked that last year the Town took $1 million dollars from fund balance for the budget. The Town usually takes approximately $500,000 and tries to make that amount up to put back into the fund balance. The Town is going in the wrong direction if it is
trying to build up the fund balance.
ITEM:
4. Communications
None
5. Consent Agenda
None
6. Special Business
- General Government Budget Presentation
Mr. Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager first presented to the Council the 2014 “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Mr. Galligan then presented the General Government budget, as shown in attached Exhibit A and urged Council members to review the Strategic Planning Guidelines on page 11 and 12. Mr. Galligan reviewed expenditures, explaining that the total increase to the entire budget is $4,643,750 which equates to 4.37% but because of a $300,000 reduction in revenues on the tax side last year, the tax increase this year is 5.93%. He also reviewed the Summary of Prior Five Fiscal Years, Grand List, Grants, Town Expenditures and Board of Education Expenditures. The Board of Education budget this year is proposed at $71,694,151 which represents 64.64% of the budget. The Town Operating budget this year is proposed at $31,694,593 which represents 28.58% of the budget. The debt service (includes
leases) is $6,522,109 which represents 5.88% of the budget and Capital Improvements is proposed at $1,000,000 which represents 0.9% of the budget. The proposed budget this year will use $500,000 of the fund balance. Mr. Galligan explained that he does try to make the fund balance up to be put back into the budget. The Town presently has 5 ¼% of the total budget in fund balance and the goal under the Town’s policy is to try to be at 7 ½%.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan stated that over the past couple of years, the fund balance usually stays level. There was a year that the fund balance did go down.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan explained that the collection rate is presently at 97.7%. The Collector of Revenue Department has been short one person due to an employee taking family medical leave. Last year, this department did request an additional full time person, but the Council did take that out of the budget. The Tax Collector could come to the Council to have discussions again about an additional full time position. The anticipated supplemental motor vehicle number is based upon how many cares are bought after October and the total number will not be known until October 2015. Mr. Galligan then explained that he will request that department heads incorporate last year’s budget numbers into their presentation to the Council. Mr. Galligan stated he had cut approximately $900,000 in different
requests from departments. The Fire Marshal fee’s are numbers that can fluctuate from year to year and is based upon $4.00 per thousand for review of plans. This is an area the Town Council should review to see if this fee should be raised. The building permits for future projects that are anticipated have not been incorporated into this budget.
Mayor Anwar stated that the Town of South Windsor’s revenue has decreased. South Windsor needs to stay competitive regarding economic development.
Councilor Delnicki questioned where would the Town be if the budget was maintained at status quo? Mr. Galligan stated he would get that answer for Councilor Delnicki. There are only two new positions proposed in the budget which are the in the Public Works Department and in the Town Manager’s Office.
Councilor Delnicki then asked, if SB1 passed and the Town had the redistribution of the car tax and the creation of a unified mill rate, what impact would that have on South Windsor? Mr. Galligan explained that the Town would lose $2,400,000 in revenue.
Councilor Delnicki stated he has brought this issue to the Council’s attention a while ago and explained that this loss in revenue would be made up with an increase in the property tax on homes and businesses. When a Town collects their own car taxes, at least it is known that the money stays in the Town. If this bill passes, the money will not stay in Town and will only get a slice of the amount collected.
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan told the Council that the last time the fee structure for the different departments was reviewed was when John Pelkey was Mayor. There was a proposal to change Health Department fees, but that was denied by the Council. The Health Department could be self sustaining and would save the Town approximately $145,000. Most Towns charge fees for inspections
Councilor Wagner felt that there would not be a huge impact, but would change the revenue. South Windsor should compare our fees with other Towns. Mr. Galligan said he would have staff look at the fees for the Town and compare the fees with other Towns.
Deputy Mayor Havens stated that this budget will be cut and felt that the Council has a lot of work.
Councilor Riley voiced concern about taking funds from the fund balance as a revenue source, even it if has been past practice. The balance presently is lower then what the rating agencies say it should be. Councilor Riley questioned why the Town would use that as a mechanism to add to the revenue base? Mr. Galligan explained that it would be to try to keep taxes down.
Answering further questions, Mr. Galligan explained that the revenue from the refuse and recycling fluctuates from year to year and said he would have to inform the Council how it is tracking from year to date in Fiscal Year 2015.
Mr. Galligan said he would send to the Council a report showing when debt will be reduced year to year and when tax abatements that the Town gave to different companies are complete. Mr. Galligan explained that line item for grants and contributions under the Town Council are for Metro Hartford Alliance and The Greater Hartford Transit District.
B. Town Council Budget Presentation
Mr. Galligan explained that changes in the Town Council budget are under professional, which went from $110,000 to $112,000 due to the audit fee that was raised and Metro Hartford Alliance. The other area of the budget that has increased is Fees and Memberships because there are different organizations that increased their fees and memberships to the Town. The salary increase is 2%.
ITEM:
6. B. (Continued)
Councilor Delnicki requested a break down of what the fees and memberships are dollar wise? Mr. Galligan explained that they are all in the detail section part of the budget. Councilor Delnicki then requested a summary of what the Town gets with these memberships.
C. Town Manager’s Budget Presentation
Mr. Galligan explained to the Council that the Town Manager’s budget from last year is under by $1,800. The Town Manager’s budget and the Human Resources budget are combined. Last year Vanessa Perry who is the Human Resource Director along with the Finance Department researched payroll companies and the Town switched from ADP to Paychex which has saved the Town approximately $60,000. The Town has tried to hire a full time Economic Development Coordinator for $50,000 and that is not working out because a full time Economic Development Coordinator should be making at least $80,000. Mr. Galligan explained he would like to take Ashley Summers and move her to be his secretary solely instead of working for both him and Human Resources. This would allow her to help him with economic development
projects as well as other projects that he has which would free some of his time up to do more economic development. Another secretary would be hired for Human Resources.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that Ashley Summers presently works for him and Vanessa Perry. The proposal would allow Ashley to work strictly with him. Mr. Galligan stated he would like a data base created consisting of available space for business opportunities. Councilor Snyder suggested that if Ashley is going to have additional duties that her title be changed and she be appropriately compensated.
Councilor Delnicki stated that he does not understand how a new position can be being proposed when the Town is looking at a 6% tax increase. Mr. Galligan explained that he is looking at the Town Council’s strategic plan and trying to move items forward to meet goals. The Council has requested to hire an Economic Development Coordinator and his proposal will give the Town an economic development program at no increase in cost.
Deputy Mayor Havens said he would be supporting the request for an additional position in the Town Manager’s Office. The changes in the Town Manager’s Office will help with economic development.
ITEM:
6. C. (Continued)
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan stated that he would like Ashley to work on an inventory that will eventually be put on the website which will inform companies about what type of inventory there is available in South Windsor.
Mayor Anwar explained that experts in economic development say that each Town should have a part time Economic Development Coordinator rather than a full time Economic Development Coordinator because the need assessment has said that there is not enough responsibility for a full time Economic Development Coordinator. Mayor Anwar suggested that the Town Manger work with the larger companies looking to come into Town and an Economic Development Coordinator work with all of the other companies looking to come into Town.
Mr. Galligan stated that whether the company is big or small, they come into his office and he is hoping to train Ashley to be more a part of the economic development. Michele Lipe who is the Director of Planning is also a big part of economic development.
Mayor Anwar then suggested that South Windsor look to partner with another Town. Mr. Galligan explained that Town’s have a fear that there will be friction between Towns when a decision is made to have a certain company go to a certain Town.
Councilor Riley voiced concern about trading $50,000 in professional expenses, which is a variable cost for an employee, which is a fixed cost. Mr. Galligan explained that in 2014/2015 the budget for the Town Manger and Human Resources was $429,981 and for 2015/2016 is $428,795 which is a decrease of $1,186. Councilor Riley stated that the salary line item combined between the two departments looks like it is going up by $75,000. Mr. Galligan stated he would go back and look into this item.
Mr. Galligan stated that there would be a yearly savings on switching from ADP to Paychex, but Mr. Galligan said he would confirm that number for the Council. Mr. Galligan said he would also inform the Council of how much it would cost for the benefits for the proposed new position.
ITEM:
6. Special New Business (Continued)
D. Board and Commission Budget Presentation
Mr. Galligan explained that the budgets for the Boards and Commissions were cut many years ago when the economy was going down. There is no increase in any of the Boards and Commission budgets.
E. Resolution Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the Proposed General Government budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby sets Monday, April 27, 2015, at 8:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the South Windsor Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut as the time and place for a Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the proposed General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016.
Was made by Councilor Paterna
Seconded by Councilor Delnicki
The motion was approved, unanimously
F. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to One (1) South Windsor Taxpayer
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a refund of property taxes to one (1) South Windsor Taxpayer, the total of said refund being $415.82, and as more fully described on attached Exhibit B.
Was made by Councilor Delnicki
Seconded by Councilor Wagner
The motion was approved, unanimously
7. Executive Session
None
ITEM:
8. Adjournment
At 8:50 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Councilor Snyder seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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