Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Elinor Carbone, Thomas Jerram, Drake Waldron and Marie Soliani, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, City Planner Martin Connor, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, Building Official Brett Zuraitis, and Comptroller Alice Proulx. City Councilor Paul F. Samele, Jr. arrived at 6:12 p.m. City Councilor Rick Dalla Valle was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
BUDGETS #73 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council considered proposed budgets. Mayor Bingham said we've done a very good job the last few years paring away any perceived or real unnecessary expenses, but what he's trying to convey to Department Heads as they refine the numbers, get explanations, and make cuts is that they need to reprioritize. As the final numbers start to look clearer, they might need to make additional cuts. He said his first look at the budget will be at positions, since there are no new major requests for any unnecessary increases. In the next months he will be meeting with the Unions
to look for any opportunities for savings in wages and/or benefits. He said it's clear there won't be any increase in state revenue; Funding may be kept at a flat level for municipalities or it may be cut by 5 or 10%. He said they will try to gauge the revaluation as far as what the average taxpayer will pay.
ASSESSOR #317 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Assessor's budget. Councilor Jerram suggested eliminating or halving the contract services costs, relying on the Assessor and Deputy Assessor to fill in.
BUILDING DEPT #427 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Building Department budget. Mr. Zuraitis explained that he expects to break even with revenue this year.
CITY CLERK #550 On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the City Clerk budget. Mr. Quartiero explained Land Records and Preservation fee increases.
COMPTROLLER #755 On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Comptroller's budget. Mayor Bingham said more help is needed with additional grant reporting requirements and additional workloads from the audit and budget, so staff hours are increasing 2.5 hrs per week.
CORPORATION COUNSEL #857 On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Corporation Counsel budget. Mayor Bingham pointed out that this budget is still less than it was four years ago and includes fees for current and potential litigation and legal support fees with insurance deductibles and transcription fees.
ELECTIONS #956 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Elections budget. Mayor Bingham said the increased budget is due to the possibility of having two primaries in all districts this year. PERSONNEL #1018 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Personnel budget. Mayor Bingham said this budget includes contractually obligated salary increases and labor negotiations.
PLANNING & ZONING #1051 On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Planning & Zoning budget. Mayor Bingham explained this budget has salary increases and state mandated fee increases. PURCHASING #1114 On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Purchasing Department budget. Mayor Bingham said they will try to refine copier and office supply line items due to improved communications with the Board of Education for better bulk purchasing.
REGISTRARS #1230 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Registrar's budget. Mayor Bingham explained part of the increase is due to a mandatory 4-year postcard canvass. Councilor Waldron abstained.
SENIOR CENTER #1242 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Senior Center budget.
ADJOURNMENT #1432 Councilor Jerram made a motion to adjourn at 6:46 p.m., seconded by Councilor Carbone and unanimously approved.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted, Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Asst. City Clerk |
