MINUTES -- SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
April 23, 2012
A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, April 23, 2012. Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, Gregg Cogswell, and Elinor Carbone. Others in attendance were Comptroller Alice Proulx, Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, Parks & Recreation Director Brett Simmons, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Board of Public Safety Commissioner James Potter and Board of Finance member Bill Lamoin. Councilors Marie Soliani and Paul Samele were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mayor Bingham said there were no changes to this budget. On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Economic Development Budget of $68,874.
RECREATION
Mayor Bingham noted that this budget has been reduced by ¼ %. On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Recreation Budget of $381,139.
BOARD OF TAX REVIEW
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Board of Tax Review Budget of $5,600.
BOARDS AND AGENCIES
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Boards and Agencies Budget of $349,612.
CITY COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the City Council Budget of $0. Mayor Bingham thanked the Council for their service.
INSURANCE
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Insurance Budget of $1,371,269.
PENSION & BENEFITS
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Pension & Benefits Budget of $11,040,116.
TAX COLLECTOR
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Tax Collector Budget of $419,250. Councilor Cogswell asked what the main cost driver is, to which Mayor Bingham replied it's the additions, deletions, changes and corrections from the Tax Assessor.
CONTINGENCY
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Contingency Budget of $250,000.
MAYOR
Mayor Bingham said this budget reflects a reduction of $1429. On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Mayor's Budget of $214,958.
COMPTROLLER
Mayor Bingham noted there are two key additions to this budget. First, to provide better oversight of the Traffic Department, a position will be shared between Finance and Traffic. Second, another position will be added, that of Deputy or Assistant Comptroller.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted 3/1 in favor of tentatively approving the Comptroller Budget of $292,082. Councilor Cogswell was opposed.
DATA PROCESSING
Mayor Bingham explained that this budget increase was driven by a need to expand our infrastructure or bandwidth. Mr. Crowley said this will cost $55,000 per year above what we're paying now.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Data Processing Budget of $601,428.
PROBATE
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Probate Budget of $45,302.
CITYWIDE
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Citywide Budget of $1,732,210.
POLICE
Chief Maniago informed the Council of the $25,000 total reduction from Capital Reserve Loan Payback and Software line items. He stated that he is very concerned about the reduction of three police officers, a potential spike in overtime, staff shortages, and the Board of Public Safety's recommended reduction of his overtime line item by $37,000.
Mayor Bingham noted that this is only a tentative approval, and there will be another opportunity to adjust the budget.
Councilor Cogswell said he understands the Chief's concern and will revisit this issue.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted 3/1 to tentatively approve the Police Budget of $7,919,240. Councilor Zordan was opposed.
TRAFFIC
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Traffic Budget of $285,282.
PUBLIC SAFETY, MISC.
Mayor Bingham said this budget is increased due to hydrant rental and vehicles. On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Public Safety, Misc. Budget of $1,926,770.
BUILDING
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Building Budget of $325,647, reflecting a reduction of $2900.
CITY REAL ESTATE
Mayor Bingham said this budget includes a $4238 increase in fuel and increased maintenance operation costs at Southeast School for $2000. On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the City Real Estate Budget of $87,013.
ELECTION
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Election Budget of $63,750, including a reduction in Misc. Expense of $13,000.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:36 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol Anderson
Recording Secretary
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