CORRECTED MINUTES VOL. 26 PAGE 225a
SPECIAL AND TELEPHONIC JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY AND THE BOARD OF FINANCE
June 24, 2013
A SPECIAL AND TELEPHONIC JOINT MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority and the Board of Finance in the Auditorium on Monday, June 24, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, Gregg Cogswell and Drake Waldron, along with Board of Finance Members Bill Lamoin, Laurene Pesce, Mark Bushka and Brian Paganini (via telephone). Comptroller Alice Proulx was also present.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Review Budget Reductions
Mayor Bingham said he has met the $345,943 $346,943 budget cut with $166,050 $100,166.50 (See Addendum 1) added back in to pension contributions, and opened the meeting to questions.
Mrs. Pesce asked if the $104,000 cut to the Fire Department is from positions. Mayor Bingham said it came from delayed hirings, both in the Police and Fire Departments.
Councilor Carbone asked what will not happen when $25,000 is cut from the Fire Department Capital. Mayor Bingham replied the parking lot, but they are trying to see what repairs can be made.
Councilor Carbone questioned the $20,000 increase to Street Salt and Ms. Proulx explained they received this revenue by selling excess Salt to other departments.
Mr. Lamoin asked if the cuts occurred after the Volunteer Fire Department adjustments were made, and Mayor Bingham replied yes.
Mrs. Pesce asked about the reduction in HSA contributions and Ms. Proulx explained that after open enrollment, a few individuals moved back to the PPO plan so HSA contributions were less.
Mrs. Pesce asked what the hypertension payment reductions were. Ms. Proulx replied that every year heart and hypertension law suit settlements are budgeted for. Over the last five years, law suits weren't settled as quickly as predicted, leaving a safe place to make a modification.
Councilor Cogswell asked for clarification that Police and Fire overtime will cover the hiring delays. Mayor Bingham replied that it will and added that the Police Department has done very well in overtime this year.
Mr. Bushka questioned the $50,000 reduction in vehicle replacement, to make sure that isn't being eliminated. Mayor Bingham said that is an additional target. Ms. Proulx assured that $438,000 will still be added to that fund.
Councilor Carbone asked how the Tax Collector contract was reduced and Mayor Bingham explained that the percentage is lower percentage due to fact that the mill rate has already been set.
Approve Budget Reductions
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the reductions as presented.
On a motion by Mr. Bushka, seconded by Mr. Lamoin, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to approve the reductions as presented.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:38 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
Addendum 1
From: Alice Proulx Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 9:14 AM To: Carol Anderson Subject: 6/24/13 Minutes Hi Carol:
I was going over the minutes of the Special Joint Meeting on 6/24/13 to confirm my budget amendments and there were a couple of numbers that need to be corrected.~ The total budget cut was $346,943 and the amount added back into pension contributions was $100,166.50. |
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