MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
NOVEMBER 18, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 in the council chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Board of Finance members Daniel Farley, Laurene Pesce, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, Wendy Traub, and James Zeller. Also present was Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Comptroller Alice Proulx, and Chairman of the Municipal Renovations Committee, Michael Clark. Also present was Board of Education member Michael Broverman, Director of Human Resources for the Board of Education William Joslyn, and Board of Education Director of Business Services, Nancy Haynes.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mr. Farley, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the board, with the exception of Mr. Bushka who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held October 21, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
BOE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: DISCUSSIONS
William Joslyn indicated that he would be happy to bring to the Negotiating Committee any information that the Board of Finance would like to share with him in terms of the projected budget to help guide them in their upcoming negotiations. He noted that this is a unique year because of the economic situation and they are prepared to go into negotiations with their eyes wide open.
Mayor Bingham said all towns are expecting to take a hit in their upcoming budgets and that none are expecting any increases in revenue, grants, etc. from the state. The only place that Torrington could get extra revenue is from those who can’t give anymore; namely, the property owners.
Mr. Farley stated that the economy doesn’t warrant any pay raises.
Mrs. Pesce suggested looking at shorter contracts in hopes that the economy will turn around.
Mr. Joslyn indicated that the Negotiating Committee has discussed a shorter contract, but they don’t have much faith that things will be better next year.
Mr. Scoville felt that all Negotiating Committees should be looking for some type of sacrifice from the employees. People are experiencing decreases in pay and losing their jobs and homes.
Mrs. Traub agreed that perhaps a shorter contract was a possibility. She wanted the public to understand that once the contracts are settled, those costs are fixed at budget time. It was the Negotiating Committee’s chance to deal with this issue now. The message is clear that there probably won’t be more revenue from the state; in fact, there may be less.
Mr. Joslyn stated that they have control only up to a certain point under binding arbitration.
Mayor Bingham said he could supply them with revenue projections, should they go into arbitration.
Mrs. Traub stated that arbitration is feared by most everyone, but this year may be different due to the economic times, and it just might have to get to that point.
Mrs. Pesce said it was unfortunate for the teachers to be the first ones to face their contracts during this economic crisis and didn’t want them to think they were being singled out.
Mr. Scoville asked if there was any indications from the Unions that the numbers could be decreasing.
Mr. Joslyn said there had been discussions, but it was pretty early in the process. Settlements over the past year are misleading because a lot has happened during the past few months. In the most recent discussions, other districts are having some of the same conversations that we are having. The statewide Unions have a good idea of what they are up against and saying that it’s going to be a tough go.
Nancy Haynes, Director of Business Services, said they needed to meet the statutory requirements.
Mr. Joslyn indicated that Mrs. Traub was part of their group and had agreed to keep negotiations confidential.
UPDATE ON CITY HALL RENOVATIONS
Mike Clark, Chairman of the Municipal Renovations Committee, indicated that the project is currently at the 95% Design Completion Level. One of their challenges has been to find adequate temporary space to accommodate all City Hall offices and keep within the lease and refit budgets. The former Timken building on Field Street was selected and will be leased by Quadrelle Realty Services LLC of Larchmont NY. The facility is very convenient, has ample parking and is all on one level. The lease agreement should be ready for Council approval at their December 1st meeting and the relocation is expected to begin the first week in February.
Mr. Clark indicated that the smallest part of the entire project, the traffic building, has become their largest challenge. Polluted soil (but not contaminated) and its location being in the middle of the 100 year flood plain placed extraordinary demands on the site work. With the assistance of Corporation Counsel, Planning & Zoning and Inland Wetlands, they have totally redesigned the original building and site plan to conform to applicable codes and stayed within budget. A foundation system that will disturb a fraction of the amount of soil as in previous plans will be used. The Police Chief and traffic personnel have accepted the plan. The building is estimated to be completed by mid May. Plans are to put the traffic barn construction out to bid concurrently with City Hall by the
end of December. The entire project is on schedule and expected to be under budget. A savings of more than $280,000.00 is expected, mostly from soft costs including administrative, technology equipment, moving expenses, least cost and commissioning expenses. In addition, the MRC (Municipal Renovations Committee) was approved for an ADA grant in the amount of $454,000.00, they were given a reallocation of Small Cities funds totaling $120,000.00, and donations towards the construction of the Veteran’s Memorial of $81,200.00. They are hopeful that an additional $120,000.00 can be raised to complete the Veteran’s Memorial solely from donations. The MRC will have reduced the project estimate by approximately $935,200.00, netting an estimated project cost of $14,047,397.00.
Mr. Clark added that the vaults for the City Clerk and Probate have also presented a challenge. The architect toured the temporary City Hall space with the MRC and representatives from the State Department of Records Management and demonstrated that his design met the intent of State regulations. He submitted a request for a variance to allow construction of the vaults per his design and the MRC is confident that approval from the state will allow them to move forward. The MRC will need to make cuts elsewhere to absorb anticipated additional vault costs.
Mayor Bingham thanked Mr. Clark for a very detail, concise, and comprehensive presentation.
CORRECTION ACTION PROJECT
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Farley, the board voted unanimously to authorize the expenditure of $24,925.00, landfill encumbrance #06-6531 on the Correction Action Project for closed sludge drying beds, per attached memo from WPC Administrator Ray Drew. (Approved by Council on 10/22/08 and tabled by BOF on 10/21/2008)
Corp. Counsel Weaver said she has spoken to DEP officials and reviewed the City’s documents regarding the closure and corrective action project. Although the City has been in compliance, DEP and EPA have consistently preserved their right to require the City to conduct further investigation and ground water monitoring. Even though the City had received a Closure Permit and Deferred status, the DEP/EPA’s right to require further action to prevent pollution would prevail. Therefore, the City should support the recommendation made by WPCA Administrator Ray Drew.
HEMLOCK CONSTRUCTION
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mr. Farley, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $117,333.19 from the Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund #0490 to Hemlock Construction Company, Inc., for the sanitary sewer project Charles St. Relief Line at Winthrop St.
Corp. Counsel Weaver stated that items from the Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund will no longer have to come before the Board of Finance for approval. She stated they were originally approved by them because of a vote of the Board of Finance in the 1920's. However, since that time, the State Legislature enacted the Water Pollution Control Act which empowered the WPCA to control its own funds. Nothing within that legislature requires oversight of WPCA action by the local finance boards. Consequently, the local rule has been preempted by statute so WPCA will no longer come before the Board of Finance for approval.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Finance. There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Bushka, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:40 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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