MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
September 18, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday,
September 18, 2012.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Board of Finance members Bill Lamoin, Laurene Pesce, Brian Paganini, and Thomas Scoville. Director of Student and Professional Operations William Joslyn, Director of Elderly Services Nancy Hodkoski, Nutrition Supervisor Joel Sekorski and Comptroller Alice Proulx were also present. Board of Finance member Mark Bushka was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to rescind the vote made on July 17, 2012 accepting the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 19, 2012, as amended.
On a motion by Mr. Paganini, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 19, 2012.
On a motion by Mr. Scoville, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to rescind the vote made on July 17, 2012 accepting the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with City Council on June 19, 2012.
On a motion by Mr. Lamoin, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with City Council on June 19, 2012, as amended.
On a motion by Mr. Scoville, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on July 17, 2012.
On a motion by Mr. Lamoin, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the City Council & WPC Authority on July 17, 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Mr. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
BOARD OF EDUCATION NEGOTIATIONS DECLARATION AND OVERVIEW
Mr. Joslyn explained that under collective bargaining laws, he is required to meet with the City's fiscal authority prior to entering negotiations. He said the Board of Education is entering negotiations with the Torrington Public Schools Administrator's Association, which is comprised of 14 members including Principals, Assistant Principals and the Director of Special Education. He said they will negotiate through December, enter mediation on November 6th, and arbitration on December 1st.
Mr. Joslyn said they have just completed a two-year agreement that had no salary increase for the administrators, and no change of benefits. In last year's re-opener, they voluntarily took a zero percent increase. He noted that they are fully aware of the economic climate we're in, and that there is a need to recognize that these administrators do a great job for us in our school district. They have cut six positions over the years, he said.
Mr. Joslyn asked the Board of Finance if there's anything he can bring back to the negotiating team, which is chaired by Fiona Cappabianca, and on which Paul Cavagnero, John Kissko, Danielle Batchelder and Mr. Joslyn serve.
Mayor Bingham asked if this bargaining unit included administrative staff at the Board of Education. Mr. Joslyn said it does not. The Superintendant, Assistant Superintendant, Business Manager, the Director of Facilities and himself are all part of a separate non-bargaining unit, he said.
Regarding health insurance, Mr. Joslyn said they are open to some discussion. This smaller group of district leaders can be dealt with more creatively, he said, and removing the insurance carrier name on some contracts allows them to go out to RFP to try to find the best possible price.
Mr. Joslyn said salary will need to be considered, while recognizing two freezes over the last couple of years. He said this group does not typically have a lot of issues with language and there's nothing that he's really concerned about. Mr. Joslyn said he'd prefer a 3-year contract to get back in step with other groups.
Mr. Scoville noted that a study was just made public by the State indicating that it's going to be tough, especially for the next four years as Connecticut is lagging from the national economy.
Mrs. Pesce said that we have no idea where the state budget is going to end up and it probably is not good. She further noted that the HSA is a big deal that has been worth some money to each side in other union negotiations.
SENIOR CENTER AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to approve a $5,000 expenditure from Contingency to Air Temp Mechanical Services, Inc. of Southington, CT for the replacement/repair of two air conditioning units in Building B of the Sullivan Senior Center per the email from Nancy Hodkoski dated August 28, 2012, having been approved by City Council on September 4, 2012.
In answer to Mr. Scoville's question, Ms. Proulx said this is the first expenditure out of contingency this year.
Mr. Lamoin asked if this could be taken out of other line items. Ms. Hodkoski said there is no wiggle room in any line item in her budget which contains only what is spent on routine expenses.
Mayor Bingham spoke in defense of the Senior Center, saying there has not been a contingency request from the Senior Center that he can remember.
Mrs. Hodkoski said this was an emergency during the hot, humid weather as there were people with breathing problems and rooms being used for exercise classes, yoga classes and hospital-sponsored movement classes for arthritis and Parkinson's disease. She said it is imperative that these repairs be made. She noted that a $50,000 kitchen renovation was done without any City money, and that they are very mindful that the City tries to keep its belt tight, so they try to find other sources to complete their projects.
Mayor Bingham said the City Council questioned the exclusions mentioned in the contract. Ms. Hodkoski said that none of that work is required to be done.
Mr. Lamoin said the Senior Center does the most with its budget. Ms. Hodkoski noted that their overall budget is close to 3 million and the City's percentage is $300,000.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF BOARD OF FINANCE
On a motion by Mr. Scoville, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Finance.
No business was presented.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Paganini, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:23 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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