MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
BOARD OF FINANCE AND CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
June 12, 2017
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority and the Board of Finance was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, June 12, 2017. Present were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Jaime LaMere, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Gregg Cogswell, Anne Ruwet, and Daniel Farley. Board of Finance Members present included JoAnn Fenty, Mark Bushka, Laurene Pesce, Joshua Ferreira, Christopher Anderson and Frank Rubino. City Councilors Luisa Noujaim and Drake Waldron were absent. Also present were Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Deputy Comptroller Gina Casper, Superintendent of Schools Denise Clemons, Board of Education Chair Fiona Cappabianca, Board of Education member Kenneth Traub, and City Engineer Ed Fabbri.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Council – Potential Subcontractor
On an amended motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded as amended by Councilor Farley, the City Council voted unanimously to approve P&G Pepper Construction Services Inc. as a proposed potential subcontractor for the Torrington Drainage & Associated Improvements project.
City Council – Budget Amendments/Transfers
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Farley, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the budget amendments/transfers listed in the Comptroller’s Memo dated June 6, 2017.
Board of Finance – Budget Amendments/Transfers
On a motion by Mr. Bushka, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to authorize the budget amendments/transfers listed in the Comptroller’s Memo dated June 6, 2017. Fire Chief Brunoli explained that radios, fitness equipment and 5” hose will be purchased.
City Council – Capital Plan
On a motion by Councilor Farley, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2017-2018 Capital plan.
City Council – Coe Memorial Park Budget
On a motion by Councilor Farley, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2017-2018 Coe Memorial Park budget.
City Council – FY 2017-2018 Budget Approval
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Farley, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2017-2018 City Budget of $55,452,140 with the understanding that the Board of Finance will take it under consideration for additional recommendations for cuts after state revenue information is available.
Joint Discussion on Budgets
Mayor Carbone described her unsuccessful efforts to communicate to our State Representatives the effect the 32 Mill Rate Cap will have on the City budget. She asked that the current property tax mill rate be set at the current rate of 45.75, and that the Boards consider a budgeting strategy that may include cuts of $3,934,329 (66%) from the City budget and $2,075,013 (34%) from the Board of Education budget.
Councilor Cavagnero asked what the $2 million cuts would look like at the Board of Education. Ms. Clemons replied that they would include a school closing, reductions in staff, and increased class sizes. She said that rather than moving the school district forward, it would be a move backwards. Ms. Cappabianca pointed out that in light of School Choice, these cuts would create increased expenses when students choose schools outside of our district.
Mr. Ferreira said that all the Boards need to be working together and Councilor Ruwet added that this is an opportunity for partnership and shared services.
Mrs. Pesce noted that school closings were discussed last year, and that it is too late in the year now, so the schools must be funded somehow.
Mr. Anderson asked what the $3 million cuts would look like in the City Budget and Mayor Carbone reviewed several scenarios. Councilor Ruwet was assured that no projects would be at risk of losing grant funds.
Board of Finance – Adopt City Budget FY 2017-2018
By roll call vote, on a motion by Mr. Ferreira, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to adopt the 2017-2018 City Budget of $51,517,809.
Board of Finance – Adopt Board of Education Budget FY 2017-2018
By roll call vote, on a motion by Mr. Ferreira, seconded by Mr. Rubino, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to adopt the 2017-2018 Board of Education combined Capital and Operating Budget of $74,149,114.
Board of Finance – Set Mill Rate
By roll call vote, on a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Bushka, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to set the mill rate at 45.75.
Tabled by Board of Finance: Motor Vehicle Mill Rate
By roll call vote, on a motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Rubino, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to table the setting of the Motor Vehicle mill rate until such time as is set by the State.
Atty. LaMere noted that other towns are tabling this decision as well.
Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Rubino, the Boards voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MMC, MCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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