WILLINGTON BOARD OF FINANCE
Town Hall
Common Road
Willington, CT ~06279
April 5, 2011
7:00 P.M.
BUDGET HEARING
Members Present:
Ken Schoppmann, Chairman
Ann Marie Brown, Vice-Chair
Elizabeth (Lisa) Marco
Alan Ference
Peter Latincsics
Chopeta Lyons
Richard (Butch) Littell- Alternate
Mark Wiggins – Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Lynn Nicholls, Public Works Dir.; Selectmen Christina Mailhos, John Blessington and Tyler Millix; Dave Harding, Superintendent; Mark Makuch, Board of Ed; BOE Members; Donna Harding, Town Clerk; members of the public.
Chairman Schoppmann called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.
Chairman Schoppmann presented the proposed 2011 – 2012 General Government and Board of Education Budget. He explained that expenses are up $78,000. Region 19 is up $294,000 from last year because of our increase in student population. When we started this budget process we were looking at a potential $300,000 to $400,000 cost increase, a decrease in State funding and a 1.7 mil increase. We asked all the budget makers to come to us with a tight budget and where we can make further cuts if needed. The end result reflects the cuts without cutting services. This budget entails a mil increase of .18 which is a .76% increase in taxes. He then turned the floor over to Superintendent Harding.
EDUCATION BUDGET
Superintendent Dave Harding presented the Board of Education Budget. Their request is for $7,610,286 which is a 1.25% decrease from last year. They eliminated a remedial position at Hall School and received concessions from the administration to meet the Board of Finances requests.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET
First Selectman Christina Mailhos presented the General Government budget. The request includes a 2.3% decrease. This included cutting sub-contractors from the snow plowing budget. They will continue to close the old town hall in the winter and are sourcing office suppliers to save money. Because they were not able to come to an agreement on concessions with the union they are considering decreasing hours or eliminating a staff person to fulfill the Board of Finance’s request for further cuts.
Board of Finance -2- April 5, 2011
Melissa Welsh asked if there is a Plan B if money does not come from the State and would we use our reserve fund. Selectman Mailhos said that we have thought about Plan B, C, D & E. The decision would be made depending on how much the shortfall would be. Chairman Schoppmann there is no documented Plan B. The BOE is about ½ of our budget, Region 19 is ¼ of the budget and the rest is the General Government budget.
Teri Gareau, Rec. Director asked how much of a fund balance we need to have to a good bond rating. Chairman Schoppmann said that the rule was 10% but recently the auditors said 2 month of spending.
Mark Silva asked what Public Protection and Ambulance covered in the budget. He wanted to know if there is a need for two Fire Departments and if it has been looked at. Chairman Schoppmann said that it has been looked at many times. Lisa Marco informed him that they cover two different sides of town.
Mark Makuch, Board of Education said that looking out two years on the budget is really smart. One area he asked be looked at is the landfill. It needs to be better monitored. Here we are laying off a teacher and plowing the roads slower but other towns can dump their roofing supplies and stuff for nothing.
Mitch Saba thanked the Board of Finance for doing a great job. He asked that they don’t make cuts painful. The children always seem to be the first cut. He also asked that the dump be managed better.
Coleen Quinn voiced her concern about cutting out a principal and the Board of Education opting not to do it. She asked who to talk to about this. Board of Education Chairman Mark Makuch said for her to come to a BOE Meeting. There is a Present to Speak part on the agenda where she can voice her concerns.
COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD
Chopeta Lyons said that it was a real difficult year. All the Boards and Commissions worked well together. She thanked everyone for their hard work.
Lisa Marco said that this was the best budget season and everyone worked hard and that we had a good leader.
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
BOF Recording Secretary
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