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Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN ° 40 OLD FARMS ROAD ° WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 ° (860) 487-3100 ° FAX (860) 487-3103
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING MAR. 10, 2003
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 7:15 P.M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Eldredge and Lewis and P. Latincsics. First Selectman Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BUDGET
First Selectman Patton commented that the overall proposal is a 1.54% increase, he asked the Board for any ideas on what they want to cut. Selectman Eldredge commented that we can talk about wages after, try to get to 0% without affecting people. The Board went through each line item. Line item 111 has union obligations in it as does 134 and a step increase. Selectman Eldredge asked if we could cut anything from the Land Use Attorney, to reduce it by $5,000? First Selectman Patton commented that it is a placeholder. Selectman Lewis commented that if anything, it is low. First Selectman Patton commented that this particular line item is all guess, we have no idea how it will go. Historically, we are low, this year we will far exceed the numbers. Selectman Lewis
commented that if we bring it to low we will need to go back to the Board of Finance and throw everything out of wack. Selectman Eldredge asked if we can move all of that around in the budget? First Selectman Patton replied yes, only the total in a line item matters, between objects is our call. Selectman Eldredge commented that we should go through the whole budget and see where we can cut and get down to 0%. First Selectman Patton commented that he almost wants to put 163, 175 & 178 under general government. Selectman Eldredge asked what would the advantage be? First Selectman Patton commented that it would be one less item for accounting, just put all 3 under object 300 in the general government. Line item 183, Consulting Engineers, was reduced. Selectman Lewis asked if that is okay even with the bridge? First Selectman Patton commented that he would probably capitalize that and pay for it under LOCIP. Selectman
Eldredge commented that he didn’t think we were getting LOCIP. First Selectman Patton commented that under LOCIP they authorize the expenditure and will pay the next year. Line item 211, Police Protection is down $4,000. First Selectman Patton commented that they have been very responsive doing radar without overtime. Line 212 is for the crossing guard, it is unknown how many children are crossed but she also stops traffic for the school buses. First Selectman Patton will check on the number of children. Line 233, Eastern Highlands Health District, had a slight increase due to our population increase. 241, Building Official has an increase of $300 for travel expenses. For 311, Selectman Eldredge asked if we get a new Supervisor of Public Works would we have to pay $55,000? First Selectman Patton commented the Supervisor must make about $48,000/49,000; we could reduce it to $50,000 or $52,000, we can make that a range and
try to get someone for less, we will make it $50,000 even. First Selectman Patton commented that there is a vacancy under equipment operator, when we fill that there will make a vacancy for driver/laborer. First Selectman Patton commented that he is going to suggest not filling the driver/laborer position. We could bring in contractors when necessary. He talked to the Fire Departments and they could help. Selectman Eldredge asked how would you eliminate a union position? What would we eliminate? First Selectman Patton commented that we could move people around, you Mike could work for Public Works 26 hours a week. Selectman Eldredge asked what about Recreation? First Selectman Patton commented that you would be on Public Works, not Recreation. Selectman Eldredge asked if he would be discharged from Recreation. First Selectman Patton commented not discharged just moved within Town. Selectman Lewis commented that
no one is getting hurt. Selectman Eldredge commented that you are eliminating from the union contract, I am going to Public Works and out of Recreation. Selectman Lewis commented that it is not hurting your pay or eliminating a person. Selectman Eldredge commented that we are not giving them help. First Selectman Patton commented that no people are being eliminated; there is no loss of money for anyone. We would drop money from Recreation.
SPECIAL MEETING -2- MAR. 10, 2003
Selectman Eldredge asked when do I do the Transfer Station billing? First Selectman Patton commented that you could do it on Wednesday. Selectman Lewis commented that we are trying to lower the budget without hurting people. Selectman Eldredge commented don’t hire a Public Works Supervisor. Selectman Lewis commented that the Public Works Supervisor was a working supervisor. First Selectman Patton commented that you need someone who is going to do more than direct the crew day to day, someone taking care of administration, people, long and short term planning, budgeting, wetlands, zoning, OSHA, well beyond sitting there and putting in drainage. Selectman Lewis commented that the State has so many regulations that you need someone in charge, you need a Public Works Supervisor.
First Selectman Patton commented that he would make those changes, Public Works Supervisor salary at $50,000, equipment operator at step 1. Selectman Eldredge commented that right now you have 2 driver/laborer positions and you are telling me that you are going to take one of them out. First Selectman Patton replied correct, that’s my thought now but I have not heard back from the union. Selectman Eldredge commented that would reduce the line item in half. First Selectman Patton commented that it would reduce the line item but you have other labor that needs to be picked up and some contractual work. It would be approximately a $20,000 savings. Selectman Eldredge commented that he doesn’t think we should eliminate the driver/labor position. Selectman Lewis commented that the cuts from the State equal about 1 mil in taxes. We need to make up that money and look at things differently. First Selectman Patton
commented that it is certainly not what I would like, I need to cut some labor costs and not affect anyone. Selectman Lewis commented that it is not eliminating anyone, just re-arranging. Selectman Eldredge commented that he does not agree at all. Selectman Lewis commented that he didn’t think we need two people in Recreation, we are cutting back without killing anyone’s paycheck, it is the best of both worlds. Selectman Eldredge commented it is not the best of his world to give up what he enjoys doing, I took over Recreation when no one wanted it. I take cutting me out of Recreation very personal. Selectman Eldredge commented that under Clerk of the Works we have $3,000 and we have not used it in the past. First Selectman Patton commented that we can take it out. Selectman Eldredge commented on the oil increase. First Selectman Patton commented that we need to do more roads. Selectman Eldredge asked why not
hold off on this, the stone is reduced. First Selectman Patton commented that the stone is for chipping; he does not want to mess with the road schedule. The heating oil was reduced to $1,000 due to the waste oil burner. He plans to fill up at the end of the year. Crack sealing has been eliminated the last couple of years and we need to do it; we will bring it down to $8,000, it is important. The other aggregate was brought down to $14,000. Selectman Eldredge commented that you are going to be cutting the Transfer Station to only 24 hours a week but that has to go through the union first. Selectman Lewis commented that it will not make a difference in the overall budget; it is a transfer between departments. Selectman Eldredge commented that Mid-Neroc should be increased by $200 that was an actual figure. Selectman Eldredge commented that on Wed. we run about 20 tons of trash, 45 dumpsters. There is a formula about what
the weights should be and this is being run. Hopefully we could cut a lot of money out of there; if it comes in around 7 tons we could almost cut $28,000 out of budget. We could change the ordinance to say no commercial dumpsters. It wouldn’t affect residential curbside pickup, we would reduce 7 tons on Wed. and we would not need a mid-day switch, which would save $7,000. First Selectman Patton commented that we can just not allow commercial haulers, how can you police if they are doing dumpsters or curbside. Selectman Eldredge commented that we license haulers to pick up residential curbside. First Selectman Patton commented that he is inclined not to allow commercial haulers to dump at the transfer station. Selectman Eldredge commented that other towns do that but he would hate to take away something from people. First Selectman Patton commented that we can reduce this when the ordinance passes. First Selectman Patton
commented that the overall capital plan is down approximately $10,000, you must tie the 500 series in with the 900 series, which is down $36,600, the transfers are up $27,000 so the overall capital expenditures are down $9,600. There is a constant witling at this capital expenditure, we are doing okay because we are planning for it, if we plan to build a library, which I think we should, we won’t have a lot of money to do anything else if we keep cutting down this capital expenditure. First Selectman Patton commented that he would like to move 652 under the 111 series to keep track of it, also move 653, 654, 655 and 656 under Youth, Family & Social Services. First Selectman Patton commented that in the 800 series he could bring Social Security down $1,000. We won’t have actual numbers on insurance until later. The 900 series is down $36,600. First Selectman Patton commented that the overall general government budget is up $71,000,
about 2.5%. If the Board feels comfortable with these numbers he will go to the Board of Finance and tell them we are look at some other things (Solid Waste Advisory Com. & the union) and if we get anything we will make other changes. Go with about $20,000 in changes in this budget.
SPECIAL MEETING -3- MAR. 10, 2003
Selectman Lewis asked if anyone, other than Selectmen, volunteered not to take raises? Selectman Eldredge said no, he volunteered to defer Recreation Director. He would certainly hope that some of the people on the Town side would volunteer for deferment; you wouldn’t loose it you would get it in 2004-05. He would only go with a volunteer deferment. Selectman Lewis commented that what he sees that potentially could be done with SWAC, we could be down to about a 0% increase. First Selectman Patton commented that he will make the changes.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
First Selectman Patton commented that given the report from Karl Acimovic I would ask that we add Ketches Road Bridge in place of the drainage on Village Hill Road. Selectman Eldredge asked if the re-evaluation could be done over 2 years by our people, is there any time limit on it? First Selectman Patton commented that it must be done in time for the Oct. 1, 2003 Grand List, it must be complete by Feb. 2004. It will start sometime around July. First Selectman Patton commented that we would replace the Village Hill Road drainage with the Ketches Road bridge, move the drainage to the intersection of Hancock & 320 place and move the intersection back a couple of years. First Selectman Patton commented that the CIP is to keep us from wild swings in the budget. Our capital money is
about 4.5% of our overall budget; it is not a good idea to reduce this number. Selectman Lewis commented that if the Town doesn’t put money away for its future projects, no one will put the money away for it. First Selectman Patton commented that you can cut it out but next year you will not be able to put it in. Selectman Eldredge commented that you must consider what kind of a wack you are going to take on the other. That will have to be the Board of Finance’s decision. First Selectman Patton commented that when you go to start doing something it will not be there. Selectman Eldredge commented that they will have to weigh it. Selectman Lewis asked about the cost of Ketches Rd. Bridge? First Selectman Patton commented about $140,000, the good news is that the State has promised to pay us $62,000 next year under LOCIP.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT WE APPROVE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WITH THE CHANGES TO DO KETCHES ROAD BRIDGE AND MOVE THE VILLAGE HILL DRAINAGE AND THE INTERSECTION OF RT. 32O & HANCOCK ROAD.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
First Selectman Patton commented that he will make the changes in the budget and the Board will vote on it at the next meeting. Selectman Eldredge commented that the only personnel changes we are going to make is moving people around in Public Works. First Selectman Patton commented that the changes are: Move a couple of line items, Equipment Operator – step 1, Public Works Supervisor salary - $50,000, object 132 – step 1, object 133 – step 1, eliminate clerk of the works, reduce crack seal to $8,000, reduce other aggregate to $14,000 and add $200 to Mid-Neroc and change Social Security to $6,700.
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:53 P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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