BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Special Meeting Minutes
Town Office Building November 8, 2010
Selectmen’s Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectman Millix & Blessington with Business Manager Donna Latincsics and Director of Public Works Lynn Nicholls. Ken Schoppmann, Chairman of the Board of Finance arrived at 6:35 P.M.
Run #1 of the preliminary budget was reviewed. Discussion was held on longevity payments; who gets it, and how many Union and non Union employees are eligible to get it.
Questions were then asked about the increases under Public Works line items. It was then brought up to review the list of the roads that are on the chip seal list for next year, and possibly cut back. Lynn said if we do not chip seal, we will eventually lose some roads. First Selectman Mailhos said a list should be made with the highest priorities listed first. We will then update the Public Work’s work chart, and project a 7 year plan instead of a 5 year plan. The snow budget was also reviewed with suggestions of cutting back on contractors during storms, and Selectman Millix said that surrounding Towns are using salt, and not using sand any longer. He would like to see a true comparison of utilizing straight salt instead of using sand. Lynn said salt is $58 per ton, where sand is $10 per ton. It depends on how much is needed. Lynn has reservations about using salt, as it eats the roads. She will look at the prices and also mentioned watching Ashford as they will be using
molasses this year. There is other material out there to look at, but it needs to be researched what will work best. First Selectman Mailhos said that we should also check with the Inland and Wetlands Commission prior, to make sure it is OK with them if we switched over to salt. First Selectman Mailhos will check with CCM to see what other Towns are utilizing, and what they find is the best option.
Selectman Blessington then brought up that the Public Works Secretary position could be cut. (Referencing the letter from Jim Poole dated November 1). Selectman Millix asked Chairman Schoppmann if the Board of Finance had directed the former Board of Selectmen to cut the position as was alleged in the letter. Chaiman Shoppmann said he does not recall ever directing cutting a position; however they may have recommended it but did not remember. It was budgeted which infers approval. Lynn said she has the third highest budget of the Town with 2 departments. She had originally requested to have a secretary for 18 hours, which was then cut to 12 hours. Having a secretary who works 12 hours per week is still not enough. Lynn said it is near impossible for her to process paperwork when she is on the roads with the
Crew. It was suggested to utilize other Town employees to help handle the secretarial work. Lynn’s argument was that the secretary is only there 12 hours per week, does not get benefits and needs to be at the Garage to do most of the work. Selectman Blessington said he could bet if the position was eliminated, we would figure out a way to get around it. He then asked Lynn if she was given a directive to cut her budget by 7%, how would she do it? 7% in her budget equals $83,000. With the cuts, we also will need a synopsis of the projected outcome.
The letter that went out from the Board of Finance states that all departments will be challenged. An overall reduction of 7% is recommended.
Discussion was held on reducing costs at the Transfer Station. Ideas to reduce bulk removal costs were: enforcing permits to contractors who dump, and perhaps charging for stickers/permits, using a weigh station or going to the bags-pay as you throw. First Selectman Mailhos said that free bulk waste removal is a luxury item, and we should perhaps start to think about charging for it. Chairman Schoppmann said that if the fee is paid, then it should no longer be a line item in the budget. Lynn will look into options for savings at the Transfer Station and report back to the Board.
The 3.5% wage increase was then discussed. It is in the Union Contract, and will bring an increase of $40,464. To maintain the services as they are now (including the 3.5% increase) is an increase of $114,000. In order to come in at a 7% decrease from this year’s budget, we are looking at a total of $294,000 to be decreased.
Donna will look into savings that could be generated from reduction of benefits, a possible furlough day, or perhaps salary freezes to save jobs. Selectman Millix said for the record, this is something we have to do. First Selectman Mailhos said we can also ask for salary concessions. Selectman Blessington said the worst thing he would like to see is for anyone to lose their job, but how else do you cut spending? Selectman Millix asked Selectman Blessington if he thought it would be useful to review the various departments and what the employees do in a work day. It was then suggested that we should cross train everyone to cover for the departments in the event an employee is out. This could save costs rather than pay temporary help.
Selectman Millix suggested to have a meeting devoted to regionalization. This could also cut costs.
Privatization of the Public Works Department was then discussed (per Mr. Poole’s letter). Whereas that might not be possible, Lynn said it might work with the Transfer Station. Selectman Blessington also suggested that the Recreation Department could become privatized; we spend a tremendous amount of money on the fields now.
First Selectman Mailhos asked Chairman Schoppmann if he thought it will be possible to fund CIP this year. He suggested that we look into all of the funds for idle money that is sitting there and make a one year transfer. He does not know if there is anything in those funds or not.
Next budget workshop is scheduled for November 29 at 2:00 P.M.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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