BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Special Meeting Minutes
Town Office Building January 3, 2011
Selectmen’s Conference Room 1:00 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectman Millix & Blessington with Donna Latinscics; Business Manager, Lynn Nicholls; Director of Public Works and Residents.
Donna disbursed run number 2 of the proposed budget with confirmed changes in red, totaling -.7%. First Selectman Mailhos made an opening statement that we have already gone to a -.7% cut; and we should cut back on whatever we can, but she is not convinced that we should do anything drastic until we know what the State revenue predictions are. She would like to go in at zero and keep going without cutting positions. She then suggested we come up with a plan B to plan for the worst.
Lynn referenced what Chairman Shoppman said at an earlier Board of Selectmen meeting, that it is easier to cut things out now and then add them back in as things get better. Selectman Blessington said he needs to be pessimistic and agreed with Lynn. We should prepare for the worst.
Discussion was held on delegating the supply ordering to one employee and decreasing office supplies by 20% across the board. The savings would be approximately $2,400.00
Selectman Millix asked if they have talked about flat lining the Selectmen’s salaries. First Selectman Mailhos recommended that there be no increase in the salaries. Selectman Millix agreed. Selectman Blessington said that the First Selectman’s salary is vastly underpaid. This is the third year in a row without a pay increase. Lynn said that she attends every meeting and goes throughout the state, and agreed that the current First Selectman is underpaid. Selectman Blessington said that the job was considered part time in the past, but has turned into a fulltime position. Mr. Poole said that a few years ago, the Board of Finance recommended that the Board of Selectmen review and determine what the position entails and be upgraded to a full time position with commensurate salary if
deemed necessary. The BOF then asked to have the information brought back so they could figure out how to fund it to get it to a reasonable pay scale for the job. To his knowledge, nothing has been done. Selectman Millix said how can you possibly ask for concessions and then take a 3.5% raise? Selectman Blessington agreed, especially with the other two Selectmen Salaries, but the First Selectman salary has been put of for many years. Selectman Millix asked to revisit the salary and job description in the future of this fiscal year; in the meantime, until we know exactly where we are going, it is best to keep it at zero. Mr. Poole clarified that at the time, the Board of Finance’s recommendation was no sitting Selectman will take advantage of the new job description and pay rate; it would take effect as of the new election year. Selectman Blessington said we do have to deal with it at some point. First Selectman Mailhos will contact CCM to
conduct a study for all elected officials to get comparable hours and pay scales as well as benefits.
The board then went through the line items and proposed decreasing the following:
Memorial Day fund, decrease by $100.00
Historic District, decrease by $100.00
Referendum mail, decrease by $1,300.00
Tax mapping, decrease by 1,700
Building Official’s travel expense, decrease by $500
Building Official memberships, decrease by $300
Discussion was held on removing the Consulting Engineering line ($10,500) and the Land Use Attorney fees ($8,000) from the Selectmen’s budget and transferring them to the Planning and Zoning budget.
WINCOG membership was then discussed. First Selectman Mailhos said it is in our best interest to stay in WINCOG. Lynn said we get huge savings by using WINCOG; for example, the pumping of catch basins costs us $25 per catch basin because we are members. The regular cost of pumping them is between $60 and $120 per catch basin. Mr. Poole suggested that you might be able to get a better rate if we regionalize with Ashford and Tolland.
Donna said that the Finance Department has upgraded the accounting software to a new module that allows us to email vouchers as well as an employee portal for health insurance and get direct deposit vouchers as well as payroll distribution. The checks will be emailed. Omitting the printing will save money. The paper option will still be offered as it is state law.
Discussion then went back to omitting the Public Works Secretary position and disbursing the work to the Finance Department and cutting hours of the employees who work 30 hours per week. Selectman Millix said we would save more from cutting a position rather than cutting hours. First Selectman Mailhos reiterated that she said she did not want to cut staff unless absolutely necessary. She will contact Department Heads to request suggestions to mitigate the 3.5% contractual salary increases. That would include reduced work hours or staff reductions. At the next meeting the Board will discuss each position individually.
Discussion was held regarding VNA Senior Wellness line item that was added in for $1,200. First Selectman Mailhos explained that this program was previously funded under the WYFSS budget in the McSweeney membership at an original cost of $1,500. The service however was cancelled and is no longer available and was deducted from the WYFSS budget. She felt that the proper place for the expenditure would be under the Senior Center.
A C.I.P. meeting date is forthcoming. The next budget workshop will be held on Monday, January 10 at 1:00 P.M. in the Selectmen’s conference room
Meeting was adjourned at 3:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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