BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Special Meeting Minutes
Town Office Building March 30, 2011
Lower Level Conference Room 4:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectman Millix & Blessington, Business Manager Donna Latincsics and Public Works Director, Lynn Nicholls.
First Selectman Mailhos briefed the other Selectmen on the decision made at the last Board of Finance meeting. The BOF decided that the reductions from the non-union employees who are not getting salary increases (savings) should have been included in the $50,000 reduction to the Board of Selectmen budget. The issue of not replacing the Assistant Zoning Agent position, which totals $22,000.00 was also discussed. It falls outside the Board of Selectmen budget and is in the General Government budget, so if they agree, the Board of Finance would need to decrease the Planning and Zoning budget by that amount, put that amount back into the Board of Selectmen budget, leaving a balance of $16,000 to reduce from the Board of Selectmen budget.
She also noted that the union declined the counter offer regarding concessions that was made last week. First Selectman Mailhos said cutting the budget by $16,000 could be done by cutting hours of one or more employees rather than completely laying off a position, but such cuts may need to be negotiated. It depends on each unique situation. If the union had accepted our counter offer, it would have been a reduction of $18,000.
The most straight forward way to reduce would be to lay off a full-time position. Almost every employee here has a unique position, with the exception of two who hold the same title: (Accounting Associate or Laborer). Otherwise a position needs to be picked to cut. We also may end up cutting more than we need to. Selectman Millix said he is not interested in reducing anyone who is already not getting a salary increase – it is just not fair.
Discussion was held on where to reduce. The following Departments have the following hours per week (total employees and hours): Public Works: 252, Finance: 140, Planning and Zoning: 70, Assessor: 50, Tax Collector: 60; Town Clerk: 60; Rec Dept: 30. Public Works is the largest department and one could argue that it could absorb the impact of a cut; however they have already been cut so much already. We have also cut the contractors.
The first suggestion was to reduce the Transfer Station employees who work 2 days at Public Works, by 8 hours each, or cut one of the employees by 2 days out of Public Works. Selectman Blessington said the Public Works Department is already short staffed as it is. They serve the people. He would rather look elsewhere where there may be redundancy. He would rather not have to lay anyone off, but we apparently need to pick a position and sees anyone who deals with the general public is not an option to let go.
The other discussion was cutting an Accounting Associate, as the Finance Department is the second highest labor force and hours per week and they do not deal with the public. Selectman Millix said that department needs the number of people we have. They operate efficiently now. The one thing you don’t want to jeopardize is paying the bills.
Selectman Millix said we have a $16,000 problem that we very well may have our backs pushed against the wall and we have to solve it with a $35 or $40,000 solution. He said he did not make that decision. Our course of action has to involve ruling what we are empowered to do under the managers rights clause. He said he is not interested in negotiating with the union or discussing back and forth. He is done.
The Board went over all of the departments and where labor could be cut. We cannot cut our Assessor; as she is only here 16 hours per week, and her assistant is here for the majority of the time. Selectman Blessington said he would be uncomfortable with letting the Assistant Revenue Collector go, as the Tax Collector would not have a back up coverage. That position also requires certifications to perform in that position. The Town Clerk’s office requires certain certifications as well, and would be in the same situation. First Selectman Mailhos said she hadn’t even considered looking at the assistants. The last departments to look at are Recreation and Youth and Family Services, however they are both run by one person. The survey comments did come back that people do not want to see any
more cuts on the roads. Lynn said we have all been cut so much; and when you have someone out, it is hard enough to get coverage. She said they are still hurting from when they lost one the guys 8 years ago, and haven’t replaced him. Every time we eliminate someone, they are never replaced. She would rather lean towards cutting each laborer by 8 hours each, so they still have their benefits and we still have coverage.
Selectman Millix said that is the department head’s responsibility to figure out what to do from there.
Selectman Blessington suggested looking at the Library staff and see if we can cut somewhere there. First Selectman Mailhos reminded him that they are getting 0 % increases now as well as the Fire Department. The Library has 6 employees – 1 full time and the others are part time. They also have many volunteers and are not included in our budget anyway.
First Selectman Mailhos said if we cut an accounting associate, we could cut $35,000 which is more than we need to cut. Selectman Blessington said that might not be a bad thing.
Selectman Millix asked if it is our interpretation to think that we need to reduce $16,000 is there a benefit to let the bargaining unit know that this is what we are prepared to do. First Selectman Mailhos said we have been very clear with the bargaining unit as to what we need to do. We have asked early and often for concessions. We have explained that this financial situation is serious.
We don’t necessarily need to make a decision tonight. We can go to the Public Hearing with not replacing the Assistant Zoning Agent’s salary and with the understanding that we will decide where the $16,000 will come from . The Board of Finance will need to decide what numbers will go to referendum the night of the Public Hearing. First Selectman Mailhos said we should have a formal motion to go to the Public Hearing with. We are looking at various ways to cut work the force but it still hasn’t been formally decided. We technically have until two weeks before July 1 to figure out where to cut is. Selectman Millix said we can wait to see what the reaction is at the Public Hearing. First Selectman Mailhos said she does not want to make a rash decision. It
deserves a little more consideration before making a final decision.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to recommend that the Board of Finance reduce the Planning and Zoning budget that is within the general government budget by $22,845.00.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to have the remaining $15,362 be shown on the Board of Selectmen budget as a future reduction in labor cost.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Selectman Blessington said he is not sure this is the way to go. He said we keep putting the decision off hoping the union will see the light and change their decision. He is not enthusiastic about this, but will go with it.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to go into executive session at 5:33 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Millix moved to come out of executive session at 6:00 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to adjourn at 6:00 P.M.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion
Vote; 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
