Town Office Building March 5, 2012
Selectmen’s Conference Room 6:00 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectman Littell & Blessington, Public Works Director, Lynn Nicholls and Business Manager Donna Latincsics.
- Budget workshop discussion
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Board of Finance has received all of the first drafts from all of the Departments. The current budget is an increase of .88 mil - approximately $300,000. She was not in attendance at the last meeting, but had a chance to talk to Chairman Schoppmann, and it was apparent that some cuts will need to be made. She would like to be as proactive as possible before the next BOF meeting. The BOF had some questions regarding some of the items in the Selectmen’s budget.
The first question raised was with the outsourcing of the sweeping- what will the Town get in return for the $50,000 spent for outsourcing. The more detailed question is what will the crew will be doing while the sweeping is being done? Last year, for example, it took 692 man hours to complete the sweeping. Lynn compiled a list of projects that would be done starting with the chip seal route for 2012-2013 – cleaning culverts that have not been touched in years – many of them have not been maintained since the subdivisions have been constructed. First Selectman Mailhos stated that it was asked if it would be possible to reduce the outsourcing in half; only doing half of the Town and the other half done by our crews. Selectman Blessington stated it makes more sense that it should be all or
nothing for the outsourcing, because the crews will still have half of the Town to sweep.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Board of Finance is asking for an accurate number that will cover what she needs to get done this year for chip sealing and asphalting. Lynn said she cannot get a firm quote right now. This is because of the rising fuel costs. She has been told asphalt prices are starting at $84.50 per ton right now. She has also been told oil (for chip sealing) might cost over $3.00 per gallon this year, but it is not firm. First Selectman Mailhos stated whatever we do; we at least know it is going to be more money. If it comes down requesting an additional appropriation, then we will have a better plan at that point.
The last question referred to trash. Lynn said she budgeted $4,000.00 for compactor rental (as the purchase was cut from CIP). This brings the line up to $119,800. Selectman Littell clarified that the BOF was looking for it to be reduced, because it was tracking differently (using a budget from two years ago). Donna agreed and said it looks like it will track the same as last year. Lynn added that she was also figuring in the surcharge. Selectman Littell suggested that the BOF might not have been aware of the leasing and the surcharges at the time of their last meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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