Town Office Building December 17, 2012
Selectmen’s Conference Room 5:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. with Selectmen Littell & Blessington, Business Manager, Donna Latincsics and Public Works Director, Lynn Nicholls.
Donna presented draft #3 of the budget, dated December 17, 2012.
Donna stated that she has increased the consulting expenses request for 13-14 to be $19,000.00, based on an average of what was spent the past three years, also figuring in the projects that are coming down the pike, such as TOB Roof repairs and Turnpike Road construction, to name a few.
The Treasurer has submitted her budget request.
Lynn questioned the insurance and employee benefits regarding FEMA reimbursements; she had done a comparison with a few other Towns and found some differences in rates on health, dental and life insurance. Donna stated there is a reimbursement, however it shows up on the revenue side of the budget and has nothing to do with what is spent on insurance. Lynn asked if we are putting in for FEMA reimbursements. Donna explained that we are submitting the FEMA paperwork, however overtime is limited to workers comp, FICA and Medicare; whereas regular time is vacation time, sick time, health dental and life insurance as well as pension. Donna clarified it also depends on the employees salary; as it is a percentage that comes out. She will clarify further with Lynn tomorrow.
Lynn gave breakdowns on the Public Works budget and how things are calculated and discussion was held on the classifications of miscellaneous line items, road maintenance, mowing, vehicle expenses, etc. She stated that on some line items, rather than using the five year average, she went by total costs. First Selectman Mailhos stated that is not how we usually do it. Lynn stated that vehicle expenses is one of the biggest line items in her budget; referencing the sweeper in its current condition.
Chip Seal and shimming was then discussed as well as equipment rental, which is broken down into many line items, such as oil, stone and asphalt. Lynn stated that she would like to increase the asphalt and crack sealing as well as shimming due to deterioration of the roads and the square footage of the roads she would like to do next year. This will show a large increase under asphalt and less on chip seal, but the asphalt will more effectively save the roads. Lynn also added chip sealing of the TOB parking lot, as she stated it should be done as it has not been done in many years. First Selectman Mailhos suggested pushing the parking lot off this year, and perhaps submitting it as a CIP request for next year.
Lynn stated that she increased the line items on catch basin cleaning (will go up to $35 per next year) and tree removal, based on the past few years storms, and added that we cannot always rely on being reimbursed by FEMA.
Lynn has increased the snow removal budget and has requested to put the two contractors back in the budget (in addition to the normal crews). She stated it is a safety issue and reassured that she would not call them unless we have a significant storm. She added that we have extra sand and calcium left over from last year.
Lynn said that she did not cut anything from the Transfer Station budget for next year.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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