Town Office Building January 7, 2013
Lower Level 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 the budget dated January 7, 2013. Donna stated that she put in 0 for the salary people and putting a calculation of 2% in a contingency line item pool. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the BOF did not like how she had requested the increase which was to begin in January of this year; and pulled out the line items so the money would be there to do so. The BOF had stated not to do it that way – create a separate pool, that would mean we would go through the evaluations, she would have to go back to BOF and ask them to authorize each individual line item (salaried personnel) – but she does not argue that they should not have the last say on merit increases on the employees. First Selectman Mailhos stated it does not seem like the right way to do it. She plans to go back to BOF and make her
case again.
Donna added 2% for each of the elected official line items. First Selectman Mailhos asked that it references some external index. She added that it is not up for the BOS to decide, that should be decided by the BOF. Selectman Blessington added that we have been through that before. First Selectman Mailhos said to leave it at 2% until we get it worked out with the Board of Finance.
The Board went down the list, noting the non union positions should be increased at 2%.
Summer help (an additional worker to help with filing and retention, etc.) will remain in the budget. First Selectman Mailhos stated she is in favor of keeping the line item because of the discussion at the last CIP meeting where the Committee did not seem that they were in favor of creating the storage space in the basement. She added that between all of the departments, we could all use the help and it only cost us around $500.00.
CCM and WINCOG is at a 2% increase
Accounting software is up 4%
Assessor computer support - $5,000 CAMA request (one time increase)
Training is up 2%
Tax Collector’s budget is up 2%
First Selectman Mailhos suggested leaving Town Counsel where it is, noting that we are under budget. The labor attorney will be lower next year as we do not have any upcoming negotiations.
Town Office Building – First Selectman Mailhos suggested leaving everything the same as last year.
Donna stated that she was going to add the computer upgrades in the computer expense line (#434). After the CIP meeting, she got the impression that the computer upgrades were not going to be supported by CIP.
First Selectman Mailhos asked Donna to plug in the numbers to give us a starting place to see where we need to look for cuts.
Willington Fire Department #1 request is down $2,200; Willington Hill F.D. request is up $1,300. They will be presenting to the BOS next week.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has recently met with the Connecticut State Police. They presented the Resident State Trooper program, which could cost up to $110,000 per year on a two year contract, with the price subject to be a little less, depending on who we would get.
They stated they would be willing to come in and present the program at a future Board of Selectmen meeting. She asked Donna to add a place marker for that. She added that this is the only large request she has made since she has been here.
Snow removal was discussed. Lynn stated that she requested to add the two extra contractors in for emergency circumstances. First Selectman Mailhos asked for the salt and sand averages as done in the past. Lynn stated that she left it flat, and sand only went up $1. She will make changes if necessary.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that Superintendent Harding will be presenting his budget to Board of Education tomorrow night. The request will be for a 5.28% ($403,000) increase.
Discussion was held on the Resident State Trooper request. Lynn asked for details regarding what shift the Trooper would be at work. First Selectman Mailhos stated we could choose whichever time slot we think would be the best fit. First Selectman Mailhos stated that there are pros and cons and she will set up a meeting for everyone to learn more about it.
Selectman Blessington moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 P.M.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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