Town Office Building January 27, 2014
Selectmen’s Conference Room 5:30 P.M.
*Minutes are not official until approved*
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. with Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington, and Business Manager Donna Latincsics
Business Manager Donna Latincsics presented the bottom line – run #3
Youth & Family Services has submitted their budget and the insurance place holder deduction have been included in the budget. Parks & Recreation will meet tonight to discuss and approve their budget. Library Board of Directors will meet tomorrow to do the same. We do not have either of the Fire Departments budget yet.
With the placeholders for the above included, general spending is up $200,000. Town Treasurer, Tish Ignatowicz presented a draft budget summary which shows a 2.99 mil increase, however it is realistically a .43 increase with putting the grand list in as zero(less than one half of a percent) – similar to last year’s increase. This is because the tax assessments are down. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that taxes will not go down because assessments have gone down. The mill rate will go up to offset the assessed values and the tax bills will remain the same but will be adjusted accordingly. Tish added that the Board of Finance historically tries to keep the increase under ½ a mil each year.
Tish suggested if you are looking at using the fund balance for Polster Road, the Board of Finance will probably not want to go over $300,000 for a transfer from the General Fund.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that she was working on the chip seal budget and trying to get the cost down. She contemplated eliminating Eldredge Road (1.26 miles at $66,000 savings). First Selectman Mailhos noted that we have 70 miles of road and are now on a 7 year cycle. Even if we leave that road in, we will still be behind and we are never going to get caught up if we don’t forge ahead. She noted that this is easy to justify and will leave it in for now.
The Building Official salary was discussed. Selectman Blessington stated that we have skipped the raises for the non-union people a few years. This is quite a large increase. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she believes it has to do with regionalizing with the Town of Bolton, which will give us more flexibility and the Building Inspector will be available whenever we need him. This cost includes his salary and benefits. First Selectman Mailhos noted that this option is more expensive for us. Selectman Blessington said the previous building inspector thought we should raise our fees, which would offset his salary. Tish stated that our fees are quite low. Selectman Blessington stated that he is in favor of that. First Selectman Mailhos said she will see what she can do
because the increase is too high. Discussion was held on the duties and need of the building inspector. First Selectman Mailhos noted that he fits in the inspections around his schedule in Bolton and he sometimes makes special trips if they are needed.
The custodial line item will remain flat at $11,180. Donna stated that the current contract (which has expired) equals $210.00 per week and the $11,180 covers a $5.00 increase per week. First Selectman Mailhos noted that we are not sure what the bids will come back at when we go out but will figure it out when we get to that point.
Discussion was held on computer expenses. Donna has increased the line item an additional $299 for additional IT support. (Our IT person is here 8 hours per month, and we will increase his time to 10 hours per month. The line item also reflects one server and two computers (one for Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters office). Selectman Blessington stated that his opinion is that we are not spending enough on technology. He thinks technology is the way things are run and we should pay quite a bit more on technology. He added it is too late for this coming year but we should look into getting an IT person. First Selectman Mailhos noted that we recently had a consultant come in and perform a study on the infrastructure and manpower between the TOB and the schools. We should receive the audit results shortly. She also noted that this was paid for by a technology grant on the BOE side. First Selectman Mailhos added that once we join CRCOG, we can get software that will
integrate all of the departments, but is hesitant, because we do not have anyone to implement it. She noted that the current set up we have now (4 hours every other week) is just not enough. We purchased 7 new computers in July and some of the computers are still sitting in the boxes because he does not have enough time and we do not have enough money to support having him here more.
Selectman Kowalyshyn left the meeting at 6:06 P.M. to attend an EDC meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos requested Donna to increase the TOB maintenance line item by 3%, which will cover some things that will need to be fixed or replaced, such as toilets and some carpeting. The copier lease is expiring in March. Donna is looking to find a better and less expensive solution. The copier supply line item has been decreased by $200.
The Senior Center custodial line has been increased which now reflects floor waxing. Donna stated that the seniors usually do not add the floor waxing into their budget and it always reflects an overage. This increase is quite large, but is now “trued up”.
The VNA line item has also been increased as suggested by Windham Hospital (who is in the process of negotiating their services). The increase is an additional $10 per hour. (total of $60 per hour for preventative care services). Donna clarified that the seniors are in favor of this service (and they individually pay a $10 fee in addition to the fee that the Town pays). First Selectman Mailhos noted that it is a good program for the seniors. They can also have their blood pressure checked. They might otherwise not go out to have these things done on a regular basis.
Donna reflected pay off of the WFD#1 mortgage (which was discussed at the last CIP meeting as an option for this coming year). She noted that it is 2 capital items offsetting each other with no change to the bottom line. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the CIP Committee will be discussing the pay-off options later on tonight. Tish warned if the mortgage is not paid off, then the Capital Reserve fund will be affected and will go up. Donna noted it is advantageous to pay it off now, because the interest rate on the mortgage is higher than what we are earning for interest on our money. We would also be decreasing our debt service.
Donna has decreased the workers compensation line item. She noted that the assessment period has ended with MIRMA and the final payment will be $16,000. It was budgeted it for next fiscal but Donna is hopeful to pay it this fiscal year. She added that we will not have an audit premium this year with CIRMA and we are also locked in at a3% rate stability with them.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we are in good shape this year. We will plan to put on the agenda for the Monday, February 3rd meeting for approval to go to the Board of Finance.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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