Town Office Building January 9, 2015
Lower Level Conference Room 10:00 A.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 10:15 A.M.with Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington, Business Manager, Donna Latincsics and Public Works’ Director, Derek Dimmock.
Derek presented his budget with the following changes:
Step increases on two union positions (one is an upgrade) per the contract.
The cell phone line item has been decreased due to deletion of the tablet.
Propane has been decreased (down -21.4%) as they are using waste oil at the garage instead of propane. They will still use propane as a backup (if they run out of oil, or if the waste tank breaks down); the tank was recently filled.
Diesel is also down and we are locking in at $2.91 per gallon as of July 1, 2015. (down from our current rate of $3.04 per gallon). Donna uses an average formula to project usage between the Fire Departments and Public Works.
The snow budget will show an increase of +13%. This is due to the salt price increase. Derek explained that it has increased by 60%; last year’s price was $55.10 per ton; it increased mid-year to $68.54 and next year is at $79.66 per ton. He noted that he would like to switch over to pure salt in the near future; less time and clean up as well as less “call-backs” (but this is not the year to do it because of the increased price). Applying salt would alleviate the sweeping process as well. First Selectman Mailhos noted that Public Works has calibrated the trucks, which allows us to use less material.
Derek would rather pave instead of chip seal next year. He projects paving 1 ½ “ of asphalt on Village Hill Road (From Pinecrest to the Stafford Town line) and Schofield Road to Route 32 as well as Hancock Road. They are three of the most heavily traveled roads in Town. Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if it is cheaper than chip sealing? Derek replied no, but these roads no longer have crowns on them. Chip sealing does not restore a profile on these roads. (The lower portion of Village Hill is not in the paving plan, as it is in the plans for drainage improvements in the future.) Derek noted that the paving should cure instead of putting chip seal over it right away. The state bid for next year is not set yet, but even if it goes up, it would still be more cost effective than
to chip seal as we would be restoring these roads. His plan would be to pave for 5 years and then revisit chip sealing then.
The entire Public Works’ budget is up 10.9%. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that is not too bad, considering how much salt prices have gone up.
The Transfer Station budget was then reviewed.
Electronic disposal will be decreased. We have a new company that takes it away for free, and in some cases, they pay us for certain items.
We are also collecting revenue for the items that we charge for (voted on at Town Meeting in August). Items such as matresses, couches are $10 each. So far we have taken in $5,500 in revenue since the charges have been implemented.
Derek will be meeting with Willimantic Waste on Monday to negotiate the haul away and dumpster costs. He is hoping to see a decrease in that line item.
Electricity has not been factored in the budget (for either the PW garage or the Transfer Station) yet as we have not locked into a price.
Donna is still waiting for budgets from the following: EDC, Revenue Collector, Recreation Department, Planning & Zoning, (including Inland/Wetlands & Zoning Board of appeals) as well as Willington Fire Department #1 (which includes the Ambulance and dispatching fees) and the Dog Warden’s budget. She has received from the Treasurer, Willington Hill Fire Department, Fire Marshall, Board of Assessment Appeals, which have been included in this budget.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that does not give us a lot of time to finish up on our budget (noting that they are really late), if they would like to come to talk to us, they are welcome to. We need them ASAP. She then added that we may not have much to talk about at our next meeting. She added the Selectmen should not have to schedule extra meetings to go over the budgets. Donna clarified that the only 2 that affect the BOS budget is the Tax office and the Dog Warden, and she will touch base with them today.
Donna will enter the place holders for the Town Office Building, Old Town Hall, EHHD, water main and the Housing Authority as well as probate court, consulting engineering and the Senior Center. She believes the Registrars will present their budget,(which is relatively small) to the BOF.
The Youth, Family & Social Services Director will bring her budget to the Selectmen on Monday, January 12th.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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