Town Office Building January 11, 2016
Selectmen’s Conference Room 5:00 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 5:09 P.M. with Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington, Public Works Director, Derek Dimmock, Business Manager, Donna Latincsics and residents.
Derek presented the Public Works & Transfer Station budget.
Right now, the Public Works budget shows a $5,900 decrease and that includes the contractual raises. The decrease reflects from propane usage (decreasing from $6,000 last year; and $14,000 the year prior – to $4,000 this fiscal year). Derek stated that the garage has been using the waste oil tank instead of burning propane. Fuel costs have also gone down, contributing to the decrease.
The snow removal budget was discussed. The actual expenditure from FY 14-15 was $223,613 (which included a transfer at the end of the season). Derek is basing his budget on a 5 year average for next fiscal; $209,375. So far, we have expended $22,547. This year we had a lower contract for snow plowing. Salt is based on this year’s pricing, because Derek said he does not know how much salt will cost next year. Selectman Kowalyshyn said it is too bad we can’t keep the surplus in that line item, and if we had any overages, let it accumulate to use if we had a bad year. First Selectman Mailhos said that our Board of Finance does not like to do that. Selectman Blessington said that snow budgets are rarely accurate – you just have to do the best you can.
Derek also stated that he increased the road maintenance and tree removal line items to an additional $4,000 each. First Selectman Mailhos noted that our tree trimming will be in addition to what Eversource is doing around town. Eversource officials came in to tell us that they are aggressively trimming trees in the northern part of town and have contracted a company to trim along the wires. Homeowners have been notified by the contractor.
Derek stated that he does not want to chip seal the roads this year, but instead pave 5 roads, to get ahead of the chip seal schedule. The budgeted request will cover 1.5 “ of asphalt across the roads that are on the schedule . Derek said he may be able to do more than that, but will depend on the thickness of the asphalt and how wide the roads on the schedule are. The following year, we will chip-seal and pave; noting that he would like to do a 5-7 year year plan; where we pave for 5 years and then chip -seal. That will allow us to stay ahead of chip-sealing.
The Transfer Station budget was then discussed.
The budget shows a decrease of -$20,970 (-8.7%). First Selectman Mailhos noted that when she started, in 2009, the Transfer Station budget was at $287,000 - it has consistently gone down. Last year’s actual budget came in at $205,000. Derek said he re-negotiated the contract with our vendor (Willimantic Waste) and we are back to pricing from 5 years prior. We also now get revenue for electronics disposal, (where we used to have to pay) and refrigerators/air conditioners/de-humidifiers and light bulbs are now disposed of for free; rather than the Town having to pay. The revenue for mattress/upholstery is not included in the budget and that it not insignificant. Derek added that we are now sending out full-compacted containers instead of
partially full; noting that we pay a flat price for removal; not per pound. Derek added that he is looking into a textile bin (to replace the ones that are there); that will pay us $100 per ton.
Derek added that the parking lot maintenance line item has been added for $3,500 as per the TSOMP (Transfer Station Operation Manual & Procedure) states that there cannot be any cracks in the pavement at the Transfer Station. First Selectman Mailhos noted that we may have to think about re-paving the parking lot in the future.
Derek will present to the CIP Committee on January 20th (next Wednesday). His requests include:
- A new salt shed (we are applying for a STEAP Grant that is due on Friday)
- Daleville School Bridge repairs,
- Replace the 2007 International truck;
- Replace the 2001 Chevy Pick up
- Renovations to the Public Works garage (on the heating and a/c units)
- Turnpike Road Section 3 drainage
- Turnpike Road resurfacing of Phase 3
- Schofield Road drainage improvements
- Install stormwater interceptors at the Transfer Station
- Village Hill drainage Phase I
- Replacing the wood chipper
Members from the WFD#1 were present. They stated that they will attend Thursday’s CIP meeting to discuss their requests that include an addition on the main building to allow sleeping quarters and office space to the facility as they have members who sleep overnight. WHFD is looking for extraction equipment.
Next budget meeting will be held on Monday, January 25, 2016.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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