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Board of Selectmen Minutes 02/09/2016
                                                
Town Office Building                                                            February 9, 2016
Selectmen’s Conference Room                                                   5:00 P.M.

First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 5:01 P.M. with Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington & Business Manager, Donna Latincsics.

  •  Approve CIP Plan
Business Manager, Donna Latincsics presented the CIP Plan, noting that the out years have not been finalized, and the CIP Committee plans to finish up in the next few weeks.  First Selectman Mailhos clarified that in order for the Selectmen to approve their budget (which is due to the Board of Finance this week), the CIP needs to be approved so it can be implemented in our budget.  Donna added that the 16/17 year plan has been finalized;  and the CIP committee is very close to finalizing the 5 year plan.  She added that part of the plan includes a $2 Million bond which is slated to fund 4 projects for FY 19/20:

  • Road construction (Schofield & Village Hill)
  • An addition to Station 13 (Route 32)
  • River Road support project (building with restrooms in the RRAC)
Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she doesn’t think that either of the Fire Departments requests should be approved until they can come up with a plan to show us how they can work together – like we have been asking for years now.  By approving one of the department’s requests, it can create animosity between the two departments.

Selectman Blessington asked if we were to approve the plan with a bond, would we be obligated to fund the projects listed under the bond.  Donna Latincsics clarified that we would not – the plan changes all of the time, and being the 5 year plan, it is not set in stone.  Selectman Blessington stated that he would rather see money go towards improving a road than a building down at the River Road complex.  

First Selectman Mailhos then clarified that the addition to the fire station was justified to the CIP Committee because that building now has staff who sleep at the station and are on call 24/7.   Selectman Kowalyshyn said that she isn’t saying the addition is not needed, but it seems as if both fire departments are spending money like crazy  and they should be more responsible. She then gave an example of the Fire Department asking for an additional $45,000 to repair their truck because they don’t have the funds in Fund 17 to cover it – this is because they are in the process of purchasing a $665,000 truck – where the Town approved $625,000; and they are covering the rest; in addition to the engineering plans for the addition.  She asked who they are accountable to.  First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the Board of Finance didn’t seem to have a problem with the request for the $45,000 appropriation.  Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that it makes her angry, as this is her money (as well as other taxpayers).  Selectman Blessington said that the addition is in the out years – there is no reason to fight about it now.  The Selectmen then asked Donna to review the plan that will be in the current year.

Donna then reviewed the current year (16/17) plan.  The plan consists of $554,122 in funding (approved each year by the Selectmen.  The plan includes the following:

  • Turnpike Road repaving & improvements                           $185,000
  • MS4 Permit compliance                                           $20,000
  • Senior Center septic repermitting                                       $20,000
  • Vehicle lease ACO vehicle                                               $28,000
  • Renovations to the Public Works’ garage                               $20,000
  • POCD  renewal (split between 2 years $30,000 each)              $30,000
  • TOB door replacement & repointing bricks on building            $45,000
  • Fitness Stations for River Road Athletic Facility                       $10,400
  • Engineering for addition to WFD#1 on Rt. 32                     $47,900
  • Rescue tools for WHFD                                           $35,000
  • Replacement of doors at Center School                           $11,259
  • Heaters at Center School gymnasium                                      $15,715
  • HMS playground equipment replacement                            $15,000
  • Return funds to the Reserve fund                                        $25,000
  • The remainder is lease payments and debt services                       $25,816
First Selectman Mailhos noted that many of the items on the list are to support unfunded mandates from the State.

Discussions were held on the items on the list above.  The River Road Athletic Complex fitness stations may cost more than the amount listed in the plan, and it was decided that the Parks & Recreation Department would be asked to hold fund-raisers to help with the costs.   The Selectmen feel that the Engineering for WFD#1 at $47,000 is high and asked why WHFD needs new tools (at a cost of $35,000).  They stated that they are not in agreement because they feel too much funding is going to the Fire Departments.  Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested if they were to consolidate, do we really need to spend all of that money.  First Selectman Mailhos noted that the CIP Committee had requested for the departments to turn in joint submissions.   

The Selectmen have reservations with the plan as it stands and are reluctant to approve it.   First Selectman Mailhos clarified that at this point they just need to approve the number to be added to their budget for FY 16-17.  The plan could get voted down at Town Meeting.  Selectman Blessington asked if it did get voted down at the Town Meeting, then what happens?  First Selectman Mailhos said that the number would remain, but the plan would need to change.  Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she does not like the plan as it stands – she added that she is not trying to undermine the CIP Committee – she knows they worked very hard on it.  She then said that she feels like a lot of money is being wasted because no one wants to tell the Fire Departments no.

Selectman Blessington clarified that we are approving the amount as a line item in our budget; but if the CIP Plan gets voted down at Town meeting, then what justifies that number?  First Selectman Mailhos clarified that is the amount of money that is being moved from the general fund into the reserve to fund specific projects, but we can find other things to do with the money but that has to go through the appropriation process.   We will then ask the CIP Committee to come to a future meeting to let them know we have reservations, and ask them to discuss at a meeting.  

Selectman Kowalyshyn said that she is not trying to pick on anyone, or single anyone out - she clarified that our job as a Selectman is to try to run the town as efficiently as possible.  She then added that the Town Office Building is in need of repair, and that money could be used for that, instead.   She then added that we still have the same issues as in years past, but are spending more money.  

First Selectman Mailhos clarified that we are not going to approve the CIP Plan today, as it is apparent that we have issues and it needs to be looked at more closely.  


First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve $54,122 for Fiscal Year 16/17 as the capital expenditure line item in the Selectmen’s budget.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

  • Approve Selectmen’s Budget
Donna presented Run #3 of the Selectmen’s budget.  The health insurance line item came in $7,000 lower than anticipated.  The EHHD budget has been submitted and was for $15 more than last year and the CRCOG dues came in at $56 higher.  The final Selectmen’s budget with changes shows a $19,435 increase – or 0.59% over last year.

First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve Run #3 of the Selectmen’s budget to go to the Board of Finance at $3,296,466; showing an increase of $19,435, equating to a 0.59% increase over last year.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

  • Executive Session – Personnel matter
First Selectman Mailhos moved to go into Executive Session for a personnel matter at 5:39 P.M.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

First Selectman Mailhos moved to come out of Executive Session at 5:41 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to deny the union grievance at Level 2 due to no contract violation.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote:  2 Yes (Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No 1 Abstain (Mailhos)

Selectman Blessington moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 P.M.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.


Respectfully submitted,

Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant


Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100

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