Town Office Building September 8, 2017
Lower Level Conference Room 9:00 A.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order 9:00 AM with Selectmen Kowalyshyn and Blessington along with Several Department Heads, Elected Officials and residents.
- Budget Discussion with Department Heads
First Selectman Mailhos opened the discussion stating that the Board of Finance will be meeting in a few weeks and since the State budget has not passed yet, we are trying to prepare for the outcome of that. She added that this budget crisis is devastating to us but even more so for other towns who are getting no ECS (Education Cost Sharing) funding. She then added that we are lucky that we have cash flow right now because some towns do not because they chose not to factor in the cuts and they waited to send out their tax bills. As it turns out right now we are getting a cut of 40% in state revenue.
It was announced on the news this morning that the Governor has released a new budget this morning (it has not been published as of yet). There is not much detail other than the cuts would happen over 2 years and this will be his last effort at a budget. The Legislators are arguing that the State is telling the towns that they need to reduce spending; but ultimately they will end up having to raise their taxes.
Selectman Blessington then asked if the state is going to ease up on state mandates, if they are cutting funding. First Selectman Mailhos answered yes, that is a large portion of the argument – especially the ECS funding; which seems to be politically motivated. There is no clear formula to it and if it were just fixed (across the entire state) then we would be able to move forward.
First Selectman Mailhos then asked Business Manager Donna Latincsics to review the situation. Donna stated that she was referencing the numbers from the executive order from Governor Malloy on August 18th. The Order shows a reduction in state aid of say $2.3 million from the expected $4.2 million. The breakdown is a 13% reduction overall ; $600,000 to the general government; and over $1 million to the Board of Education. First Selectman Mailhos stated she suspects the BOE will be reviewing at their upcoming meeting; noting that a cut like that to them is devastating and the schools will not be able to run. The Town will have enough cash flow to run for a solid three months; but after that is unknown and we will still need to figure out how to get through the rest of the
fiscal year. We will also need to take a serious look at next year’s budget because the cuts will be even worse, if what we have been told comes to fruition.
Donna said the Board will need to think how do you as a board do you want to change the way you do business we can dig into the line items look at expenditures and adjust them. First Selectman Mailhos said she doesn’t think we can change anything – most of us sitting here run some sort of critical function in the towns operations. She added that Derek is not paving any roads (other than Jared Sparks – which was only paved because it had been started before the news) which will save us a couple hundred- thousand dollars; but if he stops other things, we may be out of compliance.
Revenue Collector, Lisa Madden suggested offering an incentive such as a percentage off of prompt tax payments (for those who pay in November); it is a bandaid fix, but it’s something. Treasurer, Tish Ignatowicz warned that would decrease revenues; and we might not want that. First Selectman Mailhos said that she feels as though something will need to happen before October – it just has to. She then noted that we have 2 issues: 1) cash flow and the timing of when funding comes from the state and 2) how much money is actually going to come from the State, once the budget passes and how will we make up the difference?
Business Manager Donna Latincsics suggested that we will need to reduce our expenditures, because we don’t want to ask the taxpayers for more money and there is no revenue. First Selectman Mailhos warned that we have reduced the expenditures – we have 5 projects that are on hold because there is no LoCIP money coming.
Donna suggested cutting the replacement of pillars at Hall School from the Selectmen’s expenditures as well as the ground control spreader. First Selectman Mailhos noted that the ground control spreader has already been purchased (out of last year’s budget). She added that Public Works has only paved one road (which was only paved because the catch basins were raised prior to the budget freeze; so for safety reasons, it had to be done.
Selectman Blessington asked if the state will forgive us if we are no longer in compliance because we cannot afford to do certain things that are mandated.
Selectman Kowalyshyn asked what if we look at our big ticket items – and how we might be able to save money? She said we have two fire departments (noting that she was not picking on them – but rather just exploring options…); what if we consolidated them or did not give them as much money. First Selectman Mailhos said that it won’t matter this year; as they have already gotten their funding. She added that the one thing that is costly is the 24/7 coverage of ambulance, warning that there is a reason why we have it though. She added that we currently spend over $200,000 on the operations of the two departments; noting that even with consolidation, we would still have to pay to maintain all 3 stations.
Selectman Kowalyshyn then asked what if we revisit charging to use the Transfer Station. First Selectman Mailhos said she would be in favor of reopening the discussions. Treasurer Tish Ignatowicz then asked how that will work? We would need to have an extra person at the Transfer Station checking for permits. She then cautioned that it might be more of an upfront cost to start up than we think, clarifying that she is not saying it is a bad idea; it just needs to be thought through carefully. Selectman Kowalyshyn then suggested closing an additional day (only have it open 2 days per week).
Suzanne Chapman (Republican Registrar of Voters) then asked if there would be potential cost savings if the Town Office Building were closed one day per week or reducing the hours we would be open? First Selectman Mailhos said that she doesn’t think closing the building one day per week would make that much of a difference – we looked into it a few years ago and found that the Superintendent’s office and finance would have to be open five days per week, so we would still have to heat the building and use electricity. She then noted that we have contractual obligations with the union regarding hours and we would need to be careful because many of the employees are already part time; and could lose their benefits.
Selectman Kowalyshyn then asked if anything could be cut from the library (noting once again that she is not picking on them) The Library members said no.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that the draft of the updated budget shows that they are cutting our liability in half of what was proposed in the first place, so we would be looking at a 5% decrease. We might be able to come up with that money if we make cuts to our budgets and perhaps look into charging at the Transfer Station. Between those two things, we may be able to make it work for this fiscal year.
Selectman Blessington asked if there was a way we could consolidate the Library and the Recreation Department as he feels as though they duplicate programs. Selectman Kowalyshyn clarified that they are two different entities and the library’s events are free; whereas the Recreation Commissions events are paid events and the charges of the events help pay for the programs. Parks & Recreation Director, Maureen Parsell noted that the revenue is greater than the expense for the programs, so it would not be feasible to cut the programs; it would be losing revenue. Treasurer, Tish Ignatowicz clarified that every program that is put on by the Recreation Department either covers the cost to run the event or it makes money; there are instances where she has made money and purchased things to benefit the town with the
revenues; such as swings at the River Road Athletic Complex, for one example.
Selectman Blessington said we still have to cut – so what is next, if we can’t cut Recreation?
Robin McBriearty asked if it would be possible for the Library to start charging for their programs – perhaps they could make money. Kristine Donnelly stated that the library does charge for some programming, but many of them are free because they are run by volunteers, who are not getting paid; therefore they would feel awkward charging for those programs.
Lisa Madden then asked Ms. Donnelly if the Library has resolved the issue with the endowment because they are losing a fortune until it gets straightened out. Ms. Donnelly stated that they are still working on it.
Jennifer Pallo, who is on the Library Board of Directors was present. She stated that they have a plan to cover the cost of the 13% reduction by cutting an aide position (5%) and not filling the Assistant Director position (8%); which is currently vacant. She stated that it does make everyone’s hours tight, but they should be able to manage.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we have a position here at the TOB, too that is most likely going to be cut – the Assistant Planning / Zoning Agent that was going to be advertised in January (almost $50,000 annually; including benefits), perhaps will not be now as well as the part time EDC Assistant position ($5,000) will help too.
Donna ran the numbers to see what a 5% reduction would be ends up to be $234,000.
Selectman Kowalyshyn added that we need to seriously look at increasing the building fees – we need to just do it. Also, we need to look into charging for the Transfer Station – we are one of two towns left in the entire state who does not charge a fee. She added if we don’t we will be in worse shape next year.
Suzanne Chapman stated that we are all aready frugal with our budgets – we are always doing things to save and don’t we end up returning $15,000 - $25,000 each year?
Discussion was held on how much the town green and fields are mowed, perhaps that can be cut down to save money because we pay the contractor each time it is mowed. Maureen Parsell said she would review the contract; we are in year one of a two year contract.
The discussion was then moved to the cleaning contract at the Town Office building. We received another quote to clean the TOB, Public Works and the Old Town Hall. The quote came in for more than we are currently paying. Robin Campbell said people have complained that the current contractor is not cleaning to our expectations, but do we want to pay more – especially since everyone else is making cuts. She was told to contact the other towns who use them and see how much they pay per week. The consensus is that we are paying a lot of money right now and the contractor is doing nothing but emptying garbage cans.
Town Assessor, Jody Heon asked when it was determined that the Assessor position would be a part time position?
First Selectman Mailhos said that she did not know – it has been several years. Business Manager Donna Latincsics stated that it was early 2000’s it was reduced to 16 hours. She then stated that most departments have assistants that work 4-5 days; asked if there is a necessity of having the department heads there on a full time basis. Jody Heon suggested that we look at other towns and see how they operate. Some of them share services which saves money down the line. She then added that other towns offer online services which cut the need for employees on the clock. First Selectman Mailhos stated this has been a perennial CIP request to get the software installed here, however it is very expensive.
Donna Latincsics then suggested asking each employee to take a furlough day - rather than target one department or one employee. By doing so, would save $5,000.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she just wanted to make sure everyone knows what is happening with the budget. She added that we are not alone – most small towns are in the same boat as we are.
She encouraged everyone to keep watching the news to see what is going on.
We will have to plan accordingly to get through the remainder of the year and then budget discussions will begin in December for the next fiscal.
Selectman Kowalyshyn added if anyone has any ideas – come see us.
Robert Shabot stated that the residents protested a few years back because the chip seal route was cut back – be forewarned.
The Selectmen thanked the department heads for coming to the meeting.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:16 A.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Recording Secretary
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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