Video index

1. Call Meeting to Order

7:05

2. Roll Call

Roll call (9 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)

3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]

Lisa Maneeley - 326 Quarry Brook Drive, here representing Board of Ed. wanted to let you know I am here if you have any questions.

Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - since people do not have to answer questions I have been shut out of meetings. do not appreciate. hope one of the councillors where they stand financially. remember one year ago when we were debating the Board budget for hours. after the budget was approved less than 24 hours they came back and said they had an underspenditure. we have a tremendous problem this year because there is no question we are going to get less money from the state this year. we should know where the education department stands as of now.

David Joy, 100 Bramblebrae, would like to ask you for the approval of the board of education budget in full. Very troubled about the budget that was approved in Hartford. What really bothers me is looking at budget b budget. in that letter May 6th outlines what needs to be done to go with plan b. cost reductions of 1.6 billion. 4700 layoffs. how that would be achieved is 4700 layoffs. 82% of State Dept. of Education to be laid off. This would include the closing of technical schools. there would be impact to other schools. The problems do not end there. the elimination of technical schools 310,000,000. it is only a fraction that will come in the education area. 160,000,000 of elimination of chef for non-chef towns. reduction of educational cost funding and would be reduction of what comes to towns. If you have the temptation of reducing the board of education please reconsider because the governors budget could have a large impact on the board of education.

4. Communications

5. Town Manager's Report

Matt - gave information to Council. today did get proposed cuts in municipal aide. education costs sharing reduction 14.3% reduction which means this is a huge number. On that sheet as far as the town goes we would lose 56-66,000. town road aide 193,00. town road aide we apply for every year. does not impact the buget but would impact work that the town would like to do. budget less on expenditure side. concern if you pass this budget you pass it and if there is a future reduction there would be a large impact. notices for layoffs going out tomorrow but 8 week notice. any resolution do you amend the resolution to say if reduction happens in state there is some room. Between the board and town need to work. can't take all from board. should have amendment in the resolution.

Delnicki - to that point, the language that you came up with was that developed by Town Attorney? Matt - no just got that information this afternoon. hate to see you cut the budget - should put another whereas clause in it. Delnciki - do have two attorneys up here that could probably come up with language. this is the lowest budget I have ever seen from the board of education. we can only hope that the state employees take concessions. glad you are thinking about plan b a lot sooner.

McCann - state of connecticut has put all towns in an awful situation. 1 billion gap in this year budget and 1 billion in next yeas budget. it is unreasonable that the state employees could shoulder the loss. the state is going to have large impacts on towns. we are going to be looking a serious reductions in funds coming from the State. we need to set a Board of Education budget by the 15th. we can do what we may to try to solve but we are going to be in a very difficult situation. we will have to go forward with south windsor budget best we can.

Yagaloff - board of education is fair budget. it is the lowest budget I have ever seen. think the problem is if we were to have reduction in budget from what the board of education receives from the state without a discussion. if state gave 1 million less would have to reduce spending of the town and board. do support the board of ed budget as proposed. Matt -

Prague - thanked board of ed for their budget. did a great job of getting the budget down. thanked the teachers for their concessions. wise choice of saving the 700,000 from last year to use this year. very worried about next years budget. we should start planning now. need to watch spending this year in order to use for next year. 248,000 there is a cushion. also worried about the town budget. Matt - the tax sale will be used to help gap Prague - will be supporting the board of education budget.

Bazzano - next year - will be very difficult to deal with issues. have we ever changed the board of ed budgert? Matt - no Bazzano - should talk to Town Attorney Matt - once the board of ed budget is set it is set. me and the superintendent have a very good relationship and we talk. I think that the board and the council will work together to make this happen. suggest change the bottom line of the budget. do see things coming on the horizon as far as revenues. if they do come in as anticipated then could change the bottom line of the budget with a public hearing. we are going to have to stay on top of this. Bazzano - the only thing can touch is the general government budget? Matt - yes Bazzano - so Board of Ed is protected as far as the year Matt - yes Bazzano - the general government budget can be slashed? Matt - yes - last year budget was reduced 80,000 - trying to get you to reasonable budget. what ever you take today will have to be replaced tomorrow. do have suggestion to slash the capital budget. council needs to do policy that talks abut two year budget. Bazzano - legislature would have to change board of ed budget Matt - last year town allowed

6. Special Business

A. Resolution Adopting the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2011/2012

Ed - this figure is not going to fly without some amendment. board and town have worked veery well together this year. governor malloy has his political future depending on this budget. may try to do something that is smaller. seems like they would not eliminate that much funding adn go to a different plan. need to make contingency plan in case something does happen.

Pelkey - at the first of the year when gave budget proposal always comes down to the 11th hour. always waiting to see what happens with the state. always depends on what happens with the state. where the issue lies is requirement to balance the state budget. we don't know what is going to happen this year and think we need to protect ourselves and prepare ourselves. once we set board budget it is set. need to have the ability to negotiate with the board of education. Matt - 1.4 million dollars Pelkey - that is major number for our town. last year had less in spending in the budget. this year increased spending by 1% what is the percent? Matt - 1.97% increase in spending overall. Town 2.14 - Board 1.88 - there is less spending in town side. Pelkey - board of ed presented reasonable budget. think we are at if the state does this we need an alternate plan as a safeguard will throw out amendment as follows to help with the town side as follows: if comes down to plan B will have to come together Amendment - in based on allocation of ECS funding and transportation funding 2 - any reduction from said funding may result in equal reduction on the Board of Ed side (Pelkey fist and Havens second) Comments regarding Amendment McCann - the most important thing we spend money on is board of ed, police, fire, maitenance of roads. these are the things that protect the values of the town and make the town an enjoyable place to live. the board of ed is doing good job addressing their budget. they negotiated with teachers early on who took concessions which allowed board to make reductions in their budget. they assessed their programs in town. they have a very reasonable budget ever with increases in all aspects. Amendment I understand the concern and the bad place the state is putting us in with signigicant cuts in grants possibly which could have serious impact on budget. think the only way no get any funds is if there were no concessions. at end of school year will hopefully have surplus which can be applied to offset reductions for next year. not sure the town can go back into the board of ed budget. before vote on budget should have recess to discuss. not inclined to includes amendment.

Delnicki - have not spoken to Town Attorney. could we try to call town attorney to get information from town attorney. think need to take recess and try to call town attorney. Pelkey - have no problem taking recess to try to reach town attorney. 12,995,988 (that is what the board is basing their budget on). even if doesn't pan out that is what the board is basing their budget on. Prague - two years ago exact thing happened - state legislature passed bill to allow towns to go back and visit their budget if federal government did not come back to look at budget. we are one of the last towns to pass a budget in this area. we should take into account what getting from state but would like to do a two year budget next year. legislature has to pass bill. Pelkey - table resoltuion; prague, unanimous Pelkey -

7. Executive Session

A. To discuss possible sale of tax lien.

B. To discuss a draft agreement which would result in disclosure of public records or information which is exempt from disclosure at this time pursuant to C.G.S. § 1-210(b)(1) and §1-210(b)(4).

Pelkey motion to talk about tas lien, agreement - Matt - tax lien if Hi-G Gary second unanimous

Pelkey adjourn executive session, Janice, unainmous 8:28 p.m. Pelkey - remove from the table 6A, Delnicki, unanimous reread amendment - and based on the allocation of e tans 12,995,988 any reduction from said funding may result in equal reduction in BOE budget, McCann - should have chair discuss Lisa Maneeley - if ECS and transportation will then ask the BOE to give the money back. Pelkey - may come back to you and based on budget gave we may need the BOE as well as the town to give money back. we are going to set the budget with the amendment with money that anticipated by state does not come in may have to readdress. want to give full amount but do not know what the state is going to do. Lisa - BOE budget can not be changed. we will still be in limbo. Pelkey - with the lack of information this may be a meaningless unforeseeable. Lisa - the BOE is going to take the full hit? Pelkey - we don't know what the state is going to do. the state is trying to come up with 2 billion short fall. want to have contingency if the state comes in and says we are going to give you 2 million less and the town may get hit we just want to share in that hit. Lisa - little disappointed. Pelkey - the dollar amount would not have changed the scenario, all depends on what happens at the state level. a lot of towns have already set their budget but two years ago legislation came back to allow towns to open their budgets.

Anwar - recognize enormous amount of work has gone into boe budget. we have to make the best decision based on the information we have now. we can't keep boe hostage to what the sateis going to do at some point. we need to go forward and support the boe. what happens with the state there will be contingency plan in place if we are not funded. maybe we should approve as is. Lisa - feel the same. town and board work very well together. Pelkey - wanted to put out there for a discussion. may say we don't want the amendment. Yagaloff - I agree with Dr. Anwar. appropriate budget from the boe. also worried that we pass the resolution and it is not legal and may be in violation. we should just ask for cooperation from the boe if there is any problem. should approve budget as is and discuss the contingency problems if it happens. if the state comes back and do not get grant funding will have to increase taxes. Matt - there should be moderate tax increase and if there is funding decreased have some aside to make up for that. Yagaloff - come up with lowest possible and then if the state comes back for crisis with the town that may increase the taxes at the time. boe of ed budget is appropriate. would not want to adjust the budget through the amendment. Delnicki - concern that we have resolution that is illegal. there should be enabling legislation if there is decreases in state funding. I tend to think should not add language to the resolution. Pelkey - withdrawing the amendment. Bazzano - commend you on your leadership. worked hard to get that number and appreciate what the teachers did. town manager and superintendent worked well with them and the Mayor worked well and the council worked well with the boe. will have full support tonight. Pelkey - thank you to the board, Dr. Carter for her first budget. good cooperative budget Pelkey - all in favor - unanimous

8. Adjournment

Ed, Tom seconed, unanimous

May 09, 2011 Town Council Special Meeting

Full agenda
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1. Call Meeting to Order

7:05

2. Roll Call

Roll call (9 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)

3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]

Lisa Maneeley - 326 Quarry Brook Drive, here representing Board of Ed. wanted to let you know I am here if you have any questions.

Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - since people do not have to answer questions I have been shut out of meetings. do not appreciate. hope one of the councillors where they stand financially. remember one year ago when we were debating the Board budget for hours. after the budget was approved less than 24 hours they came back and said they had an underspenditure. we have a tremendous problem this year because there is no question we are going to get less money from the state this year. we should know where the education department stands as of now.

David Joy, 100 Bramblebrae, would like to ask you for the approval of the board of education budget in full. Very troubled about the budget that was approved in Hartford. What really bothers me is looking at budget b budget. in that letter May 6th outlines what needs to be done to go with plan b. cost reductions of 1.6 billion. 4700 layoffs. how that would be achieved is 4700 layoffs. 82% of State Dept. of Education to be laid off. This would include the closing of technical schools. there would be impact to other schools. The problems do not end there. the elimination of technical schools 310,000,000. it is only a fraction that will come in the education area. 160,000,000 of elimination of chef for non-chef towns. reduction of educational cost funding and would be reduction of what comes to towns. If you have the temptation of reducing the board of education please reconsider because the governors budget could have a large impact on the board of education.

4. Communications

5. Town Manager's Report

Matt - gave information to Council. today did get proposed cuts in municipal aide. education costs sharing reduction 14.3% reduction which means this is a huge number. On that sheet as far as the town goes we would lose 56-66,000. town road aide 193,00. town road aide we apply for every year. does not impact the buget but would impact work that the town would like to do. budget less on expenditure side. concern if you pass this budget you pass it and if there is a future reduction there would be a large impact. notices for layoffs going out tomorrow but 8 week notice. any resolution do you amend the resolution to say if reduction happens in state there is some room. Between the board and town need to work. can't take all from board. should have amendment in the resolution.

Delnicki - to that point, the language that you came up with was that developed by Town Attorney? Matt - no just got that information this afternoon. hate to see you cut the budget - should put another whereas clause in it. Delnciki - do have two attorneys up here that could probably come up with language. this is the lowest budget I have ever seen from the board of education. we can only hope that the state employees take concessions. glad you are thinking about plan b a lot sooner.

McCann - state of connecticut has put all towns in an awful situation. 1 billion gap in this year budget and 1 billion in next yeas budget. it is unreasonable that the state employees could shoulder the loss. the state is going to have large impacts on towns. we are going to be looking a serious reductions in funds coming from the State. we need to set a Board of Education budget by the 15th. we can do what we may to try to solve but we are going to be in a very difficult situation. we will have to go forward with south windsor budget best we can.

Yagaloff - board of education is fair budget. it is the lowest budget I have ever seen. think the problem is if we were to have reduction in budget from what the board of education receives from the state without a discussion. if state gave 1 million less would have to reduce spending of the town and board. do support the board of ed budget as proposed. Matt -

Prague - thanked board of ed for their budget. did a great job of getting the budget down. thanked the teachers for their concessions. wise choice of saving the 700,000 from last year to use this year. very worried about next years budget. we should start planning now. need to watch spending this year in order to use for next year. 248,000 there is a cushion. also worried about the town budget. Matt - the tax sale will be used to help gap Prague - will be supporting the board of education budget.

Bazzano - next year - will be very difficult to deal with issues. have we ever changed the board of ed budgert? Matt - no Bazzano - should talk to Town Attorney Matt - once the board of ed budget is set it is set. me and the superintendent have a very good relationship and we talk. I think that the board and the council will work together to make this happen. suggest change the bottom line of the budget. do see things coming on the horizon as far as revenues. if they do come in as anticipated then could change the bottom line of the budget with a public hearing. we are going to have to stay on top of this. Bazzano - the only thing can touch is the general government budget? Matt - yes Bazzano - so Board of Ed is protected as far as the year Matt - yes Bazzano - the general government budget can be slashed? Matt - yes - last year budget was reduced 80,000 - trying to get you to reasonable budget. what ever you take today will have to be replaced tomorrow. do have suggestion to slash the capital budget. council needs to do policy that talks abut two year budget. Bazzano - legislature would have to change board of ed budget Matt - last year town allowed

6. Special Business

A. Resolution Adopting the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2011/2012

Ed - this figure is not going to fly without some amendment. board and town have worked veery well together this year. governor malloy has his political future depending on this budget. may try to do something that is smaller. seems like they would not eliminate that much funding adn go to a different plan. need to make contingency plan in case something does happen.

Pelkey - at the first of the year when gave budget proposal always comes down to the 11th hour. always waiting to see what happens with the state. always depends on what happens with the state. where the issue lies is requirement to balance the state budget. we don't know what is going to happen this year and think we need to protect ourselves and prepare ourselves. once we set board budget it is set. need to have the ability to negotiate with the board of education. Matt - 1.4 million dollars Pelkey - that is major number for our town. last year had less in spending in the budget. this year increased spending by 1% what is the percent? Matt - 1.97% increase in spending overall. Town 2.14 - Board 1.88 - there is less spending in town side. Pelkey - board of ed presented reasonable budget. think we are at if the state does this we need an alternate plan as a safeguard will throw out amendment as follows to help with the town side as follows: if comes down to plan B will have to come together Amendment - in based on allocation of ECS funding and transportation funding 2 - any reduction from said funding may result in equal reduction on the Board of Ed side (Pelkey fist and Havens second) Comments regarding Amendment McCann - the most important thing we spend money on is board of ed, police, fire, maitenance of roads. these are the things that protect the values of the town and make the town an enjoyable place to live. the board of ed is doing good job addressing their budget. they negotiated with teachers early on who took concessions which allowed board to make reductions in their budget. they assessed their programs in town. they have a very reasonable budget ever with increases in all aspects. Amendment I understand the concern and the bad place the state is putting us in with signigicant cuts in grants possibly which could have serious impact on budget. think the only way no get any funds is if there were no concessions. at end of school year will hopefully have surplus which can be applied to offset reductions for next year. not sure the town can go back into the board of ed budget. before vote on budget should have recess to discuss. not inclined to includes amendment.

Delnicki - have not spoken to Town Attorney. could we try to call town attorney to get information from town attorney. think need to take recess and try to call town attorney. Pelkey - have no problem taking recess to try to reach town attorney. 12,995,988 (that is what the board is basing their budget on). even if doesn't pan out that is what the board is basing their budget on. Prague - two years ago exact thing happened - state legislature passed bill to allow towns to go back and visit their budget if federal government did not come back to look at budget. we are one of the last towns to pass a budget in this area. we should take into account what getting from state but would like to do a two year budget next year. legislature has to pass bill. Pelkey - table resoltuion; prague, unanimous Pelkey -

7. Executive Session

A. To discuss possible sale of tax lien.

B. To discuss a draft agreement which would result in disclosure of public records or information which is exempt from disclosure at this time pursuant to C.G.S. § 1-210(b)(1) and §1-210(b)(4).

Pelkey motion to talk about tas lien, agreement - Matt - tax lien if Hi-G Gary second unanimous

Pelkey adjourn executive session, Janice, unainmous 8:28 p.m. Pelkey - remove from the table 6A, Delnicki, unanimous reread amendment - and based on the allocation of e tans 12,995,988 any reduction from said funding may result in equal reduction in BOE budget, McCann - should have chair discuss Lisa Maneeley - if ECS and transportation will then ask the BOE to give the money back. Pelkey - may come back to you and based on budget gave we may need the BOE as well as the town to give money back. we are going to set the budget with the amendment with money that anticipated by state does not come in may have to readdress. want to give full amount but do not know what the state is going to do. Lisa - BOE budget can not be changed. we will still be in limbo. Pelkey - with the lack of information this may be a meaningless unforeseeable. Lisa - the BOE is going to take the full hit? Pelkey - we don't know what the state is going to do. the state is trying to come up with 2 billion short fall. want to have contingency if the state comes in and says we are going to give you 2 million less and the town may get hit we just want to share in that hit. Lisa - little disappointed. Pelkey - the dollar amount would not have changed the scenario, all depends on what happens at the state level. a lot of towns have already set their budget but two years ago legislation came back to allow towns to open their budgets.

Anwar - recognize enormous amount of work has gone into boe budget. we have to make the best decision based on the information we have now. we can't keep boe hostage to what the sateis going to do at some point. we need to go forward and support the boe. what happens with the state there will be contingency plan in place if we are not funded. maybe we should approve as is. Lisa - feel the same. town and board work very well together. Pelkey - wanted to put out there for a discussion. may say we don't want the amendment. Yagaloff - I agree with Dr. Anwar. appropriate budget from the boe. also worried that we pass the resolution and it is not legal and may be in violation. we should just ask for cooperation from the boe if there is any problem. should approve budget as is and discuss the contingency problems if it happens. if the state comes back and do not get grant funding will have to increase taxes. Matt - there should be moderate tax increase and if there is funding decreased have some aside to make up for that. Yagaloff - come up with lowest possible and then if the state comes back for crisis with the town that may increase the taxes at the time. boe of ed budget is appropriate. would not want to adjust the budget through the amendment. Delnicki - concern that we have resolution that is illegal. there should be enabling legislation if there is decreases in state funding. I tend to think should not add language to the resolution. Pelkey - withdrawing the amendment. Bazzano - commend you on your leadership. worked hard to get that number and appreciate what the teachers did. town manager and superintendent worked well with them and the Mayor worked well and the council worked well with the boe. will have full support tonight. Pelkey - thank you to the board, Dr. Carter for her first budget. good cooperative budget Pelkey - all in favor - unanimous

8. Adjournment

Ed, Tom seconed, unanimous

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