Video index
1. Call Meeting to Order
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 the majority of the Town Council.]
4. Communications
5. Town Manager's Report [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Council.]
6. Items for Discussion
A. Volunteer Fire Department Budget
Cromibe new building is being used right now. Delnicki - for the record May 1, 2011 dedication at 12:30 p.m.? correct Delnicki - concerned to see organization have cuts like this. Fire Dept. saves the town a lot of money. You are stakeholders in the community.
Yagaloff - South Windsor Volunteer Fire Dept. is a wonderful organization. Volunteers sacrific their time - recogtnize that you are volunteer - Matt there are a lot of line items in the budget that have considerable increases, this department is rear and is not getting an increase? Matt - the budget that you have I never received line items. I can't make those decisions without those line items. they do have fund balance and was hoping to use some of those funds to offset their budget. Crombie - in my submittal there is a detailed memo Galligan - I did not see it. Yagaloff - sounds like the ambulance costs need to be covered. we certainly would not be going into life savings equipment. Matt - there are a lot of things that we are supporting the department for. Training is necessary - every year this dept. increases 5-6%. Ygaloff - hard part is when you are starting with a small amount. have suggestions where could take from within other budgets to offset these costs. would like to see us put back into life saving equipment. Galligan - have looked at roads not getting done anymore, departments have been slashed. Council decision. Anwar - take special people to do the work that you do. summary of the account under salaries. how much necessary to make up salaries? Crombie - grant Anwar - are there mechanisms in place to keep everyone safe? Crombie - yes just would have to change funds around. Did not anticipate the amount of snow there was this year so had to shift money around to cover that. Anwar- do you feel we are at a safe level Crombie - yes I think we are. the area of most concern is the 3 months worth of operating. Anwar - we will support the department because you keep our town safe.
McCann - 5% increase over last years budget and we knew there would be an increase because of the new firehouse. we are receiving this coming year rental of 22,000 from Ambulance. Matt - they are continuing to pay for c-med also McCann - have new facility and rebate from Ambulance should be able to find additional funds. we are sensitive to safety of residents. truly appreciate what the Fire Dept. does and do not expect them to do their job without proper safety equipment. an increase 35,000 for safety equipment should be looked at closely.
Havens - no Council has never said no to the Fire Dept. and do not think it will happen now. Will support the Fire Dept. Fire Dept spends a lot of time out in the community - Fire fighters risk their lives. Support budget. modest increase will support - will take another look.
Favreau - under fire prevention 11,760. is that something that can be funded by another means to free that money up? Crombie - that is certainly possible. that money goes to a couple of primary areas. one is training for citizens. other component is instruction once a year for elementary schools. There are grants available that the fire dept could try for. Favreau - educational program could find grant money - have you ever had fund raising activities? Cromibe - have not always been funded through town. Favreau - may need to look at other areas to fund special activities
Pelkey - cutting 9,900 and in here will purchase some of the bottles in this current budget and push the others ones out. how long are bottles good for and how often are they used? Crombie - 100 bottles purchased in 1997 have life span 15 years and current have 20 year life span Pelkey - your inventory of extras would go down. bottles have not expired. trying to understand Crombie - reason not replacing all would be 111,000 so have been replacing them in bits an dpieces since 2006. Pelkey - would have more than 100 because of life spans. Crombie - yes. currently we have over inventory of bottles. have been getting a certain amount of bottles per year. at end of 2012 would like to have 100 bottles. Pelkey - replacing them every year so will not have brand new Cromibe - correct and those would have to be replaced in intravals Pelkey - how manyh per year? Crombie - 5-10 Pelkey - with budget cut you said 11 Crombie - this year 9 Pelkey - so you will not do any this yea? Crombie - correct. currently if we did not replace any bottles at the end of 2012 would oly have 63 bottles. Pelkey - is there a point in time when you do not use the bottles? Crombie - they are tested every year - the current set of bottles are 15 years old and will expire. Pelkey - bought whole lot at the same time and then over the course of the years you have had rotating purchases of these.
Bazzano - when it comes to clearing fire hydrants in the winter whose budget is that out of? Cromibe - separate Matt - Fire marshals budget Bazzano - is ther ea difference between old ones and new ones? Crombie - as technology revolves there is more air in them. current bottles are 45 minute bottles Bazzano - Cromibe - shell has gotten lighter Bazzano - so have more air time? Cromibe correct
Anwar - needed new 9 bottles and earlier said you would not need any and then at the end of 2012 would need a lot of them? Crombie - financial decisions are yours. if only be able to partially fund by increase that would have to be the cost that I operate the facility. Anwar - our town has changed since 1997, how do you know how many needed (bottles) Cromibie - look at fire size and how many firefighters need them. Some of that additional is on fire aparatus - we do not staff up for what we might need in amajor event. in tht case would count on mutual aid. Anwar - communications equiopment is that up to 2011? Crombie - yes relatively good shape.
Pelkey - ended at 7:58 p.m.
B. Fire Marshal Budget
Walter Summers - this current budget year had 50% loss in part time salaries - this elimination has created a large void. There are several projects that have progressed slower. Concern with apartments. 80% of smoke alarms are being repaired. This figure is surprising. 2009/2010 Tow Council recognized this problem and hired part time indiiduals fo rthese apartment inspections. There will be new work on the horizon and will require man hours that we currently do not have. in order to meet new projects the exisitng programs will suffer. Grant ends in June - department needs help - current budget is 2.7% reduction. to meet our customer needs need to restore funds for part time position. Recess at 8:00 p.m.
recess at 8 pm
back to Work Session at 8:05 p..
Anwar - education component not included? Walter - correct Anwar - how much more need? Walter - 55,000 for part time inspector. to restore back to prvious level would be 25,000 Anwar - education program, how much more? Walter - right now Anwar - can not meet legal requirements? Walter - apartments inspections are supposed to be every year, busiensses every 5 years Pelkley - condo also considered apartments Walter - state mandates are not being met becaue only have one full time and one part time person.
Pelkey - in order to maintain mandate, would't you need about 10 inspectors? Walter - correct, nobody every meets the mandates. Pelkey - you probably did not have 2,000 aprtments Walter - correct many towns do not meet their mandates.
Yagaloff - this last year you had part time wages and full time wages, year before 40,000 and this year flat with last year. how many hours per week with the part time wages in the budget? Walter - right now each part time person (2) gets 10 hours. Yagaloff - item the rented lease that is the only major change. what was that for? Walter - lease on explorer so put in lease purchase of Ford Taurus and that was taken out. Walter - still have Crown Vic and Ford Explorer. When we had three employess would sign out town vehicle. Yagaloff - all the inspections will be funded the same way as last year. Walter - 2009 to Feb. 2010 - the part time inspector did 101 units. this year only did 61 units. Yagaloff - are the inspections that you are doing leading to improvements and safety for those units? Walter - yes - we also find a lot of extension cord usage. Yagaloff - Walter - follow up inspections are rare. the Maintenance Comnpany comes with the inspector and the fire alarms are taken care at the inspection.
Favreau - type of condo units that are being inspected? Walter - we do the common areas and then the inspctors sends out letters and do individual units. Favreau - when inspections take place? Walter - we have done various times. mostly during dy but have done weekends and nights. Favreau - does that require over time? Walter - yes Favreau - do you do ones with private entrances? Walter - have to evaluate the condo because some could be considered multi-family units. Favreau - Walter - the fire code has existing and new units. there are a lot of leeways and givebacks within the code. Favreau - if you go into unit and you are recommending an upgrade, how do you ensure compliance? Walter - the ones we go back to are extension cords or they are blocking their window. Common areas have complex issues and have worked with them to comply Favreau - if they do not comply are there fines? Walter - before we get to that point the owner has the ability to apply for modifications. If the owner does not agree with fire marshal they can appeal to State committee and that committee can override the State Fire marshal. Favreau - cojplex that has had fire is that more likely to get inspection? Walter - yes
Anwar - you mentioned when condos being evaluated, 60% have something wrong? Walter - almost at 80%. Anwar - I think we are not following what the state i recommending. we do nto hve enough resources to check the rest of them so we are waiting for something bad to happen. if 80% of these are wrong then the Town Council should be support the Fire Marshal. Walter - do have grant application into FEMA for part time person and 2,000 fire alarms.
McCann - snow removal from fire hydrants Bazzano - you set the policy on that snow removal from hydrants? Walter - discus with Fire chief and if ned be we call the contractor Bazzano - are all the hydrants done Walter - do all the public hydrants, not the private hydrants.
Havens - how many units will be inspected this year? Walter - finish the complext that has 120. we are studying the next complext that has 140 units which may get done next year. Havens - if we lose one life that will be too many. would hate to see disaster and we did not do enough. if there is enough money and times were better would support much more funding.
Pelkey - 80% problem - you are inspecting condos - if you had to inspect homes would probably have same problem. suggest public access program. in order to get arms around problem should put together educational program that could be run on public television. Older complexes seem to be the ones (with common hallway) that you are aiming for now. Most of the newer complexes may be easier. Walter - there is a smoke detector campaign and it is being looked at for channel 16. part of the grant is to get that material 8:30
C. Park & Recreation Budget
Ray Favreau - Jamie , Kerri Apt, Patrick Tellman, John Caldwell, Ryan Park & Recreation - thanked other departments - Finance, Streets and Fleet Services, Board of Education, School , Human services, Police Dept., Parks Dept. New publication has been created. 30,000 savings; modifcation to line painter and has been time saver; improved lines of communications with recreation events; all threee summer cammps passed accredation; working on tennis courts; snack shack VMP; invasive species taken out at fence lines; Lawrence Road invasives have begun to be taken out. bike rack program, maintain affordability; tennis courts in disrepair, enhance VMP; assue responsibility for management of community gardens. continue field maintenance; additional fields, basket ball courts; Lawrence Road.
Yagaloff - the credit card fees - you have been getting good use, we have discussed letting taxpayers use credit cards for taxes. 50,000 is being used for credit card fees, are the programs being increased or is tht coming out of town budget? Ray - that is user fee that applies toward credit card fees Yagaloff - if you need 100,000 from fund balance - would only need 50,000- do not think the town should subsidize fee. Ray - credit cards are subsidizing the fee. Yagaloff - all the salaries are paid for by the town. you should be able to increase the fund balance Yagaloff - the concession - money that comes in is that included in budget? Ray - yes the concession revenue is 25,000 for the new year and tht is in the budget. Yagaloff - petty cash - goes back into fund balance? Matt - petty cash is an expense and is being spent Yagaloff - have had coments from folks who receive the brochure and do not have grown kids and do not want - couldn't we just send to individuals who use the program? Ray - that would be ideal if it were cost effective. we blanket the town because it is cheaper. Yagaloff - 3.50 per issue per household. perhaps could find way Yagaloff - matt - the money spent is all user fees. Ray - have reduced to twice per year. Concert series is important to go out to everyone.
McCann - you collect revenue? Ray - some McCann - advertising dependent on distributing to every household Ray - yes McCann - reorganized the maintenance of the parks and fields through the town. Now under the Recreation Dept. Have not been able to see reduction Galligan - we have administrative costs reduced - McCann - see decrease in Park and Recration but not in Pubic Works Ray - difference McCann - just the salaries - moved people from one budget item to another, where is the reduction under Pubic Works? Ray - we took the entire Parks Division Galligan - Parks - 10.6% McCann - on 47 - proposed budget 487,000 coparted to 280,000 from last year. Ray - 100,000 to reimurse - Matt - last year 100,000 taken - now this year the 100,000 McCann - increase - 108,000 still and reduction of only 64,000 in Public Works Matt - made changes to administrative salaries McCann - difficult to follow Matt - will have Melanie to print it all out for the Town Council McCann - would like to see the amounts McCann - matt - will break that out for you.
Anwar - hear from Seniors that Recreation is not doing enough for them? Ray - Human Services run programs for seniors. Recreation only does a few. Anwar - Ray - use of building during the day is 60% HS and 40% Rec. Night the building is split 50/50. Anwar - our supplies are not enough Ray - the facility reservations are not web based because the demand outweighs the supply. that gets handled in house. Anwar - website doe snot allow anyone to look at a schedule. Ray - could at least have an inquiry for room usage. Anwar - town may have outgrown the community center. Ray - I would agree Anwar - is ther value in using other places to be used for different activities Ray -- we do 90% of our programs outside of the community center. we use Nomads for basketball programs, 35 volley ball - Anwar - feasibility of in-door pool? Ray - I have been asking for 25 years. we have approached this question for a long time which has been requested by referendum but have failed. Anwar - do not have enough resources. Should develop relationships with community groups Matt - tried to do partnership wtih ECHN - Council at that time decided they did not want to do that. Have looked at a lot of these things. there is a group that is coming to look at a private partnership. Anwar - need five year plan - Ray - would be very happy to show busines plan.
Delnicki - full time salaries - 2010, actual 356,942. projected 2011 280,000; TM recommended 488,000. went from 356,9 down to 280,000. Ray - finance dept. withdrew 100,000 from special revenue fund but have to show as less on general side. Tom - instead of showing the actual matt - expenses had to be moved to special revenue fund Tom - makes it tough to follow the money trail. is that 100,000 a one time shot? Matt - yes. Ray - that why it is 488,000
Favreau - 4th R Program - moving Parks into your department was an excellent decision. 4th R program where does it show up? Ray - within Specail Revenue fund budget. Favreau - how is that program doing Ray - is self sustaining and is doing very well. 196 students - have seen continual growth. does cover cost and a little bit more. Favreau - boundless playground - is ther emaintenance program? Ray - have made repairs - done by the Parks Division and also have volunteer help. Favreau - matting has ripped - is there regular inspection on equipment? Ray - ther eis a weekly inspection that just went into effect and hope to do that throughout town for regular inspections. a lot of time we hear from a user of that facility.
Bazzano - Ray - pool numbers were terrific last year. Do small increases. Bazzano - with econmic times trying to see if ther eis decrease in services
Yagaloff - Recreation fund balance so we can see what is happening. Is not in the book. the Salary issue needs to be explained further - need break down. Matt - adding it back to the general fund. There is a difference of 200,000 - one from fund balance and one regarding salary - will break those out. Yagaloff - 4th R is great program but is not self sustaining. Town pays for administrative costs, and other expenses. Programatic costs may be self sustaining. Ray - admiistrative cost is not included. yagalof - town subsidizes the programs. 1.4 million is raised by user fees and town subsidizing 600 to 700,000. Town supports the Recreation Dept. Ray - we are running double the amount of programming and revenue collection with the same number of administrators from 10 years ago. Matt - current fund balance 103,085
Anwar - Bark Park what type of discussions Matt - we have a litigation -
Tom - would like in writing that you are paying rent at each of the five schools for 4th R Ray - that and Teen After School for all six sites. Tom - each paying in rent and the amount of space they are utilizing. Ray - will get that to you Tom - and cost by fiscal year Ray - or by school year
Pelkey - 800,000 fund balance. what we did last eyar is utilize 100,000 in addition to 65,000 that was already being used. now have a balance of 103,000. that balanceis as of when? Matt - today Pelkley - at end of fiscal year and is left over is put into fund balance Matt - they do a prior period of adjustment Pelkey - okay so what is legally available per accounting standards is put into fund balance Ray - 0 to ------- Pelkey - did you start to build into fees to try to raise the fund balance Ray - no - after year done then extra goes into that, not built into the budget Pelkey -
closed 9:37
7. Executive Session
8. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn 8. Adjournment Moved by Ed Havens, no second required.
Vote to Adjourn 8. Adjournment (Approved)
Tom, Jancie unanimous
Apr 19, 2011 Town Council Work Session
Full agenda
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1. Call Meeting to Order
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 the majority of the Town Council.]
4. Communications
5. Town Manager's Report [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Council.]
6. Items for Discussion
A. Volunteer Fire Department Budget
Cromibe new building is being used right now. Delnicki - for the record May 1, 2011 dedication at 12:30 p.m.? correct Delnicki - concerned to see organization have cuts like this. Fire Dept. saves the town a lot of money. You are stakeholders in the community.
Yagaloff - South Windsor Volunteer Fire Dept. is a wonderful organization. Volunteers sacrific their time - recogtnize that you are volunteer - Matt there are a lot of line items in the budget that have considerable increases, this department is rear and is not getting an increase? Matt - the budget that you have I never received line items. I can't make those decisions without those line items. they do have fund balance and was hoping to use some of those funds to offset their budget. Crombie - in my submittal there is a detailed memo Galligan - I did not see it. Yagaloff - sounds like the ambulance costs need to be covered. we certainly would not be going into life savings equipment. Matt - there are a lot of things that we are supporting the department for. Training is necessary - every year this dept. increases 5-6%. Ygaloff - hard part is when you are starting with a small amount. have suggestions where could take from within other budgets to offset these costs. would like to see us put back into life saving equipment. Galligan - have looked at roads not getting done anymore, departments have been slashed. Council decision. Anwar - take special people to do the work that you do. summary of the account under salaries. how much necessary to make up salaries? Crombie - grant Anwar - are there mechanisms in place to keep everyone safe? Crombie - yes just would have to change funds around. Did not anticipate the amount of snow there was this year so had to shift money around to cover that. Anwar- do you feel we are at a safe level Crombie - yes I think we are. the area of most concern is the 3 months worth of operating. Anwar - we will support the department because you keep our town safe.
McCann - 5% increase over last years budget and we knew there would be an increase because of the new firehouse. we are receiving this coming year rental of 22,000 from Ambulance. Matt - they are continuing to pay for c-med also McCann - have new facility and rebate from Ambulance should be able to find additional funds. we are sensitive to safety of residents. truly appreciate what the Fire Dept. does and do not expect them to do their job without proper safety equipment. an increase 35,000 for safety equipment should be looked at closely.
Havens - no Council has never said no to the Fire Dept. and do not think it will happen now. Will support the Fire Dept. Fire Dept spends a lot of time out in the community - Fire fighters risk their lives. Support budget. modest increase will support - will take another look.
Favreau - under fire prevention 11,760. is that something that can be funded by another means to free that money up? Crombie - that is certainly possible. that money goes to a couple of primary areas. one is training for citizens. other component is instruction once a year for elementary schools. There are grants available that the fire dept could try for. Favreau - educational program could find grant money - have you ever had fund raising activities? Cromibe - have not always been funded through town. Favreau - may need to look at other areas to fund special activities
Pelkey - cutting 9,900 and in here will purchase some of the bottles in this current budget and push the others ones out. how long are bottles good for and how often are they used? Crombie - 100 bottles purchased in 1997 have life span 15 years and current have 20 year life span Pelkey - your inventory of extras would go down. bottles have not expired. trying to understand Crombie - reason not replacing all would be 111,000 so have been replacing them in bits an dpieces since 2006. Pelkey - would have more than 100 because of life spans. Crombie - yes. currently we have over inventory of bottles. have been getting a certain amount of bottles per year. at end of 2012 would like to have 100 bottles. Pelkey - replacing them every year so will not have brand new Cromibe - correct and those would have to be replaced in intravals Pelkey - how manyh per year? Crombie - 5-10 Pelkey - with budget cut you said 11 Crombie - this year 9 Pelkey - so you will not do any this yea? Crombie - correct. currently if we did not replace any bottles at the end of 2012 would oly have 63 bottles. Pelkey - is there a point in time when you do not use the bottles? Crombie - they are tested every year - the current set of bottles are 15 years old and will expire. Pelkey - bought whole lot at the same time and then over the course of the years you have had rotating purchases of these.
Bazzano - when it comes to clearing fire hydrants in the winter whose budget is that out of? Cromibe - separate Matt - Fire marshals budget Bazzano - is ther ea difference between old ones and new ones? Crombie - as technology revolves there is more air in them. current bottles are 45 minute bottles Bazzano - Cromibe - shell has gotten lighter Bazzano - so have more air time? Cromibe correct
Anwar - needed new 9 bottles and earlier said you would not need any and then at the end of 2012 would need a lot of them? Crombie - financial decisions are yours. if only be able to partially fund by increase that would have to be the cost that I operate the facility. Anwar - our town has changed since 1997, how do you know how many needed (bottles) Cromibie - look at fire size and how many firefighters need them. Some of that additional is on fire aparatus - we do not staff up for what we might need in amajor event. in tht case would count on mutual aid. Anwar - communications equiopment is that up to 2011? Crombie - yes relatively good shape.
Pelkey - ended at 7:58 p.m.
B. Fire Marshal Budget
Walter Summers - this current budget year had 50% loss in part time salaries - this elimination has created a large void. There are several projects that have progressed slower. Concern with apartments. 80% of smoke alarms are being repaired. This figure is surprising. 2009/2010 Tow Council recognized this problem and hired part time indiiduals fo rthese apartment inspections. There will be new work on the horizon and will require man hours that we currently do not have. in order to meet new projects the exisitng programs will suffer. Grant ends in June - department needs help - current budget is 2.7% reduction. to meet our customer needs need to restore funds for part time position. Recess at 8:00 p.m.
recess at 8 pm
back to Work Session at 8:05 p..
Anwar - education component not included? Walter - correct Anwar - how much more need? Walter - 55,000 for part time inspector. to restore back to prvious level would be 25,000 Anwar - education program, how much more? Walter - right now Anwar - can not meet legal requirements? Walter - apartments inspections are supposed to be every year, busiensses every 5 years Pelkley - condo also considered apartments Walter - state mandates are not being met becaue only have one full time and one part time person.
Pelkey - in order to maintain mandate, would't you need about 10 inspectors? Walter - correct, nobody every meets the mandates. Pelkey - you probably did not have 2,000 aprtments Walter - correct many towns do not meet their mandates.
Yagaloff - this last year you had part time wages and full time wages, year before 40,000 and this year flat with last year. how many hours per week with the part time wages in the budget? Walter - right now each part time person (2) gets 10 hours. Yagaloff - item the rented lease that is the only major change. what was that for? Walter - lease on explorer so put in lease purchase of Ford Taurus and that was taken out. Walter - still have Crown Vic and Ford Explorer. When we had three employess would sign out town vehicle. Yagaloff - all the inspections will be funded the same way as last year. Walter - 2009 to Feb. 2010 - the part time inspector did 101 units. this year only did 61 units. Yagaloff - are the inspections that you are doing leading to improvements and safety for those units? Walter - yes - we also find a lot of extension cord usage. Yagaloff - Walter - follow up inspections are rare. the Maintenance Comnpany comes with the inspector and the fire alarms are taken care at the inspection.
Favreau - type of condo units that are being inspected? Walter - we do the common areas and then the inspctors sends out letters and do individual units. Favreau - when inspections take place? Walter - we have done various times. mostly during dy but have done weekends and nights. Favreau - does that require over time? Walter - yes Favreau - do you do ones with private entrances? Walter - have to evaluate the condo because some could be considered multi-family units. Favreau - Walter - the fire code has existing and new units. there are a lot of leeways and givebacks within the code. Favreau - if you go into unit and you are recommending an upgrade, how do you ensure compliance? Walter - the ones we go back to are extension cords or they are blocking their window. Common areas have complex issues and have worked with them to comply Favreau - if they do not comply are there fines? Walter - before we get to that point the owner has the ability to apply for modifications. If the owner does not agree with fire marshal they can appeal to State committee and that committee can override the State Fire marshal. Favreau - cojplex that has had fire is that more likely to get inspection? Walter - yes
Anwar - you mentioned when condos being evaluated, 60% have something wrong? Walter - almost at 80%. Anwar - I think we are not following what the state i recommending. we do nto hve enough resources to check the rest of them so we are waiting for something bad to happen. if 80% of these are wrong then the Town Council should be support the Fire Marshal. Walter - do have grant application into FEMA for part time person and 2,000 fire alarms.
McCann - snow removal from fire hydrants Bazzano - you set the policy on that snow removal from hydrants? Walter - discus with Fire chief and if ned be we call the contractor Bazzano - are all the hydrants done Walter - do all the public hydrants, not the private hydrants.
Havens - how many units will be inspected this year? Walter - finish the complext that has 120. we are studying the next complext that has 140 units which may get done next year. Havens - if we lose one life that will be too many. would hate to see disaster and we did not do enough. if there is enough money and times were better would support much more funding.
Pelkey - 80% problem - you are inspecting condos - if you had to inspect homes would probably have same problem. suggest public access program. in order to get arms around problem should put together educational program that could be run on public television. Older complexes seem to be the ones (with common hallway) that you are aiming for now. Most of the newer complexes may be easier. Walter - there is a smoke detector campaign and it is being looked at for channel 16. part of the grant is to get that material 8:30
C. Park & Recreation Budget
Ray Favreau - Jamie , Kerri Apt, Patrick Tellman, John Caldwell, Ryan Park & Recreation - thanked other departments - Finance, Streets and Fleet Services, Board of Education, School , Human services, Police Dept., Parks Dept. New publication has been created. 30,000 savings; modifcation to line painter and has been time saver; improved lines of communications with recreation events; all threee summer cammps passed accredation; working on tennis courts; snack shack VMP; invasive species taken out at fence lines; Lawrence Road invasives have begun to be taken out. bike rack program, maintain affordability; tennis courts in disrepair, enhance VMP; assue responsibility for management of community gardens. continue field maintenance; additional fields, basket ball courts; Lawrence Road.
Yagaloff - the credit card fees - you have been getting good use, we have discussed letting taxpayers use credit cards for taxes. 50,000 is being used for credit card fees, are the programs being increased or is tht coming out of town budget? Ray - that is user fee that applies toward credit card fees Yagaloff - if you need 100,000 from fund balance - would only need 50,000- do not think the town should subsidize fee. Ray - credit cards are subsidizing the fee. Yagaloff - all the salaries are paid for by the town. you should be able to increase the fund balance Yagaloff - the concession - money that comes in is that included in budget? Ray - yes the concession revenue is 25,000 for the new year and tht is in the budget. Yagaloff - petty cash - goes back into fund balance? Matt - petty cash is an expense and is being spent Yagaloff - have had coments from folks who receive the brochure and do not have grown kids and do not want - couldn't we just send to individuals who use the program? Ray - that would be ideal if it were cost effective. we blanket the town because it is cheaper. Yagaloff - 3.50 per issue per household. perhaps could find way Yagaloff - matt - the money spent is all user fees. Ray - have reduced to twice per year. Concert series is important to go out to everyone.
McCann - you collect revenue? Ray - some McCann - advertising dependent on distributing to every household Ray - yes McCann - reorganized the maintenance of the parks and fields through the town. Now under the Recreation Dept. Have not been able to see reduction Galligan - we have administrative costs reduced - McCann - see decrease in Park and Recration but not in Pubic Works Ray - difference McCann - just the salaries - moved people from one budget item to another, where is the reduction under Pubic Works? Ray - we took the entire Parks Division Galligan - Parks - 10.6% McCann - on 47 - proposed budget 487,000 coparted to 280,000 from last year. Ray - 100,000 to reimurse - Matt - last year 100,000 taken - now this year the 100,000 McCann - increase - 108,000 still and reduction of only 64,000 in Public Works Matt - made changes to administrative salaries McCann - difficult to follow Matt - will have Melanie to print it all out for the Town Council McCann - would like to see the amounts McCann - matt - will break that out for you.
Anwar - hear from Seniors that Recreation is not doing enough for them? Ray - Human Services run programs for seniors. Recreation only does a few. Anwar - Ray - use of building during the day is 60% HS and 40% Rec. Night the building is split 50/50. Anwar - our supplies are not enough Ray - the facility reservations are not web based because the demand outweighs the supply. that gets handled in house. Anwar - website doe snot allow anyone to look at a schedule. Ray - could at least have an inquiry for room usage. Anwar - town may have outgrown the community center. Ray - I would agree Anwar - is ther value in using other places to be used for different activities Ray -- we do 90% of our programs outside of the community center. we use Nomads for basketball programs, 35 volley ball - Anwar - feasibility of in-door pool? Ray - I have been asking for 25 years. we have approached this question for a long time which has been requested by referendum but have failed. Anwar - do not have enough resources. Should develop relationships with community groups Matt - tried to do partnership wtih ECHN - Council at that time decided they did not want to do that. Have looked at a lot of these things. there is a group that is coming to look at a private partnership. Anwar - need five year plan - Ray - would be very happy to show busines plan.
Delnicki - full time salaries - 2010, actual 356,942. projected 2011 280,000; TM recommended 488,000. went from 356,9 down to 280,000. Ray - finance dept. withdrew 100,000 from special revenue fund but have to show as less on general side. Tom - instead of showing the actual matt - expenses had to be moved to special revenue fund Tom - makes it tough to follow the money trail. is that 100,000 a one time shot? Matt - yes. Ray - that why it is 488,000
Favreau - 4th R Program - moving Parks into your department was an excellent decision. 4th R program where does it show up? Ray - within Specail Revenue fund budget. Favreau - how is that program doing Ray - is self sustaining and is doing very well. 196 students - have seen continual growth. does cover cost and a little bit more. Favreau - boundless playground - is ther emaintenance program? Ray - have made repairs - done by the Parks Division and also have volunteer help. Favreau - matting has ripped - is there regular inspection on equipment? Ray - ther eis a weekly inspection that just went into effect and hope to do that throughout town for regular inspections. a lot of time we hear from a user of that facility.
Bazzano - Ray - pool numbers were terrific last year. Do small increases. Bazzano - with econmic times trying to see if ther eis decrease in services
Yagaloff - Recreation fund balance so we can see what is happening. Is not in the book. the Salary issue needs to be explained further - need break down. Matt - adding it back to the general fund. There is a difference of 200,000 - one from fund balance and one regarding salary - will break those out. Yagaloff - 4th R is great program but is not self sustaining. Town pays for administrative costs, and other expenses. Programatic costs may be self sustaining. Ray - admiistrative cost is not included. yagalof - town subsidizes the programs. 1.4 million is raised by user fees and town subsidizing 600 to 700,000. Town supports the Recreation Dept. Ray - we are running double the amount of programming and revenue collection with the same number of administrators from 10 years ago. Matt - current fund balance 103,085
Anwar - Bark Park what type of discussions Matt - we have a litigation -
Tom - would like in writing that you are paying rent at each of the five schools for 4th R Ray - that and Teen After School for all six sites. Tom - each paying in rent and the amount of space they are utilizing. Ray - will get that to you Tom - and cost by fiscal year Ray - or by school year
Pelkey - 800,000 fund balance. what we did last eyar is utilize 100,000 in addition to 65,000 that was already being used. now have a balance of 103,000. that balanceis as of when? Matt - today Pelkley - at end of fiscal year and is left over is put into fund balance Matt - they do a prior period of adjustment Pelkey - okay so what is legally available per accounting standards is put into fund balance Ray - 0 to ------- Pelkey - did you start to build into fees to try to raise the fund balance Ray - no - after year done then extra goes into that, not built into the budget Pelkey -
closed 9:37
7. Executive Session
8. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn 8. Adjournment Moved by Ed Havens, no second required.
Vote to Adjourn 8. Adjournment (Approved)
Tom, Jancie unanimous
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