The Regular meeting of the Prospect Town Council was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by Chair Cynthia L. Gibbons. Members present: Frank Bainer, Delores Franks, Patricia Geary, Cynthia Gibbons, Theresa Graveline, Gary V. Hodge, Edward Miller. Absent: Robert Doyon and Shirley Sabo.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Letter from Jennifer Sills of Carmody & Torrance re: Workforce Investment Act Interlocal Agreement - Intergovernmental Agreement among Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury (See Town Council Correspondence File). South Central Regional Water Authority would like to attend a Council meeting in June to review Plan of Development.
Transfer request: $23,882.00 to Police Account 6700.00 from the General Fund. MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Delores Franks to approve the transfer. Unanimous
Mayor Chatfield also mentioned the O'Conner Family, asked members to keep them in their thoughts over the next few days.
BUDGET:
SOCIAL SERVICES 7650-00 - 7650-02 $3,727: Mayor Chatfield reviewed. Line item needs to be eliminated, handled by the State of Connecticut. MOTION made by Delores Franks, seconded by Theresa Graveline to eliminate Line Item. UNANIMOUS
COMMISSION ON AGING 7700-00 - 7700-11 $ 74,114.00: Mayor Chatfield reviewed. Lucy Smegielski, Senior Director - New Senior Center would allow for more programs & would be open more hours. There are many activities presently going on. Mayor pointed out that computers will be put in and local schools are anxious to get involved with the senior citizens. MOTION made by Delores Franks, seconded by Patricia Geary to approve. Full time Senior Director was previously a part time position. Delores questioned where the grants come from. Grants from the State and Federal Government. Patricia Geary grateful for job Lucy does and feels it is valuable and important. Patricia Geary questioned Greater Waterbury Transit District bus. Presently having problems, decrease in funds due to federal cutbacks has caused the decrease in service. Gary V. Hodge & Theresa Graveline questioned Dispatcher/Driver - Different person would help Lucy and backup when present driver is ill. Edward Miller questioned how many hours Lucy works - at least 40 hours, also works from home. MOTION UNANIMOUS
INLAND-WETLANDS 6400-00 - 6400-05 $6350: MOTION made by Delores Franks, seconded by Gary Hodge to approve. Mayor reviewed, same as last years budget. MOTION UNANIMOUS
LAND USE INSPECTOR 6450-00-6450-03 $45,095: MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Delores Franks to approve. MOTION UNANIMOUS
BENEFITS TOWN EMPLOYEES 6200-00 - 6200-04 $218,000: MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Delores Franks to approve. Mayor reviewed present amount of full time employees and part time employees and amount for Medical Benefits. Gary V. Hodge questioned 22% increase in medical, rates increased in February. Patricia Geary questioned employee co-pay, feels employees, excluding union employees, should contribute more. Feels it is time to start increasing co-pay especially at a time when considering benefits for retirees. Delores Franks questioned if Patricia Geary is suggesting working on during this Budget Plan, at what percent, present contribution 2.3%, any recommended amount. Edward Miller feels in order to gage it would be necessary to see what the norm is, what market is, plan should be bid on, need to shop around. Delores Franks would like to see a recommendation. Mayor Chatfield will speak to employees prior to the Public Hearing. Possibly a small increase in co-pay from year to year. Mayor Chatfield suggested not rushing to make a decision, April - June to come up with a program effective July 1st, in order to research. Possibility of a subcommittee, agenda item first meeting in May, subcommittee could review the matter of employee co-pay. MOTION made by Theresa Graveline, seconded by Gary V. Hodge to refer the matter of employee co-pay to the Pension/Benefit Subcommittee . MOTION UNANIMOUS
ORIGINAL MOTION of $218,000, Benefits Town Employees, UNANIMOUS
Mayor reminded members that the Public Hearing will be held on April 18, 2000 @ 7 P.M. in the Prospect Town Hall. Annual Town Meeting to be held May 4, 2000 @ 7 P.M. at Community School.
MOTION made by Patricia Geary, seconded by Gary V. Hodge to take a 5 minute recess @7:42 P.M. Unanimous
MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Patricia Gear to reconvene. Unanimous
RECREATION 7400-00 - 7400-06 $107,950: MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Delores Franks to approve. Bill Sereduck, former Chair, Chris Demibishack new Chair & Terri Franz present. Bill Sereduck updated council on accomplishments to date at Hotchkiss Field, Canfield tennis courts, Matthew St (Cipriano Park). Also discussed ordinance concerning dogs not being leashed at Hotchkiss Field, suggested fine. Mayor Chatfield looking into signs. Chris Dembishack reviewed 7400-04, Organ. Asst., has been discontinued, originally set up to help groups organize leagues, allowed for limited control over money spent. Money best serves the town in Park Development. Presently concentrating on Caplan Park, grant has been received but additional improvements will be needed. Patricia Geary questioned the issue of the Fire Department being denied use of Hotchkiss Field for their annual carnival. Concern that parking could get out of control but Board of Recreation was in favor of Fire Department using Hotchkiss Field, master plan was that Hotchkiss Field would be a Festival Field. Money from this new budget would be used to pay off projects already started. Also would include $55,000 for fixing McGrath Park (which doesn't include drainage); swings and play areas at Canfield, also fence at tennis courts and installing a better base. Theresa Graveline asked what is planned for Caplan Park, $300,000 grant has been received which will be used up quickly as park will require retaining walls, plan is for 1 football field, 2 softball fields, pavilion, possible small playscape, swings, parking. Hope in the future to connect to Fusco Field. Ed Miller questioned fees collected & suggested raising since fees do not cover program costs. Town has already decided to subsidize, Bill Sereduck pointed out that budget substantially lower compared to other towns. Patricia Geary suggested Board of Recreation look into ice skating in the winter, Board of Recreation is looking into, looking at prices for a liner thought is to locate at new enclosed soccer field at Hotchkiss Field. Frank Bainer thanked Board of Recreation but suggested they look into a new fence at backstop at Canfield Park baseball field near Coer Road, concerned about children running into the road to get balls. Also Frank would like to see more activities for children than adults. Theresa suggested a Baseball Field for the plan of Caplan Park, board has looked into but there isn't room. Theresa Graveline also questioned when rock would be in place at Hotchkiss Field for plaque that has been ready for a while. Mayor Chatfield said rock will be in place by Friday. MOTION UNANIMOUS
William Stowell, Region 16 Business Manager, passed & reviewed folder containing: Region 16 Consolidated Budget Pages, Regional Control Site 101 Budget Pages, Schools' Regional Control Budget Pages, Schools' Local Control Budget Pages, Pupil Services Budget Pages, Chart of Account Listing, Criteria Used in Building the Budget, Recommended Staffing Changes, Budget Impact for Staffing Changes, Current Class Size Listings, Enrollment Changes - Trends over the Years, Projected High School Enrollment, Schools' Regional Control Furniture & Equipment, Schools' Local Control Recap Sheets, Debt Service Schedule & Major Building Improvements for members to go through at their leisure. Delores Franks pointed out that the bottom line with High School costs is 15.17% increase. Delores Franks also feels town needs to plan & explore tax breaks for Senior Citizens over a period of time. Dr. Helene visited a school in Massachusetts, Senior Citizens were allowed a $500 tax break in exchange for volunteering at schools. David Byrnes indicated that the substantial increase is due to the High School, the increase the Board of Education controls is nominal. Special Education increase is due to the need for support on the state level. High school costs will impact budget until transition is made. Region 16 Budget will be presented to Board of Education at a Public Hearing to be held April 12th at Long River Middle School @ 8 P.M. Regional meeting to be held May 1, 2000 @ 8 P.M. and Laurel Ledge.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Mrs. Kathy Hack - In view of High School Budget we all expected an increase, would like to see Council encourage Region 16 Board to take Oxford students. This would allow for tuition money to offset expenses and also allow some control pertaining to school expenses. David Byrnes suggested public attend Board of Education meetings. Mrs. Hack & others are turned off after attending previous meetings. David Byrnes will sit down with Oxford next year, Oxford hasn't given a specific request pertaining to numbers. Newspaper article published in the Waterbury Republican American was misleading. Mrs. Hack feels that Region 16 Board Members should have had newspaper correct. Board of Education is going to sit down and meet with Oxford. Tony Augelli agreed with Mrs. Hack, but feels High School is being built for Beacon Falls, not for Oxford, feels that what Oxford would pay wouldn't offset costs.
Theresa Graveline agreed about misinformation in newspaper. Hopes Board of Education will take the opportunity to correct in the Prospect Pages, suggested Board of Education write an article to clarify any misinformation.
David Byrnes indicated that the letter from Oxford was just an inquiry, Board of Education would need more information.
CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from Charter Revision Commission inviting members to a Hearing April 11, 2000 @ 7:30 P.M. in the Prospect Town Hall; Building Inspector's Report; Electrical Inspectors Report; Mini Bus Report, Zoning Enforcement Officers Report, Chesprocott letter; CCMC letter; Thank you from the Walter Magnavice family. MOTION made by Edward Miller, seconded by Gary Hodge to place correspondence on file. UNANIMOUS
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Delores Franks, Pension Committee to meet.
MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Patricia Geary to adjourn. Theresa Graveline suggested that it would be nice to know ahead of time who the guest speakers will be. MOTION to adjourn Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 10:26 P.M.
Cynthia L. Gibbons, Chair
Maryann C. Anderson, Clerk