The Regular Town Council meeting was called to order by Chair Cynthia L. Gibbons @ 7 P.M. Members present: Frank Bainer, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Cynthia Gibbons, Theresa Graveline, Gary V. Hodge, Edward Miller @ 7:03 P.M. and Shirley Sabo. Absent: Delores Franks
Mayor's Report: Not in attendance
Chair Report: Nothing at this time due to budget workshops
Guests: Dr. Helene Skrzyniarz, Superintendent of R16; William Stowell, Business Manager and David Byrne Board of Education member. William Stowell handed out Folder and Proposed 2001- 2002 Budget for Council members to go through at their leisure & William Stowell welcomed calls if members have any questions. Packet reviewed included: 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, 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. Also included: Projected High School Costs for 2001-2002, Members Towns' Net Cost Calculations and Analysis of Budget increase based on various categories. Basically a 16.9 increase of which 14.4% is for Woodland High School.
G. Hodge questioned change in state reimbursement - System has been changed.
P. Geary questioned why Prospect didn't get ECS grant - Formulas have been frozen, both towns were above cut line due to factors such as income.
S. Sabo questioned building improvements & number of Freshmen and Sophomores - Community School roof repairs; Approx. 325 Freshman and Sophomore students, will be able to get a better picture in May.
E. Miller questioned when school would be filled - 2004. Also questioned when they would get to the point of controlling costs, worried about how people are going to afford to stay in town, feels the bottom line is people will be paying more in taxes. Also questioned if High School budget is high compared to other towns. William Stowell indicated that 160 of the 169 towns are low in debt services, increase due to renovations, hard to compare bottom line of the budget. E. Miller also questioned arbitration - David Byrne pointed out that the arbitration rules are set up by the state. If went to arbitration comparisons would be made with other towns and would have to pay last best offer. They were able to negotiate with the union & accomplished many things. Salaries in R16 are among the lowest. David Byrne also pointed out that basically starting from scratch, increase in budget with out the high school is 2.9%, lowest in the state.
David Byrne discussed Special Education - fastest growing budget item that also includes transportation. Federal Government hasn't paid, only received 4% from state instead of the 40% expected. Also pointed out that the industrial base in Prospect needs to increase.
S. Sabo - questioned major improvements that will be needed, wondered if there is a contingency plan to allow improvements to happen on a yearly basis. Long-range plan still needs to be worked on. David Byrne also brought up issue of all day kindergarten in the future being mandated and Algonquin School is an issue that needs to be addressed.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Tony Augelli, Clark Hill Road - Feels teachers should be hired right from college. Feels council should get more involved.
Jim Borbas Jr., Beach Drive - Land acquisition from the water company need to aggressively go after, particularly due to the future needs pertaining to Algonquin and Community School and allow for long range planning. Also questioned the mill rate since reval. Mayor Chatfield had indicated mill rate to go down, it is not anticipated to increase, still waiting for more information from the state.
Motion made by G. Hodge, 2nd by E. Miller to approve minutes of April 16 with correction. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: Republican Town Committee recommendation of Enver Kaba as an alternate on the Inland Wetlands Commission; March Building, Electrical, Heating and Plumbing Inspectors reports; March Police Patrol Report; Letter from Cicchetti to Peter Hughes re RMK-Prospect Associates LLC confirming that RMK is the owner of three of the four parcels with the option to purchase the 4th that has been submitted to the Town of Prospect for consideration as a commerce Park (More information requested by T. Graveline); Historic Document Preservation Grant Application and Harold Leever Regional Cancer Canter pamphlet. Motion made by P. Geary, 2nd by T. Graveline to place on file. Motion Unanimous
Motion made by G. Hodge, 2nd by S. Sabo Resolution: That Robert J. Chatfield, Mayor is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, an application and contract with the State Library for an Historic Preservation Grant. Motion Unanimous
Motion made by E. Miller, 2nd by T. Graveline to approve the appointment of Enver Kaba as an Alternate on the Inland Wetlands Commission.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS: Theresa Graveline pointed out that Land Use will be meeting Thursday, April 19, 2001 @ 7 P.M. with representative from State DEP - Gene Murphy.
Motion made by E. Miller, 2nd by F. Bainer to cancel the May 1, 2001 meeting. Chair, Cynthia L. Gibbons pointed out holding a special Town Council meeting following Town Meeting April 30, 2001 necessary in order to table the Mill Rate. T. Graveline would like to see an article in the newspaper re: Town Meeting and Special Council meeting and also include Public Comment to the agenda. P. Geary opposed. Motion carried.
Motion made by R. Doyon, 2nd by P. Geary to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 P.M.