April 17, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:18 p.m.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Frederick Harkins, Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle and Dominic Moschella.
Members Absent: Roger Kergaravat
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Chatfield was not in attendance.
Chair’s Report:
Chairman Commendatore mentioned a meeting that took place in the Mayor’s office with Mayor Chatfield, Attorney John Knott, Diane Lauber, Chairman Commendatore, and Dominic Moschella to discuss the U.S. Cap property. Attorney Knott will be coming to our meeting on May 1st to update the entire Council. They would like to bring this to a Town Meeting on June 5th.
Guests: (possible speaking time limit set)-
Maggie Shook, Region16 Superintendent; Bill Stowell, Business Manager and Dave Byrne, Chairman of the Board of Education were in attendance.
Bill Stowell submitted to the Council the Region 16 proposed budget for 2007-2008. Mr. Stowell stated that the biggest unknown is what the State will do with revenue. The Board of Education discussed and decided to take a conservative approach showing 50% of the revenue being received. He also submitted a “What if Scenario”. There was general discussion. The budget book is set up the same as the past years. In the back of the book page 19 begins the budget building notes. The following pages give a breakdown of the budget by function codes which help people understand where the money is going. The board during their deliberations when the superintendent and the subcommittee met took the proposals that were presented that were asked for by the principals and made reductions that amounted to $1,056,000.00. The board made further reductions of $186,404.00. The total budget shows a 5.37% increase on the expenditure side. Mr. Byrne mentioned the Budget Committee that was created. There is also a very active citizen group in Town, the Confederation of Parents, who address the education issues. Mr. Byrne discussed the restoration of three teacher positions. There is no binding class size and any law or policy; just a board recommended maximum class size. The big issue is space and the amount of classrooms. Transportation costs are under contract and increase every year; utility costs also increase dramatically. The teachers’ contract and administrators’ contract were renegotiated last year which is part of the increase in the budget. The other big piece that stands out is the technology. They have a six year technology plan in order to link to the state plan and tie all the schools together with internet access. They want to integrate the internet district wide. There is one more year to go with a large increase in technology. The need to keep students and curriculum up to date increases every year. They are looking to hire a part time curriculum coordinator for the district. There are also discipline issues at the High School so they are looking to hire a part time administrator to take a lot of the burden of the day- to-day discipline issues away from the Vice Principals.
T. Graveline noted under the Director of Curriculum that it appears that it doesn’t include the high school. Ms. Shook stated that it includes K-12.
Chairman Commendatore asked if any Department Heads at the High School have been given any additional teaching responsibilities. Ms. Shook stated that of the eight blocks they will be adding one more teaching block to the requirements. Mr. Byrne mentioned the SAT preps.
T. Graveline wanted to understand how the “What if Scenario” printout connects with the proposed budget. Mr. Stowell explained that the yellow page corresponds with the top sheet of the “What if Scenario”, showing 50% applied to revenue. The appropriation is supposed to report out on April 19th but it could be as late as June.
D. Merriman asked if they determined if there is going to be a referendum. Mr. Byrne stated that in the past several years the board has made the decision to go to referendum. They may consider a district meeting; it depends on how the April 18th public hearing goes. They will most likely go to referendum.
Bill Stowell mentioned negotiations with the Teachers Union which resulted in significant give backs in medical benefits. This resulted in a zero increase in medical benefits expense from last year. The board did go to Hartford and met with legislators from both Prospect and Beacon Falls and discussed issues with the budget. They also discussed the arbitrated awards.
Public Participation:
Ann Stein from Cook Road asked about the newspaper article regarding the Mayor’s raise. T. Graveline clarified that the Mayor’s salary was capped at $78,000.00 but the Council is going to discuss in the future setting a salary range. The current policy is if a new person is elected to an existing position, that person’s salary will start at whatever was budgeted for that year. P. Geary stated that the Charter also regulates this. There was general discussion. T. Graveline stated that the salary that is stated now is for the term beginning in November, whoever is in that office. That salary is also set for the following year’s budget. While a person is in office they can not receive an increase in their salary.
Approval of April 3, 2007 Minutes
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the April 3, 2007 regular meeting minutes as amended. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. P. Geary abstained.
Motion carried.
Approval of April 3, 2007 Budget Workshop Minutes
Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2007 budget workshop as amended. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. P. Geary abstained.
Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Resignation/Vacancy on ZBA; Mayor’s Expenditure’s for January and February; Prospect Parks & Recreation Spring & Summer Program Brochure; Prospect Republican Town Committee Appointments; Refunds dated April 17, 2007.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the recommendations from the Republican Town Committee for appointments:
Term Inland Wetlands Commission Stephen Sackter – 192 Cook Road 4-07 to 1-2010 (Replaces Charles Dorman as Regular Member Inland Wetlands Commission – Alternate Charles E. Dorman – 14 Plank Road 4-07 to 1-1-2008 (Fill Unexpired term of Stephen Sackter) Emergency Management Advisory Council – Alternate Elizabeth C. Normand – 13 Candee Road 4-07 to 11-17-2007
Motion seconded by T. Graveline.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the Tax Refund dated April 17, 2007. Motion seconded by F. Harkins approve.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to change the wording on page 6 under Water Pollution Authority line item #5900-02 from Consulting and Engineering to Sewer Fees and Engineering. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
There was general discussion on sewer billing.
Motion made by T. Graveline to add the Budget to the agenda. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Moschella to add $3,000.00 to line item #5900-02 which now reads Sewer Fees & Engineering for a total under Water Pollution Authority of $108,203.38. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.
Motion unanimous.
New Business:
Motion made by T. Graveline to accept the resignation of Matthew Blinstrubas from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by P. Geary to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.
Motion unanimous.
Old Business:
• Sub-committees Reports
Motion made by T. Graveline to add the purchase of 76 Mountain Road for the price of $20,000.00 and the conveyance of a Conservation Restriction to the Prospect Land Trust Incorporated, to the call of the Town Meeting on May 3, 2007. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
D. Merriman commented on the site visit at 1:00 p.m. today at Algonquin School. There was general discussion. D. Merriman stated that it was an eye opener for him. T. Graveline stated that it is amazing what they have been able to accomplish with the conditions they are working under.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair