April 9, 2007
The Budget workshop was called to order by Robert Doyon, Vice Chair, at 6:15 p.m.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Roger Kergaravat (6:22 p.m.), Douglas Merriman and Dominic Moschella.
Members Absent: Joseph Commendatore, Frederick Harkins and Dominick Mirabelle.
The Mayor referred to page 15 under Library. T. Graveline discussed the Librarian’s salary. She stated that the director who was working there for 15 years was making $47,123.00 and she doesn’t feel that anyone should come in after her at a higher salary. T. Graveline proposed $43,500.00.
Motion made by T. Graveline to change line item #7350-00 Librarian from $49,008.00 to $43,500.00. Motion seconded by P. Geary. D. Moschella opposed.
Motion carried.
T. Graveline stated that if indeed the Assistant moves into the Director position the Council will look into that person’s salary because she has been there for some time.
The Mayor mentioned the 4% increase for Town employees, all whom are very dedicated. P. Geary stated that she feels 4% is a high increase for Town employees. T. Graveline and P. Geary have looked at all the salaries and proposed a 3.3% increase which they feel is more in line with those in the outside sector and other municipalities. The Mayor suggested going page by page.
Motion made by T. Graveline to change the following line items from the proposed 4% increase to a 3.3% increase. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.
• Office of the Mayor 5000-03 Office Manager 5000-04 Clerical Assistants PT • Assessor 5250-00 Salary 5250-01 Clerical Assistants • Tax Collector: C.C.M.C 5350-00 Salary 5350-01 Asst. Tax Collector (FT) 5350-02 Clerical Assistants (PT) • Town Clerk 5500-00 Town Clerk Salary 5500-01 Asst. Town Clerk FT 5500-02 Clerical Asst. PT • Building Department 5850-00 Bldg. Off. Salary (PT) 5850-01 Mech. Insp. Salary (PT) 5850-06 Elec. Insp. Salary (PT) • Land Use Inspector 6450-02 Land Use Clerk • Fire Marshal 6650-00 Salary 6650-10 Clerical Asst. PT • Town Roads 7000-07 Asst. Dir. Public Works • Library 7350-01 Asst. Librarian 7350-02 Staff/Clerk • Commission on Aging 7650-02 Municipal Agent 7650-05 Center Staff • Town Hall Buildings 6100-00 Maintenance Salaries (Town Hall custodian)
The Council discussed the addition of line item #7650-09-Mini Bus Driver under Commission on Aging at the Council’s request. Mayor Chatfield stated that it was his understanding that the Sr. Director’s salary wouldn’t be touched. Mayor Chatfield stated that he will look into line item #7650-09 and make sure the increase is only 3.3%.
R. Kergaravat asked how we came up with the 3.3% as the norm that most people are getting. There was general discussion. R. Kergaravat stated that he has seen on average a 2-2.5% increase and some no increase at all.
The Mayor stated that after getting through union negotiations he checked with many other towns and it seems that the increase in salary for other municipalities are between 3 and 4%. Town Hall Building employees are working 30 to 35 hours and their salaries are much lower than some other salaries even with people working in Town in another form of government. R. Kergaravat stated that all of us are experiencing constraints financially with heating, gasoline, and utilities and here we are proposing 4% and now to 3.3%. The Mayor stated that our Town employees are not unionized. There was general discussion. D. Merriman feels that the 3.3% is a good compromise. In the past it has generally been 3% and the union does set the bar a little; he feels 3.3% is quite reasonable and fair.
R. Kergaravat opposed.
Motion carried.
Mayor Chatfield stated that the Mayor acts as the risk manager, purchasing agent, controlling manager etc. The Mayor wears many more titles than just Mayor in the Town of Prospect. P. Geary stated that they left the salary of the Mayor out of the line items that received a 3.3% increase. She agrees with a range of salaries for elected officials; the elected official’s salaries are being set for two years by the Charter.
Motion made by T. Graveline to change line item #5000-00 Salary under Office of the Mayor from $79,544.00 to $78,000.00 and set this as the cap. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. Motion unanimous.
The Mayor referred to page 13 Ice & Snow-Supplies and Parts and page 14 Town Trucks- Parts, supplies & oil. The Mayor asked that these two line items be increased by $2,500.00. He stated that anything having to do with metal, aluminum, etc. has increase 25-50%.
Motion made by P. Geary to add $2,500.00 to line item Ice & Snow-Supplies/Parts # 7050-03 and Town Trucks-Parts, Supplies, Oils #7150-03. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Motion unanimous.
T. Graveline asked how the Town is doing with keeping parts in the inventory. The Mayor stated that no one is buying anything after July 1st. The Mayor stated that they try to keep one of each item that they go through frequently. P. Geary stated that she feels the job being done on the roads in Prospect is outstanding.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the March 26, 2007 Budget Workshop minutes. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. Motion unanimous.
The Mayor discussed Mr. Moffo’s, Director of Recreation position. He puts in many hours a week and is very busy during the spring and summer. Mr. Moffo has made it much easier because he’s been around full time. There is a large demand on the parks and the people in Town want to use the facilities. Larry Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Board of Recreation stated that the field usage is increasing. They are also in the process of continuing the development of Hotchkiss Field. There are still some things that need to be done. The Mayor asked about the update on the restrooms at Hotchkiss Field. Mr. Moffo stated that the restrooms are finished and the water will be turned on as soon as the nights get a little warmer; they will be open for the spring and summer months. There was general discussion on parks. They are looking to do as much as they can that is feasible at Hotchkiss Field. T. Graveline stated that she loves the band shell idea. She asked where the additional parking would go at Hotchkiss Field. Bill Sereduck, a member of the Board of Recreation, described where the additional parking can possibly go. P. Geary asked what the $90,000 for Park Development is. Mr. Sereduck stated that it is for a baseball field. Typically a baseball field costs about $150,000.00-$200,000.00. P. Geary stated that she is thrilled with the Ice Skating at Hotchkiss field. She stated she feels that not many people even know that the skating rink is there; and the Town’s people should be made aware of it. P. Geary also asked if they’ve looked into grants for park development. The Mayor stated that he has no problem looking into grant; Caplan Park was built with grant money. The Mayor stated that if the Town uses grant money for Hotchkiss Field we can’t restrict people who go there. P. Geary stated that she would like the Town to look into what’s available. P. Geary complimented Mr. Moffo and stated that she feels he is a great asset to this Town and the Recreation programs. T. Graveline agreed and also complimented Mr. Moffo on what he has done. P. Geary stated that she agrees with the Mayor’s recommendations on the Recreation Director’s Salary.
Motion unanimous.
T. Graveline asked about fee schedules for programs. Mr. Moffo stated that they charge just enough to cover the Town’s costs. As supplies are needed the fees are increased but they usually are $15 for Town residents and $20 for non-residents. T. Graveline stated that she feels these fees are low and could possibly be increased.
Motion made by D. Moschella to recess the Budget Workshop at 7:19 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Motion unanimous.
Motion made by P. Geary to reconvene the Budget Workshop at 7:27 p.m. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to come out of Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. No votes or motions were made during Executive Session. Motion unanimous.
Motion unanimous. (to approve the police budget as amended)
Motion made by P. Geary to add line item # 6700-00 Officers under Police and #6700-10 Office Manager to the list of line items that were change from the proposed 4% increase to a 3.3% increase. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Motion unanimous.
P. Geary stated that she agrees with the additional 40 hours a week that the Mayor recommended.
Correspondence:
Zoning Inspector’s Report; Vacancy on ZBA; Resignation from Matthew Blinstrubas-ZBA;
Motion made by P. Geary to table discussion on the resignation of Matthew Blinstrubas from the Zoning Board of Appeals to the next regular scheduled meeting. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Motion unanimous.
Motion made by P. Geary to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Motion unanimous.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the Budget Workshop at 8:39 p.m. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Motion unanimous.
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Robert Doyon, Vice Chair