Town of Prospect-Boards & Commissions

Prospect Town Council

Approved Minutes - Special Meeting

March 10, 2007

The Town Council meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 9:30 a.m.

Members Present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Frederick Harkins, Douglas Merriman, and Dominic Moschella.

Members Absent: Theresa Graveline, Roger Kergaravat, and Dominick Mirabelle.

Mayor Chatfield submitted Budget Information 2007-2008 and a proposed schedule for budget workshops.

Mayor Chatfield presented and reviewed the proposed budget for 2007-2008 fiscal year with the Council. Increases and decreases for all categories were defined.

Mayor Chatfield discussed the increase in the price of sand. The last 3 weeks has been hard on public works and the heating budget. There also may be an adjustment on street lighting.

Mayor Chatfield mentioned Parks and Recreation, porta john rentals have been added to the budget.

Mayor Chatfield mentioned the large increase in the Director of Parks and Recreations Salary.

The Mayor mentioned a 200% increase in the Region 1 Animal Control budget.

Mayor Chatfield stated that the bottom line increase for the 2007-2008 Fiscal Budget is 5.6-5.7%; An increase of $365,112.65.

Chairman Commendatore stated that he attended the March 7, 2007 Planning & Zoning meeting and the Commission was very receptive to the Town’s interest in open space property that will becoming available in the future. Robert Hiscox, Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, requested a letter from the Town Council stating what open space properties they were interested in.

Motion made by R. Doyon requesting that Chairman Commendatore send a letter to the Planning & Zoning Commission informing them that the Town is interested in the open space land for the Summit Heights and Woodmont Estates Subdivisions. Motion unanimous.

Mayor Chatfield submitted a list of line items that the Council has very little discretion with.

Motion made by D. Moschella to accept the budget items that the Council has very little discretion with. (See attached “Schedule A”). Motion seconded by D. Merriman.

P. Geary stated that she would like to review and discuss these line items.

  • Probate Court is all based on the number of deaths times the population (page 1)
  • Auditor-Audit (page 2)
  • Legal Fees (Page 3)
  • Refund of taxes (page 4) P. Geary asked how much has gone back in refunds. Mayor Chatfield stated that more has gone out than budgeted.
  • Advertising/Printing, Social Security & Automatic Process of Records (page 5)
  • Municipal Organizational Fees (page 5) Training of any Town employee board or commission member.
  • Unemployment Compensation (page 7)
  • Postage (page 8) Line item increased due to expected increase in postage.
  • Historic Preservation (page 9) no increase.
  • Emergency Management (page 11) no increase.
  • Household Hazardous Waste (page 12) Increase of $13,000.
  • 911 Dispatch (page 12) P. Geary asked if we share that facility or service. Mayor Chatfield stated that we share it with Woodbury Bethlehem, Oxford, Roxbury, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck Ambulance, and Middlebury. P. Geary asked what EMD is. The Mayor stated that it is the extra wording that has to be stated at the end of a medical call. This is a state mandate.
  • Street lighting (page 14)
  • Holiday Observance (page 16)
  • Youth Activities (page 17) no increase. P. Geary asked what Holiday Season is. Mayor Chatfield stated that it is the lights.
  • Regional Animal Control (page 18) Increase of $6,000.00 from last year to do a survey of dogs in Town to get more people to register their dogs. There are also three full time wardens now. P. Geary asked if the increase is primarily due to salaries.
  • Contingency-no increase
  • Debt Service (page 19)
  • Page 20 no increase
  • Storm Water (page 21) decrease of $1,000.00
  • No increase in Scott Road or Land acquisition. P. Geary asked about Land Acquisition and Open Space and whether or not they are established accounts. There was no response.

    • Motion unanimous.

    Mayor Chatfield briefly discussed the meeting schedule.

    Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the workshop schedule, the date of the pubic hearing, and the Town Meeting. Motion seconded by F. Harkins.

    Motion unanimous.

    Motion made by D. Moschella to adjourn the meeting at 10:14 a.m. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

    Motion unanimous.

    Respectfully submitted,

    ______________________________
    Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair