March 20, 2007
The Budget Workshop was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair, at 6:15 p.m.
Members Present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Frederick Harkins, Roger Kergaravat (6:24 p.m.), Dominick Mirabelle, and Dominic Moschella.
Members Absent: Douglas Merriman
#6950 Solid Waste $563,095.00 (Increase of $21,564.00)
Motion made by P. Geary, to approve the budget for solid waste. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. The Council discussed tipping fees.
Motion unanimous.
Public Works
#7000 Town Roads $246,363.00 (Increase of $11,748.00)
Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the Town Roads budget. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
F. Harkins asked about the hand written sign at the end of Scott Road. The Mayor stated that the state is responsible for all signs that are from town roads that exit onto state roads. P. Geary asked about the increase in the Assistant Director of Public Works salary. Mayor Chatfield stated that he recommended a 4% increase for non-union members as well. P. Geary is opposed to the 4% increase.
Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Roger Kergaravat and Dominic Moschella in favor. P. Geary, T. Graveline, F. Harkins, D. Mirabelle opposed. Chairman Joseph Commendatore voted again to break the tie. Motion carried.
#7050 Ice & Snow: (Increase of $12,500.00)
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Ice & Snow budget. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
The Mayor discussed the constant increase in metal prices, as well as the increase in sand. Last year sand was $13/ yard, this year it is $18/ yard and next year it will probably increase to approximately $20-21/ per yard. The Council discussed possibly using salt only. Mayor Chatfield stated it might be better and less expensive to use more salt than currently being used but still use sand as well. T. Graveline mentioned possible environmental issues in the future because of the use of salt.
Motion unanimous.
P. Geary submitted a letter addressed to Mayor Chatfield requesting that the Democratic Town Council members are provided with copies of the original budget requests which the Mayor received from the individual departments, committees, and organizations. They would also like to be made aware of which specific group’s budget will be discussed and which ones will have representatives at the meeting for their budget presentation and discussion. Mayor Chatfield stated that what the individual departments, committees and organizations ask for is in the “Proposed 2007-2008” column.
#7150 Town Trucks $216,000.00 (Increase of $5,000.00)
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the Town Trucks budget. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
The Mayor and Council discussed the need for a computer to do parts inventory. The Council also discussed fleet maintenance.
Motion unanimous.
#7200 Town Aid Roads $36,000.00 (No change)
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Town Aid Roads budget. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
#7250 Road Reconstruction $240,438.00 (Increase of $565.00)
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the Road Reconstruction budget. Motion seconded by F. Harkins.
Motion unanimous.
Parks and Recreation
#7300 Parks $132,000.00 (Increase of $8,156.00)
Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the Parks budget. Motion seconded by P. Geary.
Mayor Chatfield discussed the new line item for “Porta John Rentals”. There is one at Caplan Park, two at Long River Middle School, two at Canfield and one at Hotchkiss Field.
Motion unanimous.
Health and Social Services
#7550 Health $64,642.13 (Increase of $2,554.25)
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Health budget. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Mayor Chatfield stated that some monies from the State goes to Chesprocott (approximately $2.75-$3.00 per person) this is just Prospect’s portion. Cheshire and Wolcott also pay Chesprocott. P. Geary asked for clarification on VNA services. T. Graveline asked about the increase in population.
Motion unanimous.
# 6050 Town Council $8,200.00 (No change)
Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the Town Council budget. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
P. Geary asked about eliminating the $500.00 for Seminars/Conferences. The Council had general discussion. T. Graveline stated that she feels this is an important line item to be used to educate all newly elected officials on FOI and Robert’s Rules. D. Moschella agreed, he feels this is especially important for new members.
J. Commendatore, R. Doyon, R. Kergaravat, D. Moschella and T. Graveline in favor. P. Geary, F. Harkins, and D. Mirabelle opposed.
Motion carried.
#6100 Town Hall Buildings (Decrease of $500.00)
Motion made by D. Moschella to approve the Town Hall Buildings budget. Motion seconded by P. Geary.
Mayor Chatfield stated that the Town removed pay phones. The Town also change the type of phone service for town buildings which saved the Town over $7,000.00 a year. Town buildings includes every building except for the library.
Motion unanimous.
#5900 Water Pollution Control Authority $80,203.38
The members of the WPCA were in attendance. Chairman Carla Perugini-Erickson, Vice Chair Carl Graveline, Derek Brown, and Chris Wester. Mr. Wester submitted a power point hand out to the Council. The handout discusses the responsibilities and duties of the WPCA. Mr. Wester stated that the WPCA wants to promote smart growth. In order to do so they need to develop an up-to-date Waste Water Facilities Plan. There is a lack of coordination which needs to be addressed. A plan was developed in 1983 however; it doesn’t meet today’s requirements. The WPCA met with the DEP and they stated that the plan was outdated based on changes in Town, with DEP criteria and advanced legal challenges. The WPCA is asking for an additional $50,000.00 in order to develop an updated Waste Water Facilities Plan. T. Graveline asked for clarification on a tool like this. Mr. Wester stated that this plan would help decide where and whether a sewer should go in certain areas. Mayor Chatfield asked if there are grants available for this type of study. Mr. Wester stated that the DEP funds 55% of grants for these studies. It would be a reimbursement after the study is done. The WPCA believes a likely price for this study would be $50,000.00-$75,000.00 minimum. The $50,000.00 includes the study and the entire plan. Mr. Wester stated that the WPCA is made up of volunteers who are serving the Town but they need the proper tools to do so. D. Mirabelle asked if one of the duties of the WPCA is water. Mr. Wester stated that one of their duties is water but they feel that it is much
more critical right now to tackle the waste water side of things. Derek Brown stated that the DEP feels that the $50,000.00 is definitely a low amount to perform this type of study. R. Kergaravat
asked what types of companies handle this kind of thing. Mr. Wester stated that there are many companies that do these types of studies. He also briefly discussed the steps in choosing the
proper company to perform this study. T. Graveline asked how long a process they anticipate this would be. Mr. Wester stated that typically this is a year long process; it could possibly be two years. Chairman Commendatore asked about discouraging affordable housing in Town. Mrs. Perugini-Erickson stated that you can’t necessarily discourage affordable housing, but it is a main concern in Town. Mrs. Erickson discussed an example of how this Waste Water Facilities Plan would help the Town. P. Geary asked if the WPCA does develop a Waste Water Plan for the Town and it states that we should in the future have sewers in certain places and a developer comes into Town and in order for their project to be successful they would need sewer, how responsible is the Town for providing those sewer so that their development can proceed. Mr. Wester stated that the developer would typically pay for part of or all of the sewer costs; it’s not the Town that typically pays for that. Mrs. Erickson stated that the WPCA wants to stay consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development, which does limit sewer to the outskirts of Town. The WPCA needs something the Town can rely on showing that their decision is not arbitrary or discretionary. R. Kergaravat asked if it is possible that the plan could be used against the Town. Mrs. Erickson stated that she doesn’t feel that it could be used against the Town.
The Council tabled this discussion.
D. Mirabelle mentioned his concern with the Chairman voting twice when there was a tie for approving the Town Roads budget. He is uncomfortable with this and would like to see in writing where it states that the Chairman has the right to vote twice if there is a tie.
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to adjourn the Budget Workshop at 7:45 p.m. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.
Motion unanimous.
_______________________________
Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair