March 26, 2007
The Budget Workshop was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 6:15 p.m.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Roger Kergaravat (6:18 p.m.), Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle (6:20 p.m.), Dominic Moschella and Joseph Commendatore.
Members Absent: Frederick Harkins
Transfers:
Mayor Chatfield briefly discussed the transfer.
Motion made by D. Moschella to approve the transfer presented by Mayor Chatfield. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
T. Graveline asked for clarification on the transfer. P. Geary mentioned Town vehicles being left running when people aren’t in them.
Motion unanimous.
Correspondence:
Mayor Chatfield submitted a list of actual damage at the January 11th fire at the Town Garage.
Mayor Chatfield discussed the damage and the Proof of Loss. Mayor Chatfield also discussed the insurance. He stated that the insurance company paid for everything. T. Graveline asked for clarification on replacement value. There was general discussion.
Motion made by T. Graveline to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
T. Graveline asked what the pollution clean-up entailed. Mayor Chatfield stated that they had to pump out and clean the catch basins, clean out an underground tank where the floor drains are.
D. Mirabelle submitted to the Council a copy of Robert’s Rules which states that the Chairperson only gets one vote; however the Town Charter does say that the Chairperson can vote twice only to break a tie. D. Merriman stated that he researched past meetings where the Chairperson voted twice to break a tie. Between 1967 and 1971 the Chairperson voted 10 times to break a tie. He just wanted the Council to know that this has happened in the past many times.
Budget Workshop:
#5650 Economic Development $2920.00 (No change)
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Economic Development budget. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
#5900 Water Pollution Authority $105,203.38 (Increase of $25,853.38)
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Water Pollution Authority budget. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Mayor Chatfield stated that he was very impressed with the WPCA presentation at the last meeting. He would be inclined to support the increase and put the $50,000.00 back into their budget. T. Graveline stated she agrees with Mayor Chatfield. She was thinking that the Council could consider $25,000.00 for this budget and then $25,000.00 for next years budget because developing this plan will take a considerable amount of time and expertise. T. Graveline stated that she was disappointed that their entire focus is waste water, although she agrees that this is very significant, she is not as pleased that they aren’t addressing water line issues. There are still homes that need water and we need a plan in place to effectively get water and find a way to pay for it without grants. P. Geary stated that she agrees with T. Graveline, she was also disappointed that they weren’t addressing the water issue also. She feels that they should emphasize on water also. P. Geary also agrees with the $25,000.00 this year and $25,000.00 next year.
D. Merriman withdrew his previous motion to approve the Water Pollution authority budget. R. Doyon withdrew his second.
T. Graveline stated that the Waste Water Plan is what really does protect the Town. J. Commendatore stated that he agrees with the initial $25,000 to get the project going and then an additional $25,000.00 next budget.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Water Pollution Authority budget adding $25,000.00 to line item #5900-04 for a total of $105,203.38. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle.
Motion unanimous.
#6750 Insurance $187,330.00 (Decrease of $4,670.00)
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Insurance budget. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Mayor Chatfield stated that the total line item decreased by $4,670.00 from last year but Worker’s Comp. may go up throughout the year. T. Graveline asked who is bonded. Mayor Chatfield stated that the Tax Collector and the Asst. Tax Collector are bonded. P. Geary asked where the decrease was. Mayor Chatfield stated Liability and Worker’s Comp. decreased.
Motion unanimous.
#6650 Fire Marshal $39,320.00 (Increase of $365.00)
Motion made by D. Moschella to approve the Fire Marshal budget. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle.
Mayor Chatfield stated that the Fire Marshal has no authority in a single family dwelling unless there is a fire. The Mayor referred to pages 34-36 which describes all the Fire Marshal’s responsibilities. P. Geary asked about the clerical assistant who is part time but making more money than the deputy inspectors. Mayor Chatfield stated that the deputy inspector works only a couple of hours on Saturdays. P. Geary asked if the clerical assistant is also in the Fire Department budget. Mayor Chatfield stated that she works for both. P. Geary asked if the Fire Marshal needs a clerk everyday. R. Kergaravat asked if the Fire Marshal’s car is a Town car. The Mayor stated that it is an old Explorer and the fuel money comes from the Police Dept. budget. The Fire Marshal has his own personal car so he is not constantly using the Town’s car.
T. Graveline, P. Geary & R. Kergaravat opposed. D. Mirabelle, D. Moschella, D. Merriman, R. Doyon and J. Commendatore in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion made by R. Doyon to take a recess at 6:53 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Motion unanimous.
Motion made by R. Doyon to come out of recess at 7:04 p.m. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Motion unanimous.
Fire Department 7:30 p.m.:
Mayor Chatfield submitted a letter to the Council discussing the increase in the Fire Department budget and a list of expenditures from last year.
Fire Protection
#6600 Vol. Fire Dept. $205,975.00 (Increase of $15,975.00)
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Fire Protection budget. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.
Bill Sereduck, the Fire Dept. Budget Director discussed the increase. He stated that the majority of the increase is for fire fighting gear (state mandate). In December alone eight new personnel were sworn in. Bill Sereduck discussed the revenue from the carnival that did not take place this year. The Fire Dept. experienced major expenditures last year. Mr. Sereduck discussed each line item. There used to be six active sirens around Town, now they only use the one at the Town Hall because of the pager system. Mr. Sereduck stated that the Ladies Auxiliary is very helpful with fundraisers etc. D. Mirabelle thanked Mr. Sereduck for the printout of the expenditures he submitted to the Council. Mr. Sereduck stated that he did want to respond to the Council’s concern regarding what the Fire. Dept. is spending. Last year the Fire Dept. found that all of the air bags were out of date and they had to make a one time purchase to replace all of the air bags. Mayor Chatfield stated that after 32 years the Town is not doing the carnival anymore. P. Geary asked for clarification on the expenditures sheet submitted to the Council tonight. Mr. Sereduck stated that this is for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. P. Geary asked how the Fire Dept. proposes to make up the revenue without the carnival. Mr. Sereduck stated that the Fire Dept. greatly reduced the budget from the initial figure. They are looking into different sources of fundraising and they are also hoping there will be a renewed jolt in seals. They also want to look into what they do during fire prevention time to try to make it more appealing to people so hopefully people will donate more. The Fire Dept. has also applied for a $33,000.00 grant. P. Geary stated that she feels that the Fire Dept. shouldn’t have to do fundraising; they are volunteers for the Town. P. Geary stated that she appreciates what they do everyday. Chairman Commendatore mentioned posting in the Prospect Pages the Fire Departments need for funds. Mr. Sereduck stated that many of the surrounding towns are doing the same thing; going to the Towns for monies because fundraising is not enough. Mayor Chatfield mentioned the amount of unfunded mandates. P. Geary asked how many hours the Clerical Asst. works with the Fire Dept. Mr. Sereduck stated that he isn’t sure how many hours she works in each department. Mr. Sereduck stated that he appreciates each council members support.
Motion unanimous.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
_______________________________
Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair