Prospect Town Council

May 17, 2007

The Budget Workshop was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:30 p.m.

Members Present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Theresa Graveline, Roger Kergaravat, Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle and Dominic Moschella.

Members Absent: Frederick Harkins and Patricia Geary

The Mayor submitted the present budget with cuts that he recommended. He also submitted a list of the Election & Registrars Possible Budget Costs.

The Mayor stated that he originally gave the dedicated non-union Town employees a 4% raise because that’s what the public works unionized employees received. Then it was decreased to a 3.3% increase. The current reduction has the increases at 2.75% including the Board of Recreation Director, the Senior Center Director and the Land Use Inspector who will not be getting any pay for extra hours.

D. Mirabelle doesn’t feel the Council has enough information to make these deductions. He wants to know every Town Employees name and what they do, the hours of work per day, hourly wages and what they earned for the year of 2006. If they work 2 or 3 jobs for the Town, D. Mirabelle wants to know how many hours they work, wages and what they do for each one of the jobs. He also wants to know if they are part time or full time. He also wants to know all vendors names, hours of work per day, hourly wages, what they do and what their vendor fees are. He also wants all contractors names, what they do, how much they made for the year 2006. D. Mirabelle mentioned a flier that went out about the budget. He stated that he voted “no” many times on this budget. He is not in agreement with the budget at all. He feels that this budget should be brought to 0% until someone submits the information he needs to show where we need more money.

Mayor Chatfield discussed the decreases and where he made the proposed cuts.

Office of the Mayor
5000-00 Salary – decrease of $425.00
5000-02 Supplies – decrease of $100.00
5000-03 Office Manager – decrease of $300.00 (Anne Fortier)
5000-04 Clerical Assistants PT – decrease of $750.00 (Mrs. Miele, Barbara Rivard, Megan Fortier)
5000-06 Grant Director PT – decrease of $79.75

Probate Court
5050-00 Services – decrease of $50.00

Zoning Board of Appeals 5100-00 Meeting Clerk – decrease of $100.00

Elections & Registrars
5150-01 Election Workers & Deputies – decrease of $500.00

The Democratic Registrar Katie Blinstrubas asked for more monies for new machines that we have to pay for upfront and we will receive a reimbursement.

Assessor
5250-00 Salary – decrease of $192.68
5250-01 Clerical Assts. – decrease of $220.78
5250-04 – Assessor’s School – decrease of $100.00
5250-08 – Personal Prop. Audit – decrease of $500.00

Board of Assessment Appeals 5300-00 Meeting Clerk – decrease of $50.00

Tax Collector: C.C.M.C. 5350-00 Salary – decrease of $157.62
5350-01 Asst. Tax Collector (FT) – decrease of $151.50 (Janice Cranney)
5350-02 Clerical Assistants (PT) – decrease of $500.00 (Michelle Marchese)

Town Clerk 5500-00 Town Clerk Salary – decrease of $125.00
5500-01 – Asst. Town Clerk (FT) – decrease of $136.20 (Roseann Paolino)
5500-02 – Clerical Asst. (PT) – decrease of $1,704.00

Refund of Taxes
5550-00 – Refunds – decrease of $1,000.00

Planning & Zoning Commission
5600-00 Engineer – decrease of $1,000.00
5600-04 Review Plan Dev & PZ Regs – decrease of $250.00

Economic Development
5650-00 Meeting Clerk – decrease of $420.00

Advertising & Printing
5700-02 Election Material – decrease of $1,000.00

Auto Process of Records
5800-01 Update – decrease of $500.00

Building Department
5850-00 Bldg. Off. Salary (PT) – decrease of $137.50
5850-01 Mech. Insp. Salary (PT) – decrease of $49.00
5850-03 Building Off. Mileage – decrease of $200.00
5850-04 Mechanical Insp. Mileage – decrease of $100.00
5850-05 Clerical Assistant – decrease of $1,400.00
5850-06 Elec. Insp. Salary (PT) – decrease of $171.00
5850-07 Electrical Insp. Mileage – decrease of $100.00

Water Pollution Control Authority
5900-01 HYD Rental – increase of $5,000.00
5900-04 Waste Water Plan – decrease of $10,000.00

Municipal Organizational Fees
5950-03 N.V.C.C. – decrease of $3,654.00

Town Council
6050-04 Seminars/Conferences – decrease of $250.00
6050-05 Sub-committee Expense – decrease of $500.00

Town Hall Buildings
6100-06 Painting & Carpet – decrease of $2,000.00

Town Garage
6300-00 Design – decrease of $2,500.00

Conservation Commission
6350-01 Conf & Dues – decrease of $50.00

Inland Wetlands
6400-04 Maps – decrease of $200.00

Land Use Inspector
6450-00 Land Use Inspector – decrease of $1,530.00
6450-02 Land Use Clerk – decrease of $116.34
6450-03 Maps – decrease of $500.00

Historic Preservation
6550-00 Hotchkiss House – decrease of $500.00
6550-01 Meeting Place – decrease of $100.00

Fire Protection
6600-00 Vol. Fire Dept. – decrease of $2,000.00

Fire Marshal
6650-00 Salary – decrease of $97.45
6650-02 Supplies – decrease of $200.00
6650-07 Deputy Inspector PT – decrease of $68.75
6650-10 Clerical Asst. PT – decrease of $50.47 (Debbie Porter)

Police
6700-04 Clerical Assistants – decrease of $1,500.00
6700-05 Training, Radios & Weapons – decrease of $500.00
6700-07 Vehicle (Replacement) – decrease of $5,000.00
6700-10 Office Manager – decrease of $165.00

Emergency Management
6800-02 Homeland Security – increase of $2,000.00

Solid Waste
6950-00 Custodians – decrease of $1,000.00
6950-09 Brush Chipping – decrease of $2,000.00

Public Works
Town Roads
7000-03 Tree Trimming – decrease of $1,000.00
7000-05 Center Line – decrease of $1,500.00
7000-07 Asst. Dir. Public Works – decrease of $434.00

Ice & Snow
7050-01 Sand Spreader – decrease of $2,000.00
7050-05 Sand – decrease of $2,500.00

Road Reconstruction
7250-02 – Crack Seal – decrease of $2,500.00

Parks and Recreation
Parks
7300-00 Labor – decrease of $1,000.00
7300-03 Field Paint – decrease of $1,000.00
67300-04 Summer Support – decrease of $2,000.00
7300-05 Contractual Mowing – decrease of $2,000.00

Library
7350-04 Cataloging/Books – decrease of $2,500.00
7350-10 Video – decrease of $1,000.00

Recreation
7400-01 Programs – decrease of $1,000.00
7400-03 Park Development – decrease of $7,500.00
7400-06 Rec. Dir – decrease of $2,927.00 (Chris Moffo 40-60 hours/week)

Holiday Observances
7450-04 Holiday Season – decrease of $1,000.00

Youth-Summer Activities
7500-02 Fun Week – decrease of $500.00

Open Space Planning Committee
7600-04 Mileage – decrease of $50.00

Commission on Aging
7650-03 Senior Director FT – decrease of $1037.00 (Lucy Smegielski 40+ hours/week)
7650-05 Center Staff – decrease of $688.00
7650-09 Mini Bus Driver – decrease of $97.00

Region 1 Animal Control
7700-00 Animal Control – decrease of $1,000.00

Cap & Non-Rec Expenses
7900-00 Transfer – decrease of $2,000.00

Open Space
7950-00 Open Space – decrease of $2,500.00

Storm Water
8000-00 Storm Water Phase II (fm) – decrease of $500.00

Land Acquisition
8100-00 Acquisition – decrease of $2,500.00

Mayor Chatfield mentioned that the Town Budget is approximately 26 cents of each dollar in taxes and the school budget is approximately 74 cents of each dollar.

The approximate deductions equal $85,000.00.

Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the budget changes as recommended by the Mayor with an increase of 2.75% to the salary line items as opposed to the 3.3% originally approved. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

T. Graveline stated that she suggested putting the $10,000.00 back into the sewer plan for the WPCA. She feels that this is a vital document that needs to be prepared for the Town. The actual cost to prepare this document is close to $100,000.00. The board members agreed to do a tremendous amount of work to decrease this by $50,000, which the Council decided to split over a two year period. Initially when the Mayor mentioned a 2.75% increase across the board her reaction was sad because she really doesn’t believe the people in this Town are excessively paid. The other part that is confusing across the board it that it appears raises have been increased 24%, in reality there are many factors such as an increase of hours, increase of staff, and a change from part time to full time. To say that people are getting a 25% raise isn’t quite accurate. She will not support a 0% increase from last year. There are a tremendous amount of factors that aren’t controlled by us; there are certain bills the Town has to pay and don’t have control over. Instead of cutting into the few services this Town actually provides she would rather the Town provide more services. We are fortunate that people in Town give up their time, energy and expertise. She thought our original budget was fair. She does support some of these changes and has a few recommendations for other reductions. She would also like to see the salaries go to a 2.9% increase.

T. Graveline suggested that on page 16 Holiday Observances 7450-03 the Egg Hunt be reduced to $450.00. There was general discussion about Memorial Day. The Mayor stated that every veteran gets a flower, every veteran gets a flag, and the Town also buys wreaths and also pays for two outside drum corps.

T. Graveline asked what the $1,800.00 is for under the Pumpkin Festival 7450-02. Mayor Chatfield stated that the Town buys a pumpkin for every student in Algonquin School and Community School.

D. Merriman stated that the Pumpkin Festival also makes other Town organizations visible; it’s a showcase for different organizations that contribute to our Town in a very positive way.

T. Graveline also questioned the $4,000.00 under Summer Concerts 7500-03. She suggested reducing it to two concerts rather than three. The Council reduced line item #7500-03 Summer Concerts by $1,000.00

T. Graveline referred to page 9 the Hotchkiss House 6550-00 and Meeting Place 6550-01. She suggested deleting the entire account. The Council decided to reduce the Hotchkiss House line item # 6550-00 by $2,000.00 and the Meeting Place 6550-01 account by $1,000.00.

T. Graveline mentioned Recreation on page 16. She feels the drainage issues should be addressed. She also feels that the program fees should be increased. They haven’t changed for many years.

R. Kergaravat stated that from the time we started he thinks its unfair to the public to say that other towns and town employees are higher; we should get the documentation. He suggested a 2-2.5% increase from the start and he still feels that is where it should be. The average working people are getting these raises; there are those out there who are taking 0% raises. R. Kergaravat also mentioned the decrease of $7,165.00 total from the Police Budget. He stated that crime is on the increase in Prospect and we rely on what officers we do have 24/7. There is always a potential for constant danger, always traffic law enforcement and speeding. He stated that under Fire Protection two things stood out, the $2,000.00 that was spent on new couches and the money spent on new airbags. There is a truck supervisor who didn’t check to see if the airbags expired. It was an error because trucks weren’t property checked. The Mayor stated that this was part of the budget two years ago. Also, the Town gets more money back for police overtime jobs. He has not decreased patrolling. The items that were decreased under the Police budget are things that can be made up in other areas.

D. Merriman stated that clerical people in the Region are in a union. He would encourage that the Town employees get a union. Two people who are the most out spoken have been lifetime employed union members. If you look at salaries and hourly rates of clerks in the Region it is considerably higher than the people who work for the Town. There is a ranking book that ranks every Town in the State and City per capita expense. Prospect is in the middle or below. The Town is not over expending in any department or segment of the governmental economy of the Town.

The Mayor stated that the people spoke and we’re here tonight to recommend the deductions. We are only 25% of every dollar that people pay for taxes.

D. Moschella stated that as far as the Volunteer Fire Dept., $206,000.00 pays for fire protection. The cost of hiring one fireman alone would exceed that. We should not deny a couch or anything when they’re saving us hundreds and thousands of dollars. We expect everyone to be a volunteer because we’re so used to volunteers.

T. Graveline mentioned the Asst. Librarian #7350-01 on page 15. She suggested reducing this line item to $35,000.00. T. Graveline asked if we have truly hired a full time Librarian. Mayor Chatfield stated that we have hired a full time Librarian but there is no part time librarian at this time. The Council decreased line item #7350-01 to $35,000.00.

The Mayor recommended a 2.75% increase and T. Graveline recommended a 2.9% increase, excluding the Asst. Librarian’s salary which has already been decreased.

D. Mirabelle stated that he would like to see it go to a 2% increase D. Merriman 2.9%
R. Kergaravat 2.25%
R. Doyon 2.9%
D. Moschella 2.9%
D. Mirabelle 2.25%

T. Graveline commented that this particular round of the budget process has brought to light many short comings in the way salaries have been addressed over time, partly because of the longevity of the staff and the current administration. The future is going to present us with something different. She feels this Council has significant work to do as far as addressing salary issues with ranges for newly elected up to longevity employees, written job descriptions, performance reviews. She feels these issues need to be addressed but she doesn’t feel this can be done at this point in time with this current budget.

D. Merriman stated that you benefit by having experienced people in the Town. Longevity of some of the Town Employees is a great benefit; we have people who have been employed and doing their job for a long period of time. He mentioned merit raises and stated that they are extremely subjective and very difficult to do, especially in a small Town.

The Mayor mentioned the Police Dept. on page 11. He added 40 hours a week in the Police Department for the Resident Trooper to use at his own discretion. The Mayor did not touch the officer’s salary account whatsoever.

Original Motion- Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the budget changes as recommended by the Mayor with an increase of 2.75% to the salary line items as opposed to the 3.3% originally approved. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

R. Doyon, T. Graveline, D. Merriman, D. Moschella and J. Commendatore in favor. R. Kergaravat and D. Mirabelle opposed.

Motion carried.

D. Mirabelle is voting no because he doesn’t have the information he feels he needs to make a decision.

The Mayor mentioned the upcoming Town meeting. He feels that this should be taken to a referendum. He also suggested having the Town Meeting at the Town Hall on May 25, 2007. The next Town Meeting has to be on May 25th because it has to be at ten day intervals. The referendum can be no less than seven and no more than fourteen days after the Town Meeting date. T. Graveline mentioned a possible conflict with the Region 16 budget.

Motion made by D. Mirabelle to adjourn the budget workshop at 8:47 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.

Motion unanimous.

Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair

Heather R. Anderson, Clerk