March 20, 2010
Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 9:00. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: T. Galvin, D. Merriman, M. Scaviola, R. Doyon,
J. Slapikas, P.Geary, C. Graveline and T. Graveline
Members Absent: S. Pilat
Mayor's Report:
The meeting was held at Hotchkiss House. The Council members were treated to a delightful tour of Hotchkiss House and Barn. The tour was conducted by Nancy Via, President of the Prospect Historical Society and curator, Sandy Patterson.
Mayor Chatfield requested Council members to consider a Budget Sub-Committee to speak with Resident State Trooper Nelson Abarzua. Mayor Chatfield advised the State is cutting back on overtime and the cost for the State Trooper tune is $80.00 per hour which the Towns are finding difficult to pay. Mayor Chatfield stated due to the cut backs, the Resident Troopers are not able to attend meetings. The Mayor would like to have a subcommittee to speak with Resident Trooper Abarzua before the meeting on Tuesday, if he is not allowed to attend the 6:30 meeting. The meeting would take place between the hours of 7-3 on Tuesday. Council members that will be part of the sub-committee are: T. Galvin, M. Scaviola, T. Graveline, and R. Doyon.
Town Trucks #7150;
Mayor Chatfield reviewed the Budget for Town Trucks #7150. The Mayor advised the rate for the coming year for Diesel Fuel #7150-04 has not been set as of yet. Mayor Chatfield advised the Town uses between 12,000 to 13,000 gallons of Diesel Fuel per year depending upon storms. There had been an increase of $5,000.00 to line item #7150-03 Parts, Supplies, Oils for a total of $60,000.00 from $55,000.00. Mayor Chatfield advised the trucks are working 24 hours a day during the winter and spare parts are kept on hand for the trucks. Mayor Chatfield also advised the new tri-axle will be in either April or May. Motion made by C. Graveline to approve the Town Trucks #7150 budget in the amount of $238,500.00. Motion seconded by R Doyon. Unanimous.
Town Aid Roads #7200:
Mayor Chatfield advised at this tune the Town did not receive monies from the State Bonding Commission. The Commission approved the proposed amount of $36,000.00 for the Town. Mayor Chatfield advised this is used for whiter salaries and to date the Town
is covering the salaries and will replenish once the money is received from the State. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Town Aid Roads #7200 budget in the amount of $36,000.00 Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
Road Reconstruction #7250:
Mayor Chatfield advised the total for Road Reconstruction $230,740.00 has decreased by $3,722.00 due to a reduction for #7250-01 Overlay Locip. Mayor Chatfield also advised there will be catch basin drain construction on Greenwood Drive and Scott Dr. Mayor Chatfield also advised #7250-04 Train - Pave could be changed to Paving due to the cost for Train-Pave was too costly and only paving had been done. P. Geary questioned if Crack Seal #7250-02 had been used. Mayor Chatfield advised Crack Seal had not and P. Geary requested to add $5,000.00 to line item #7250-02 Crack Seal. Motion made by P.. Geary to add $5,000.00 to line item #7250-02 Crack Seal for a bottom line total for Road Reconstruction #7250 of $235,740.00. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Fire Marshal #6650:
Mayor Chatfield presented Keith Griffin, the Fire Marshal, to the Council. K. Griffin gave insight into the job done by the Fire Marshal. K. Griffin gave some insight into the duties of the Fire Marshal. One of the main jobs of the Fire Marshal is to fill out mandated documentation of calls responded to such as medical, motor vehicle, chemical fires, etc. Council members questioned the Clerical Assistant job and if it is shared by the Fire Department. K. Griffin advised the Clerical Assistant works from 9:00 A.M. -12:00 P.M. for the Fire Marshal and from 12:00 P.M. to 2:30 -3:00 P.M. for the Fire Department. The K. Griffin advised the work does overlap. P. Geary questioned if benefits were involved. Mayor Chatfield advised no benefits are involved. Council members advised for line item #6650-10 Clerical Asst. P.T, the Mayor recommended amount should be $9,838.00 instead of $9,830.00. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the budget of the Fire Marshal #6650 with an additional amount of $8.00 to the bottom line for a total of $38389.00. Motion seconded by J. Slapikas. Discussion. Unanimous.
Recreation #7400:
Board of Recreation members, Larry Fitzgerald, Mary Witham, Mary Gluck, and Dean Accetura along with Park & Recreation Director Chris Moffo attended the meeting. The budget, as proposed $289,080.00, showed an increase of $120,500.00 from the previous budget year of 2009-2010 @$168,528.00. The Mayor's recommended amount stands at $177,824.00. The largest amount for this budget is for line item #7400-03 Park Development @ $85,000.00.
Larry Fitzgerald, Park and Recreation Chairman, advised the Council that the monies requested for line item #7400-03 Park Development, will be for the Baseball diamond, Band Shell and Gazebo, all to be located at Hotchkiss Field. Also included will be a dog park for McGrath Park.
Mayor Chatfield advised fill will be brought to the Baseball diamond when work begins on Cambridge and Greenwood Drives. Mayor Chatfield also advised blocks for the dugouts were donated by Testa Building and Remodeling. The Mayor also stated whatever could be saved on fill will be. Council members questioned the original cost of building the Baseball diamond. Mayor Chatfield stated if an outside contractor built the diamond it would cost approximately $500,000.00.
Mayor Chatfield stated when at all possible, the Public Works Department does work on the diamond, such as cutting trees. The Mayor advised once the diamond is built, the teams involved to use the diamond will be the Middle School, Woodland, and Legion teams. Mayor Chatfield also stated the field at Canfield will then be used by Women and GMs teams for softball. Mayor Chatfield advised all the fields are overused. L Fitzgerald advised once the diamond is built, outside teams could play for a fee.
Council members questioned the cost to finish the diamond. L. Fitzgerald advised the cost is approximately $125,000.00 to finish the field. Concerns by Council members were stated regarding the remaining cost and only a small portion of the people using this field. P. Geary also commented on moving the Gazebo from Hotchkiss Field to another park.
M. Scaviola requested of C. Moffo a breakdown of the fees collected for each program. M. Scaviola also requested a breakdown of the Park Development Plan to include the Dog Park, Gazebo and Baseball field. Motion made by C. Graveline to approve the budget of Recreation #7400 in the amount of $177,824.00. Motion seconded by J. Slapikas. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield and the Council members thanked Nancy Via and Sandy Patterson for their hospitality.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R.
Doyon. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned @ 11:05 A.M.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn Boffo, Clerk