TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 5, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The Budget Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:10 p.m. in the First Selectman's Office of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members: Moira Wertheimer, John Hampton, Richard Hogan, Robert Hensley and Michael Long. Others in attendance included Kevin Kane and Joan Coe.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, said she is really concerned about the Economic Development Commission's huge budget. She is also concerned that Main Street Partnership is a part of a Public Agency budget. She feels Main Street should be taken out of that budget. Ms. Coe feels that they should have to ask for money when they need it for certain activities. She also feels the Recreation Department should be self-sustaining. Ms. Coe doesn't feel the access road should be made either as it was not part of the 6-year capital plan. Money could be used better elsewhere.
BUDGET
Mr. Kane gave the Board budget binders for their review. He said that Section 1 are proposed positions that were not in the budget.
Mr. Kane said that Section 2 are revenues. This is how the mil rate is set.
Mr. Kane said Section 3 is a summary as the First Selectman is proposing it. The budget tonight is 3.48%. Mr. Kane said the First Selectman actually started out with a proposed budget of 9.62%. Approximately 1.1 million dollars has been taken off the first proposal. Mr. Kane said the First Selectman took Conferences and Education out of all of the separate budgets.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Mr. Kane said Section 4 is General Government, which was increased 1.1%. Conference and Education was put into this budget for $40,000 and all of the departments will have to go through this budget for money for their conferences and education. Ms. Glassman said this would be a way to track who goes where for conferences and education.
Mr. Kane said that Public Agency support went down $20,000. The Consultant fees went down to $40,000. Mr. Kane said Administrative Services budget for telephone and paper shows no changes.
Mr. Kane said the Historic District decided to turn off the electricity for the fountain as it is too costly. Ms. Glassman said the Historic District is asking for $40,000 from the Town. This needs
to be looked into further.
Mr. Kane said the Board of Finance budget shows no changes. This is for the Annual Report.
Mr. Kane said the Land Use Commission had a request in for Consultant fees for $250,000, which was reduced to $230,000. They also requested an increase for Technical Supplies to $500, but it was reduced to $200.
Mr. Kane said the EDC requested $15,000 for Consultant fees, which has to do with Metro Hartford Alliance.
Mr. Kane said on the Public Agency support budget they requested $52,000, but it was kept at $34,000. Ms. Glassman would like to discuss the Consultant Fees with the EDC. She also wants to have a discussion on Metro Hartford Alliance as she is not sure exactly what they do for the Town.
Mr. Kane said the Historic District was unchanged. Mr. Hampton asked about preserving street signs.
Mr. Kane said the Public Building Committee budget has remained the same for years. Eventually this may get decreased, when projects slow down.
Mr. Kane said the Police Commission's budget is basically for a clerk. Ms. Glassman said the get rid of this $318.00.
Mr. Kane said the Beautification budget is for island plants and supplies. This is done by volunteers. Mr. Hensley said that the signs entering Town should be maintained. Ms. Glassman said a Committee should be formed for this.
Mr. Kane said Tourism requested an additional $300, but the budget remains the same as last year.
Mr. Kane said Elections was reduced by $5,000 for part-time help. This will get a better handle on the Registrars budget.
Mr. Kane said the Finance Department's floater position went away. There is a full time Building Department clerk that is not needed full time. This position will be changed to part-time. Therefore, she will be able to be used where needed.
Mr. Kane said the Tax Department and Assessor's Office changes were only with the conferences and education budget being taken out.
Mr. Kane said Data Processing said the employees are split 50/50 with the Town and Board of Education. He feels the Town needs to start setting aside money for new computers for the future. Mr. Kane said the Library is looking at new monitors that he feels are too expensive. This should be handled through a bidding process.
Mr. Kane said the Auditors contract expired. The Board of Finance talked about going out to bid. One of their members knows that there aren't a lot of firms out there to take care of the Town. The increase over the next three years is approximately 3.9%, which is fine by the Board of Finance.
Mr. Kane said the Legal budget is holding a ten year average for everything but Meadowoods.
Mr. Kane said the Town Clerk budget has a few changes showing decreases in equipment maintenance, postage, and copying and printing fees.
Mr. Kane said Probate asked for an increase which was approved.
Mr. Kane said Transportation is for travel reimbursement. The actual for last year was low, but mileage reimbursement has gone up now.
Mr. Kane said the Miscellaneous budget is for the Memorial Day Parade. This has been kept the same. They get volunteers from the American Legion and VFW.
Ms. Glassman said the Department Heads from the Historical Society and Main Street Partnership need to come discuss their budget requests. She said the gas use policy needs to go before the Personnel Sub-Committee.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Mr. Kane said that Public Safety includes the Police Department and Civil Preparedness. The Police Department has requests for a new Police Officer, Dispatcher, and full time Clerk. This budget shows a Police Officer and Dispatcher only. The budget also requested $6,000 for traffic calming and overtime that was not funded. It also requested summer help for $4,000 that was not funded either. Conferences and Education was also moved to the Selectmen's budget. Mr. Kane said the gasoline requested was reduced by $17,400. The Police Chief will come discuss this budget.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Kane said Planning & Development asked for increases in supplies and technical support. The Planning Department will stand as proposed.
Mr. Kane said the Building Department had a change in a full time employee to part-time. They asked for an increase in office equipment, which was denied, but this may be used with this years budget money. The new vehicle was denied as there needs to be a policy on vehicles and usage.
Mr. Kane said Engineering Department asked for an increase in $10,400, which was denied.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Mr. Kane said the Facilities Management budget, which is Buildings and Grounds, Highway Department and the Landfill, shows an increase in payroll because they need a new Director. This position is in the Charter. There has also been a request for a new custodian position. Mr. Kane said the skid loader was not funded.
Mr. Kane said Town Offices had a reduction of $40,000 for building improvements including the Board of Education upstairs.
Mr. Kane said that Eno Memorial Hall will have a large project beginning in May. This budget goes forward as requested. The Board is requesting a priority list for this project.
Mr. Kane said Miscellaneous Buildings include Scout Hall and the Bus Shelter and Town Forest Road. This budget is going forward as proposed. Also, Ms. Glassman will look into the shelter behind Fitzgerald's as it is falling apart.
Mr. Kane said Highway Labor and Equipment had a request denied for a new dump truck. Also, technical program improvement is not be funded. There is a plow truck being funded for $120,000.
Mr. Kane said Highway Facilities & Programs is being funded as requested. They will be getting information on the new "sand" process that the State is using now.
Mr. Kane said the Landfill had a request for $18,700 to replace the loading dock that is not being funded. He said the landfill needs to be closed and more discussion is needed on how to cap it. He feels this also needs to be looked at when discussing the purchase of the airport.
HEALTH
Mr. Kane said this is the Farmington Valley Health District stays as proposed.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Mr. Kane said this consists of the Social Service Director, Senior Center, Clerk, Coordinator and Part-time Friendly Visitor. This budget really hasn't been touched.
Mr. Kane said the Elderly Services Outreach remains as proposed. Mr. Kane said the Senior Center was approved as proposed..
Mr. Kane said Transportation is for Dial-a-Ride. The vendor said they would cut their fee if there is an extension of the contract. Ms. Glassman said the Town can't do that.
CULTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION
Mr. Kane said Recreation - Administration, which is split between Simsbury Farms and General Funds. The only change was that the Conferences and Education budget was moved.
Mr. Kane said Memorial Pool remains the same. Ms. Wertheimer said they could charge more for pool passes if the pool was opened more.
Mr. Kane said Parks & Open Space Maintenance had asked for a skid loader, which was denied. They also asked for a sod cutter and trailer that was denied. They also asked for a new truck that was not funded.
Ms. Glassman said the Board discussed having canoes for rent/use to raise money. This will be discussed further.
Mr. Kane said Memorial Field's proposal was approved.
LIBRARY
Mr. Kane said the request for a 12% was denied. The Library Board did decrease the technical & program support budget by $2,360. The request for a Reference Librarian was denied. Ms. Wertheimer said the new Library is a work in progress and not everything should be new immediately.
Mr. Kane said the increase in the Adult & Young Adult budget is 6.76%, which is over $9,000.
Mr. Kane said Children Services shows a 3.19% change.
Mr. Kane said the Building & Grounds budget shows a percentage of 22.62%. This shows increases as the Library is much bigger now and will cost more to run.
Ms. Glassman said the Library Board needs to discuss their budget request further with this Board.
FRINGE BENEFITS & INSURANCES
Mr. Kane said payroll got reduced and therefore social security was reduced by $19,000. Mr. Kane said General Liability is Workmen's Comp. which stays the same. Mr. Kane said Group Insurance shows 5% increase in actuals.
Mr. Kane will get a breakdown of the unemployment reserves. Mr. Kane said that premiums are going up on insurance. Mr. Kane said that the actuary requires the Pension figures. He said the Town contribution is actually 15% .
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Mr. Kane said this is for un-negotiated salaries. He noted that the Police and Dispatcher won't have a contract next year. That's the significant increase in the budget.
Mr. Kane said Operating Transfers Out, which has to do with the capital non-recurring and 5-year charge back. Each year the Board of Selectmen have $365,000 to possibly use through CNR.
Mr. Kane said the Animal Control Special Fund is self-sustaining with transfer in. Simsbury Farms is being held the same. The Police requested $40,000 for a new vehicle, but it was denied.
DEBT SERVICE
Mr. Kane said this actually has to be paid out next year. This budget will be increased by the Board of Finance. They are actually going out on a bond issue.
SEWER USE FUND
Mr. Kane said this is a special revenue fund that is self-sustaining. This change is for the Treatment Plant being completed. Ms. Glassman said this plant is on the "Field Trip."
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FUND
Mr. Glassman said they can't sell the buildings listed in the Residential Rental Property Fund.
Mr. Kane said this shows a major increase. The fund balance is $100,000. Mr. Kane said this money needs to be appropriated.
ANIMAL CONTROL FUND
Mr. Kane said this budget shows an increase of 3.5%. This includes an upgrade in the Warden position in the Spring.
SIMSBURY FARMS/SPECIAL PROGRAMS FUND
Mr. Kane said to look at the summary pages. The budget of revenues right now are $1,756,000, but the appropriation is $1,828,000. This was sent back to Mr. Toner to look at further. Ms. Glassman said he will attend a budget workshop with information.
CAPITAL NON-RECURRING
Mr. Kane said this is a total of $365,000. Mr. Long said there needs to be an asset management inventory on the conditions of all buildings and bike trail.
Ms. Glassman said there is $500,000 for Eno in capital.
Ms. Glassman said the Board needs to discuss the Police budget, Main Street Partnership, Library and Eno further. Also, they need to discuss the Historical Society request.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hogan made motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman
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