Board of Finance Minutes - February 12, 2007

Board of Finance
Approved  4/12/07
Meeting February 12, 2007
8:00 PM Town Hall, Meeting  Room
Board of Finance reviews Board of Selectmens’ Budget
 
 
Board Members Present:
 Messrs. Muller, Atkinson, Chairman Gerald Sargent, Nichols, Carter and Ms. Kopas.
 
Also present:
Town Administrator Tom Landry, Finance Director Rick Darling, First Selectman Woody Bliss, Selectman W. Glenn Major,  Brian Gioiele from the Weston Forum, Margaret Wirtenberg, Wilson Rd and Secretary Donna M. Anastasia.
 
Town of Weston Attendants: 
Tax Assessor Paul Friia, Library Director Jane Atkinson, Fire Department Chief John Pokorny, Fire Department Treasurer Matthew Ogiba, Animal Control Officer Mark Harper, Land Use Director Tracy Kulikowski, Registrars of Voters Eileen Buckley and Diane Lofthus, Information Systems Manager Sharon Shattuck, Parks & Rec Director Dave Ungar, Parks & Rec Commission members Dave Juneau and Bob Uzenoff, Human Services Director Charlene Hillman, Chief of Police Tony Land, Police Commission Chair Rick Philips, Arts Commission Chair Christine Lomuscio and  Director of Public Works Joe Lametta.
                       
1)         Review Board of Selectmen Budget request.
 
                        Administration and Finance              Account 100   
 
   Discussion regarding salary and step increases for Town Hall non-union employees. First Selectman Bliss explained pay equities, job responsibilities and adjustments to be made over a period of time. Mr. Landry explained that a large part of the increases are due to union contracts which are yet to be negotiated.  Dispatchers contract is up in June. We have built in 3.5% in the Town Hall contract as we did for Dispatch and Highway contracts tentatively. The only unit under contract right now is the Police Department.
 
            General Administration                                 Account 110   
 
   Discussion regarding allocations to community groups such as First Night.  It is suggested that each entity be evaluated prior to funds being allocated. Mr. Major said the town needs to make sure that outside organizations are accountable and that they are serving the Town of Weston.
 
      Mr. Sargent suggested that the Board of Selectmen bring the various requests from local community groups regardless of size, to the Board of Finance.
 
   Mr. Landry explained the decrease of approximately 16% in Workers Comp costs. The town and school were rated separately and caused the cost to drop.       
 
 
 
Board of Finance     February 12th, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
                           Discussion regarding the replacement cost of the Veterans monument.
            This cost has been taken out of the budget. 
 
 
                        Information Systems                          Account 115
                                    No discussion/comments.    
 
                        Probate  Court                                    Account  120
No discussion/comments.    
 
 
                        Registrars/Elections                          Account  130
                                    No discussion/comments.    
 
                        Board of Finance                                Account  141 
                                    No discussion/comments
 
                        Treasurer                                           Account  142              
                                    No discussion/comments
 
 
                        Tax  Assessor                                    Account  143
 
           
                   Discussion regarding the Tax Assessor’s staff specifically the request for the Assistant Tax Assessor to be made full time.  Mr. Landry and Mr. Bliss stated that there is no need for a full time assistant.
 
                        Tax Collector                                     Account  144
                                    No discussion/comments
                       
                        Board of Assessment Appeals          Account  145
                                    No discussion/comments
                       
Legal Counsel                                    Account  150
                                    No discussion/comments
                       
                        Town Clerk                                         Account  160
 
            There was a question regarding Town Clerk revenue; Mr. Darling explained the forecasted revenue for this year did not include the higher conveyance tax rate. The .25 local tax rate
            is due to expire 7/1/07 and will be reduced to .11.
 
 
 
 
Board of Finance     February 12th, 2007
 
 
Planning & Zoning                             Account  170
 
  Land Use Director Tracy Kulikowski described plans for the new location at Kinderland.  Having all Land Use departments in one location will help residents and  contractors process applications and information will be readily available from all departments.  
 
 
Historic District                                 Account  175
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                        Zoning Board of Appeals                   Account  180
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Building Inspector                  Account  191
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Building Committee               Account  195
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Police Services                       Account  210
 
                        Mr. Landry stated the police cars are budgeted for 1.5 cars per year carrying money over to the next year. The overtime for the past several years has caused no carry over, this means that overtime issues must be resolved without impacting police vehicle costs.
 
            Mr. Land stated Officer Ferullo is still on leave. Mr. Philips added that the “Mile of Safety” was not built into the budget last year; it is now reflected in the budget at a cost of $1500.00-$2300.00 per week.
 
Mr. Landry said the budget currently shows a 1.4% increase from the current year, with the $39,000.00 (1.5 automobiles)  accounted for in this budget would be an increase of 3.9%.
 
                                    Volunteer Fire Department               Account  220  
                                                            No discussion/comments
 
                                    Fire Marshall                                     Account  240
                                                            No discussion/comments
                                   
Animal Control                                   Account  250
 
            Discussion regarding a plan to license unlicensed dogs in town.  Mr. Harper explained that the State of Connecticut suggests a door to door inspection for unlicensed dogs. In the past notices in the Weston Forum have been very effective. Mr. Harper stated that inspecting 3,500 homes would not be practical but inspections of specific areas/roads is a possibility. (The State of Connecticut will add a 10% to revenue for the licensing of at least 20% of the total licensed dogs in town. (240 additional dogs)
 
Board of Finance     February 12th, 2007
 
 
                                    Communication Center                      Account  260
 
            There was some discussion regarding the cell tower. Mr. Landry said some equipment is going up and we have received the necessary approvals. He estimated 6 weeks for completion. Two carriers are currently contracted.   
                                               
                                    Southwest CT Emer Svcs                  Account  263
                                                            No discussion/comments
 
 
                                    Emergency Medical Comm Svcs      Account  264
                                                            No discussion/comments
 
                                    Regional Paramedic                           Account  266
                                                            No discussion/comments
 
                                    Public Works/Highway                      Account  300
 
            There was some discussion regarding fuel costs which currently stand at $2.00per gallon.
 
            Mr. Landry discussed the 80 miles of road to bee paved; our plan is to repave every road in 20 years. This averages out to 4 miles per year, we have been budgeting 3.4. This budget was over spent due to (after the budget process) deciding not to do the Middle School Auditorium and pave School Road. Three main roads will be done within the next three years, Lyons Plain, Good Hill and Steep Hill Rd.
 
            Valley Forge Bridge   Mr. Landry said the State of Connecticut will pay approximately 75% of the cost, however our portion has been appropriated. ($300,000.00  2004-2005 year) 
 
                                    Solid Waste Disposal                         Account  410
 
            Some discussion regarding the increased tipping costs somewhat offset by higher revenues collected.
           
                                    Westport/Weston Health Dist           Account  510
 
            Some discussion regarding the role of the health department in food services, bio-terrorism and emergency management services. 
                                               
                                    SW Regional Mental Health Account  515 
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Conservation Commission                 Account  520
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Weston Water Utility             Account  530
                                                No discussion/comments
 
Board of Finance     February 12th, 2007
                                   
 
 
School/Town Water Supply               Account  550
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Human Services                                 Account  600
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Youth Services                                   Account  700
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Commission for the Elderly               Account  750
                                                No discussion/comments
                                   
Library                                                Account  810
                                                No discussion/comments
 
                                    Parks & Rec                                      Account  910
 
            There was some discussion regarding the ground water testing program. Mr. Landry said in this budget we have tried to bring these budgets to a realistic level.
 
            There was some discussion regarding security. Mr. Landry said currently there is coverage from May through October.
 
            Some discussion regarding user fees and P&R revenues which appears in Fund Balance section, page 62 under “Charges for Services” (309,280.)
 
                                    Middle School Pool                            Account  913
                                                            No discussion/comments
                       
                                    Municipal Debt (Interest)                 Account  930
 
            Some discussion regarding the forecasted bond issue, an estimated 5.5 million. This total includes roof and the state aid shortfall. This bond sale is expected spring 2007.
                                               
                                    Municipal Debt (Principal)                Account  950
                                                            No discussion/comments
 
                                   
 
 
Board of Finance     February 12th, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
Town/School Capital Budget Account  970
 
                       
                            Discussion regarding the closing out of the School Building Project. Currently there are two outstanding claims to be resolved .
 
                            Discussion regarding town owned vehicles; we have 3-4 people with cars and 3-4 people with 4WD. Mr. Landry said every four years the town buys a car. Every other year car alternating car type. Employees with cars includes Mr. Landry, Mr. Anderson and Ron Parenteau. Employees with 4WD vehicles; Fred Moore, John Conte and Rack Gleason.
 
                        Commission for the Aging would like to replace the vehicle currently in use. There is grant money available for this purpose. Both drivers and passengers prefer a regular vehicle over a bus. We have one resident confined to a wheelchair. Mr. Landry suggested contracting for this service as needed.
 
                        Discussion regarding new switches and equipment for Information Systems.
 
                       
 
 
            Meeting adjourned at  10:22 PM 
            Respectfully submitted
            Donna M. Anastasia, Secretary
            2/16/07

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