Simsbury, CT - BOS Budget Workshop

The meeting was called to order at 6:09 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, Deputy First Selectman Joel Mandell, William Garrity, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey and Thomas Vincent. Also present were: Kevin Kane, Finance Director, Paul Fetherston, Assistant to the First Selectman and other interested parties.

Joan Howard, Planning Commission Chairman, clarified that the Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Director of Community Planning and Development, are requesting a $75,000 appropriation for consultants to assist with the Plan of Development.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed her concern with the EDC budget and stated that the BOS needs to give a commission leeway on how to run their budget. She suggested that furniture purchased for Town Hall should be in the First Selectman’s budget, not Buildings and Maintenance. Ms. Coe urged the BOS to carefully review the legal fees for Meadowood and try to re-negotiate with the law firm.

Ms. Mielert reviewed the public agency requests. Mr. Garrity requested that the budget include a line item with funding for the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association (SVAA). Mr. Mandell requested that $300 be allocated to the Tourism Committee for the Bridge of Flowers.

The BOS discussed the proposed EDC budgets. Ms. Mielert stated that the original budget and newly proposed budget are the same with regard to part-time, consulting fees, public agency support and postage. She noted that $10,000 was included in the original budget and is undesignated for use by the EDC. She stated that $35,000 has been allocated for Main Street, $4,000 for the Farmington Valley Visitor’s Association, and $28,500 for the consultant.

Ms. Gilkey stated that the revised budget is an aggressive plan which shows initiative. She stated that Mr. Sweeney, EDC Chairman, feels that the proposed cost for advertising and public relations could be less through an RFP. She noted that the revised budget includes $600 to be included on the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) website. Ms. Mielert stated that only large parcels qualify for the CERC website and the Powder Forest and Culbro are already listed by their owners.

Ms. Gilkey expressed her concern that the EDC only had one week to prepare a revised budget. Ms. Mielert noted that January 15th is the date stated in the Charter when budgets are due to the First Selectman. She stated that she spoke with Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Ryan and their budget request was for $89,000. She stated that she does not feel the revised budget proposal is a responsible way for the Town to budget.

Ms. Gilkey urged the BOS to look at the initiative of the EDC and the fact that they are under new leadership. Mr. Garrity questioned the additional amount of funding Ms. Gilkey is suggesting the BOS allocate to the EDC. Ms. Gilkey stated that most of the EDC budget goes to Main Street and Mr. Sweeney feels that although Main Street does a good job, they do not accomplish economic development for the town. She stated that merchants outside of town center feel left out and she suggested that more funding is needed for marketing Simsbury on a national level. Ms. Gilkey recommended that the EDC be allocated $36,000 for their advertising and public relations proposal. Ms. Mielert noted that she allocated an additional $10,000 to the EDC in the original budget so the amount of additional funding requested is $26,000. She pointed out that the EDC has not voted on the revised budget.

Ms. Mielert expressed concern with how Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Eisen determined a figure of $36,000 for advertising and public relations. Ms. Gilkey noted that the BOS could request a transfer from Reserves for a special initiative. Mr. Kane stated that it is unlikely that the BOF would accept a request for a transfer from reserves based on the fact that the BOS’ and BOE’s current budgets have deficits and they may need to utilize the full 1% allocated in the Charter from Reserves.

Mr. Garrity suggested that the BOS leave the original $78,000 EDC budget, particularly since they do not consensus from the EDC. He recommended that the EDC come back to the BOS if they want to make a request for funding a project. Ms. Gilkey expressed concern that the EDC continues to do the same things and they continue to get the same results. Ms. Mielert stated that government does things by consensus and she urged the EDC to develop a program, earn the consensus of the commissioners, and then come forward with a proposal.

Mr. Mandell stated that commissions need to come before the BOS with concrete proposals. He noted that it is difficult to allocate an additional $30,000 after the budget process has begun and he questioned exactly what the $36,000 would cover. Mr. Mandell stated that if after their meetings the EDC comes forward with a definite plan and cost he would be willing to consider using surplus to fund a program. He pointed out that the BOF is only allowing a 4% budget increase which is being allocated to bargaining unit contracts and fuel costs.

Mr. Romano stated that he appreciates the initiative of the EDC, but is uncomfortable with increasing the EDC budget by $30,000. He suggested that the funding within the EDC budget be redirected with a reduction in Main Street funding and an increase for EDC projects. Mr. Mandell expressed concern with micro-managing the EDC budget and stated that he would not reallocate the EDC funds within their budget.

Ms. Mielert noted that the EDC budget is large considering the fact that they don’t have a staff person to oversee the expenditures. She suggested that the Director of Community Planning & Development should be more involved with the EDC. Mr. Romano requested more accountability from the EDC.

Mr. Vincent noted that the BOS budget is over the 4% requested by the BOF and he expressed concern with increasing it any further. Mr. Garrity summarized the discussion on the EDC budget and stated that the BOS will go forward with the originally proposed $78,000 EDC budget, will consider supporting an EDC initiative when it is presented in a concrete manner, and will increase staff support of the EDC.

Mr. Vincent addressed areas in which the Town may be able to increase revenues. He suggested that $5 per hour be added to the Special Duty fee to cover administrative costs. Ms. Mielert noted that charity organizations already complain about paying $53 per hour because it is a burden to their fundraising efforts. Mr. Garrity suggested that higher amounts be charged for higher ranking officers, which is commonly done in other towns. Mr. Kane stated that this year there is a $2,000 profit to the Town for Special Duty. He noted that the Town has to pay the FICA expense and last year revenue from two events was not paid due to bankruptcy.

Mr. Vincent addressed the Town’s maintenance of the athletic fields at Simsbury High School and Henry James School. He suggested that the BOE should be billed for administrative costs, noting that this will be a growing expense. Mr. Kane stated that currently the BOE funds two employees for field maintenance. He noted that the Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation goes before the BOE with his requests but his requests may be cut from the BOE budget. Mr. Kane suggested that the BOS form a subcommittee to assist Mr. Toner with his requests from the BOE. He stated that he is not sure whether the BOE is paying for the supplies and capital required to maintain their fields.

Mr. Vincent addressed CNR funding. He questioned why the phone system and boiler at Simsbury Farms are not included in the BOS budget. Mr. Kane stated that if the BOS budget was increased by $45,000, he would recommend that the operating transfers out be reduced by $45,000. Ms. Mielert stated that she was willing to fund the trap rake instead of the phone system, noting that the trap rake is more expensive.

Ms. Mielert reviewed the list of items for consideration in the budget. Mr. Garrity requested that a line item for the SVAA be added to the budget. The BOS agreed to provide $10,000 of support for the SVAA and $300 for the Bridge of Flowers, if possible.

Mr. Garrity suggested that the EDC budget remain unchanged with the option for the EDC to come back before the BOS with a firmer request. Ms. Gilkey stated that she wants the EDC to have the option to formulate a program and bring it before the BOS. Mr. Garrity noted that when the Town markets Simsbury they are promoting the large landowners in town and he suggested that the Town request funds from these corporations in an effort to work together.

Mr. Romano questioned the effect on Main Street if their budget appropriation is reduced. Tom Horan, Main Street President, stated that a reduction in the budget would cause Main Street to lose staff. Mr. Mandell recommended that the EDC budget remain unchanged, and the BOS consider a plan when it is presented by the EDC.

Ms. Mielert summarized the wishes of the BOS to include $10,000 for the SVAA and $300 for the Bridge of Flowers in the budget. She stated that the BOS will be presented a report on where these funds could be allocated from within the proposed budget.

Ms. Mielert moved to change the scrap metal fee at the landfill to $10 due to the drop in the scrap metal market, and to leave the other fees unchanged, effective March 1, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity.

Mr. Mandell moved to approve a general wage increase of 3% for the First Selectman, for fiscal year 2001-2002, as unanimously recommended by the Personnel Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and carried unanimously.

Mr. Kane stated that the BOS needs to inform the BOF as to whether they plan to bring any capital projects forward in May. Ms. Mielert stated that the BOS needs to make a decision regarding the WPCA. She stated that it may be possible for sewer users to fund this entire project. Ms. Mielert noted that there is an advantage to applying to the DEP, for the renovation and expansion, before the bigger facilities.

Mr. Kane distributed a memo and the Six Year Capital Improvement Plan from the BOE. Ms. Mielert reviewed the BOS 2001/2002 capital improvement projects. She noted that the six year CIP totals $21 million, not including the high school project.