TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
The Budget Workshop Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:07 p.m. at the Simsbury Town Offices on February 10, 2003. Present were the First Selectman Thomas Vincent, and Board Members Joel Mandell, John Romano, Anita Mielert, Madeleine Gilkey, and William Garrity. The Assistant to the First Selectman, Brandon Robertson and other interested parties were also present.
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION BY MAIN STREET REPRESENTATIVE
Mike Goman from Simsbury Main Street spoke about the proposed cut in funding for the Simsbury Main Street program. He urged the Board of Selectman to give the program another year. He asked question why not to cut the program stating they deal in areas of economic development. They are an organization that supports promotion of existing businesses and bringing new business to town. They solicit new businesses throughout the year and promote the existing businesses at town events such as Septemberfest. He said their work takes place on ground level not just a bunch of theories and ideas. They plan and execute direct ground level programs that have an immediate impact on our town. He admitted the program has stumbled in the past. He mentioned the program going through a leadership change
with hiring of Sarah Floroski as executive director. He said they are becoming a new organization and are re-energized He said they have done much rebuilding in last seven months and it would not be good to lose the support now. Now is not the time to cut out funding. He said they have revitalized Main Street and there is an awareness and support by town leaders and a number of new businesses have been attracted.
He mentioned the certifichecks program, a town wide gift certificate program that has been implemented and been successful, also they have marketed the first annual marketing calendar for merchants that notes all marketing events for the year in Simsbury. They want to focus on creating an annual event similar to Septemberfest and possibly tie in with the Talcott Music Festival. They were invited to participate in Simsbury Celebrates. They hope to work with the Economic Development Commission more in the future. They must work hard to increase non-town funding so over time we will require less from the town. He said they need at least one more year. A cut of $12,000 in funding will wipe out program funding and leaves only the director who would probably leave the job without the
funding.
Mr. Ralph Harnett of Ensign Bickford a big supporter of Main Street, spoke on behalf of the Main Street program. He said the EB perspective is trying to provide the best possible environment for businesses to grow and develop in Simsbury as a part of our community for our employees. He said they have contributed substantially to Main Street Partnership because the town was prepared to do the same thing. This was part of a mutual commitment. The EB foundation does not make the commitment to support one particular thing forever, but try to seed things, get them started, get them going and then find ways to get the businesses in the community as well as the town to point where they are supporting them going forward. He said EB will continue to be a Main Street supporter but
will not be the supporting activity for Main Street forever. He said we have to look for two things, one that the membership is able to develop and grow its own sources and the town continues in their support and secondly the entrepreneurial spirit that exist in small businesses flourishes within own community and helps bring in new businesses. He said a little bit of funding is needed for the program and a number of years may be needed to make this an economic development success. He said this is a long term commitment from EB and will be there as one of the supporters but will need the town as well to make it successful.
Mr Goman from Main Street said Ensign Bickford has been a key to economic development. We said we know we have to wean ourselves off from town support. He said there has to be a town commitment and he asked for support for another year otherwise Main Street will close up.
Mr. Mandell asked if they have formulated a budget starting July 1st. Mr. Goman responded yes but their fiscal year begins April 1. Mr. Mandell asked what it costs to run the program. Mr. Goman said they needed at least $65,000 to run the program. If cut $12,000 we would probably lose more. Mr. Mandell asked if funding had to be in cash or could it be in kind. Mr Goman said either one and he mentioned if
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
February 10, 2003
Page 2
they moved to Boy Scout Hall they could save $5,000 in rent for the year. Mr. Goman said may be they could even take over some of visitor's center's responsibilities. Mr. Mandell asked if there is any realism to idea that there could be an increase to membership therefore in funds in next fiscal year. Mr. Goman said yes they have worked quite hard they are moving their funding drive dates. Also their membership material has been redone with help of Sarah Floroski and Mason Designs helping out with costs. They hope to increase their baseline membership and slowly increase the membership fees modestly. He said they must do this slowly because this sort of development takes a long time. In the last few months they have had a 10% increase with a baseline of about 100 business members. Mr. Garrity noted he has been a supporter of Main Street in past, but $12,000 is a lot and it's been seven years and he will stick with the funding the way it is. Mr. Garrity mentioned possibility
of Main Street Partnership going under umbrella of Chamber of Commerce. He thinks they have done more than their share with the past seven years of support to the program that has had ups and downs. Mr. Garrity would be willing to offer any type of in kind service over dollars. Mr. Goman pointed out the town has been terrific and would hate to lose its support. He asked why would the town walk away after their seven-year investment in the program. They need extra time. He said the idea to move to the Chamber was considered but they have a much wider focus. Mr. Romano said he supported concept of Main Street in early days but he has lost interest, not in economic development or in the businesses but in the method in which it was perceived. He said he looked at it as taxing residents who pay money so the businesses could put interest back into them. Why charge me so you can send a flyer to come shop in my store asked Mr. Romano. He said economic development is important
but it is a difficult budget year. He would agree to in kind service but will stick to the budget as it is or look at a very heavy gradual decline in amount of support. He does not want to see the program go under but would like to see return. Mr. Goman emphasized their work is on the ground level with the merchants. He understands the budget cuts but if a way to use some in kind services with less of an impact would be great. He mentioned the use of Boy Scout Hall again and the town would only need support 7 versus 12 thousand. He talked about using taxpayers money to attract existing businesses always being a conundrum. He said investing in existing businesses and helping them grow will have a much faster return than chasing down an outside business to move in to town. Ms. Mielert felt this was an issue of fairness to the program at this budget season. She felt a unilateral decision was made by the first
selectman without any warning to the group. She said the fair thing to do is come up with a plan together. She said the goal is to reduce the level of town funding and raise level of funding by the businesses. She said a problem in communicating with the group is there is no good way to quantify what the group has done. Ms. Mielert gave some history of the Baker property support, and she noted if the group had not talked to each other, there would have been no vision for the land we would not have Simsbury Meadows or the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, or the economic development from music festival to the downtown Simsbury area. Ms. Mielert cited the look of Simsbury back in 1991. She said that development has not happened by itself. She feels government involvement with economic development is important. Ms. Mielert noted a favorable article she read about Main Street communities in Maine also noting that 10 out of 12
communities mentioned in an inaugural copy of the top places to retire were Main Street communities. Ms. Mielert thinks we owe them the opportunity to sit down and make a rational plan for how we can fund them. She noted looking into the in kind ways mentioned. There is space in the old town hall also. Ms. Gilkey thanks Mike and Ralph for their hard work. She said we have contributed a lot of money over last few years, including hundreds of thousands to the east side of Ironhorse Boulevard to develop. She asked to understand that many people have lost their jobs and this will make a difference in stores. It is a tough time for everyone. She said we are short funding from the state, and Mr. Vincent has had to cut things out of budget we didn't want to see cut. She mentioned wanting to work with Main Street to save money but will take a stronger effort in membership. She said she would join as member and may be others in town will
join if they are aware of this situation. Mr. Mandell suggested using Boy Scout Hall for next year, plus if use April, May, and June, you would save another $1,200 at the $400 per month rent bringing savings to $6,200. Also he suggested talking with the EDC about possible use of their $15,000 budgeted amount for a consultant. Also he suggested that those 100 members step up to help support the program and also get
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
February 10, 2003
Page 3
more members. He also disagreed with Ms. Mielert and said this decision is not a big surprise and has been discussed for a long time. He proposed getting a consensus that this is a workable plan. Mr. Vincent said we need to move forward with tonight's meeting and in kind services and more contributions needed can be moved to agenda for tomorrow night.
Member of Public Audience John Loomis, Chairperson of the Planning Commission asked question how do they and the planning commission determine what is the kind of work some time ago for $75,000 in respect to the Plan of Conservation and Development and may now be some other number and what has happened between the $75.000 and what would be the number now and what is the revision of the planning conservation and development moving forward. Mr. Kane said the number is an appropriation from the CNR budget, $75,000 which went in two years ago, The CNR budget is run by the Board of Finance even though the appropriation has a two year life there is no extension. He said come June 30th the funds get closed out. Mr. Mandell asked can't they encumber the funds. Mr. Kane said no and explains the CNR
fund. He said the only alternative is to go in front of the Board of Finance or Board of Selectman to request funds. Mr. Kane believed there to be around $55,000 of the $75,000 left. Mr. Loomis thought $55,000 sounded high. Mr. Kane said he can fax or send report. Mr. Romano clarified that as of June 30th those funds are gone. Ms. Gilkey thought that money was to go to a consultant, but that was not done.
Ms. Mielert said many studies, the Wildlife, Aquifer, and Ecological survey for example were done. Mr. Vincent asked to move on to next item on agenda.
DISCUSSION OF PERSONNEL OPTIONS
Mr. Kane discussed an overview of where we were last five years with employee salary wages and benefits and a one page staffing information sheet for the town over last ten years. Mr. Kane noted that the First Selectman has reduced budget by three full time positions going into next year and used a half position in current year. Basically a four person decrease over next three years. He explained where the budget stood on staffing. There has been reduction with half a public works employee, an assistant engineer, assistant building official, overtime taken away from data processing individual, and several part time positions eliminated or reduced. He said the benefits put together with salary came to about $700,000 total. There have been reductions by about $306,000 total. Mr. Garrity thinks there should be a hiring freeze right away and if a position comes up needing to be filled then it comes to the Board of Selectman.. Also, he would like to know who might be retiring
and maybe have a report that shows for next 18 months these are positions that could retire and we will only fill a certain amount. Mr. Mandell liked Mr. Garrity's suggestions. He does not agree with the Swords report suggestions. That consultant is not here on a daily basis.
He said he is not prepared to cut anymore positions than we have already cut. He brought up the question of what is needed to run this place. Mr. Romano agreed with a hiring freeze and suggested holding off on filling the positions listed available on Feb. 3 report information and also agrees on doing this through attrition. Mr. Romano disagreed with the Swords report information stating if we took advised action we would be providing a disservice to the town. He does not think we are at a critical stage yet and doing this gradually will work. Mr. McHale said you can publish and continue to let people know about the benefits of retirements but warned against possibility of age discrimination claims, which can carry risks. Ms. Gilkey asked about incentives offered to retire. Mr. McHale
said they are effective when you already made determination about early retiring employees and you will not replace them. Early retirement incentives are effective if you determine there are excess positions you will not fill resulting in short term loss with long-term gain. Ms. Mielert asked about encouraging people to leave the indemnity health plan. Mr. McHale noted the four remaining unions that are currently under negotiations, the Public Works, Police, administrative professionals, and clerical professionals. He said they have settled with the dispatchers union. He mentioned he could only answer general questions since they are still in negotiations. He did say they are on the verge of settling. He said they are trying to do what they can to migrate everyone they can
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
February 10, 2003
Page 4
to cheaper health plans, which by the way provides no decrease in level of service. They are managed plans with network services and employees are contributing to premium costs. Ms. Mielert worried that if we rely to heavily on attrition we could not have right people in the work force if we lose upper level, the lower level may not be qualified. We can't expect a clerk to be an assessor for example. Mr. Romano remembered that according to unions if we pursue layoffs we can't pick the person . Mr. McHale noted the bumping within union contracts, thus the last one in is the first one to go. Mr. Romano worries good people may be let go through a process like that. Ms. Gilkey said hopefully the unions will realize we are trying very hard to keep their positions with the hope that
they will meet us half way through some decent negotiating. She asked if there was a way to use incentives for an employee to take retirement but we would use them as consultant or part time help if overloaded. Mr. McHale said 95% of workers are unionized and this type of question does not lend itself to the town environment. Mr. Romano asked if it is different if you decided to do away with a specific position. Mr. McHale said in every contract there is a provision on how it happens you decide what classification where the elimination will occur and choose the least senior person in the class. He said they are very rigid rules. Mr. Garrity asked to meet again after tonight's Board of Selectman meeting. Mr. Vincent said we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow night at 6 p.m. and he will add a Wednesday night meeting as well.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Vincent asks for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Romano made the motion and Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,______________________
Thomas E. Vincent
| 
