TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 5, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
The Budget Workshop meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in room 106 of the Simsbury Town Offices on February 5, 2004. Present were the First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Board Members Joel Mandell, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity, and John Hampton. The Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties were also present.
Mr. Vincent asked to begin the workshop with Social Services.
One item that was requested at the last workshop was a breakdown of the six-year capital plan. This new workshop was distributed and any questions from this would be fielded at the next workshop meeting.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Mickey Lecours-Beck was present to give her explanation of the Social Services budget.
Her budget was flat for this year except for increases under the Dial A Ride contract. They are requesting an 8% increase. The reason being the age of the vehicles. There is also a new Dial A Ride vehicle listed under the Capital Non Recurring Budget plan. The Greater Hartford Transit District considers the life of a vehicle at 100,000 miles or five years old. Many of the fleet exceed this. The need is for 2 buses on the road
at all times with one back up. Mr. Vincent mentioned a request from Public Works for new vans in their engineering department and they will receive the two retiring vans from Social Services to make use of these and help with budgetary constraints. Mr. Mandell questioned town owned versus not being a town owned vehicle. Ms. Lecours-Beck explained if the title is transferred to the town we own the vehicle. The buses/ vans are part of a federally funded program. 80% is federally funded and the town pays 20%. The 1996 and the 1993 model vans will go to the Public Works department.
Mr. Romano asked about the 8% increase under Dial A Ride. Ms. Lecours-Beck explained the higher increase is due to the maintenance costs for the older vehicles.
Ms. Gilkey about the Stop and Shop donations. Ms. Lecours-Beck explained where the donations go.
LIBRARY
Susan Bullock and many Friends of the Library and Library Board Members were all present for the budget presentation. Ms. Bullock explained the budget in detail. Basically the budget is flat. Since the library decreased its hours by 136 there are in turn
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BUDGET WORKSHOP
February 5, 2004
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less people who have access and in turn there is less borrowing. Increases were explained including the need for an upgraded computer system. Sue gave some library use statistics. There was a 55% increase due to the January Read Away Program. A state award for excellence in Public Library Service for the Business Resource Center was given last year to Simsbury Public Library. It was used as a model for small business assistance in Japan. New library events were explained, including a film festival and a music series. Fiscal years 2003 and 2004 were compared to show that attendance was down due to reduced hours. Also borrowing is down due to flat budgets and no purchase of materials and the reduced hours. Mr. Mandell asked if the numbers would change if the hours were
reinstated. The cost is $18,000 to restore the 136 hours. Mr. Garrity and Mr. Romano wanted to know what was more important materials or the additional hours. Ms. Bullock explained the change to the hours. She said the library board decided the hours were more important and it is a complex issue. Ms. Gilkey asked about neighboring town's library hours. Mr. Mandell wondered about reducing morning hours versus evening. Ms. Bullock explained the impact this would have on children's programs and part time hours. Mr. Kane explained the reorganization of the library for Mr. Romano. Mr. Hampton commended the library and their work, including the Friends of the Library as well. Ms. Eileen Hyam, Simsbury resident, spoke on behalf of the Friends of the Library organization and some of their programs. Mr. Romano asked for a breakdown in support services. Ms. Bullock explained the costs for all the automation. Jerry Lintner, Simsbury
resident, spoke on behalf of the library and all the programs and impact on the community. He said this is the best example of a program in town that satisfies everybody.
Sarah Bingham, teenage Simsbury resident, spoke out about keeping up with the library. She enjoys reading and recently has been going to Avon Public Library or Borders for reading materials. She has also donated previously read books of her own to the library.
Mr. Mandell expressed his appreciation for the library and their budgetary requests.
Joan Coe, Simsbury resident, suggested a donation basket for library patrons. Ms. Bullock explained this is already happening.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Bill Voelker, Director of Planning and Development presented his budget to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kane explained some of the budget in further detail for the Board, including costs for Planning and Development under CNR. The Building Department budget is same as last year per Mr. Voelker. The only issues were with motor vehicles, which have been previously discussed. Administrative staff was discussed by Mr. Romano, Mr. Mandell and Mr. Voelker. There was a plan for an administrative cut. Mr. Romano asked about support services item. Mr. Voelker explained it as an emergency, if needed a consultant right away for example.
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BUDGET WORKSHOP
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Mr. Kane gave an example. Mr. Voelker also gave an explanation for the conferences and education line mainly needed by the building official for Mr. Romano.
Mr. John Loomis, Simsbury resident and chairman of the Planning Commission, expressed concerns about what the results will be due to a reduction in the staffing. He had concerns about a qualitative timeline. Ms. Bednarcyk, Simsbury Planning Commission, expressed her concerns also about the reduction in administrative staff and it's impact. Mr. Garrity did not think the department head would cut a position only to come before the board month's later for money for something that person did. Ms. Bednarcyk said it is bad timing for them due to the costs for the zoning and the planning regulations Mr. Vincent explained that the money is not in the budget as a salary it is a separate proposal from a separate account. We have to balance, as a board , a 4.5% cap increase said Mr. Vincent. Ms. Coe, Simsbury
Resident, asked about cutting the position and the impacts. Mr. Vincent cannot discuss since it is a personnel issue due to union contracts. Mr. Voelker explained the $20,000 amount under the CNR fund. It is a realistic number with no padding.
CULTURE, PARKS, AND RECREATION
Mr. Jerry Toner was available to present his budget. He introduced his staff; Orlando Cassiano, Tom Tiversky, Mike Wallace, and John Teabold. Mr. Toner explained the general fund portion of the budget including overall numbers. Increases included personnel services and salaries. There are three capital items under park and open space account. There were also some increases due to supplies and park costs. Mr. Romano asked about budget narratives and the performance measurements. Concerns were about same attendance numbers yet total revenue was down. Mr. Toner said revenue fluctuates with season passes year in and year out. They are looking to maintain the same revenue as last year. Mr. Toner explained the passes for Ms. Gilkey. Mr. Romano asked about the tent. The entertainment tent was explained by Mr. Toner. It is for use primarily at the golf course at the cart path off of the ninth hole.
The special revenue fund was explained by Jerry Toner. Increases in supplies, personnel, and wages were explained including impact from the minimum wage increase. Weather does have an impact on the revenues. The league play in early spring can make up for last year's loss in revenue. Mr. Toner said there are new packages to attract non-resident play. Mr. Teabold explained that this summer pool and camp schedules will remain on same schedule despite the Simsbury school's earlier release. This is mostly due to staffing issues, which primarily college students and teachers are used. Mr. Mandell asked about competition with the programs. Mr. Toner explained trying to boost profit margins with the camps. Golf and tennis camps have an additional session for upcoming season. Mr.
Romano asked about parks and open space maintenance, vehicle
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BUDGET WORKSHOP
February 5, 2004
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maintenance line in particular. Mr. Cassiano explained the maintenance costs due to the age of the equipment. Under technical program and equipment, Mr. Romano asked for explanations. Mr. Toner explained it was for the sander and tent. Mr. Vincent explained costs in the Capital Improvement Plan and asked if anyone had questions. Ms. Gilkey asked about park improvements under 2004-05. Mr. Vincent said this was for Memorial Park, Curtiss Park, and for repair of windows. Mr. Toner explained improvements made in the past to other parks on West Mountain Road and in Tariffville. Mr. Vincent explained the reasoning for the parks improvements, to not let them deteriorate totally and keep up. Ms. Coe, Simsbury Resident, asked about the ruts at the entryway for the Tariffville park. Mr.
Vincent explained they would be taken care of come springtime.
REGISTRARS
Mr. Kane explained a memo about a request from the registrar of voters for an increase in pay. There has been no increase in 5-6 years. Mr. Kane advised the board to recommend this effective as of July 1, 2004.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Hampton asked about EDC numbers. Mr. Vincent asked to adjust the budget workshop schedule. Please change the February 10th meeting to February 11th which will be publicized. There will be a regular Board of Selectmen meeting on February 9, 2004. Mr. Loomis, Planning Commission, commented on broadening his scope for what the budget really means, not just the Planning Commission needs. Mr. Romano noted his personal involvement with the budget. He would like to bring the budget down. He felt strongly about being elected and not just passing over the budget and he takes pride in budgeting and being involved. Mr. Garrity said that this is not the first go around with the budget, since department heads have already come to Mr. Vincent and he has made cuts. Mr. Mandell stressed no micro managing
on his part. Ms. Gilkey noted some wish list items and looking at the Capital Improvement Budget. Mr. Vincent noted his cuts made the budget before the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The budget workshop adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,_______________
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