TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
AMENDED MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 6, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The Budget Workshop was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members Moira Wertheimer, Robert Hensley, John Hampton, Michael Long and Richard Hogan. Others in attendance included Kevin Kane, Chief Ingvertsen, Mickey Lecours-Beck, Cathy Marshall, Jim Clifton, Ed LaMontagne, Brandon Robertson, Richard Sawitzke, Sue Bullock, Joan Coe, Harvey Goodfriend, and other interested parties.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Ms. Coe said that she feels that Main Street Partnership should not be part of the budget. This should be a part of the Chamber of Commerce. She does not feel they take care of the entire business community. Ms. Coe would like Main Street to come in an let everyone know what they have done, over the years, to justify this money.
Ms. Coe asked if anyone looked for an in-house attorney. Big projects should use other attorneys.
Ms. Coe said she did her own exit management. She said the grass needs to be cut on the tennis courts; the roof on the Memorial Park building has a hole in it; the skate board area needs repair; the Tariffville building next to the tennis courts is falling down; the Town Forest gazebo is in need of repair; the Town Hall entry under-siding is peeling away; and the gazebo needs upgrading.
Ms. Coe said Simsbury Farms has a short-fall of $72,000 and something needs to be done about this. There needs to be a policy statement. Nothing should be done at the Farms until a report is given to the Town.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Chief Ingvertsen said Civil Defense / Emergency Management covers items like cots and blankets and other miscellaneous items for emergencies.
He said the exercise that will occur down the road will be reimbursed by the State.
Chief Ingvertsen said the Police Department budget includes adding three employees - a records clerk, dispatcher, and police officer. Last year there were 22,000 incidents in Town.
He said the dispatcher has to enter each item into the system and handle information to and from the officers. The dispatcher also has to provide emergency medical dispatching, while staying on the phone line and also handling routine calls at the same time.
The Chief is asking for another officer for traffic enforcement. They are below the average per population. The Federal Government said that per every 1,000 should be 2.7 officers. He went through the ratio of officer/people for a few different towns. Last year they had 31 requests for neighborhood enforcements. This past year the request went to 50.
He said that the officer he requested is needed just to accomplish what we have already established in services provided to the community now. The dispatcher would allow two dispatchers during high profile time. This would allow an officer to be out in the Town instead of helping at the desk.
The Chief said the part-time clerk really handles accreditation documentation. This job takes up a lot of time. She also handles the alarm billings and private duty jobs and scheduling.
Ms. Glassman asked the Chief to go back and look for further cuts. He said he could, but this would be a challenge.
Mr. Goodfriend said the process would go a lot better if the Chief would come in with how to manage the budget and tell the Board what the risks are.
Ms. Glassman said Mr. Kane and the Chief should work together to come up with a number.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Chief Ingvertsen said he did some trimming on the Animal Control budget by over $2,000.
He said the Animal Control Officer responds to every bear call. He is a certified nuisance rehabilitator. He also does in school safety training. This is a very worthwhile position.
PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Sawitzke said Facilities Management includes Highway maintenance, building and grounds, recycling. This request is for a 2.53% increase for the entire budget.
Mr. Sawitzke said Public Work Administration includes a secretary and managers. He supplies
support for special projects. This year there is a proposal for a new Public Works Director.
Mr. Sawitzke said the Tree Warden is for contractor services. There are 160 miles of roads to maintain.
There was some discussion on the new "sand/salt" process that the State is using. There are pros and cons on this process. Sand provides traction and the new salt process doesn't. However, sand needs to be swept up after the season. If using the new treatment, you have to allow the snow to pile up before plowing. They will be getting an environmental report from Uconn on this issue. Mr. Sawitzke will report back to the Board with more information.
Mr. Sawitzke said throughout the budget they bid out the electricity. All of the Town's buildings are equipped with energy savings devices. The oil and gas prices are based on capital region bids.
Mr. Sawitzke said there is a bond issue for the road surface management program. There is a State grant for $160,000 out there.
Mr. Sawitzke said he is trying to keep up with carpets and energy savings in all buildings and also trying to keep up with digital systems. All buildings have dual alternating boilers also.
Mr. Sawitzke said Eno Memorial Hall is a planned program. This place is very hard to get in and out of especially for the elderly. He is trying to team up the walkway project with the sprinkler systems project. The sprinklers will allow for increase occupancy. This is an historic building that really doesn't meet requirements. The budget with the air conditioning is two million dollars.
Mr. Sawitzke said that Miscellaneous Buildings include Scout Hall for a new roof and interior/exterior painting.
Ms. Glassman said that rental rates for all of the buildings need to be updated.
Mr. Sawitzke said that they do try to balance out Residential Rentals revenues and expenses.
Mr. Sawitzke said that the Simsbury Farms buildings need $200,000 worth of work. These buildings could be used for storage.
Mr. Sawitzke said the repairs on the commuter bus shelter could be funded with State funding. The retaining wall belongs to the private property owner of Drake Hill Mall. He will discuss this problem with the owner.
Mr. Sawitzke said the entry signs were installed by service clubs a long time ago. He will try to get groups together to discuss repairing them.
Mr. Hensley asked about the sidewalks on Hopmeadow Street. Mr. Sawitzke said, by ordinance, it is the adjacent property owners responsibility to plow, sand and sweep them. Traditionally, Simsbury repairs them. There is a small amount in the budget for these repairs. Mr. Hensley would like more information on this issue.
Mr. Sawitzke said the Beautification Committee has a select number of projects to handle. They are overworked now. The Town would have to take care of the plantings around the sign in front of the building.
SEWER USE FUND
Mr. Clifton said the Sewer Use Fund is funded by users of the system. There is a two year waiting period to be added to the system. The closing of the loan will be on March 30, 2008. There is an increase in user fees from $310 to $320.
Mr. Clifton said this is the first full year of operation. The rehabilitation of the south pump station is proposed for $400,000, which will go into capital. This pump station is about 35 years old.
Mr. Kane said Debt Service is a 2% loan from the State Clean Water Fund. Next year there will be an accrued interest payment.
Mr. Clifton said the odor control system is now citrus.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Ms. Lecours-Beck said there were only two changes in their budget. The first one is Dial-a-Ride, which a 2-1/2% increase in the contract. They were offered a 1- ½% increase if they took at three year contract instead of one.
Ms. Lecours-Beck said the Senior Center's support services has been increased $4,500. She said $3,500 is to support the Aging & Disabilities Commission and $1,000 to develop a pilot monthly lunch program for seniors and disabled. Mr. LaMontagne said this would help supplement donated funds. The cost would be a contribution of $2 per person.
Ms. Lecours-Beck said they are also looking into a Reaching Home Program. They are also looking for a grant for this program.
Ms. Glassman asked about Aging & Disabilities having a separate budget. Mr. LaMontagne said their line items stand on their own merit.
LIBRARY
Ms. Bullock introduced several members of the Library Board. Ms. Glassman cut $48,000 from their original budget.
Ms. Bullock said they asked for an increase in materials and a new position. They will also have to pay more for utilities as the building is much bigger now. They receive $44,100 from the Hartford Foundation grant, which is carried in the budget for three years.
Ms. Bullock said they are requesting $20,083 to restore their budget. Ms. Glassman said this budget needs to come in with 3.5%.
Ms. Bullock said they need the $20,000 back for some teen and adult services. If this is taken out, it could jeopardize the Hartford Foundation Grant.
Ms. Bullock said the building and grounds costs went up 22% to make the new building more efficient. This Library is a visible part of Simsbury.
Ms. Bullock said the temporary facility will be closing the end of March. They will start moving into the new building on March 3rd. The Library will re-open in mid April.
Ms. Glassman asked if they could give the Library the $20,000 back with a note to the Board of Finance on the disclaimer for the grant money. Mr. Kane said the Board of Finance usually holds their guideline to 3.5%. Mr. Kane asked that Mr. Sawitzke look at utilities further, as he feels the budget is too high. Mr. Kane will look into the Hartford Foundation grant further. Ms. Glassman said the Board would get back to Ms. Bullock on this issue.
AGENDA FOR 2-7-08 MEETING
Ms. Glassman said the Board will be discussing Culture, Parks & Recreation; EDC, Historic Society, Main Street Partnership and the Capital Improvement Plan. The regular meeting of the Board will start at 7 p.m. with more on the budget at 6 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hogan made motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman
First Selectman
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