Video index
1. Call Meeting to Order
7:03
2. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - sent in email today with questions. Bob Dickinson, 19 Birch Road - concern about cutting the BOE - Government should be contacted regarding mandates and addressed. Jan Beaudry, Mountainview - we understand that the is a shortage of fields. We are being asked to spent over $1M for one field. 8-10 years the field is going to have to be refurbished. Why are you proposing this because other Towns have these field. I don't know what the field will be composed of. I hope not hte rubber crumb. The fact that the people trying to sell you this product would not sign not harmful. I am concerned about the run off because I live right behind. 24/7 I have to live near that field. There are two families that live near the fields that have wells. If I would take a poll of people who would trade positions with us and you probably would not want to. If you want to spend money, spend it to enhance the grass fields. Are any of the council members want to make the risk. is if fair to ask us to underwrite the safety of our property. We will come again and hope you will continue to consider advocating for this. Robert Dz, 270 Avery STreet - I found that the Town Council is not accessible to me. I was told to write an email. No reply - Called the Mayor at homje and Councilor Delnicki - no other replyies from you. I asked information for Jan Snyder - I could not get ahold of you. I suggested that to meet and have a - It is almost like you do not want the public input. Being a senior citizen I feel we should have 0 increase to taxes. Having new positions makes no sense. I will not vote for another school. I voted for a road improvements and the school. What is our percentage of tax increase rate. how many owe back sewers, etc. School budget. students get a costly education in town and then they can't afford to live in South Windsor. The Town should be run like a business - don't spend what you don't have. Mayor Anwar read a letter into the record from Mr. Victor Berman - 4C about the LED Streetlights. consider doing it for the 55+ condo development. We own the streetlights and pay - although we get a small reimbursement. Condos pay same rate for taxes - our community is treated like we don't exist. There are questioned that have been raised. Mr. Robert D - has office hours every two weeks and I am available - I know every one reads the emails. I know in our conversations we value the emails that come to us. We are on board - we don't always call back.
4. Special New Business
A. Discussion Item: Board of Education Budget
Mayor - in the past we have worked together with the BOE - I see there are Board of Education members - Havens - there is no item I would like to see removed or added. We have the board and the general government budget to consider. We have to arrive at one figure. Just want to let you know we have looked at everything. Wish we could fund everything. Thank the BOE members and the Superintendent of Schools.
Mirek - Mr. D. asked why enrollment is declining why new positions are needed. The postions that they are asking for are for positions with our special education programs. There are some things with more special needs childrent that have to be done. Some need attention with special aid.
Riley - folks need to understand that Middle School eliminated a team but also if you look at the elementary staffing it has declined over time. Also you have to remember all day Kindergarten was started. Snyder - during our public heairng received information from the BOE - there has been a 41% increase of english learning students. They need to be tudored by teachers and that takes more teachers to do that. a lot of the drivers on the BOE budget is the health and the special ed proglrams that have to be mainteained or increased to cover the needs. 2.4M increase with salaries, health, and items that can't be controlled. There are certain things that people can control but there are items such as special education which is mandated by the State. 8-9 elementary teachers they have not refilled because of the decrease in students. Referendum was held which was approved to build a new school. Wapping will be eliminated and there will be a reduction at that time. BOE has to meet state mandates, don't have a high number of students per class. There are other programs at the high school fo ralternative education. NOt every student is college bond and not every student knows what they want to do when the complete high school. Programs that are being proposed will help those students and we want to accommodate all students. A lot of the items are mandated. Mr. Dickinson said we hae to go after the state for some of these programs that are mandated.
Delnicki - mandates have been such a burden on eveyr town and I only see it getting worse. What can towns do to oppose some of these mandates. where are we going with the governors ECS money, Matt do you have any information? Galligan - apparently is mirrors the same as the governor - they did add more money - the finance committee will come out with their budget. As preseident of CCM - 28-30% of our construction projects are increased because of _________________________. Town has to pay prevailing wage. we did get some leeway this year we pushed ot have prevailing wage - as far as the car tax - found out today - they are talking about doing a car tax which caps everyone up to 35.00. Don't know how they are incorporating sales tax - the issue still comes down to how are they going to collect from people that don't pay. There are 350 mandates that affect town's CCM going to do intervenor - The other thing with mandates is minmum budget requirements. Once a BOE sets a budget can't go below what is budgeted. We would like to see that mandate taken away. Our pension is based on base pay. if you look at the State - all of their time is going into the pension. There is a total disconnect between towns and the state. The State has to make changes. The mandates - 60% of them are on the school. Delnicki - do not see a lot of happy endings in the budget. I see the deck stacked against towns like South Windsor who make good decisions. The idea of regionalism by sledgehammer could really damage a community like SW. Galligan - SB-1 - lets say South Windsor bring sin company's and the State wants 60% of the taxes adn share themn regionally. No on eis looking at what did sW give up to have a company come to Town. The whole idea is fo rus not to do economic development so development can go to the cities. They want towns to get together and do econimic development. Wagner - I think the hard part of this is seeing our grand list decline. Even though it is a small decrease we don't have our grand lis tot pay for additional things. We look at what the BOE and Geenral Government and Capital projects asks us to do which are all worthy but there is a large increase in the mill rate. In order for the town to be sustainable we are going to have to be careful to what happens on the spending side. we are going t do as much as we can fo rthe school. Things proposed for the town are worthy. I don't know how we can do it with that large increase. Mirek - another important thing being requested by the BOE is enhancing the school security. We don't have the security in our schools that are necessary. Need to do more at the MIddle School and need to do something at the high school. Staff wants one additional school psychologist - in the State of CT ther eis a huge uproar because the Govenror is trying to cut mental health care. There is only one psychologist to go around for two schools. We need to take care of the well being and health of our students. teachers are one of the first person who might see something is different. Not sure how much of the fund balance there is on the town side or BOE side. Galligan - in my proposed budget only put $500,000 in. The fund balance may need to be used to work with mandates. We are now under S P and Moodys - we are at 5% and should be at 7 or 8%. my fear is thtat when the state starts cutting. Once you make a cut it is an automatic tax increase. ECS funding has been short for a long time. The STate nevers keeps the promise to pay the bill. Council could change the fund balance. I am leery - want the council to sunderstnad that council wants projects done and wants the taxes to be lower. The one fault we have in town is every group - the minority party thinks they do not have to do anything done with the budget. There was one year that the council worked together to get the budget done. Counicl has to work together to make a decision on the budget. Ask the council to get togehter with the manage to tell him wher eyou want ot be. what is sustainable, make sure programs don't get Pendleton - Matt that is exactly waht I was thinking. we need to hear what the public is saying. I think all of us will do the best for the citizen that we can. We need to keep in mind that there are many different people we hav eto keep in mind. Hope that the BOE understand - I can't approve the budget that was presented. Tough choices have to be made. When it come to the BOE budget - I suppor the BOE even though can't approve what thye are asking. Riley - SW is a desirable community. Many folks purchased homes due to the education in SouthWIndsor. We hav;e to protect is and support it. Other neighboring towns are not meeting the needs ot students. Education most important asset we have. Last year the BOE came to the Council with a request 1.29% - the council approved a 0.63% increase. The Board and the administration warned the Town Council that they will never see that type of reqeust again. What is the status quo figure is 2.4M over last years budget. That is a 3.63% increase. Anything less will affect the education system. South WIndsor is higher then other communities because of the education. need to protect property values. Galligan - we do have a fully funded ARC - Anwar - on the 31st of March we had a good discussion - BOE public hearing. All of us have had discussions with community members. we have an excellent BOE members - We have all the information togehter - every department and every part of the general government budget we have to look at also. we know that the BOE has the abiltu to set the priorities. If things do not come to the number they have requested that they would work with the number that is given. In the previous budget - as a town we want to make it better. Recess the meeting at 8p.
Pulblic Hearing open at 8pm 21 people int he audience Public Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - I sent an emial - going back 9 years ago on the capital budget. I woudl like to have someone explain - the public does nto understand the definition of capital project. someone needs to explain that and how it is financed. Project that has a life over 1 year if under 1 year in the opeating budget. Robert D Avery STreet - maybe on the full time kindergarten we can't afford it. I saved a lot of money on the fule oil. Did the school save, and where is those funds. Social Services - Councilor Delnicki read letters into the record Carolyn Lieber - against tax increases. Adam Rich, against tax increases Kelly Jacobs, against tax increases - slow spending - Michel, 551 Foster Street - would like to see SW stay competitive. any opportuity would be great. 8 period day was once offered and no longer is. If there is an opportunity to reinstate the 8 period day. STEM program - really hate to see full day kindergarten go away. I understand ther eis a balance. it is a struggle for everyone. I am for the proposed budget. Those in support of the General Government Budget as prsented: - 6 Those in opposition of the General Government Budget as presented - 4 closed the public hearing at 8:12 p.m.
Reconvene Regular Meeting at 8:12 p.m. Mayor - it is going to be a balancing act this year with the budget. Challenge - rather then getting more revenue, we have reduced our revenue - how do you balance items out. we have to be compationate and make sure that we represent each and everyone in the town. we have to make sur ethe budget is done in a manner that may affect everyone but will be better for the town as a whole. strategy that is fair towards everyone.
B. Discussion Item: General Government Budget
Galligan - 1989 we had the same number of employees in public works as today. We don't use sand anymore - we measure everything we put down. we do the best we can. vehicles have GPS - the magic is all done. we do run the government as much like we can like a business. There are some thing that can't be done that way. We do things that the private industry will not do. My concern is the council getting together. we used to have 3M capital - which has been cut. we are trying to build back to the $1M. there was a company that left SW - 175,000 loss in revenue. My concern is I know you are gon gto cut this budget but we have to be smart of the priorities. I will have a report on the status quo budget. there are only a few posiition being requested. If you don't have someone fo rmaintenance for the fire department could be more costly. Have a lot of work to do. Need to know what the bottom line is. would be nice to hear from the entire council. Very critical year, will affect the future. Think the budget is a tough budget. Next year and the year after will see new revenues coming on board. don't want to reduce services. Mayor - should repeat the definition of capital project - any budget amount over $50,000 is part of the capital project - the investment is sor 5 years at least. we are in the process of reviewing the definition more closely at htis time. Galligan - capitla projects budget also includes bonding. In the budget book on page 241 Anwar - last year with the cost of fuel declining - savings? Galligna - we bid out regionally - I have to review those numbers more for the BOE. Trash collection $2.75 per gallon - some not as high as the homeowner but can get those numbers. Anwar - the collection rate? Galligan - 98.75% and that has been standard over the years. if you look at the budget for prior years - next year - aged the accounts on outstanding - 103 to 104%. Wagner - talk about the new position for Building Maintenance - to make it feasible for the maintenance of the Fire Department to be feasible. Fire Department is a separate entity - the volunteer who did that is going to be retiring. The maintenance of those buildings will need to be done. Gallligan - they are contracting out. the buildings that are new have more complicated systems. This proposal - these are public buildngs - we have people retiring - we feel a position ot take over those buildngs would be a lot better. This is somehting tht is long over due and is an asset. talking about 3 fire houses and one person taking care of them. Wagner - talked about reviewing if our fees are appropriate with other towns. Health inspections and Restaurants. Galligna - put a committee together. some of the issues we have is surrounding towns charge feees and they are self sustaining. Health Dept. by going to th efull time - and haveing another full time could charge those fees. The question that comes up is are we hurting the business people. other towns do have fees. Health Dept. also has to inspect septic system, reviewe plans. restaurant, daycares. Some restaurant would not mind having a fee - can handle eadch buisness differently. Wagner - will committee be able to give input for the budget? Galligna - could affect next years revenues but will not be ready for this budget. Snyder - Where are we as Council as we believe - what are we comfortable with. my concern is we only want a tax increase of X and not understanding the impact of X. I do not want ot micromanage the Town Manager - set guidelines. We want ot bring 6% down, do we know where we believe we want ot be. If we have that though, what would the impacts be. Would like to come up with a certain number and let the Town Manager decide where those cuts would happen. Anwar - it is not about me but about us. I thik to put it simply there is going to be a negative impact. It will either be on the citizens, BOE and Town. We need to have a balancing act. If we were to give everyone what they want the public would hav eto sustain a large increase. We have to look at what is a safe amount. there are certain peopel on a fixe income. If we are going to push the community to make difficult decisions, we will have to also. I would like the increase to be less then 2%. We have to see if can do that safely. The more I listen to the people they are asking for the council to keep the taxes in check. need to increase the revenue which is a long term strategy. Building permits from Scanneel be part of the revenue? Galligan - it will be in this years finances as extra revenue - They have not written the check yet. Anware - we need to get behind economic development. Economic Develpment benefits the Town. Snyder - Woul dit be prudent ot set a certain criteria to keep each of the budgets - no new programs or projects - turf field - LED's - no new programs or projects fo rone year until things turn around. Like to consider how we move forward with criteria that acan be levied on everything. Anwar - it will be a focused approach. LED is budget neutral Snyder - in about 2 years they will be 50% - Anwar - we have to have the patience and the way to hear everying. Delnicki - last year between new tax revenue adn cutting the BOE budget, the budget was balanced. if the intent is to balance the budget again, we need to ask what the certain amount cut what is the impact. to say that the decision this year is gong to be worse then any other year. Economic development will continue to be an important tool. WE have to take a serious look at the Town budget. The Town budget did very well last year. We need to know what the effects to the BOE will be. We have heard 2%. we need to have information - the quetion has to be posed at different levels. Small businesses in town are being effected and if they have to be charged fees, they may need to leave SW. Paterna - I think it is important to understand the BOE and Town have already made cuts to the budgets. I heard a reasonable approach of fees to offset costs. I think it would be appropirate to have a work session to discuss budget deliberations. Riley - I heard the word priorities tonight. it is difficult to know the priorities without know a number. I see a 2% too but need to know the impact to the community. Would like to know the different percentage what we would be looking at. 2%, 2.5% or 3%. Anwar - in most of the department they have asked for a 2% increase for Galligan - that 2% is for 43 people. They have taken 0% before. If Management keeps taking no increase, union employees will be right there with pay. Can get you the number. Anwar - Galligan - caution you when you start comparing other towns, you may find you will lose staff. Anwar - this is an area we have to look at, maybe a different percentage shoudl be looked at. . Wagner - if you reduce the budget by 3M spending - 3.3% mill rat eincrease. I am not personally in favor of a rule, just need to apply a judgement to everythign to see if it is the right things to do. Mirek - would like a Joint Work Sesssion. need to know what is going to suffer if a certain amount is going to be cut. we need to find out if ther eis a cut, what is it going to be and can we live with it. Fire Departmetn Mainteancne woudl it be more cost savings to outsource. Galligan - need someone here to check Three people not enough Mirek - these are the things that need to be looked at. BOE budget cut last year was very severe. if they are not kept at a sustainable level people will not come to town. need to fund - that is a our property values. Galligan - therea re still 80 position - it is a balance act. WE are doing a lot more work fo rless. Do not want things falling in the weigh side. you can't keep pilin gon more work - take the projects out and do something different. makes no sense at all. Have to think about priorities. Mirek - we have to consider that a lot of our taxpayers do not all get increases either. Galligan - there are no bonsus in SW like in the private industry. Anwar - discussion is part of getting together. WE are discussing the various parts. Mirek - we can formulate questions for each department. Anwar - have we met with departments twice Mirek - ask them questions. Galligan - questions can go through me. Pendleton - grand list is donw - there were 500 families that were helped last year over the holidays. seniors only get 1.75% increase. we funded the town side last year because of staffing issues. every year introduce one staff person. Can not justify putting a turf field out there - we need economic development. you mentioned you would like to do a two year budget process - we are going to be putting a school on people 17/18 to 18/19 Pendleton - there are over 200 houses for sale in SW. Many people are foreclosing. House prices - the values are not going up. Budget we have a53 wek and minimum wage is going up. Maintenance person - The fire departments are public buildings. it is the town's duty to take care of those buildings. that is a priority. no single person should be working alone, should have 2 on each shift. Last year cut to the BOE did not make them crash and burn. Galligna - some time ago - me and the Finance Director did a 5 year plan. WE should be looking at 2 year budgets. Riley - asked three realtor waht is the most important item to indivdiuals that will get people to town? proximity was all three - location, access to the hgihway, shopping, restaurants, etc. The number two itme was schools, the number three item was parks. Have to be careful not to cut into the schol system too deeply. from a process standpoint, need to know if we war egoing to cut the school budget and would like ot know what they woudl cut. They don't have to tell us. Would like to know what would be cut on the town side. I think we need ot hear from the Town Manager and Superintendent. We need to know. Havens - I think I know generally what the needs of the community are and what we can afford. Responsibility of setting the tax rate is on the fiveof the democrats. It is the majorities responsibility to set the budget. The TM and Superintende are going to have to let us know what will be cut on a certain percentage. Can't see us going over each item again. Suggest come up with a figure. Anwar - I truly value what you say. While we might not agree on everything. There are valuable things. We will work together. Mirek - e are a team - basically doesn't matter what we say - Anwar - we can sit down and talk. maybe two or three of us can sit down and talk. I would like 2% or less. Mirek - does this mean will not know ramification of cuts would be? Anwar - can not be - while everyone said we cut the budget last year for the BOE - we could not give them what they requested but we did not cut into the budget that they had only what they were proposing. The Capital projects needs funds. Mirek - the high school has security issues Anwar - don't want the public to think our schools are unsafe. We need to be more absessive - go above and beyond regarding safety. MIrek - have you ever voted for the school budget. Anwar - yes Snyder - it is kind of unsettling to hear that the majoirty going ot decide on the budget. Have you or anyone from the majoirty met with the Town Manager to talk about what you might want ot talk about he budget. Maor - I have mentioned to Matt. we respectfully disagree. WE are hearing from the public. suggested that people on the fixed budget the numbers will not be fair to them. Riley - what I am hearing is distressing. The process seems to be focused and foremost on the number that we can support as far as the tax increase without understanding the ramification. You need to understand what the reductions mean. before you throw out a number, tell me what the components are fofr that you have not done your homework. Wagner - last year we gave Matt a number and the Town Manager told us the impacts. Right now we are at the point were we suggest numbers and Matt tells us how that impacts the Town. we should probably know what hte 2.4M is about. Riley - if that is the process - you go to the Town Maanger and ther eis an understanding of that number then you can articulate what the cuts that will happen. Historiclaly the Board gets a number - I would like to know their budget. We should know what those cuts are. we should know what the cuts will be from both the Town and the BOE. Want to know wha tI will be cutting. Paterna - we can's look at line items for the BOE - they take the amount and make their decision. Don't think we can get into that level of discussion. Riley - I agree but we can ask. Matt has it been done before. Galligan - you can ask, you have no right to tell them where to cut. Riley - at 2 1/2 - 3 - 3 1/2 - 4 and 4 1/2 Mirek --
C. Discussion Item: Lease Purchase Financing for the Acquisition of Eversource Streetlights and Replacement LED Streetlights.
Wagner - suspend the rules to take item 4D out of order. Paterna second. unanimous
D. Discussion Item: Lease Purchase Financing for the Development of a Synthetic Turf Field at South Windsor High School.
Galligan - have representative from Milone and MacBroom - did get one proposal so far. The gentleman tht gave me a proposal from Tip Capital - 84 month lease. used the higher interest rate. $23,000 pr month. - some of the turf matrials and the schedule. if you have public haring on MOnday and approve the lease purchase - it could be more then the 1.5M because the material would be different. There was moneh put aside in Capitla for th erunning track. We decided that the crumb rubber would be taken out. there are two products that are safe. one from Texas, sand base, more mainteannce, requires pad Kevin - Landscape Architect - we have been asked to redesign the project - envirofill or tp - (plastic that acts like rubber) - Requires a shock pad. - has drainage - there would be a cost savings there. Galligan - drainage issue - going to the same side as it is now. Kevin, Milone & MacBroom - there is no crumb rubber - Anwar - concern about people using well water? Kevin - Milone & Macbroom - studies do not show that there are elevated hazards from crumb rubber. Pendleton - sand has to be acrylic will that break down? 15 year warranty - some of it will break down but it is a non-toxic acrylic coding. All researc sows non taxic. Penldeton - with pad will not hav eto lay down maze of piping? Kevin - no - when you replace the turf, do not have to the replace the pad. Penldeton - the tpe - which moe expensive Kevin - Wagner - is ther any vpa? Kevin - no - this is a very green product. Wagner - different then the helmets Kevin - the impact is spead out not like a rounded helment Riley - drainage good - Riley - at the sevn years, something less then 5% - has there been a better time Galligan - February is always a good month. Riley - is this a good time to cdapture a rate that is embedded in the lease Galligan - sooner the better. Anwar - maitenance cost every yar? Galligan - will have to find out. Galligan - there are a lot of mandates on the school fields also. Anwar - Kevin - some fields that are eight years old. Anwar - 10 years lastr the pad will stay but the infill will need to be changed? Kevin - Anwar - track field, coming up with the money tough. Track money could be used withour resources? Glaligna - 80,000 was going to be used kind of as a down payment 281,000 for seven years. Galligna - the field may last longer because the town is not putting light sup. Anwar - how are you going to come upw ith 281,00 galligan - have some funds left over in the budget - the rest will have to work on. Paterna - Anwar - there are residents and neighbors, do you have any questions. ____ - very encouraged by what we have heard and thanked the Council for the Council for looking at alternatives? Will it be leased to other towns, will it run 24/7 - if so quality of life will be effected. Woul dlike to meet and discuss sound barriers, moving visitor bleachers. While we are happy about the change in the infill, how can the council spend this kind of money when talking about cutting items in the budget. Larry - live behind - heard that one of hte prime problem is ther were not eough athletic fields. There was a proposal to have three fields across the street. Not sure what happened to that. one of ht eissues was going to cost 1M or 1.1M. Now you are going to spend 1M on one field which is an existing field. Anwar - the principal of HS came to meeting. He is very conscious of the neighbors to make sure concerns are addressed. Lights are not in the plan. REsident - no condiuit in plan. Galligan - no
5. Executive Session
6. Adjournment
C. Discussion Item: Lease Purchase Financing for the Acquisition of Eversource Streetlights and Replacement LED Streetlights.
Apr 27, 2015 Town Council Special Meeting
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1. Call Meeting to Order
7:03
2. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - sent in email today with questions. Bob Dickinson, 19 Birch Road - concern about cutting the BOE - Government should be contacted regarding mandates and addressed. Jan Beaudry, Mountainview - we understand that the is a shortage of fields. We are being asked to spent over $1M for one field. 8-10 years the field is going to have to be refurbished. Why are you proposing this because other Towns have these field. I don't know what the field will be composed of. I hope not hte rubber crumb. The fact that the people trying to sell you this product would not sign not harmful. I am concerned about the run off because I live right behind. 24/7 I have to live near that field. There are two families that live near the fields that have wells. If I would take a poll of people who would trade positions with us and you probably would not want to. If you want to spend money, spend it to enhance the grass fields. Are any of the council members want to make the risk. is if fair to ask us to underwrite the safety of our property. We will come again and hope you will continue to consider advocating for this. Robert Dz, 270 Avery STreet - I found that the Town Council is not accessible to me. I was told to write an email. No reply - Called the Mayor at homje and Councilor Delnicki - no other replyies from you. I asked information for Jan Snyder - I could not get ahold of you. I suggested that to meet and have a - It is almost like you do not want the public input. Being a senior citizen I feel we should have 0 increase to taxes. Having new positions makes no sense. I will not vote for another school. I voted for a road improvements and the school. What is our percentage of tax increase rate. how many owe back sewers, etc. School budget. students get a costly education in town and then they can't afford to live in South Windsor. The Town should be run like a business - don't spend what you don't have. Mayor Anwar read a letter into the record from Mr. Victor Berman - 4C about the LED Streetlights. consider doing it for the 55+ condo development. We own the streetlights and pay - although we get a small reimbursement. Condos pay same rate for taxes - our community is treated like we don't exist. There are questioned that have been raised. Mr. Robert D - has office hours every two weeks and I am available - I know every one reads the emails. I know in our conversations we value the emails that come to us. We are on board - we don't always call back.
4. Special New Business
A. Discussion Item: Board of Education Budget
Mayor - in the past we have worked together with the BOE - I see there are Board of Education members - Havens - there is no item I would like to see removed or added. We have the board and the general government budget to consider. We have to arrive at one figure. Just want to let you know we have looked at everything. Wish we could fund everything. Thank the BOE members and the Superintendent of Schools.
Mirek - Mr. D. asked why enrollment is declining why new positions are needed. The postions that they are asking for are for positions with our special education programs. There are some things with more special needs childrent that have to be done. Some need attention with special aid.
Riley - folks need to understand that Middle School eliminated a team but also if you look at the elementary staffing it has declined over time. Also you have to remember all day Kindergarten was started. Snyder - during our public heairng received information from the BOE - there has been a 41% increase of english learning students. They need to be tudored by teachers and that takes more teachers to do that. a lot of the drivers on the BOE budget is the health and the special ed proglrams that have to be mainteained or increased to cover the needs. 2.4M increase with salaries, health, and items that can't be controlled. There are certain things that people can control but there are items such as special education which is mandated by the State. 8-9 elementary teachers they have not refilled because of the decrease in students. Referendum was held which was approved to build a new school. Wapping will be eliminated and there will be a reduction at that time. BOE has to meet state mandates, don't have a high number of students per class. There are other programs at the high school fo ralternative education. NOt every student is college bond and not every student knows what they want to do when the complete high school. Programs that are being proposed will help those students and we want to accommodate all students. A lot of the items are mandated. Mr. Dickinson said we hae to go after the state for some of these programs that are mandated.
Delnicki - mandates have been such a burden on eveyr town and I only see it getting worse. What can towns do to oppose some of these mandates. where are we going with the governors ECS money, Matt do you have any information? Galligan - apparently is mirrors the same as the governor - they did add more money - the finance committee will come out with their budget. As preseident of CCM - 28-30% of our construction projects are increased because of _________________________. Town has to pay prevailing wage. we did get some leeway this year we pushed ot have prevailing wage - as far as the car tax - found out today - they are talking about doing a car tax which caps everyone up to 35.00. Don't know how they are incorporating sales tax - the issue still comes down to how are they going to collect from people that don't pay. There are 350 mandates that affect town's CCM going to do intervenor - The other thing with mandates is minmum budget requirements. Once a BOE sets a budget can't go below what is budgeted. We would like to see that mandate taken away. Our pension is based on base pay. if you look at the State - all of their time is going into the pension. There is a total disconnect between towns and the state. The State has to make changes. The mandates - 60% of them are on the school. Delnicki - do not see a lot of happy endings in the budget. I see the deck stacked against towns like South Windsor who make good decisions. The idea of regionalism by sledgehammer could really damage a community like SW. Galligan - SB-1 - lets say South Windsor bring sin company's and the State wants 60% of the taxes adn share themn regionally. No on eis looking at what did sW give up to have a company come to Town. The whole idea is fo rus not to do economic development so development can go to the cities. They want towns to get together and do econimic development. Wagner - I think the hard part of this is seeing our grand list decline. Even though it is a small decrease we don't have our grand lis tot pay for additional things. We look at what the BOE and Geenral Government and Capital projects asks us to do which are all worthy but there is a large increase in the mill rate. In order for the town to be sustainable we are going to have to be careful to what happens on the spending side. we are going t do as much as we can fo rthe school. Things proposed for the town are worthy. I don't know how we can do it with that large increase. Mirek - another important thing being requested by the BOE is enhancing the school security. We don't have the security in our schools that are necessary. Need to do more at the MIddle School and need to do something at the high school. Staff wants one additional school psychologist - in the State of CT ther eis a huge uproar because the Govenror is trying to cut mental health care. There is only one psychologist to go around for two schools. We need to take care of the well being and health of our students. teachers are one of the first person who might see something is different. Not sure how much of the fund balance there is on the town side or BOE side. Galligan - in my proposed budget only put $500,000 in. The fund balance may need to be used to work with mandates. We are now under S P and Moodys - we are at 5% and should be at 7 or 8%. my fear is thtat when the state starts cutting. Once you make a cut it is an automatic tax increase. ECS funding has been short for a long time. The STate nevers keeps the promise to pay the bill. Council could change the fund balance. I am leery - want the council to sunderstnad that council wants projects done and wants the taxes to be lower. The one fault we have in town is every group - the minority party thinks they do not have to do anything done with the budget. There was one year that the council worked together to get the budget done. Counicl has to work together to make a decision on the budget. Ask the council to get togehter with the manage to tell him wher eyou want ot be. what is sustainable, make sure programs don't get Pendleton - Matt that is exactly waht I was thinking. we need to hear what the public is saying. I think all of us will do the best for the citizen that we can. We need to keep in mind that there are many different people we hav eto keep in mind. Hope that the BOE understand - I can't approve the budget that was presented. Tough choices have to be made. When it come to the BOE budget - I suppor the BOE even though can't approve what thye are asking. Riley - SW is a desirable community. Many folks purchased homes due to the education in SouthWIndsor. We hav;e to protect is and support it. Other neighboring towns are not meeting the needs ot students. Education most important asset we have. Last year the BOE came to the Council with a request 1.29% - the council approved a 0.63% increase. The Board and the administration warned the Town Council that they will never see that type of reqeust again. What is the status quo figure is 2.4M over last years budget. That is a 3.63% increase. Anything less will affect the education system. South WIndsor is higher then other communities because of the education. need to protect property values. Galligan - we do have a fully funded ARC - Anwar - on the 31st of March we had a good discussion - BOE public hearing. All of us have had discussions with community members. we have an excellent BOE members - We have all the information togehter - every department and every part of the general government budget we have to look at also. we know that the BOE has the abiltu to set the priorities. If things do not come to the number they have requested that they would work with the number that is given. In the previous budget - as a town we want to make it better. Recess the meeting at 8p.
Pulblic Hearing open at 8pm 21 people int he audience Public Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - I sent an emial - going back 9 years ago on the capital budget. I woudl like to have someone explain - the public does nto understand the definition of capital project. someone needs to explain that and how it is financed. Project that has a life over 1 year if under 1 year in the opeating budget. Robert D Avery STreet - maybe on the full time kindergarten we can't afford it. I saved a lot of money on the fule oil. Did the school save, and where is those funds. Social Services - Councilor Delnicki read letters into the record Carolyn Lieber - against tax increases. Adam Rich, against tax increases Kelly Jacobs, against tax increases - slow spending - Michel, 551 Foster Street - would like to see SW stay competitive. any opportuity would be great. 8 period day was once offered and no longer is. If there is an opportunity to reinstate the 8 period day. STEM program - really hate to see full day kindergarten go away. I understand ther eis a balance. it is a struggle for everyone. I am for the proposed budget. Those in support of the General Government Budget as prsented: - 6 Those in opposition of the General Government Budget as presented - 4 closed the public hearing at 8:12 p.m.
Reconvene Regular Meeting at 8:12 p.m. Mayor - it is going to be a balancing act this year with the budget. Challenge - rather then getting more revenue, we have reduced our revenue - how do you balance items out. we have to be compationate and make sure that we represent each and everyone in the town. we have to make sur ethe budget is done in a manner that may affect everyone but will be better for the town as a whole. strategy that is fair towards everyone.
B. Discussion Item: General Government Budget
Galligan - 1989 we had the same number of employees in public works as today. We don't use sand anymore - we measure everything we put down. we do the best we can. vehicles have GPS - the magic is all done. we do run the government as much like we can like a business. There are some thing that can't be done that way. We do things that the private industry will not do. My concern is the council getting together. we used to have 3M capital - which has been cut. we are trying to build back to the $1M. there was a company that left SW - 175,000 loss in revenue. My concern is I know you are gon gto cut this budget but we have to be smart of the priorities. I will have a report on the status quo budget. there are only a few posiition being requested. If you don't have someone fo rmaintenance for the fire department could be more costly. Have a lot of work to do. Need to know what the bottom line is. would be nice to hear from the entire council. Very critical year, will affect the future. Think the budget is a tough budget. Next year and the year after will see new revenues coming on board. don't want to reduce services. Mayor - should repeat the definition of capital project - any budget amount over $50,000 is part of the capital project - the investment is sor 5 years at least. we are in the process of reviewing the definition more closely at htis time. Galligan - capitla projects budget also includes bonding. In the budget book on page 241 Anwar - last year with the cost of fuel declining - savings? Galligna - we bid out regionally - I have to review those numbers more for the BOE. Trash collection $2.75 per gallon - some not as high as the homeowner but can get those numbers. Anwar - the collection rate? Galligan - 98.75% and that has been standard over the years. if you look at the budget for prior years - next year - aged the accounts on outstanding - 103 to 104%. Wagner - talk about the new position for Building Maintenance - to make it feasible for the maintenance of the Fire Department to be feasible. Fire Department is a separate entity - the volunteer who did that is going to be retiring. The maintenance of those buildings will need to be done. Gallligan - they are contracting out. the buildings that are new have more complicated systems. This proposal - these are public buildngs - we have people retiring - we feel a position ot take over those buildngs would be a lot better. This is somehting tht is long over due and is an asset. talking about 3 fire houses and one person taking care of them. Wagner - talked about reviewing if our fees are appropriate with other towns. Health inspections and Restaurants. Galligna - put a committee together. some of the issues we have is surrounding towns charge feees and they are self sustaining. Health Dept. by going to th efull time - and haveing another full time could charge those fees. The question that comes up is are we hurting the business people. other towns do have fees. Health Dept. also has to inspect septic system, reviewe plans. restaurant, daycares. Some restaurant would not mind having a fee - can handle eadch buisness differently. Wagner - will committee be able to give input for the budget? Galligna - could affect next years revenues but will not be ready for this budget. Snyder - Where are we as Council as we believe - what are we comfortable with. my concern is we only want a tax increase of X and not understanding the impact of X. I do not want ot micromanage the Town Manager - set guidelines. We want ot bring 6% down, do we know where we believe we want ot be. If we have that though, what would the impacts be. Would like to come up with a certain number and let the Town Manager decide where those cuts would happen. Anwar - it is not about me but about us. I thik to put it simply there is going to be a negative impact. It will either be on the citizens, BOE and Town. We need to have a balancing act. If we were to give everyone what they want the public would hav eto sustain a large increase. We have to look at what is a safe amount. there are certain peopel on a fixe income. If we are going to push the community to make difficult decisions, we will have to also. I would like the increase to be less then 2%. We have to see if can do that safely. The more I listen to the people they are asking for the council to keep the taxes in check. need to increase the revenue which is a long term strategy. Building permits from Scanneel be part of the revenue? Galligan - it will be in this years finances as extra revenue - They have not written the check yet. Anware - we need to get behind economic development. Economic Develpment benefits the Town. Snyder - Woul dit be prudent ot set a certain criteria to keep each of the budgets - no new programs or projects - turf field - LED's - no new programs or projects fo rone year until things turn around. Like to consider how we move forward with criteria that acan be levied on everything. Anwar - it will be a focused approach. LED is budget neutral Snyder - in about 2 years they will be 50% - Anwar - we have to have the patience and the way to hear everying. Delnicki - last year between new tax revenue adn cutting the BOE budget, the budget was balanced. if the intent is to balance the budget again, we need to ask what the certain amount cut what is the impact. to say that the decision this year is gong to be worse then any other year. Economic development will continue to be an important tool. WE have to take a serious look at the Town budget. The Town budget did very well last year. We need to know what the effects to the BOE will be. We have heard 2%. we need to have information - the quetion has to be posed at different levels. Small businesses in town are being effected and if they have to be charged fees, they may need to leave SW. Paterna - I think it is important to understand the BOE and Town have already made cuts to the budgets. I heard a reasonable approach of fees to offset costs. I think it would be appropirate to have a work session to discuss budget deliberations. Riley - I heard the word priorities tonight. it is difficult to know the priorities without know a number. I see a 2% too but need to know the impact to the community. Would like to know the different percentage what we would be looking at. 2%, 2.5% or 3%. Anwar - in most of the department they have asked for a 2% increase for Galligan - that 2% is for 43 people. They have taken 0% before. If Management keeps taking no increase, union employees will be right there with pay. Can get you the number. Anwar - Galligan - caution you when you start comparing other towns, you may find you will lose staff. Anwar - this is an area we have to look at, maybe a different percentage shoudl be looked at. . Wagner - if you reduce the budget by 3M spending - 3.3% mill rat eincrease. I am not personally in favor of a rule, just need to apply a judgement to everythign to see if it is the right things to do. Mirek - would like a Joint Work Sesssion. need to know what is going to suffer if a certain amount is going to be cut. we need to find out if ther eis a cut, what is it going to be and can we live with it. Fire Departmetn Mainteancne woudl it be more cost savings to outsource. Galligan - need someone here to check Three people not enough Mirek - these are the things that need to be looked at. BOE budget cut last year was very severe. if they are not kept at a sustainable level people will not come to town. need to fund - that is a our property values. Galligan - therea re still 80 position - it is a balance act. WE are doing a lot more work fo rless. Do not want things falling in the weigh side. you can't keep pilin gon more work - take the projects out and do something different. makes no sense at all. Have to think about priorities. Mirek - we have to consider that a lot of our taxpayers do not all get increases either. Galligan - there are no bonsus in SW like in the private industry. Anwar - discussion is part of getting together. WE are discussing the various parts. Mirek - we can formulate questions for each department. Anwar - have we met with departments twice Mirek - ask them questions. Galligan - questions can go through me. Pendleton - grand list is donw - there were 500 families that were helped last year over the holidays. seniors only get 1.75% increase. we funded the town side last year because of staffing issues. every year introduce one staff person. Can not justify putting a turf field out there - we need economic development. you mentioned you would like to do a two year budget process - we are going to be putting a school on people 17/18 to 18/19 Pendleton - there are over 200 houses for sale in SW. Many people are foreclosing. House prices - the values are not going up. Budget we have a53 wek and minimum wage is going up. Maintenance person - The fire departments are public buildings. it is the town's duty to take care of those buildings. that is a priority. no single person should be working alone, should have 2 on each shift. Last year cut to the BOE did not make them crash and burn. Galligna - some time ago - me and the Finance Director did a 5 year plan. WE should be looking at 2 year budgets. Riley - asked three realtor waht is the most important item to indivdiuals that will get people to town? proximity was all three - location, access to the hgihway, shopping, restaurants, etc. The number two itme was schools, the number three item was parks. Have to be careful not to cut into the schol system too deeply. from a process standpoint, need to know if we war egoing to cut the school budget and would like ot know what they woudl cut. They don't have to tell us. Would like to know what would be cut on the town side. I think we need ot hear from the Town Manager and Superintendent. We need to know. Havens - I think I know generally what the needs of the community are and what we can afford. Responsibility of setting the tax rate is on the fiveof the democrats. It is the majorities responsibility to set the budget. The TM and Superintende are going to have to let us know what will be cut on a certain percentage. Can't see us going over each item again. Suggest come up with a figure. Anwar - I truly value what you say. While we might not agree on everything. There are valuable things. We will work together. Mirek - e are a team - basically doesn't matter what we say - Anwar - we can sit down and talk. maybe two or three of us can sit down and talk. I would like 2% or less. Mirek - does this mean will not know ramification of cuts would be? Anwar - can not be - while everyone said we cut the budget last year for the BOE - we could not give them what they requested but we did not cut into the budget that they had only what they were proposing. The Capital projects needs funds. Mirek - the high school has security issues Anwar - don't want the public to think our schools are unsafe. We need to be more absessive - go above and beyond regarding safety. MIrek - have you ever voted for the school budget. Anwar - yes Snyder - it is kind of unsettling to hear that the majoirty going ot decide on the budget. Have you or anyone from the majoirty met with the Town Manager to talk about what you might want ot talk about he budget. Maor - I have mentioned to Matt. we respectfully disagree. WE are hearing from the public. suggested that people on the fixed budget the numbers will not be fair to them. Riley - what I am hearing is distressing. The process seems to be focused and foremost on the number that we can support as far as the tax increase without understanding the ramification. You need to understand what the reductions mean. before you throw out a number, tell me what the components are fofr that you have not done your homework. Wagner - last year we gave Matt a number and the Town Manager told us the impacts. Right now we are at the point were we suggest numbers and Matt tells us how that impacts the Town. we should probably know what hte 2.4M is about. Riley - if that is the process - you go to the Town Maanger and ther eis an understanding of that number then you can articulate what the cuts that will happen. Historiclaly the Board gets a number - I would like to know their budget. We should know what those cuts are. we should know what the cuts will be from both the Town and the BOE. Want to know wha tI will be cutting. Paterna - we can's look at line items for the BOE - they take the amount and make their decision. Don't think we can get into that level of discussion. Riley - I agree but we can ask. Matt has it been done before. Galligan - you can ask, you have no right to tell them where to cut. Riley - at 2 1/2 - 3 - 3 1/2 - 4 and 4 1/2 Mirek --
C. Discussion Item: Lease Purchase Financing for the Acquisition of Eversource Streetlights and Replacement LED Streetlights.
Wagner - suspend the rules to take item 4D out of order. Paterna second. unanimous
D. Discussion Item: Lease Purchase Financing for the Development of a Synthetic Turf Field at South Windsor High School.
Galligan - have representative from Milone and MacBroom - did get one proposal so far. The gentleman tht gave me a proposal from Tip Capital - 84 month lease. used the higher interest rate. $23,000 pr month. - some of the turf matrials and the schedule. if you have public haring on MOnday and approve the lease purchase - it could be more then the 1.5M because the material would be different. There was moneh put aside in Capitla for th erunning track. We decided that the crumb rubber would be taken out. there are two products that are safe. one from Texas, sand base, more mainteannce, requires pad Kevin - Landscape Architect - we have been asked to redesign the project - envirofill or tp - (plastic that acts like rubber) - Requires a shock pad. - has drainage - there would be a cost savings there. Galligan - drainage issue - going to the same side as it is now. Kevin, Milone & MacBroom - there is no crumb rubber - Anwar - concern about people using well water? Kevin - Milone & Macbroom - studies do not show that there are elevated hazards from crumb rubber. Pendleton - sand has to be acrylic will that break down? 15 year warranty - some of it will break down but it is a non-toxic acrylic coding. All researc sows non taxic. Penldeton - with pad will not hav eto lay down maze of piping? Kevin - no - when you replace the turf, do not have to the replace the pad. Penldeton - the tpe - which moe expensive Kevin - Wagner - is ther any vpa? Kevin - no - this is a very green product. Wagner - different then the helmets Kevin - the impact is spead out not like a rounded helment Riley - drainage good - Riley - at the sevn years, something less then 5% - has there been a better time Galligan - February is always a good month. Riley - is this a good time to cdapture a rate that is embedded in the lease Galligan - sooner the better. Anwar - maitenance cost every yar? Galligan - will have to find out. Galligan - there are a lot of mandates on the school fields also. Anwar - Kevin - some fields that are eight years old. Anwar - 10 years lastr the pad will stay but the infill will need to be changed? Kevin - Anwar - track field, coming up with the money tough. Track money could be used withour resources? Glaligna - 80,000 was going to be used kind of as a down payment 281,000 for seven years. Galligna - the field may last longer because the town is not putting light sup. Anwar - how are you going to come upw ith 281,00 galligan - have some funds left over in the budget - the rest will have to work on. Paterna - Anwar - there are residents and neighbors, do you have any questions. ____ - very encouraged by what we have heard and thanked the Council for the Council for looking at alternatives? Will it be leased to other towns, will it run 24/7 - if so quality of life will be effected. Woul dlike to meet and discuss sound barriers, moving visitor bleachers. While we are happy about the change in the infill, how can the council spend this kind of money when talking about cutting items in the budget. Larry - live behind - heard that one of hte prime problem is ther were not eough athletic fields. There was a proposal to have three fields across the street. Not sure what happened to that. one of ht eissues was going to cost 1M or 1.1M. Now you are going to spend 1M on one field which is an existing field. Anwar - the principal of HS came to meeting. He is very conscious of the neighbors to make sure concerns are addressed. Lights are not in the plan. REsident - no condiuit in plan. Galligan - no
5. Executive Session
6. Adjournment
C. Discussion Item: Lease Purchase Financing for the Acquisition of Eversource Streetlights and Replacement LED Streetlights.
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