Windsor Town Council
Budget Meeting
Council Chambers - Town Hall
April 18, 2001
Approved Minutes
Council member Trinks called the budget meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Mayor Hogan, Council member Albano, Council member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock, Council member Pacino, Council Member Simon, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks
Absent: Deputy Mayor Curtis
Communications from Council Members
Council member Haverstock requested that public comments be added to the Budget Meeting Agendas.
Fire Department
Mr. Paul Goldberg, Fire Administrator, Mr. Bill Lewis, Fire Chief and Mr. Ken Smith, Assistant Chief, gave an overview of the current year and FY2002 budgets. The department reported a 2% increase. Older apparatus was removed from service, which lowered the repair bills. The department has deferred town-wide physicals for staff members until next year.
Council member Simon asked how the performance measures were derived. The fire department responses have been running lower each year and it is hoped that it can be reduced.
Council member Ristas asked what kind of responses does the department go on and how many are fire related. The department goes on boat calls, cat calls, carbon monoxide, fire alarms, pumping a basement (flood water) as well as fire calls. Mr. Souza reported that there is a breakdown report available.
Council member Pacino asked if the Council could receive information regarding the performance measures. Mr. Souza reported that they are contemplating a mid-year report to bring to the committees.
Council member Trinks asked about the recruitment and retention. The department can always use members; a recruitment and retention drive will be starting shortly with posters, mailers, and Win-TV.
Council member Broxterman asked if the thermal imaging equipment has been utilized. The department uses the equipment every chance it gets.
Police Department
Mr. Kevin Searles, Police Chief, Ms. Christine Rogovich, Management Information System Supervisor, and Mr. Timothy Triggs, Captain reviewed the budget. FY2001 the estimated expenditures are approximately $195,000 over budget but they are grant related expenses and are covered by grants.
From 1999 statistics, Windsor's crime rate is 624 per 100,000 people; the state's crime rate is 3,383 per 100,000 people; and nationally it is 4,266 per 100,000 people. Windsor's crime rate remains five times lower than the state's.
The department yields 42 arrests per officer per year; 21 arrests per officer for the state; and 14 arrests per officer nationally. Windsor remains a relatively safe and crime free community. There are slight increases in crime statistics, mostly in larceny, which may be due to an increase in retail activity.
Goals for community policing and restructuring were reviewed. The first goal is to obtain State accreditation. Individual training plans will be implemented for officers. A Lieutenant will be assigned to investigate activities, coordinating and gathering data, addressing crime trends per shift, etc. Community policing involves dividing the town into two commands. The department will be implementing 19 block watches by the end of May which officers will be involved with. Walking beats are being stepped up.
Council member Haverstock asked if the department is fully staffed. The department currently has three vacancies and has been postponing the hiring awaiting the outcome of budget deliberations. Once hired the department will be fully staffed.
Council member Simon inquired about tracking part 1 crimes and increasing clearance rate. Windsor's Police Department compares favorably in all clearance areas. The clearance rate is 65% for reported stolen property. Part 1 crimes are reported with uniform crime report criteria - aggravated assault, murder, rape, motor vehicle theft, larceny, and burglaries. Windsor reports 25% (down from 32%). Crimes can be cleared via arrest or cleared exceptionally (prosecution wasn't going to go forward at that point).
Council member Broxterman inquired about new hires (officers with less than 2 years of service) and their turnover rate. Turnover rate is low, over the last five years it has increased slightly. The department has lost 3 or 4 new hires in the last few years, usually due to not meeting the training requirements.
Council member Broxterman asked about statistics on youth arrest. Juvenile arrests in 1999 were 21 and in 2000 were 19, compared to 544 adults arrested in 1999 and 625 adults arrested in 2000. Juvenile arrests are a small portion of total arrests. The zero tolerance concept is taking action on certain kinds of behaviors, especially in the school system (arrest, referral to juvenile review board, etc.)
Council member Pacino asked about the estimated price for the new cruisers. Cruisers will cost a little over $20,000.
Council member Pacino inquired if all officers are required to be EMTs. The department responded that all officers are required to be MRTs - Medical Response Technicians (one level lower than EMTs).
Mayor Hogan inquired about the capital outlay budget that is over by $60,000. The department purchased many items, some of which were radar units, radios, shotguns (less lethal capability), replacement of handguns, etc.
Council member Haverstock inquired if the department offers any incentives to officers to make traffic stops or to meet quotas. The department does require self-initiated activity, which includes motor vehicle stops and also getting out of patrol cars and making contact with residents.
Ambulance
Mr. Nick Cormier, President and Mr. Peter Fontaine Vice President of Windsor Volunteer Ambulance gave an overview of the budget.
Council member Haverstock inquired about the relationship between AMR and Windsor Volunteer Ambulance. Are they two different entities? The structure is such that there is an agreement/contract to provide medical service to the Town. The medical portion of it (paramedics) has to be provided by a contractor (AMR). WVA supplies all medical supplies and equipment and AMR supplies the paramedic portion only.
Council member Ristas asked if a call comes in to dispatcher and an address is given, how does the driver knows where the location is, especially if they are not familiar with Windsor. The call generates through the 911 switchboard and there are maps in every room in the building and street indexes are in the vehicles. They can also ask the dispatcher for a cross street reference. Dispatchers are very helpful if the areas are not easy to get to.
Mayor Hogan asked about the condition of the equipment and vehicles. There is a 10-year old vehicle that will hopefully be replaced. A fundraising letter will be mailed shortly. Building issues are being addressed with the Town.
Family Services
Ms. Cathy O'Donnell, Manager of Northwest Park, Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure Services and Mr. Paul Norris, Recreation Manager presented the budget, which has an overall increase of 4%. Family Services includes Recreation, Senior Services, Facilities Management, Northwest Park Educational and Recreational Program, and Northwest Park Property Management.
Adequate lifeguard staffing will cost approximately $75,000. Revenue includes a recommended increase of 5% for programs ($2,100).
Council member Haverstock inquired about the services offered at 330 Windsor Avenue. There is an after school program from 3-6 p.m. for elementary students, Romp & Learn, Real Rec for middle school students from 3-6 p.m., and a Teen Rec Club which is a drop in center from 3-6 p.m. During school vacations, hours are extended from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Groups are also reserving rooms for presentations, meetings, etc.
Council member Haverstock asked when the Gosley Pool renovation would be complete. It is anticipated to be completed mid-June. Session 1 will offer no swim lessons, however they will start in Session 2.
Council member Simon asked about the $70,000 increase in Personnel Services. The bulk of the increase is due to the Aquatics Programming. $50,000 was budgeted for the Aquatics Program in 2001 and it is expected that expenditures will be $75,000. A Recreation Programmer position was also filled.
Council member Ristas requested a reporting chart of full time employees in Family Services.
Council member Pacino requested a reporting of how many seniors purchased swim passes for winter and summer.
Mayor Hogan asked about the needs assessment completion date. A first draft has been received from contractor. The survey should be mailed out the end of May and survey results are expected within four to five months.
Mayor Hogan asked about Skate Park Personnel duties. Will they just supervise skaters or do they overlook whole area. Their responsibilities will include liter pickup in the area.
Mayor Hogan asked if Windsor is competitive with our lifeguard pay plan. The department reported that lifeguards are paid $7-8 per hour. Other communities start at $9-9.50. It is a problem for recruitment and also with retention.
Library Services
Ms. Laura Kahkonen, Library Director and Ms. Gaye Rizzo, Wilson Branch Manager, gave an overview of the budget. FY01 the Library will come in on budget. FY02 will have a 3.41% increase with a total 3.6% increase with private resources.
Children's services have an increase in part-time costs. Capital outlay is entirely in private funding. The library would like to propose charging for the homework club because it is felt that the program is labor intensive and would bring the costs in alignment with other recreational programs.
One of the goals of the library is a new program, "Read to Me". The library will be asking volunteers to get trained, go out to the community and read to babies. The library is also inviting new parents and their babies to come to the library for story time. Funding is from the State.
Council member Ristas asked about other volunteer assistance in the Library. The Homework Club has volunteers along with paid staff. The Library workroom has volunteers who shelve books, organize materials, process materials, mend materials, and do filing. Tutors are also volunteers. Volunteers teach all of the Internet classes. The library also has 17 volunteers who read to shut-ins and there are many other volunteers. There are many more volunteer hours than paid hours.
Council member Broxterman noted that Wilson has 55,000 patron visits, and asked how many does the main library have. The main library has 207,000 patron visits.
Council member Haverstock asked about the fundraising for the expansion project. The library was advised by their fundraising consultant to start fundraising once they have a date for the project. They anticipate asking businesses for funds.
Council member Pacino asked if there was an anticipated program for school age children to volunteer during school and summer vacations. The library does utilize school age volunteers on a case by case basis. It does require a lot of supervision. A lot of children come in to use the computers during the summer.
Mayor Hogan asked if there would be a scholarship program for the Homework Club for parents who couldn't afford to pay. The library would offer a scholarship program. A poll was conducted and all parents of the club members said that they would be willing to pay for the Homework Club.
Adjournment
Motioned by Council member Haverstock, seconded by Council member Broxterman to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted
Kristin Countryman
Substitute Clerk of the Windsor Town Council
cc: Town Clerk
Main Library
Wilson Branch