Windsor Town Council
Budget Meeting
Council Chambers - Town Hall
April 23, 2001
Approved Minutes
Deputy Mayor Curtis called the budget meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Mayor Hogan, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council member Albano, Council member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock, Council member Pacino, Council Member Simon, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks
Communications from Council Members
None.
Information Services
Ms. Enita Jubrey, Assistant to the Town Manager and Ms. Kathy Quin, Town Clerk, presented the budget. The current year's total department budget will come in on budget. For FY2001 Personnel Services decrease $35,000 for an unfilled full-time position in town clerk's office. The proposed budget is decreased by 1.9% in spending due to elimination of the unfilled full-time position and the reallocation of products and services in the department. The increase in the supplies line is largely due to a copier contract. The $5,000 increase in the user fees line is due to a state mandate requiring historic record preservation in the Town Clerk's office. Filing fees have increased by $3.00, $2.00 of which is returned to the State. The department's division names have been changed from Public Information and Corporate Support to Town Clerk and Public Relations.
Council member Ristas asked why the $5,000 increase in the software installation/contract was not part of the budget for 2001. Ms. Quin replied that the department was not aware that there was a maintenance contract since the contract originated in the Information Technology Department.
Council member Albano asked why the expense did not go through the Information Technology Department. Town Manager Churchill replied that it did not go through IT because it is a maintenance contract. Ms. Quin reported that this service puts the land records on the Internet, Windsor is the first town in Connecticut to provide this service on the Internet.
Public Works
Mr. Julian Freund, Budget Analyst and Mr. Wayne Radke, Public Works Operations Manager, presented the budget. The FY2001 proposed budget of $4,402,000 is expected to increase to $4,440,000 primarily due to the increase in storm control. The overage will be absorbed by Personnel Services savings in other areas of the budget and Town Aid. Total expenditures for FY2002 will increase by 1.8%. The Public Works increases are primarily in Personnel Services and Supplies, with some reductions in Services to offset the increases.
Council member Albano asked if Storm Control Personnel Services was straight time or overtime. Mr. Freund replied that the amount is overtime, not straight time.
Council member Ristas asked about the equipment repair budget as a separate area. Mr. Freund answered that it was done to bring cohesion and for supervision and budget tracking purposes.
Council member Trinks inquired about recouping the costs of traffic light replacement, motor oil spills, and other motor vehicle damage. Mr. Radke responded that the department is aggressively trying to recoup damage costs from motor vehicle damage.
Mayor Hogan questioned if town events were throughout the department's budget. Mr. Radke answered that page K11 lists a summary of the different events the department supports.
Landfill Enterprise Fund
Mr. Irv Slike, Landfill Manager, presented the budget. Over the past few months the community has been involved in discussing the landfill's future. In no way does this budget commit the Town to any one of the landfill options. Projected revenue is approximately $3,000,000 primarily from utilizing the bulky waste disposal. An increase of $52,000 in Personnel Services is due to an additional Landfill Operator position. Supplies have increased substantially due to the leasing of rubble equipment for the bulky waste operation. The department is recommending purchase of the rubble equipment rather than lease. Tipping fee increases are proposed. An increase of the MSW fee of $7.00, which will change it from $51.50 to $58.50. It is also proposed that the bulky waste fee is increased; unprocessed waste (taken in containers at point of generation) at $60.00 per ton charge; and a processed bulky waste fee at $40.00 per ton.
Council member Ristas remarked on the considerable expenditure on equipment that appears to provide a good return on tonnage processed. He asked the life cycle for the equipment and the return for the revenue. Mr. Slike responded that the rubble grinder has a life cycle of five years. The equipment will most likely be operating one year after the MSW reaches capacity in 2004. The excavator will be leased over the term of the bulky waste facility operation. The projected revenue is $6,000,000.
Council member Simon asked if the equipment for the bulky waste operation is all that would be necessary if the Town continued operation of the Landfill. Mr. Slike answered that there may be some additional equipment, but mostly the same pieces of equipment.
Council member Simon asked where the bulky waste would come from. Mr. Slike said that it would be a contract situation with a limited number of contracts.
Council member Trinks commented that this budget is an enterprise fund. Council member Trinks also asked if the revenue figures were presented in the closing figures of the Landfill options. Town Manager Churchill confirmed that yes, they were considered.
Deputy Mayor Curtis asked about reducing the volume of bulky waste and environmental issues. Mr. Slike responded that by reducing the volume of bulky waste, it reduces the risk of fires and decreases the amount of rainfall (leachate) that the bulky waste would generate un-compacted.
Child Day Care Enterprise Fund
Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure Services, Ms. Anne Wakelin, Manager of Discovery Center, and Charlotte Foley, Administrative Aide, presented the budget. The Discovery Center is fully operational with waiting lists for all programs.
Deputy Mayor Curtis has been reading about the CRT Headstart program and some towns are ending their contract with CRT. He inquired about the Town's relationship with CRT. Town Manager Churchill commented that the Board of Education has shown interest in the oversight of the Headstart program. It will take some additional research before making that decision.
Mayor Hogan asked if any building maintenance was performed. Ms. Wakelin answered that plumbing and heating repair work was completed this past year and hopefully some cosmetic issues could be completed this year.
Adult Day Care Enterprise
Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure Services and Ms. Deb Boemmels, Caring Connection Manager, presented the budget. Personnel Services were reviewed. The increase in revenue is due to the increase in the amount of clients, from 26 to 33. There is an increase of 3% in private fees and there is also an increase in available grant monies.
Mayor Hogan asked when the proposed move is to take place. Ms. Newman answered that January 2002 is the proposed move date. The department has been involved in the planning of the new facility.
Council member Albano asked about the fee structure. Ms. Boemmels replied that it is a flat fee charge per day, including transportation, therapeutic services, nursing, etc.
Council member Broxterman asked for clarification on sources of revenue. Ms. Newman answered that outside grants have been applied for and donations are from the private sector. The department is aggressively researching grants to assist with start-up costs.
Adoption of Minutes
April 4, 2001 Special Town Council Meeting - Budget Session
Motioned by Council member Trinks, seconded by Council member Pacino to accept the minutes of April 4, 2001 Special Town Council Meeting - Budget Session. Corrections: Page 1, Bill Herzfeld; Page 3, Council member Albano requested that his comments about goals be recorded in the minutes.
Motioned by Council member Pacino, seconded by Council member Trinks to table the minutes.
Motion Passed 9-0-0
April 11, 2001 Special Town Council Meeting - Budget Session
Motioned by Council member Pacino seconded by Council member Trinks to accept the minutes of April 11, 2001 Special Town Council Meeting - Budget Session. Corrections: None.
Motion Passed 9-0-0
Executive Session
Motioned by Council member Trinks, seconded by Council member Haverstock to enter into Executive Session for consideration of alternate actions to enforce or implement relief or legal rights with respect to the landfill.
Motion Passed 9-0-0
Town Manager Churchill commented on the Executive Session for the public. He read a letter from Louie Chapman, Jr., Town Manager of Bloomfield regarding the Windsor/Bloomfield Landfill (see attached copy).
Town Council entered Executive Session at 8:38pm. Present: Mayor Hogan, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council members, Albano, Broxterman, Haverstock, Pacino, Simon, Trinks, Ristas
Staff and Guests: Town Manager Churchill, Assistant Town Manager Souza, Health Director Petrillo, Landfill Administrator Slike, Town Attorney Oswecki, Outside Legal Counsel Tricia Haught
At 10:30 pm Executive Session was adjourned and the Town Council reconvened the Special Town Council Meeting.
Adjournment
Council member Pacino made a motion, seconded by Council member Albano, to adjourn the Special Town Council meeting.
Motion passed 9-0-0
Meeting was adjourned at 10:31pm.
Respectfully submitted
Kristin Countryman
Substitute Clerk of the Windsor Town Council
cc: Town Clerk
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