Mayor Trinks called the Budget Session Special Meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

1. Roll Call – Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Albano, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Mulligan, Councilor Pacino, and Councilor Walker.

Absent: Councilor Simon

2. Child Day Care

Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure Services, and Ms. Anne Wakelin, Manager of Discovery Center, presented the budget.

Deputy Mayor Curtis asked about the request for expansion for the Montessori School program and asked which schools the students transition to. Ms. Wakelin answered that the school serves 82 children, ages 3-kindergarten, and has a waiting list. The students transition to Talcott Mountain, Renbrook, Windsor Public Schools, St. Gabriel’s, West Hartford Montessori School, and other area schools.

Councilor Jepsen asked about the transition into kindergarten and the fee increases. Ms. Wakelin stated that the students who don’t make the lottery at age three and four may be interested in attending kindergarten if there are any openings. The increase in fees is 3%.

Ms. Wakelin stated that she would distribute a comparison sheet outlining fees.

Councilor Albano asked about the summer session expansion and if staff will increase. Ms. Wakelin indicated that the enrollment would increase by ten children per session. The additional staff will be temporary summer employees that are 0.15 FTE.

Councilor Jepsen asked if there is any relationship with the Start Smart program. Ms. Wakelin stated that Start Smart is housed in the same facility and that some of the same families participate in the Start Smart program.

Councilor Broxterman asked how many students are from Windsor and if the largest demand is still for the younger age groups. He also asked what the largest program is. Ms. Wakelin stated that out of 180 students, approximately 15% are not Windsor residents. The school currently serves 20 infants and toddlers and Montessori is the largest program.

3. Adult Day Care

Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure Services, and Ms. Deborah Boemmels, Caring Connection Manager, presented the budget. An increase in fees will be implemented from $62.00 per day to $65.00 per day, which is in line with other adult day care centers.

Councilor Walker inquired about the increase in the Return on Investment category. Ms. Boemmels stated that it is to repay a loan of $300,000 over 10 years ($30,000 per year) associated with the relocation to 330 Windsor Avenue.

Councilor Broxterman asked if there is still an anticipated increase in enrollment. Ms. Boemmels answered that they currently serve 28-30 individuals per day and there is a conservative proposal of increasing enrollment to 35 per day once they relocate to the new facility.

4. Landfill Enterprise Fund

Mr. Brian Funk, Director of Public Works, presented the proposed budget. Projected revenue is approximately $1,000,000. It is proposed that the spot market rate be decreased from $80/ton to a lower figure for FY 2003 to attract additional market share.

Councilor Pacino asked about sales, page R4, and the selling of mulch and compost. He also noted the different figures for the rental fees on page R6. Mr. Funk stated that it is his understanding that a decision was made a few years ago to stop selling the mulch. The mulch is used onsite for erosion control and it is not a saleable product. Mr. Funk stated that the $172,900 figure for rental fees should be $115,250. Councilor Pacino also asked if we have to clean the contaminated soil that we receive. Dr. Petrillo said that the DEP recommends that the material be spread out to vaporize the contamination. The hauler is charged any additional fees that occur to treat the material. Councilor Pacino also asked if legal costs associated with the landfill are part of the landfill enterprise fund. Town Manager Churchill stated that legal expenditures are appropriated in the general fund.

Councilor Mulligan asked about the $20,000 projected revenue from contaminated soil. Mr. Funk stated that requests for contaminated soil have to be approved by DEP ,and in the past years, there has not been much demand for the service.

Councilor Broxterman questioned if there is such a thing as a wholesale market for mulch. Mr. Funk stated that it is a possibility and could be researched. Councilor Broxterman also asked about the $25,000 in revenues projected from the disposal of tires. Mr. Funk said that the demand for tires has dropped in the last few years and other options are available for disposal. Dr. Charles Petrillo, Director of Health and Social Services, noted that there are varying charges for different sized tires which impacts the potential revenue.

Mayor Trinks asked about the resale of recyclable materials. He also asked if we take contaminated materials. Mr. Funk responded that the market for recycled scrap metal has dropped significantly and that the town does not get directly involved in the sale of the recyclable items picked up in Windsor. Dr. Petrillo replied that we do take contaminated loads, however, we are more expensive compared to other landfills that charge a lower price for the same service. The hauler may have a preference for a certain landfill. Mayor Trinks asked about our collection rate for receivables. Mr. Funk stated that the haulers pay for the services, however there are a few individuals who are delinquent. These individuals are billed and if there is still an outstanding balance after 30 days, they are charged interest and at 60 days they are no allowed to use the landfill.

Mayor Trinks asked Town Manager Churchill about the Landfill Enterprise Fund and how long it will remain open after closure. Town Manager Churchill stated that the fund would remain open as an enterprise. Essentially the fund would function as a trust. With the future possibility of a transfer station, Town Manager Churchill recommends an enterprise fund.

Councilor Jepsen inquired about the leaf compost in Cell B and the capping of the cell, about increasing waste from 35,000 to 50,000 tons per year and increasing rates. Mr. Funk said regulations are that any sections of the landfill not receiving waste are required to be capped within three years, as in the case with Cell A & B. Mr. Funk responded that if we increased the limit from 35,000 to 50,000 tons per year, the landfill would reach capacity in the next six years. Grounding the bulky waste or reducing it in size creates more waste for additional bulky waste materials. Dr. Petrillo added that the grinding helps in the compaction. Dr. Funk stated that the current tipping fee is $58.50 per ton, the spot market rate is $80, but they would like to lower the rate to generate more revenue for the landfill. The private hauler determines curbside pickup fees.

Town Manager Churchill recommended lowering the spot market rate.

5. Adoption of Minutes

1. April 10, 2002 Special Town Council Meeting – Budget Session Special Meeting Minutes

Motioned by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to approve the April 10, 2002 Budget Session Special Meeting minutes. Corrections: None.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

6. Adjournment

Motioned by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

cc: Town Clerk

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