Mayor Trinks called the Budget Session Special
Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
- Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis,
Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor
Mulligan, Councilor Pacino, Councilor Simon and
Councilor Walker.
Absent: Councilor Albano
- Board of Education
Board of Education President Jane Garibay and
board members Mr. Steve Ellingwood and Mr. William
Herzfeld presented a summary of the 2002-2003
recommended financial plan. Ms. Garibay reviewed the
Board of Education goals which are: maximum student
achievement; diversity and community, character and
conduct, safe schools, and facilities.
The proposed budget of $46,218,530 is an increase
of $3,174,968 or 7.38% over last year’s budget of
$43,043,560.
The school reform programs are already beginning
to show results. The accelerated schools program
continues to have the highest overall CMT results in
the district.
Councilor Pacino asked about the expansion of
alternative education. Ms. Garibay responded that
the program is similar to the one at Sage Park.
Instruction is from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and students work
during the day at different businesses (retail,
banking, etc.) in the area. The program transitions
them so they can re-enter the regular school day.
Councilor Pacino asked if Sage Park already has a
monitor. Mr. Herzfeld replied that they currently
have a 0.25 monitor. He explained that the monitors
would be front door greeters and they will not
monitor corridors or students. Councilor Pacino also
asked the board to expand on the exterior appearance
renovations proposed for Clover Street. Mr. Herzfeld
reported that paved areas will be renovated, flaking
canopies will be plastered, and main entrance doors
and hardware will be replaced. Councilor Pacino
asked if the Board of Education would end the year
on the plus side. Mr. Herzfeld answered that it has
never ended a year in deficit. Councilor Pacino
asked about town support for education and inquired
about the Board of Education’s attorney. Ms.
Garibay explained that the Board of Education uses
the Town Attorney and also retains Shipman &
Goodwin as their Education Attorney.
Councilor Simon asked if the Board of Education
was making any enhancements to existing successful
programs. The seminar program is being re-evaluated,
the Family Center will be expanded, and Reading
Recovery has been expanded over the years. Councilor
Simon commented on the site budgets and noted that
the middle school and high school budgets increased
while the elementary schools budgets decreased. He
asked the Board of Education to explain why and how
elementary schools will not be impacted. Ms. Garibay
stated that the elementary schools are in a good
place and the Board of Education is meeting each
school’s needs. Enrollment in the elementary
schools has also decreased by 150 students.
Councilor Jepsen noted that the page 50 columns
don’t add up. Mr. Herzfeld replied that the third
entry – Specialist – should be 3 in 2003.
Councilor Mulligan asked about Page V2, the
summary page. Salary increases don’t match the
slide presentation’s salary increases. Mr.
Herzfeld replied that the summary page includes
present employees along with any new additions and
the slide presentation included only existing
employees. The fixed cost increase is 3% for
existing personnel. Councilor Mulligan inquired
about the special education tuition increase and the
reimbursement from the state. Mr. Ellingwood
explained that special education costs are not
controlled by the Board of Education but the state
mandates special education spending. The state does
not reimburse its client until costs exceed five
times the average per pupil expenditure
(approximately $40,000). If the student is placed
into special education by the state or court system,
the state will reimburse its client after costs
exceed one times the average per pupil expenditure.
Deputy Mayor Curtis thanked the Board of
Education for their presentation. He asked about the
$400,000 special education increase found on Page 6
and asked if that was above and beyond what the
state is giving us. Mr. Herzfeld stated that they
budget actual expenditure now. Deputy Mayor Curtis
asked if the state has been consistent in their
support. Mr. Herzfeld replied that their support has
increased by $200,000, but there have been no
changes in the formula; however, there are more
students taking advantage of the program. Deputy
Mayor Curtis asked if the 63% expenditure for
salaries reflects a decline compared to previous
years. Ms. Garibay responded that last year’s
salaries were 64%. Superintendent Martin said that
in the past, salaries and benefits were lumped
together so the percent was higher. Deputy Mayor
Curtis asked about the Academy Magnet School,
specifically the issue of parents paying a portion
of the tuition. Ms. Marjorie Montague, Finance
Director for the Board of Education, explained that
this is the last year parents are contributing to
the tuition.
Councilor Broxterman inquired about the
enrollment in the alternative education program.
Superintendent Martin replied that 15 students are
currently in the high school alternative education
program and additional staff would double that
amount. Councilor Broxterman questioned the special
education increase of $400,000. Mr. Leo Salvatore
stated that it was due to an increase in students
and expenditures. The state reimburses 40% of the
$400,000. Councilor Broxterman noted that additional
classrooms were built because space was needed and
they were to be used as swing space during
remodeling. Now, the rubber gym is being used as
classroom space because of increased enrollment, but
the budget doesn’t reflect an increase in
enrollment. Superintendent Martin explained that
renovations were more extensive than anticipated and
the additional classroom space was needed. Councilor
Broxterman asked about the professional development
added cost. Ms. Carol McMullen replied that there is
a program at the state to train certified tenured
teachers who are identified as mentors. The state is
reimbursing $50 per person to work with a teacher
assisting them in gaining initial certification. The
state is reducing that sum and the Board of
Education has proposed to pay a stipend of $500 to a
trained mentor who works with a 1st year
and 2nd year teacher. It is a successful
mentoring program.
Councilor Pacino inquired about the Family Center
model and asked if it will operate out of one
building or at each site. Mr. Herzfeld explained
that it would be at each site in order to work with
parents and provide support. Councilor Pacino asked
if we are losing teachers or if teachers are
retiring. Mr. Martin responded that they do not have
a concern of teachers leaving the district. They
have provided mentoring to new teachers and improved
morale. The only vacancy they have at this time is
the Coordinator of Family Resource Center. Councilor
Pacino asked if a teacher could carry over their
time if hired from another district. Mr. Martin
replied that it is negotiated and also a condition
of the contract. Councilor Pacino asked if the
retirement law passed will affect Windsor. Mr.
Martin said if passed, it would impact Windsor and
other communities in Connecticut. He stated it did
not appear the bill would pass.
Councilor Jepsen questioned if there will be
additional capital items other than those in the
proposed capital program. Mr. Ellingwood explained
that there are just the four items proposed.
Councilor Walker asked about the legal services
and the use of the Town Attorney and if the Board of
Education has fixed costs that they pay for a
retainer. Mr. Herzfeld remarked that expulsion
hearings mandate that both the Town Attorney and
Board of Education Attorney is present.
Superintendent Martin explained that they pay a
retainer for the Education Attorney, but the Town
Attorney is paid on a per case basis. Councilor
Walker asked if there are any funds designated for
Scheff vs. O’Neil. Ms. Garibay stated there are no
funds set aside for that specific purpose. Mr.
Herzfeld added that they are spending funds on
diversity programs and initiatives. There is a
special committee that monitors what is going on in
court and they report to the Board of Education.
The Board of Education is scheduled for another
budget session on April 10, 2002. Mayor Trinks
stated that the Board of Education would be
scheduled if needed.
- Public Works
Mr. Brian Funk, Director of Public Works; Mr.
Wayne Radke, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Al Neumann,
Facilities Manager; and Mr. Bob Dinallo, Project
Manager, represented Public Works. Mr. Funk
highlighted some of the past year’s
accomplishments.
The FY 2003 proposed budget of $3,878,230 is a
slight increase over last year’s budget of
$3,781,555, for an increase of $96,675 or 2.56%. The
Public Works increases are primarily in personnel
services and supplies, with some reductions in
services to offset the increases.
Councilor Pacino asked about Pages L3 – Town
Support for Education and L11 – which indicates
another $7,700 for ground equipment. He asked if
they were the same costs. Mr. Funk responded that
they are separate expenses.
Councilor Simon asked why Public Works is under
budget this year. Mr. Funk responded that the saving
was due to a mild winter season.
Councilor Jepsen asked if special equipment is
used for catch basin cleaning and if oil/water
separations were being installed in the catch basin.
Mr. Funk stated that the debris is cleaned out with
a vacuum and deposited in the landfill. New
regulations may determine separation of oil and
water which may require new catch basins and special
equipment.
Councilor Walker inquired about the Clover Street
cricket field and asked if there are any plans for
the changing rooms or restrooms. Mr. Funk responded
that in the old field house there is a small
bathroom and storage area. There are no plans to
make any renovations in that area. Town Manager
Churchill reported that there is strong support to
install portable restrooms.
Councilor Walker asked about the detention ponds
on Center Street. Mr. Radke said there is a small
detention pond in the area near the trucking company
and the Department of Public Works periodically
performed maintenance.
Councilor Broxterman asked if the irrigation
system at the Jack O’Brien field is repaired and
what the plans are when it is capped. Mr. Funk said
the irrigation system has been repaired. When it is
capped, they plan on re-establishing a crown,
sodding the field and minor alterations to the
irrigation system will be needed. Currently the
middle of the field is 10" below what it should
be.
Councilor Mulligan asked about picking up leaves
at the curb and mosquito spraying. Mr. Funk stated
that, in the past, the leaves at the curb were
picked up with the catch basin vacuum. It was time
consuming and occurred only once in the fall. The
current method of using the paper leaf bags is the
most efficient leaf collection. It provides much
cleaner and safer streets and allows weekly pickup
of leaves. Mr. Radke said that leaf pickup was
re-evaluated in 1995 or 1996 and it was not cost
effective for the town to perform leaf pickup. Town
Manager Churchill stated the overall issue of refuse
pickup services would be re-evaluated this summer.
Town Manager Churchill said that mosquito spraying
would be discussed in the Health and Social Services
portion of the budget. However, he said there is no
plan to expand spraying at this time.
Councilor Pacino inquired if the money used for
refuse pickup of the leaves could be redistributed
to purchasing equipment and for hiring staff for
leaf pickup. Mr. Funk said Windsor pays $30-$40,000
to Windsor Sanitation to have them pick up leaves
and a vacuum truck costs at least $140,000 plus
personnel costs. Councilor Pacino commented that
with the landfill closing, there could be people
that need jobs in 2004 and perhaps this could be
phased in. Councilor Pacino asked about the Clover
Street field and the building. He thought the
building was going to be torn down. Mr. Funk
believed that it was determined that the Clover
Street field was not the best place for the Giants
football team due to field conditions. At one time,
there was thought to renovate Clover Park and the
field house. When the Giants moved to another field,
the renovation was cancelled. There will be portable
restrooms for the cricket teams.
Mayor Trinks thanked the Public Works Department
for their presentation.
- Development Services
Mr. Peter Souza, Assistant Town Manager; Mr. Ray
Walker, Fire Marshal; Mr. James Burke, Economic
Development Director; Mr. Steve Dupre, Building
Official, and Mr. Tom Lenehan, Town Engineer,
presented the Development Services budget.
Mr. Souza summarized Development Services’
accomplishments this year. They expect to be below
budget by $33,000.
The proposed budget for FY 2003, which is
$1,312,070, is an increase of $61,970 or 4.96% over
last year’s budget of $1,250,100. This increase is
driven by personnel services (health insurance and
merit increases) and increases in licensing and
maintenance fees in the data management system (GEOTMS).
Mr. Souza reviewed the FY 2003 goals for Development
Services.
Mayor Trinks asked about a system that links the
fire department with the building department that
was mentioned a few years ago. Mr. Walker answered
that the GEOTMS will perform this and that is the
ultimate goal of the transition. Mayor Trinks
inquired about building permits. Town Manager
Churchill replied that the amount of $650,000 was
very realistic.
Councilor Walker inquired if Development Services
was involved in the redesign of downtown. Mr. Souza
responded that they have been working
collaboratively with First Town Downtown.
- Community Development
Mr. Jim Hallisey, Community Development
Coordinator, and Mr. James Burke, Economic
Development Director, discussed the budget. Mr.
Burke discussed the Community Development activities
this past year. Mr. Hallisey reviewed FY 2003 goals.
The FY 2003 budget includes $25,000 from the General
Fund—the same amount as last year. Mr. Burke
mentioned that staff has been reduced from 2.7 to
2.0, which recognizes Mr. Hallisey’s acceptance of
the full-time position as Community Development
Coordinator and the elimination of his former part
time position.
Councilor Broxterman asked what a brownfield is.
Mr. Burke said that it is a piece of property that
is contaminated.
Mayor Trinks inquired about open space and any
state assistance. Mr. Burke stated that it has been
discussed with the Broad Based Development team. The
Conservation Commission has spoken to the Trust for
Public Land for any assistance they can provide in
expanding the amount of land reserved for open
space. The Plan of Development will also include
updating the open space plan.
Councilor Jepsen asked about the default rates on
the loan programs. Mr. Hallisey said that there are
four or five loans that have defaulted.
Councilor Simon asked why $25,000 was
appropriated from the General Fund. Town Manager
Churchill replied that the balance of the Community
Development funds were being drained at an alarming
rate. The goal was to preserve Community Development
funds for community development projects in Wilson
along with recognizing staff time was being devoted
to other neighborhoods in town.
Mayor Trinks thanked Mr. Burke and Mr. Hallisey.
- Adjournment
Motioned by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by
Councilor Jepsen to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 p.m.
Motion Passed 8-0-0.