REDDING BOARD OF FINANCE
BUDGET HEARING
MARCH 9, 2006
Present: Alvarez, Dolan (7:12 pm), Guitar, Viscio
Also present: Hutvagner, O’Donnell, Ketcham, Takacs, Moisio
Redding Board of Education: Simeonidis, Lewson, Gaspar, Gorman, Barickman
Redding school administration: Fossbender, Sullivan, Mas, Farrell, Freeston, Johnson, Martin
Media: Redding Pilot
Others: 20 members of the staff & community
Mr. Alvarez opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. A quorum was not present. He asked the Redding Board of Education begin with their budget proposal.
Redding Board of Education: Mr. Simeonidis and Dr. Fossbender provided information on the proposed budget. The proposal is for a budget increase of 6.41% over the previous year.
Mr. Dolan arrived at 7:12 pm and Mr. Alvarez formally called the meeting to order.
Following the presentation, Mr. Alvarez asked for questions related to the education budget.
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: question of why the Town of Easton’s general budget pays the school’s insurance and retirement contributions. Mr. Simeonidis responded that historically in Easton the liability insurance, workman’s compensation and retirement contributions for the school are funded in the general budget rather than in the education budget. Mr. Simeonidis would like to explore that concept with the Selectmen as there may be a cost benefit from economy of scale.
Jill Callaway: asked if the thermostats in the schools had been turned down. The administration responded that this had been done. Mrs. Callaway commented on the near empty buses and asked if some could be eliminated. Dr. Fossbender responded that it is the intent of the administration to survey parents to determine how many are not dependent upon transportation. The danger of eliminating buses and compressing the routes could be problematic should there be a need to evacuate a school (related to Homeland security).
James Miller: asked about the impact of the Danbury magnet school on the operating budget. Dr. Fossbender responded that the cost per student is $1,000, and the district receives a rebate of $1,200 for transportation costs incurred. The district has the ability to transport five students to the magnet school with no impact on the current level of transportation.
Mr. Miller asked if the Board of Education has informed the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance of “off-budget” items, or large ticket capital items. He cited the recent need to bring forward a request for funding of the chimney repair and window replacement project. Mrs. Sullivan responded that the windows have been in the BOE long term capital plan, but not scheduled for this year. The energy cost increase brought this project forward. The chimney repair is something that was discovered in the fall and not in the current operating budget. It was prudent to go forward with that repair immediately and not wait for the next fiscal year. She added that the BOE long range plan is in place and is being updated with the Town’s Long Range Financial Planning Committee. Mr. Miller stressed the
importance of having a long range plan along with the impact on the taxpayer. Peggy O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Long Range Financial Planning Committee, commented that the committee is currently reviewing the long range plans of the Town’s departments and the Board of Education.
Mark Twain Library: Jennifer Wastrom of the Mark Twain Library Board provided information supporting their request for funding.
Board of Selectmen: Natalie Ketcham, First Selectman, reported on the Town’s budget proposal. The Town’s budget request reflects a 2.5% increase.
Questions from the public
James Miller: asked if the Board of Selectman has done an analysis of Governor Rell’s initiative to eliminate the auto tax revenue. Mrs. Ketcham responded that this under consideration. Mr. Miller noted that the town had purchased a hybrid vechicle and asked that the acutual cost involved with that vehicle be followed closely. He referred to a recent article that cited the hybrid vehicles as being very costly to purchase and operate. Mrs. Ketcham responded that the vehicle was purchased via a State bid for the cars and a Department of Transportation grant to offset the price differential.
Sam Calloway: congratulated the Town for purchasing a hybrid vehicle and encouraged the Town to acquire additional hybrids.
Jill Calloway: question regarding the number of policemen at various construction area with the police vehicle running and asked why additional police officers are needed. Mrs. Ketcham responded that these are off-duty police officers, working primarily for the CL&P project, and the cost for their services includes the officer’s time, benefits, gas and wear & tear on the vehicle. The police vehicles must be running for the light bars to operate. The lights serve as warning to other vehicles and are a safety feature. With the increase in activity in the Georgetown area and the third building under construction at Meadow Ridge there has been an increase in police activity. Newly hired police officers undergo a period of training and supervision of almost a year before they are on the road along.
Mike D’Agostino: asked what the actual Town expense increase, before the revenue is considered. Mrs. Ketcham responded that expenditures are up about 11.3%, but some of that increase is the result of the increase in revenues. Revenues are increasing as a result of increased building activity, and the expenses associated with the increased building are also increased. The added revenue drives the expenses.
Rob Gorman: questioned whether the current owner of the Gilbert & Bennett site is current as a tax payer and has that property value increased. Mrs. Ketcham responded that as a taxpayer, they are 100% paid and the value has begun to increase.
Mr. Alvarez stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2006.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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