RECEIVED MARCH 10, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
REDDING BOARD OF FINANCE
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2009-2010 BUDGET
MARCH 5, 2009
Present:
Board of Finance: Alvarez, DeSalvo, Dolan, Rand, Simeonidis, Viscio
Board of Selectmen: Ketcham & Takacs
Town administrators: McHale, O’Donnell, Grande, Moisio
Redding Board of Education: Lewson, Goldberg
Region #9 Board of Education: Stone, Poltrack, Pemberton
School administration: Fossbender, Sullivan, Mas, Farrell, Freeston, Martin, Wallin, Pierson Ugol
Media: a representative of the Redding Pilot
Others: more than 40 members of the public
Mr. Alvarez called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 in the Library of the John Read Middle School.
Presentation: Redding Board of Education Chairman, David Lewson, presented an overview of the operating budget for the Redding schools. The proposed increase over last year is 3.05%. Mr. Lewson described the increases in contractual salaries, special education, health insurance, and transportation. The proposed budget maintains current programs and services.
Public comment:
Trisha Callahan, Robert L. Kotch, James Miller, Mary Kubick, Bob Dahms each made similar inquiries and comments on the salary increases in the budget. The comments were directed at the increase in contractual salaries, with questions regarding the re-opening of negotiations. Mr. Goldberg and Dr. Fossbender responded to comments regarding the contract negotiations, arbitration and mediation process, and legal issues. Mrs. Pemberton noted that the Region #9 Education Association has offered to discuss their contract earlier rather than later, and the Region #9 BOE will pursue discussions with them.
Enrollment figures for the lower schools show a decrease at RES of 35 students and an increase at JRMS of 15 students. There may be an increase in enrollment if students currently enrolled in private schools are switched to the local schools.
Board of Finance member comments:
Mr. DeSalvo requested additional information on the school salary schedule as well as the administrators and non-certified staff salary information. Mrs. Sullivan responded that the certified contract just ratified, calls for a 2% wage increase and a 1.85% step increase.
Mr. Simeonidis commented that the Board of Finance is aware of the current economic conditions and will take that into account during budget deliberations.
Mr. Dolan asked the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education to be prepared with information on what additional reductions could be made in their budgets.
Rand Guffey asked if any area towns had gone to arbitration on the teacher salaries. Dr. Fossbender responded that Weston went to arbitration and the result sided with the teacher’s union with an increase of about 4 ½%
Mr. Viscio commented that the Town’s grand list has not had any growth this year.
Presentation: Region #9 Board of Education Chairman, Bucky Stone, reported that work on the budget had just begun. The board’s starting point is an increase of 3.27%. He anticipates that the increase will decrease during budget workshop sessions. He added that the Joel Barlow Education Association had suggested discussing the contract earlier than later in the process. The Region #9 Board will meet on March 12 and March 17 to review the proposed budget.
Public comment:
James Miller: general comment regarding proposed fuel costs.
Mike Hoffman: questions regarding the amount budgeted for special education outside tuition. Dr. Fossbender responded with information including the legal process for appeal, and federal and state mandates to provide services.
Bob Schweitzer, question regarding increase in electricity cost. Response from Mrs. Sullivan, the increase is a rate increase.
Trisha Callahan: suggested a cutback on heating/cooling & electricity. Mrs. Sullivan noted that the heating system is on timers, pushing the temperature down during the night hours.
Bob Dahms: question regarding beginning & average teacher salaries. Response from Mrs. Sullivan, beginning teacher salary is about $47,000, average teacher salary is about $70,000, the high school salaries are slightly higher. Fringe benefits, health insurance, ranges from $11,000 to $12,000. The towns do not contribute to the pensions and teachers do not participate in social security.
Susan Greene: commented that the costs for students with special needs increases every year, and suggested that the State and science community be made more aware of those increasing costs. Dr. Fossbender added that the state and federal government should pay for the bills they enact, if Congress mandates, they need to follow through with funding.
Board of Finance member comments:
Mr. Viscio asked what the decreases in discretionary spending included. Mr. Stone responded that the decreases were in professional development, textbooks, conferences, curriculum development, equipment, etc.
Mr. Rand questioned whether there was any way to reduce special education costs.
Mr. Dolan asked that the Region #9 Board of Education attend the BOF meeting scheduled on March 23.
Presentation: Town budget, First Selectman, Natalie Ketcham, provided information on the Town’s proposed operating budget. The proposed increase is 2.99% and most of the increase is the result of an increase in health insurance, road maintenance money, and a slight increase for the Mark Twain Library. Salary increases for non-union employees are not determined until the end of June, but she is on record that the First Selectman will not receive an increase.
Public comments:
James Miller: commented on the need for long term capital expenditure planning.
Bob Dahms: question regarding the current indebtedness of the Town and impact of referendum vote scheduled for next week.
Trisha Callahan: asked what could be done to reduce the Town’s operating budget.
Steve Martin: questioned method of paying off the town debt.
Rosalind Kopfstein, speaking for the Commission on Aging, commented that reductions have been made in staffing and services, and the Commission is concerned that essential services be maintained.
Mr. Alvarez thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. The Board of Finance will meet on March 23, 2009 to discuss the budget further.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Public Hearing be adjourned. Viscio, DeSalvo. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
|