REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
November 30, 2006
Board of Selectmen: Ketcham, Miller, Takacs
Also present:
Board of Education: Barickman, Gaspar, Goldman, Gorman, Simeonidis
Board of Finance: Alvarez, Cotton, DeSalvo, Dolan, Guitar
School administration: Fossbender, Kelly, Johnson, Martin, Mas, Sullivan, Farrell
Others: Redding Treasurer O’Donnell, Controller Hutvagner, Region #9 Board member Poltrack, one member of the community and the Redding Pilot.
The Chairs of the Board of Education, Selectmen and Finance each called their meeting to order at 7:35 pm
First Selectman Ketcham welcomed all to the meeting. She suggested that, in the future, Region #9 Board of Education be invited to attend this annual meeting.
Board of Education Chair Simeonidis reviewed some of the budget drivers for the coming budget, including health insurance costs, capital items & transportation cost increase. The Board would like to increase the number of student placements at the new Danbury Magnet School and this would increase transportation costs. One additional teacher may be needed at the middle school. The Technology Plan calls for an increase in the number of SMARTboards in each school. The Connecticut Mastery Test Results document was distributed.
Mr. Simeonidis introduced Mary Johnson, Assistant Principal of RES, to provide information and a demonstration of the use of the SMARTboards in the classroom. Mrs. Johnson demonstrated use of the boards, with applications in several academic areas. Questions and discussion followed the presentation.
First Selectman Ketcham addressed the group with information on what the Town is doing to manage and reduce costs. Energy savings is being achieved as a result of a CL&P audit and replacement of electrical fixtures in some buildings. The Town is participating with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities for the purchase of electricity at a savings, and is actively exploring the use of solar energy for two of the town buildings and the schools. The Paramedic Intercept Program costs have increase as a result of Newtown withdrawing from the program. Mrs. Ketcham is working with the three fire departments to find a way to pass the cost of the Paramedic Intercept Program to those individuals using the service, making the program self-sustaining.
Board of Finance Cotton stated that he anticipates a modest to moderate increase in the tax rate for the next fiscal year. The Grand List is due on January 31, and the revaluation taking place now will not affect the next fiscal year.
Board of Education member Poltrack reported the Region #9 Board will have increases in the salary account, an increase for technology, and the debt service will be a 2% increase.
ADJOURNMENT
Each of the three Board Chairs adjourned their meetings at 8:50 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
Mary
|