RECEIVED FEBRUARY 20, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
February 17, 2009
MINUTES
Filed subject to approval
Present: Ketcham, Miller, Takacs
Also present: L. Hutvagner, L. McHale, B. Sanford, D. Hartline, Mark Twain Library representatives Anne Andrews, Bob Morton, & Heather Morgan, two members of the public and a representative of the Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the February 17, 2009 meeting to order at 7:37 pm
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the January 20, 2009 meeting be approved as amended. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
Correction: page 1, under Facilities Coordinator, insert decrease, to read “anticipating a 4% decrease in budget assuming…..
Motion: move that the minutes of the January 24, 2009 meeting be approved as presented. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the minutes of the February 5, 2009 meeting be approved as presented. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE CHANGES
Mr. Hartline proposed increases in the fees based on the quantity of time and materials the task requires and what other surrounding area towns charge. The various fees were reviewed and discussed.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen adopt the proposed Health Department fee schedule as presented in the memo dated February 17, 2009 effective immediately. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 BUDGET
Highway Superintendent Sanford presented information on the current conditions of road and the impact of the severely cold winter. He recommended that four roads be scheduled for roadway repair due to their conditions. The roads are Beck Road, Hopewell Woods Road, Deacon Abbott Road and Deacon Abbott Road South. Mr. Sanford estimated a cost of $500,000 to take care of the major problems on these roads, not the entire road. In addition, 14 more roads are on the “watch” list. Discussion followed on the potential of bonding the road repair work along with the purchase of the requested three trucks.
Representatives of the Mark Twain Library presented additional information on how they expect to reduce some costs and increase revenue. They plan to remain open for 50 hours each week, but are in the process of rescheduling those hours.
Mr. Hutvagner provided an updated budget schedule that reflected changes made since the last meeting. The health insurance package is currently out to bid and the bid is not expected until mid-March. The town has the option of joining with the Easton-Redding-Region #9 schools with their self-insured health plan. The insurance consultant believes either option (remaining fully funded or joining ER9 BOE in self-funded program) will result in a $124,000 savings.
The current budget increase for the town is 1.3% without the $200,000 for road maintenance added to the operating budget. With the road maintenance $200,000, the budget is $12,277,097, representing a 2.99% increase over the current year’s operating budget. Of the $356,428 increase, $200,000 is for road maintenance, and $136,000 is for employee health insurance.
Discussion followed on the potential of funding the tennis court fencing, three police cars and the 3 Highway Department garage doors from Capital and Nonrecurring. No decision was reached.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recommend to the Board of Finance an operating budget not to exceed $12,277,097 for fiscal 2009-2010. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recommend to the Board of Finance the borrowing of $1,500,000 in short term borrowing pending long-term financing for the purchase of three trucks, $495,275, and the remainder for emergency roadway repair work for roads in the most need of repair. Ketcham, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
The Board of Selectmen discussed and expressed their intent to recommend at a later date, circumstances permitting, the purchase of police vehicles from the 09-10 capital and non-recurring account.
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move to add to the agenda an appointment to the Ethics Commission. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to add to the agenda the approval of a “generic” resolution for the State of Connecticut grant applications. Ketcham, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
APPOINTMENTS
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint John Shaban and David Pattee to the Water Pollution Control Commission for terms 3/1/09 to 2/28/13. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen appoint Susan Green to the Ethics Commission. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous
Resolution
Motion: move to approve the resolution authorizing Natalie Ketcham to sign the contract with the State Department of Social Services for the Special Funding for Municipalities Program as read. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Resolution
Motion: For purposes of complying with future state funding documentation requests, be it further known that Natalie T. Ketcham was elected First Selectman and that her term of office began on November 20, 2007 and will continue until November 17, 2009. AS the First Selectman, Natalie T. Ketcham serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Redding and is duly authorized to enter into agreements and contracts on behalf of the Town of Redding. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
The members of the Board of Selectman thanked Mr. Hutvagner for his service to Redding as Controller and wished him well in his new position.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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