RECEIVED FEBRUARY 22, 2010 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
2 pages
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes
February 17, 2010
Present: Ketcham, Pemberton, Takacs
Also: Controller Gniadek, three members of the public and a representative of the Redding Pilot.
Mrs. Ketcham called the February 17, 2010 special meeting to order at 7:07 pm
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011 BUDGET
Controller Gniadek began the budget discussion with a review of the reductions discussed at the previous meeting that took the initial budget request from an increase of 3.9% down to 0.6%. Mrs. Ketcham noted that the Mark Twain Library Board is aware of the reduction in their budget request and understanding of the reduction in light of the current economic conditions. The new proposed budget amount for the library has been increased, however, by the amount indicated in no. 8 below.
Mr. Gniadek reviewed the non-contractual line items in the budget with variances in excess of $5,000 and recommendations for reduction:
1. Police Department, Dispatch: variance of $10,000, a reduction of $5,000 is included in the first level of reductions, no further reduction recommended.
2. Tax Assessor, variance $17,000 for part-time help: recommendation of reduction of $8,500, the Assessor will adjust the number of hours for part-time help.
3. Park & Recreation Department, on-line registration, $8,550, no reduction recommended
4. Park & Recreation Department, seasonal part time help (summer camp salary increases); reduction of $8,247 to reduce the increases to zero.
5. Park & Recreation Department, Topstone Park Hydro Raking and additional sand $6,100; no reductions recommended.
6. Park & Recreation Department, tennis court repair, $6,000, no reduction recommended
7. Transfer Station, wood fence repair/replacement, $9,600: condition warrants immediate repair, recommendation for replacement this fiscal year and covered by the Transfer Station operating budget.
8. Mark Twain Library request, $17,000; the original request was reduced by $20,000 in the first level of reductions, no further reduction recommended.
9. Computer capability, upgrade of PC’s, $19,000; reduction of $10,000 recommended, replacement of equipment over next five years instead of three years.
10. Unemployment Compensation, $7,000: reduction of $3,000 based on current year projections.
These reductions bring the 2010-2011 budget increase to 0.35%
Mr. Gniadek reviewed other potential reductions:
1. Highway Department, street & traffic signs, reduction of $3,000
2. Highway Department, bridge maintenance, reduction of $2,000
3. Professional Development, all areas, 50% reduction, $11,832
4. Highway Department, rental of equipment, 50% reduction, $12,500
5. Highway Department, Motor Oil and Lube, absorb this in the Vehicle Maintenance account, reduction of $3,500
6. Police Dispatch Center, Emergency Outgoing Call system: a new state-funded program is now in place, reduction of $650.
7. All departments, new equipment, reduction of 10%, $6,000
8. Police Department, PR at Schools, replace with Overtime Account as needed, reduction of $5,000
These reductions bring the 2010-2011 budget increase to a 0.00% increase over the current year budget.
Mr. Gniadek noted that the budget does have increases in some line items, contractual and non-controllable items. If these increases were at a zero % level, the budget change would be a minus 1.6%
Following further discussion, a motion to approve a budget was presented.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen send a budget of $12,791,349, reflecting a zero % increase over the current fiscal year budget, to the Board of Finance. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved Unanimous.
Mrs. Ketcham allowed members of the public to comment.
Larry Ford: question regarding the status of the sprinkler system for the Town Office Building. Mrs. Ketcham responded that an engineer has been engaged to prepare the necessary plans for the sprinkler system. The estimate for the work is $75,000 and that item is included in the Capital Plan. The work would be done in the next fiscal year.
William Walsh, Ledgewood Road: complimented Mr. Gniadek on his work with the budget to pool some of the smaller line items.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:37 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday
Recording Secretary
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