RECEIVED December 23, 2010 @ 2:02 P.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
Minutes
December 20, 2010
Present: Ketcham, Takacs, Pemberton
Also present: one member of the public and a representative of the Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the December 20, 2010 meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of the Redding Community Center.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the November 15, 2010 meeting be accepted as corrected. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
Correction: page 2, under Update, delete the first paragraph entirely; paragraph 2 should read as follows: Mr. Takacs reported that the Zoning Commission conducted a Public Hearing last week on the proposed improvement to Redding Community Center Field #2. The review of the project by Milone & MacBroom, the Town’s engineer, raised some questions/concerns and requested additional information. Mr. Blades of Blades and Goven responded to Milone & MacBroom with the requested information. Milone & MacBroom requested a survey of Field #1, based on the impact of the improvements planned for Field #2 might have on that field. The Zoning Commission requested that a survey be completed for the 100 feet perimeter of Field #2 where it abuts
Field #1.. In addition, Mr. Blades will submit the construction drawings for Field #1 to Milone & MacBroom for this information.
REQUEST FOR BOARD OF SELECTMEN PARTICIPATION ON A STRUCTURE AND WAYS OF WORKING FOR A COMMITTEE FORMED BY THE EASTON, REDDING AND REGION 9 BOARDS OF EDUCATION
Mrs. Ketcham read the letter from Board of Education Chairman Jess Gaspar requesting Board of Selectmen participation in the Structure and Ways of Working Committee established by the Tri-Board (Easton, Redding and Region 9 Boards of Education). The Committee was formed to examine the governance structure, ways of working and best practices for the three boards, and make recommendations by March 31, 2011. The Easton Selectmen do not intend to participate in the process at this point, First Selectman Tom Herrmann indicated that the Easton Selectmen feel the ways the boards work together was within the purview of the boards of education. With regard to the structure of the tri-board approach, he felt the committee would be premature to the Towns themselves expressing interest in that research and analysis.
Mrs. Pemberton and Mr. Takacs indicated they were interested in serving on the committee with regard to the governance structure of the three boards and one central office. Mrs. Pemberton recommended the development of a very specific committee charge for the committee. The Boards of Education will be asked if Redding could have two participants in the process.
RECESS
The meeting was recessed at 7:20 pm.
RECONVENE
Mrs. Ketcham reconvened the meeting at 7:38 pm in a joint session with the Board of Finance and representatives of the Redding Board of Education and Region 9 Board of Education to discuss Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget preparation.
JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN, BOARD OF FINANCE AND BOARDS OF EDUCATION
Present
Board of Selectmen: N. Ketcham, J. Pemberton, D. Takacs
Board of Finance: W. Alvarez, Chair, F. DeSalvo, J. Dolan, R. Guffey, W. Mazzucco, K. Yonkers
Redding Board of Education: J. Gaspar, D. Lewson, L. Goldberg
Region 9 Board of Education: M. Lewis, L. Karvelis, C. Hocker
Also present 20 members of the audience and representatives of the Redding Pilot and Patch.com
Mrs. Ketcham called the Board of Selectmen back to order.
Mr. Alvarez called the Board of Finance back to order.
The Boards of Education attendance did not constitute an official meeting. The three board members were present for presentation of information.
The meeting began at 7:38 pm
Mrs. Ketcham welcomed the boards and members of the public. Mr. Alvarez noted that the Board of Finance was present to hear information regarding the upcoming budget session.
Redding Board of Education: Chairman Dr. Jess Gaspar explained the major budget drivers: staff compensation and the reduction in state and federal funding. He anticipates a budget increase in the range of 4.5% to 5%. Of that increase, the increase in salaries is 1.5%, health cost increase of 0.6%, reduction in state/federal funding of 2.0% and an increase of a math specialist position, 0.4%. Enrollment projections for next year show a decline in student population at Redding Elementary and may result in a reduction of two grade sections/two classroom teaching positions. The transportation contract is currently out to bid and it is unknown if there will be an increase in that area. Questions and answers followed.
Region 9 Board of Education: Chairman Mark Lewis reported an anticipated increase in budget of 2.7%. The enrollment apportionment favors Redding again, with Easton’s share of the budget increasing by 1.47% and Redding’s decreasing by 1.33%. The budget increase is driven primarily by salaries and health insurance costs. The transportation contract is currently out to bid and it is not known if there will be an increase. Mr. Lewis indicated there will be a significant number of staff retirements in the next two years. In special education, nine students are aging out of the system and three new students are entering the system. Enrollment projections show a small increase over the next few years. Questions and answers followed.
Superintendent Cicchetti added comments regarding school education plans to move student performance beyond achieving goal into the next category of advanced. The math specialist position at the middle school will be helpful to students and staff for improvement in the math scores. In addition to working with students, the math specialist works with the teachers to improve techniques in teaching math.
Town of Redding: First Selectman Natalie Ketcham stated that the revenue received in state aid will likely see a reduction by 15% for the next fiscal year. She indicated the town department budgets will be flat. The Georgetown project is on hold at present and the town will not budget any revenue from that project for the next fiscal year. The planned school renovations at the elementary school for the summer of 2011 will greatly impact the Park and Recreation summer programs. With that space not available, the camp offerings will be reduced. The Park and Recreation Department is looking at alternative locations and programming for this popular program.
Controller Gniadek reviewed a short list of items that will be included in the budget. Real estate revaluation is scheduled for October 2012, with the process beginning in the fall of 2011. 50% of the cost will be carried in the 2011-2012 budget. Union contracts due for negotiations include Police Dispatch, Police, and Highway Department. The Highway Department will request additional funding for the assessment and repair of the Town’s bridges. In the area of medical insurance, the deductible amount and the co-pay for prescriptions have been increased for employees, but there will be an increase in total costs to the town. There will also be an increase in pension plan contributions. The Town will move from the CMERS plan (deferred benefit plan) to a 457 Plan for all new employees
effective January 1, 2011. The first premium for the new Town bond will be due in July. The Building Official retired during the past year and that position was filled by the well qualified assistant. The vacant position was not filled, reducing the staff from 3 to 2. The sharing of IT services with the Board of Education’s staff has been beneficial and a savings for the Town. The Animal Control function has been regionalized through a cooperative agreement with the Town of Bethel, with a savings beginning in January. Utility costs have been contained as a result of locking in a fuel price with the consortium at a very good price. Since current contract for fuel price expires in October 2011, Mr. Gniadek will prepare a fuel budget at current prices. The Town’s budget workshop session is planned for Friday, January 21, 2011.
PUBLIC COMMENT
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: question regarding contact negotiations/arbitration for Mr. Goldberg of the Redding Board of Education. Mr. Goldberg responded that most contracts are better if negotiated to a conclusion rather than through the arbitration process.
Mike D’Agostino, Glen Hill Road: thanked the four boards for holding the meeting and discussing budgetary issues. Regarding the school budgets, he stressed the importance of alignment of between the lower and upper schools and encouraged the Region 9 Board of Education to re-instate the literary specialist position. He suggested retirement incentives and encouraged program modifications where possible.
Gwen Denny, Wayside Lane: thanked the four boards for the opportunity to talk amongst themselves and discuss the issues. She also thanked First Selectmen Ketcham for the chart she provided last year, one that showed where the tax dollar was used.
Leon Karvelis, Region 9 Board of Education member: commented that to further the transparency of the board’s business, the board will begin televising their meetings in January on Cablevision’s channel 79.
Mrs. Ketcham thanked the board members and those in the audience for attending the meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Board of Finance adjourn the meeting. Mazzucco, DeSalvo. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen adjourn the meeting. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday
Recording Secretary
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