Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Annual Budget Meeting and Special Town Meeting
First Selectman Robert P. Valentine called the meeting to order at 8:01 P.M.
Robert Valentine asked for nominations for moderator. Allan Walker nominated John Morris seconded by Dave Garvey. Henrietta Horvay moved that nominations be closed seconded by Henry Moore. Passed unanimously.
The moderator asked that Barbara Breor read the call to the meeting.
1. Act upon a budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010.
Dave Garvey moved to accept the budget. Robert Goldberg seconded.
Allan Walker stated that the Board of Finance mulled through the whole budget. This year the revenue projections are dramatically down for the Town Clerk. The revenues are down not by the fault of the department. Future State grants are uncertain. The board looked at the Governor’s proposal then the Legislature’s and took the lowest number for each of the grants. Investment income is down. All the employees volunteered not to take a pay raise which was a savings of $37,000. The Town Clerk’s office, Fiscal Office and Public Works all cut hours. The employee benefits were going to increase by 18% but thanks to Rhonda Gelormino shopping around we ended up with a 5% increase. The Fire department and the Library cut their budgets saving us a lot of money.
He stated that if you look at the Recreation budget it shows an increase in both expense and revenue. This is a book keeping issue to help clearly show the program account. The waste removal is not as bad as originally thought. The Board of Education is lower, but because we have more children in the district our share went up $115,000.
The Capital budget was a bit of a problem. We needed to appropriate double the amount for a fire truck before the new diesel engines come on line. We do not want to experiment with new technology. The fire company also needed new Jaws of Life.
Mr. Walker stated that the operating budget is down $18,595 or .69%. The Capital budget is down $121,234 or 31%. The overall is down $139,829 or 4.5%. The Tax Collector has collected about $150,000 more than expected and thanks to the Selectmen’s budget freeze we have saved roughly $150,000. There is 2.1 million in fund balance. If we use $648,874 of fund balance that will leave the mill rate at 14.4 mills. Leaving a fund balance of $1,450,000.
Marianne Arancio-Stilson asked if it was looked into to make the Town employees pay for their own insurance.
Robert Valentine stated that the pay scales for the employees are low and that part of their compensation is their insurance.
Allan Walker stated that the issue was looked at and because the employees volunteered not to take a raise it was felt that now is not the time to look at it.
Henrietta Horvay called the question.
John Morris called for a vote. Passed unanimously.
2. To vote for one member of the Regional School District #6 Board of Education member for a term of July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012
The moderator asked that nominations be opened. No nominations were heard. The seat remains vacated till a candidate can be found and a special meeting called.
Robert Valentine thanked Mary Romano for serving on the Board.
3. Appropriation of a sum not to exceed $57,941.00 from the Capital Non Recurring Undesignated fund to Capital Non Recurring Public Works Major Road Projects.
Allan Walker moved to accept the appropriation. Dave Garvey seconded.
Allan Walker stated that on the books there are designated capital & non designated capital funds. The non designated funds are monies that are left over from capital projects that came in under budget. We need to put money in the Capital Non Recurring Public Works Major Road Projects for book keeping purposes.
John Morris called for a voice vote. Passed unanimously.
4. Authorizing the Board of Selectmen to take all actions and execute such deeds and other documents as said Board deems necessary or appropriate to grant an easement for the sum of $1.00 to Regional School District No. 6 over a portion of the Goshen Town Hall property located at 42 North Street, Goshen, CT for the installation and operation of a water supply system to serve Goshen Center School, 50 North Street, Goshen, CT, subject to such restrictions, terms and conditions as said Board deems necessary or appropriate
Robert Goldberg moved to accept the call. Seconded by Wilrose Duquette.
Robert Valentine stated that the past few years Region 6 has been replacing the wells at the elementary schools per the requirements set forth by the Department of Public Health. The wells will be placed in front of the school and they need to come next to the library with the lines and water tanks. From that point they will enter the tunnel system. Provisions will be added in case we need to expand the Town Hall.
A voice vote was taken. Passed unanimously.
Henrietta Horvay made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 P.M. seconded by Rhonda Gelormino.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara L. Breor, Town Clerk
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