TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 6, 2008
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
Also present: Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; Francis J. Brady, Board of Finance; and Megan Dowling, Student Liaison
Selectman Desrosiers began the review of Administration by thanking Town Manager Smith, Barbarajean Scibelli, and all department heads for helping put this budget together. Categories under this section are General Administration, Legal Services, Fringe Benefits, Town Clerk Operations, Probate Office, Contingency and Reserve, Election Services, Boards, Regional Programs and Staff Development, Revenue Collections, Property Assessment, Finance Management, and Insurances.
Selectman Desrosiers began by stating that the total increase for this year’s budget is $136,000. Of that total, $81,000 is from fringe benefits, specifically Health Plan w/Stop Loss, Pension and ST. Treas./FICA. All sections were reviewed. The only significant changes were with Cable TV Assistance. The town is proposing $5,000 to assist the Cable TV Access program. The towns of East Granby and Hartland are also supposed to budget some funds to assist and then possibly the Tri-Town Cable Committee could get a grant from Cox Communications. Hopefully with help from Cox Communications, East Granby, Hartland, and Granby, this program can continue. Property Assessment had their computer software updated to expand to a graphic system. This will make their maps compatible with the GIS system in the
Development office. The measures of activity were reviewed for each section, which gave an overall view of activity from 2004-05 to projected activity for 2008-09.
No changes were made to Administration at this time.
Selectman Neumann began the review of Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services.
Beginning with Library Services, there was an increase requested in the copy machine account due to new system requirements. Selectman Adams questioned how many different copy machine contracts we have. He thought we could save money if there was just one. Mrs. Scibelli indicated the same vendor is used for all town-staffed buildings except for Library Services, which uses a coin-operated machine. Copy machines are kept about 5-7 years, with some rotation to other offices. Many services that required patrons to come to the Library can now be done on-line.
The Social Services department had a significant change in Temp/Part-Time/O.T. due to grant fall off in the amount of $4,235.
There were no significant changes to Recreation Administration’s proposed budget or their measures of activity.
Senior Citizens Activities had a grant fall off that the town needs to pick up at a cost of $4,630. There was a slight increase for training and mileage for staff requirements.
Community Support includes the Memorial Day Parade, the Granby Road Race, and Community Special Events. This account remained unchanged at $2,600.
No changes were made to Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services at this time.
Selectman Adams began the review of Public Works and Environment, which includes Public Works Administration, General Maintenance, Solid Waste and Recycling, Equipment Maintenance, Street Lights and Signalization, Planning and Engineering Services, and Building Maintenance and Town Grounds.
General Maintenance had significant changes with an increase in Salt at $4,000 and a reduction in Tree Work of $4,000. The cost of salt has gone up and we are using more salt as recommended. With the use of salt as opposed to sand, there has been less impact on the environment and clean up in the spring is much easier. This has been a positive change. A new scissor lift, purchased this year, is a great addition for doing tree work and changing light fixtures. This will be the last year for replacing the street signs in town. Although federally mandated, it has been a good investment because they are much easier to read.
The discussion of Solid Waste and Recycling began with a change in the collection costs of over $11,000. We have just been notified that CRRA is planning to raise the tip fee from $69 to $72 per ton. This will be an increase of approximately $13,000. The increase in the Mid-CT Tip Fee will hopefully be offset by a recycling rebate of about $11,000. We have received approximately $190,000 from the ENRON settlement but it has been set aside while the matter is under appeal. If the town is able to keep the funds, they will probably be utilized by improvements and facility needs to CRRA’s infrastructure. Selectman Desrosiers inquired about appointments to the CRRA Board. Town Manager Smith indicated that the Governor, or someone from her staff makes the appointments. We have another year with
Paines before the contract is up for renewal. Granby is one of the top five towns in the state for successful recycling.
Equipment Maintenance had a significant change due to cost increases of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Planning and Engineering Services had a significant change of $6,000 due to Engineering Services. This service is an “as needed” service, which is more cost affective than hiring someone full time. Engineering Services for contractors are billed directly to the contractors.
Building Maintenance and Town Grounds had significant changes due to rising costs of fuel oil and electricity. The cost of lime and fertilizer has increased as all town properties have gone organic for the safety of everyone.
No changes were made to Public Works and Environment at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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