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TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2011
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
Also present: Gordon Bischoff, Board of Finance
Selectman Desrosiers began with the review of Personal and Property Protection, which includes Building Inspection; Fire Prevention; Emergency Management; Health Services; Police Department Administration; Police Operations and Services; and Communications and Dispatching.
Selectman Desrosiers said there is much less flexibility this year than any other year. The quality will be the same, but there will be less flexibility. Reporting first on Building Inspection, there were no significant changes. Some savings were reflected in mileage expense, which resulted from using a town car as opposed to a personal car. A slight increase in payroll is a result of step increases and contract obligations. Total revenue is $130,100, which includes fees from Hartland. The demand for building inspection services is the highest ever. Not much for new homes but for additions, renovations, etc. It was suggested that an article be written for the Granby Drummer to explain to residents when a building permit is necessary. There were no major changes for Fire Prevention and
Emergency Management. Health Services also stayed fairly flat, although there is a projected increase in home visits as well as clinic contacts. Police Department Administration has an increase in payroll due to step increases and contract obligations. Otherwise things stayed flat. Police Operations and Services had no significant changes. There was discussion regarding future needs, which would include two new officers, one being an Investigator. Investigating crimes has become a very complex and time-consuming job, one better suited to a more specialized officer. Gordon Bischoff spoke to Chief Watkins about the recent climb in loss of lives of police officers in our nation. Chief Watkins stated it’s something he thinks about every day. It has been the most deadly timeframe in history.
No changes were made to Personal and Property Protection at this time.
Selectman King began the review of Administration. 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 King reported General Administration was relatively flat as well as Legal Services. Fringe Benefits saw significant changes due to the Health Plan w/Stop Loss. The town is self- funded and this is a substantial savings over buying a fully funded policy. Also there were increases in Pension (retirement benefits) and State Treasury/FICA due to wages. Town Clerk Operations has an increase in regular payroll due to a step increase and contract obligations
and there is a wage increase for part-time staff. Most everything else is relatively flat. Proposed revenue is $200,000. Selectman Desrosiers discussed the impact of absentee balloting if the laws are changed to allow anyone to apply for an absentee ballot. Karen Hazen, Town Clerk, said her office would be significantly impacted if the law were to be changed. It is such a time consuming task as it is right now. The Probate Office has been regionalized and is now located in Simsbury, combining their office with Avon, Canton, and Granby as of January 5, 2011. Granby is required to support its operating cost share as a district member. As a result, the cost to Granby is significantly higher, with a proposed increase of 27.3%. Contingency and Reserve saw a significant increase of $19,000 for
an agreement settlement. Election Services has no significant changes, as well as Boards, Regional Programs, and Staff Development. A continued contribution of $5,000 to the Tri-Town Cable fund is included. East Granby and Hartland have their specific proportioned contributions as well. Revenue Collections is relatively flat. It was reported that tax payment information is now available online. Property Assessment saw an increase in temporary and part-time wages. Everything else was relatively flat. Finance Management has an increase in temporary and part-time wages and no other significant changes. The new accounting software is working but is more complicated. Insurances overall was down with significant changes in Business Package/Officials’ Bonds and Liability at $9,780 and Workers’ Compensation at $15,600. A total of -8.2%.
No changes were made to Administration at this time.
Selectman Neumann 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.
Public Works Administration had no significant changes, just up slightly with an overall increase of 2.4%. General Maintenance had some significant changes. Salt was up by $4,000 due to a higher salt to sand ratio. Using less sand resulted in a decrease in basin cleaning by $3,000 and street sweeping was also down by $2,000. There was a 3.1% increase in payroll due to contract obligations. An overall increase of 2% was realized. Solid Waste and Recycling had a significant change in Mid-CT Tip Fees with a savings of $10,000, and the Drop Site Recycling activity cost was up $3,000. Measures of activity show an anticipated slight drop in curbside trash and an increase in curbside recycling. Drop-Site Recycling has projected revenue of $55,000. First Selectman Adams reported we should be
making a decision on our solid waste contract by July 2011. Equipment Maintenance had significant changes with increases in gasoline costs of $15,000, diesel fuel up $4,000 and equipment parts up $6,200. The overall increase comes to 8.2%. Street Lights and Signalization has an 8.1% proposed increase for street lighting under services and supplies. Everything else stayed flat. Coming in the near future will be the option to shut off streetlights after 12:00 a.m. to save energy. Planning and Engineering Services saw significant changes with a decrease in Engineering Services. Building Maintenance and Town Grounds has significant changes with a fuel oil increase of $10,000. A number of cost saving ideas have been introduced to the town buildings, where we should start to see some savings.
No changes were made to Public Works and Environment at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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