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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2005
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Council Chambers of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, May 16, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, Tait and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Director of Information Services, Charlene Bond; Deputy Director of Public Works, Geoffrey McAlmond.
RESOLUTION #7843 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Peruta.
RESOLVED, that Pages 2, Revenue Summary and 3, Summary of Expenditures, and the item on Page 3 entitled, Total Schools Budget, of the Town Budget, as submitted by the Town Manager and the estimates for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006 including estimates of receipts and expenditures and recommendations of said Town of Enfield for Emergency Medical Services, Water Pollution Control, Social Services and Capital Improvement funds be accepted and approved by the Town Council of the Town of Enfield.
AMENDMENT #1 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Dodd to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #1100-300 as shown on Page 6 in accordance with the following schedule: (BOE grant account)
FROM TO
TOWN COUNCIL
PURCHASED PROF. & TECHNICAL $60,000 $110,000
Councilman Kaupin stated he will be voting against this amendment because there were some funding requests that were reduced. He noted that although it’s a noble idea to establish a grant for the Board of Education, he feels this money could be found within the Board of Education budget. He feels it’s not appropriate to be implementing this at this time.
Councilman Fiore stated the Board of Education wanted to purchase a large commercial refrigerator for JFK Middle School. He noted those funds were to come out of the cafeteria fund or those monies were transferred into the Town account. He stated this really didn’t change the bottom line and the bottom line wasn’t effected. Chairman Tallarita further explained the Board of Education is going to transfer this money from the cafeteria fund into the CIP to fund the freezer.
Councilman Tait stated he’s concerned this will be an every year hole that has to be filled in the CIP.
Councilman Peruta stated his impression the idea of having a fund which can be granted to educators is quite an innovative idea. He stated his belief this wouldn’t be an every year program. He noted this was covered nicely with some accounting and some agreement by the Board of Education.
Councilman Mangini agreed with Councilman Peruta. She stated her belief this is a very unique type of concept, and she commended Council leadership for coming up with the plan to implement this program. She stated her belief educators definitely need accessibility to additional funds for different programs that they wish to put forward.
Councilman Egan stated her belief this is an idea that deserves merit, however, it’s an idea that came up at the eleventh hour. She stated her belief they’re including something that will have to be funded in coming years.
Councilman Dodd agreed with Councilman Egan. He stated his belief this is a very good idea, but he doesn’t feel this is the year they should be doing this.
Chairman Tallarita stated his belief this is a good idea. He stated this could be structured in a format that allows for opportunities and pilot programs within the education process. He pointed out this would be a cooperative effort between the Board and Council. He stated he does not agree this was an eleventh hour type of thing and he feels it’s appropriate to proceed in this manner with this amendment.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #1 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #2 by Councilman Dodd, seconded by Councilman Egan to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #1100-500 as shown on Page 6 in accordance with the following schedule: (Council travel)
FROM TO
TOWN COUNCIL
OTHER PURCHASED SERVICES $15,500 $10,500
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #2 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #3 by Councilman Egan, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #1200-100 as shown on Page 7 in accordance with the following schedule: (Roll up account)
FROM TO
TOWN MANAGER
PERSONAL SERVICES – SALARIES $314,143 $284,143
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #3
Adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #4 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Fiore to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #1200-300 as shown on Page 7 in accordance with the following schedule: (Transition employee)
FROM TO
TOWN MANAGER
PURCHASED PROF. & TECHNICAL $57,000 $25,000
Councilman Kaupin questioned what impact the $32,000 reduction is going to have. Mr. Shanley stated those funds were to contract for services in anticipation of a key retirement that is likely to occur in one of their operating departments which will take with it a considerable amount of knowledge of specific operations and technical information. He noted they will need a plan to be able to transition to a new way of managing those functions.
Councilman Tait stated his belief this is not a wise move.
Councilman Dodd stated his belief they’re leaving themselves open to spending money that they may not have should this person retire. He noted this would make for a hard transition with anyone new coming in.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #4 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #5 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Chairman Tallarita to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #1500-500 as shown on Page 11 in accordance with the following schedule: (Postage – Town-Wide Canvass)
FROM TO
REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
OTHER PURCHASED SERVICES $19,900 $6,900
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #5 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #6 by Chairman Tallarita, seconded by Councilman Edgar to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #1900-1922 as shown on Page 20 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
ENFIELD REVITALIZATION COMM. $11,000 $5,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #6 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #7 by Councilman Edgar, seconded by Councilman Mangini to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #1900-1990 as shown on Page 20 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE $15,000 $12,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #7 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #8 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Peruta to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #2100-400 as shown on Page 21 in accordance with the following schedule: (Dept. Correction)
FROM TO
PROTECTION OF LIFE & PROPERTY
PURCHASED PROPERTY SERVICES $79,000 $72,900
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #8 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #9 by Councilman Peruta, seconded by Councilman Crowley to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #2100-700 as shown on Page 21 in accordance with the following schedule: (Police Vehicles & Tasers)
FROM TO
PROTECTION OF LIFE & PROPERTY
PROPERTY $368,000 $306,300
Councilman Fiore pointed out there’s no reduction in vehicles, but they are requesting that the tasers not be purchased.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #9 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #10 by Councilman Crowley, seconded by Councilman Reveruzzi to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #3630-100 as shown on Page 29 in accordance with the following schedule: (USS Swim Team)
FROM TO
RECREATION SWIMMING PROGRAM
PERSONAL SERVICES – SALARIES $87,369 $81,859
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #10 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #11 by Councilman Reveruzzi, seconded by Councilman Tait to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #3800-400 as shown on Page 31 in accordance with the following schedule: (Roll-Up Account & Rental Vehicle)
FROM TO
PUBLIC WORKS
OTHER PROPERTY SERVICES $281,000 $265,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #11 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #12 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Dodd to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #3800-500 as shown on Page 31 in accordance with the following schedule: (Roll-Up Accounts)
FROM TO
PUBLIC WORKS
OTHER PURCHASED SERVICES $7,760 $4,880
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #12 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #13 by Councilman Dodd, seconded by Councilman Egan to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #5100-100 as shown on Page 33 in accordance with the following schedule: (Pearl Street Hours)
FROM TO
LIBRARY
PERSONAL SERVICES – SALARIES $895,931 $899,510
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #13 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #14 by Councilman Egan, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #6200-100 as shown on Page 35 in accordance with the following schedule: (Recording Secretary)
FROM TO
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
PERSONAL SERVICES – SALARIES $10,000 $8,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #14 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #15 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Fiore to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #6600-600 as shown on Page 39 in accordance with the following schedule: (Roll-Up Accounts)
FROM TO
PLANNING/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUPPLIES/MATERIALS $7,000 $5,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #15 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #16 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Chairman Tallarita to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #7000-7016 as shown on Page 41 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
INTERGOVERNMENTAL & INTERAGENCY
ENFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY $14,086 $11,500
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #16 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #17 by Chairman Tallarita, seconded by Councilman Edgar to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #8030-930 as shown on Page 44 in accordance with the following schedule: (Transfer to Social Services, CIP, dog)
FROM TO
NON-DEPARTMENTAL CHARGES
FUND TRANSFERS $6,798,838 $6,330,842
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #17 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #18 by Councilman Edgar, seconded by Councilman Mangini to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #8500-331 as shown on Page 45 in accordance with the following schedule: (Bond Issuance Costs)
FROM TO
NON-DEPARTMENTAL CHARGES
FINANCIAL/AUDIT $25,000 $15,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #18 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #19 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Peruta to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Total Town Operations Appropriation as shown on Page 3 from $42,665,133 to $42,052,940.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #19 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin, and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #20 by Councilman Peruta, seconded by Councilman Crowley to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Entire Budget Appropriation as shown on Page 3 from $107,701,939 to $107,089,746.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #20 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin, and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #21 by Councilman Crowley, seconded by Councilman Reveruzzi to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #13010 as shown on Page 4 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE
HOSPITAL – PILOT $40,547 $42,849
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #21 adopted 10-1-0, with Councilman Dodd voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #22 by Councilman Reveruzzi, seconded by Councilman Tait to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #13190 as shown on Page 4 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE
MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT $550,000 $550,458
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #22 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #23 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Dodd to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #13250 as shown on Page 4 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE
TOWN AIDE ROAD GRANT $194,128 $291,582
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #23 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #24 by Councilman Dodd, seconded by Councilman Egan to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #13380 as shown on Page 4 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE
MEDICAID SCHOOL BASED HEALTH $150,000 $170,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #24 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #25 by Councilman Egan, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #14020 as shown on page 4 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
CHARGES FOR SERVICES
CONVEYANCE TAX $150,000 $350,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #25 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #26 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Fiore to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #14200 as shown on Page 5 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
CHARGES FOR SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING $0 $15,000
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #26 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #27 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Chairman Tallarita to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #14250 as shown on Page 5 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
CHARGES FOR SERVICE
RECREATIONAL PROGRAM FEES $167,050 $161,540
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #27 adopted 11-0-0.
AMENDMENT #28 by Chairman Tallarita, seconded by Councilman Edgar to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #17030 as shown on page 5 in accordance with the following schedule: (Transfer from CIP)
FROM TO
MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE
TRANSFER FROM OTHER FUNDS $366,142 $666,142
Councilman Kaupin stated he will vote against this amendment. He stated he does not believe moving CIP money to the operating side of the budget is the right thing to do. He noted if they don’t get the additional revenue from the state, they will further erode the contribution to capital improvement projects within this budget.
Councilman Tait agreed with Councilman Kaupin and stated his belief they shouldn’t take CIP money to fund operations. He added his belief this isn’t a good precedence to set, and if they’re sure that money is going to come in, why not list it as an anticipated revenue.
Councilman Fiore stated if they’re looking to minimize the tax increase, fund education, and keep some CIP projects going, this is the best they can do. He pointed out there are three other funds from the state level that they could potentially be receiving revenues from.
Councilman Dodd stated his belief funding operations out of the CIP is setting a bad precedence.
Councilman Egan pointed out CIP monies are put away for projects such as roofs that need to be done. She stated her belief it’s setting a dangerous precedent to take monies out of CIP for operations and gamble that the State will come through and return those monies.
Councilman Reveruzzi stated he’s very against taxing people today to save money. He feels it doesn’t make any sense to have people paying real estate taxes to put money in the bank. He noted this is an opportunity to avoid increasing taxes by shuffling some of the accounts around.
Councilman Tait stated Enfield has always been a pay-as-you-go community, and he believes that by putting money into the savings account for unforeseen things, it’s a very slight increase in taxes vs bonding money.
Councilman Kaupin stated the proposed budget is a proposed .96 mill increase, but if they pull money from other revenue sources, they’re actually funding a 1.11 mill increase through these means.
Councilman Egan stated she finds the idea of bundling and bonding things to be very dangerous. She noted that has been done in the past, and their proposals have been defeated.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #28
adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin, and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #29 by Councilman Edgar, seconded by Councilman Mangini to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by INCREASING Account #19010 as shown on Page 5 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
UTILIZATION OF FUND BALANCE
GENERAL FUND BALANCE $1,300,000 $1,700,000
Councilman Tait stated he appreciates the majority’s desire to try and keep taxes down, but in consideration of what’s coming in the future, i.e., contractual agreements, revaluation, etc., he feels this approach is short-sighted. He stated his belief they need to take a more macro-economic view of the economic needs of this community.
Chairman Tallarita stated his belief there should be more discussion as to where they’re going and how they will fund things in the future.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #29 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin, and Tait voting against the amendment.
AMENDMENT #30 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Peruta to amend the Manager’s proposed 2005-2006 Budget by DECREASING Account #11010 as shown on Page 4 in accordance with the following schedule:
FROM TO
TAXES
REAL ESTATE $57,758,255 $56,432,890
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #30 adopted 7-4-0, with Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Kaupin, and Tait voting against the amendment.
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