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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING
APRIL 26, 2006
A Public Hearing was held in the auditorium of the John F. Kennedy Middle School, Raffia Road, Enfield, Connecticut on Wednesday, April 26, 2006. The Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present from the Enfield Town Council were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Hilinski, Kaupin, Lee, Mangini, Maxellon, Nelson, Peruta, Ragno, and Tallarita.
Also present were Acting Town Manager, Christopher Bromson; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons.
Present from the Enfield Board of Education were Judith Apruzzese-Desroches, Al Harrison, Andre Greco, Susan Lavelli-Hozempa, Sam McGill, Jr., Sharon Racine,
Chuck L. Johnson, III, Joyce Hall and Donna Corbin Sobinski
Also present were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Gallacher; Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Business Manager, Christopher Drezek.
Chairman Tallarita read the legal notice of Public Hearing which was published in the Journal Inquirer on April 15, 2006 as follows:
TOWN OF ENFIELD
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED BUDGET FY 2006-2007
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2006
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the TOWN OF ENFIELD shall hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the Proposed Annual Operating and Capital Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. The Public Hearing shall be Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Raffia Road, Enfield, CT. All electors and taxpayers will be provided an opportunity to express their opinions and further give written and/or oral comment regarding the proposed budget.
Also, in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 4 of the Town Charter, along with the Notice of Public Hearing was published a summary of the proposed expenditures and revenues, as well as the amount to be raised by taxation, and that this summary can be found on pages 2 and 3 of the budget.
At the Regular Meeting of the Town Council on April 3, 2006, Resolution #8735 was adopted establishing the conduct for this hearing. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Enfield values the opinions and comments of its constituents; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 4, of the Enfield Town Charter, any elector or taxpayer may have an opportunity to be heard regarding appropriations for the ensuing fiscal years and for the purpose of being heard on issues of vital community importance and concern; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council shall conduct a public hearing at the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Raffia Road on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.;
RESOLVED, that the order of business of the 2006-2007 Budget Hearing be arranged as follows:
1. Presentation of the Town Manager’s Budget by the Acting Town Manager.
2. The Chairman of the Board of Education highlights education budget.
3. Comments from members of the public for the first time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each speaker be requested to register with the Town Clerk his name and address and that no speaker be allowed to speak more than five minutes each successive time the speaker’s name is called; additionally, any speaker who has not registered with the Town Clerk will be allowed to speak only after those who have registered no longer wish to speak.
PRESENTATION OF THE TOWN MANAGER’S BUDGET
Acting Town Manager Bromson highlighted the Town budget as follows:
· 5.5% increase in expenditures on the school side, or approximately $3.5 million dollars
· Town operations amount to an increase of 3.9%, or approximately $1.6 million dollars
· The combined School and Town increase is 4.9% or approximately $5.2 million dollars
· 18.4% increase or $299,000 in Capital Projects
· 1.8% increase or $40,000 in Social Services
· 2% increase or $250,000 in Water Pollution Control
· 50% decrease or $125,000 in Town support for EMS
Mr. Bromson stated the Town and School systems have experienced the following inflation factors:
· Electricity – 25%
· Natural gas – 33%
· Heating Oil – 50%
· Health Insurance – 6%
· Road salt – 6.4%
· Contracted construction – 15%
· Connecticut Water – possibly 25%
Mr. Bromson pointed out the news on the following state revenue is mostly positive:
· Education Cost Sharing – an increase of about $143,000
· Gambling revenues – an increase of $259,000
· Monies received from the State for state-owned property – an increase of about $20,000
· Town Aid Road Grant – an increase of about $20,000
He stated the current mill rate is 35.2, and the proposed mill rate for 2006-2007 is 37.07,
which would be an increase of 1.87 mills proposed, or 5.3% increase.
Mr. Bromson stated the Town is trying to continue the reduction in the use of Reserves or savings from the General Fund balance. He pointed out in 2005-06 the Town used $1.7 million dollars of its savings to help augment the budget and reduce the impact on taxes. He noted in the proposed budget, they propose to reduce that amount to $900,000 and the goal next year would be to reduce that figure to $400,000.
Mr. Bromson reviewed capital investments, which are expenditures for capital improvement projects, i.e., roads, buildings, etc. He noted the tax support for capital improvement projects was as high as $2.7 million dollars in 2001 and that was reduced down to $1.7 million dollars in 2003-2004 to provide some tax relief. He pointed out this proposed budget increases it again by $299,000, which is about 18%.
He stated Enfield has very low debt, which is about $3 million dollars per year, which excludes the current referendum for athletic field projects and Roads 2005. He noted this is 2.7% of the Town’s annual expense and falling. He noted by 2011, that figure will drop to $2 million dollars per year, and with the addition of the athletic fields and Roads 2005 it will not be as significant as $3 million dollars per year. He stated according to the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council ranking, Enfield ranks as the 142nd lowest of all of the 169 towns in Connecticut in debt, and as a percent of the Town’s total expenditures, Enfield ranks about 138th . He pointed out this means Enfield has very little debt.
Mr. Bromson listed future challenges:
- Continue investment in the Town’s infrastructure, such as the Road 2005 Project
- Address the Higgins building
- Thompsonville train station
- Address the Strand Theater
- Library utilization
- Address the recommendations of the Joint Blue Ribbon IT Commission
- Remediation of Fermi athletic fields
- Revaluation of property
- Industrial Park and commercial space
PRESENTATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET
Chairman of the Board of Education, Sharon Racine, presented the Education Budget.
Ms. Racine stated the per pupil expenditure in Enfield is $884 less that the state average.
She noted unfunded mandates are on the rise, and test scores are critical to continue state and federal funding. She emphasized the importance of making an investment in the educational system and the future of the children.
Ms. Racine reviewed fixed costs and noted projected salary increases are 3.5%. She noted they anticipated a 3.5% transportation increase, however, they just negotiated that figure down to 3%.
She stated utility costs are $500,000 in the red because of exorbitant fuel costs.
Ms. Racine stated the Board of Education reviewed all the need requests from all the departments and they reviewed the recommendations from the Superintendent and the Budget Advisory Committee. She listed the approved needs:
- New Directions – increasing the drug counseling program from three to five days
- District Curriculum Council – professional development
- Textbooks
- JFK Remedial Reading Teacher (incoming 7th grade has significantly higher special needs population)
- TLC Labs—early intervention reading program (goal – to have these labs in all the schools)
- Athletic fields
- Lease or purchase plan to replace aging computers
- Music Department – 50 instruments in need of repair
- Library - $300,000 needed to update resources and books – they do not meet state standard for the number of books
- Human Resources – increase in pay for substitute teachers and nurses to make Enfield competitive in securing substitutes
- An on-line software program which will reduce the amount of advertising that they do
Ms. Racine stated the proposed budget is 4.3% for fixed costs and 2.6% related to needs costs.
Ms. Racine highlighted some Board goals:
- Developing a multi-year strategic plan for the school system
- Initiate a subcommittee to evaluate the Terra Nova Program
- Continue to look at ways of partnering with the Town
Ms. Racine reviewed revenue ideas:
- A review of the demographic study
- Continuation of the Budget Advisory Committee
- Replacement of boilers to save on fuel costs
- Long-range planning regarding IT infrastructure and hardware
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Roger LeBlanc, 17 Birchwood Road
Spoke about his involvement with the Enfield Food Shelf and as a Mentor for Enfield Public Schools. He stated the Town should address the needs of senior citizens, children and the community in general. He suggested the following ideas:
· Provide opportunities for senior citizens to receive tax reductions for community service, i.e., 25 hours of community service results in $25; 50 hours - $50, etc.
· An option on tax bills to donate to a Senior Tax Relief Fund
· Work cooperatively with the School system on their budget
· Seek involvement of Enfield corporations in possibly sponsoring and developing grant programs for educators as well as inviting citizens to join in the effort
Jill Vermette, 140 Broad Brook Road
Stated she has three children in the Enfield Public School system. She noted there’s no room in the school budget for irresponsible spending. She urged the Council to support the school budget proposal as submitted.
Laurie Ellis, 18 Northfield Road
Urged the Council to develop a long-range plan for improving and supporting education in Enfield. She emphasized the need to provide the necessary skills and tools for children to succeed. She pointed out supporting education should be the town’s number one priority.
Judy LeDoux, 182 Columbia Road
Stated she is the parent of a child attending Enfield Public Schools. She noted her child has come home and commented on how cold it was at school. She stated her belief the Town Council should start putting money into the school system. She added her belief it will take some time to recover from the school budget cuts of last year.
Ms. DeDoux concluded stating she pledges her support of the 6.9% increase for the school budget
.
Susan Kirwin, 285 Jackson Road
Stated her child attends Enfield Public Schools, and she requests the Council support the 6.9% proposed increase in the school budget. She pointed out the schools have to ask the PTO’s for supplies.
Donna Meagher, 30 Gordon Avenue
Stated she is a taxpayer of Enfield and supports the 6.9% increase for the Board of Education. She noted simply keeping the school system afloat isn’t enough. She pointed out the school system is operating at bare bones now, and the focus should be to take some steps forward rather than backwards. She noted as concerns where she would want tax dollars spent, she prefers children’s education over certain Town services, i.e., leaf vacuuming.
Susan Hart, 5 Cynthia Circle
Thanked the Board of Education and the Town Council for the mini-grant program. She stated her belief this was a wonderful, innovative way to get extra money into the school system.
Ms. Hart stated she loves schools and libraries and believes they’re intricately linked. She urged the Town to get going on the five-year plan for the library.
She stated she can no longer support level funding for the school budget. She noted she would prefer to see the 6.9% increase in the school budget accepted, however, she would accept the 5.5% increase. She pointed out it’s just not enough to keep the teachers in the schools because supplies, computers and curriculum material are also needed. She noted the accreditation process also says these things are needed.
Ms. Hart concluded stating her ultimate goal is to make Enfield a family friendly town, and she hopes everyone can work together to make that happen.
Kathy Coppinger, 34 St. Thomas Street
Stated she supports the proposed school budget. She noted when she originally joined the PTO, she thought its purpose was to provide enrichment programs and playgrounds for children. She stated she is now the President of the Henry Barnard PTO and she’s concerned that more of the PTO’s budget is being used to provide basic goods and services for the children, i.e., this year they bought a $500 printer for the library because they were told the school system’s technology budget could not support this replacement. She noted the PTO is providing for the Weekly Reader publication, and in year’s past this item was included in the school budget. She pointed out that having PTO’s subsidizing basic necessities only masks the core problem, which is the Town’s lack of funding.
Ms. Coppinger stated the PTO will continue do all that it can to benefit the children, however, she believes they need to return to a place in time where the basic tools of delivering education are covered by tax dollars and not so dependent on PTO’s.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Voiced concern about the following issues:
1. Two bridges falling apart
2. Town Hall steps in need of repair
3. Higgins school building being neglected
4. Blight in Thompsonville
5. Fletcher Road – an accident waiting to happen
6. Poor fiscal management in some departments requiring hiring outside consultants
7. Board of Education unnecessarily spending excess money in their budget rather than saving it for rising fuel costs
8. School Department hiring teachers who don’t have a major in what they’re teaching
9. School Department fighting to keep IT Department separate from Town
10. Justification for the Town having its own Parts employee
11. Only custodians in the school system are tested for drugs – shouldn’t teachers and other personnel, who are in closer contact with students, also be tested?
Joseph Saroce, 10 Briarwood Drive
Stated 83% of the school budget is for wages and benefits. He questioned how does this help the children. He stated his belief there should be a cap on wages and school personnel should pay more toward benefits. He went on to question why stipends are still being paid for seniority and why there is a mileage reimbursement for teachers who travel between schools. He concluded stating his hope something will be done for the people of the community.
Amaleta Grimes, 103 Till Street
Stated the library is critical to the Town of Enfield. She noted a public library lifts people’s minds, spirits and expectations. She stated she is proud of the Enfield Library. She stated her belief the Director and staff are amazing. She spoke of the importance of the Town’s vigorous fiscal recognition of the library’s place in the community.
Bridgette Birchall, 14 Farmstead Circle
Commended the Town and Board for some of the things they’ve done, i.e., the demographic study and the joint fuel purchase effort. She suggested bundling capital improvements on the Town and School side. She urged the Council to think long and hard about really funding the Board of Education portion as well as the Town portion in terms of what was presented. She added in order to do that, she hopes the Council will start to look at economies of scale when looking to go out for capital improvement programs in a bundled effect.
Glenn Hart, 5 Cynthia Circle
Spoke about the need for all citizens to support each other. He pointed out school budgets are similar in other towns. He stated they should fund things when they need to be funded.
Darren Messina, 17 Haynes Street
Stated he fully supports the budget increase. He added he is a little embarrassed to be affiliated with a party that cut education over the last four years.
Charles Woods, 11 Westerly Drive
Pointed out Enfield has many home foreclosures.
Mr. Woods stated he is happy with the Town Council because they are really looking at the budget and asking good questions. He stated his belief there should not be so much money going toward salary and benefits. He disagreed with a 6.9% increase. He feels they need to look at fixed costs on the School and Town sides. He noted the Town has a lot of old vehicles still in operation. He suggested perhaps they can get rid of a few vehicles. He questioned what controls does the Town have over gas pumps.
Mr. Woods stated he does not mind paying for education, but he resents spending money for a personnel structure that’s not conducive to being accountable for public funds, and taxpayers should demand to know how that money is spent.
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
Thanked the Town and Board for the dedication and the time they’ve spent on this budget.
Mr. Sheridan questioned how many people in the private sector received the increase in pay that the School and Town departments received. He pointed out taxpayers from the private sector have faced cuts just to keep their jobs, and those that lost their jobs have taken jobs with much lower wages with little or no benefits. He pointed out 83% of the School budget is for salaries and benefits. He feels it’s time for concessions.
Mr. Sheridan stated the Town should ask why the Board of Education spent down their budget at the end of the fiscal year. He noted at the June 14, 2005 Board of Education meeting, they voted to spend $544,000 of so-called found money due to an accounting error, and this was after the budget was set. He noted the Board is coming back to the Town for an additional $500,000 for utilities.
He stated if all the costs for the School system that are on the Town side of the books were added, Enfield would be among the highest cost per student in the state, and his figure comes to $10,790. He pointed out this figure is a result of the Town audit.
Mr. Sheridan stated he has been asking for an audit of the school system for a long time. He stated his belief a good place to start would be to talk about whether there are positions that need to be eliminated or honed down. He feels it’s about time to look at a freeze on wages or benefits. He pointed out there are people in Enfield that do not have benefits, but they’re paying 90% of the benefits of Town employees.
Laurence Avery, 148 Pleasant Street
Pointed out many of the rate increases are a result of things that have happened in the U.S. and overseas. He voiced his support of the proposed School and Town budgets. He noted the Town has no control over a lot of costs.
Rosanne Desautels, 49Armstrong Road
Stated at a recent Town forum, 95% of the attendees were in favor of the School’s proposed budget. She suggested perhaps they need to go to fee-based services in some areas. She noted she attended many budget meetings and has heard of the need for textbooks and supplies. She stated she expects her tax dollars to be spent on goods and services that are needed and necessary to maintain safety and security of the residents.
She noted she expects her tax dollars to improve and maintain the infrastructure of the Town, and she expects her tax dollars to provide quality education to all students.
Gina Reale, 48 Brook Road
Stated her belief the 6.9% increase for the School budget is a need, not a want. She challenged the Council to provide for the needs of the school system. She noted there are areas the School and Town could cut back on, i.e., the leaf vacuum program and two summer swimming sessions instead of three.
Mary Ann Turner, 7 Meadow Road
Stated she is proud of the Council because she has watched them really look at this budget. She stated her belief the Chief of Police did an excellent job presenting his budget. She noted he was clear and concise and could back up everything he presented. She stated when the Director of the Library presented his budget, he wasn’t as clear and concise as the Chief of Police regarding the budget figures. She questioned why the “Enfield Reads” program is included in the budget when “Friends of the Library” funded this through a solicitation by the Director.
Ms. Turner stated the Board of Education put together a Bus Transportation Committee, and this committee specifically asked that the Board not go forward with a contract until the committee could see a document or proposal regarding the $18 million dollar contract. She expressed her disappointment that the Board of Education went forward with the $18 million dollar contract without the input of the Bus Transportation Committee, nor did they go out to bid.
Joanne LaQuerre, 58 Brook Road
Voiced her support for the School budget. She noted the budget should provide for the needs of the community and support the growth as well as fixed expenses. She stated she’s willing to pay a tax increase to support the children and residents of this community.
Linda Liucci, 14 Cora Street
Stated she is in full support of the 6.9% increase. She noted the 5.5% is probably a more realistic increase, however, she urges the Council not go below 5.5%.
Mrs. Collins, the Hazardville Section
Stated her belief people should learn where the money goes in the school system.
Paul DeGregorio, 15 Debbie Lane
Spoke about how Enfield has grown over the years. He noted he does not agree with a 6.9% increase in the school budget. He stated the school budget is more than the whole budget of surrounding towns. He noted Enfield ranks 112 out of 169 towns for reading and math for 7th and 8th grade. He noted some top towns include Washington, New Fairfield, and Greenwich. He stated those towns also have the highest income per capita while Enfield is middle income. He pointed out Enfield has the highest paid teachers in the State of Connecticut. He questioned if that’s the case, why do other towns have higher test scores.
Mr. DeGregorio stated his impression taxes were supposed to go down with more businesses coming into town. He noted his mortgage is increasing all the time. He questioned how he will survive when he retires.
He expressed his disappointment that the State of Connecticut paid only $2 million dollars of the $135 million dollars owed to Enfield regarding the waste water treatment contract.
He concluded stating his hope the Board and Council will try to bring the budget down.
Michael Barresi, 2 Gem Grove
Stated his impression all those things talked about are needs based. He voiced his support of the 6.9% increase. He stated his hope the Town Council won’t be short-sighted as concerns investing in education.
Lisa Rodgers, 8 Winter Way
Stated Enfield lost some good families due to the lack of support in education. She spoke about the importance of the Town Council listening to the Board of Education, the taxpayers and volunteers and using their recommendations.
Joseph Saroce, 10 Briarwood Drive
Thanked the Town Council for asking the tough questions and being diligent.
Mr. Saroce stated his belief pumping any money in the Strand Theater is a waste of money.
He stated his belief something has to be done regarding fixed costs because it’s harming the State of Connecticut. He noted they should be demanding that municipal workers pay more for their benefits. He added stipends for seniority and mileage reimbursement should be eliminated from the budget.
Mr. Saroce stated his belief they should stop comparing Enfield to other communities.
Mrs. Collins, the Hazardville Section
Stated it was her generation that built all the schools in the Town of Enfield. She noted she’s sad to hear people say they’re not satisfied with the school system when Enfield is already spending $65 million dollars on education.
Laurence Avery, 148 Pleasant Street
Referring to a school budget comparison of Enfield to surrounding towns,
Mr. Avery pointed out those surrounding towns have a much lower population.
Mr. Avery commended the Police Department about what they’re doing to combat crime in Thompsonville. He noted new businesses will not want to become established in Thompsonville if they’re concerned about crime.
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
As concerns those people advocating a 6.9% increase for the school budget,
Mr. Sheridan reminded them the Town will be going through a revaluation in the fall season.
Janet Grieco, 3 Surrey Lane
Voiced her support of the 6.9% increase for the Board of Education. She stated her understanding the budget will increase the mill rate and taxes, but she is willing to pay the extra money. She noted it’s time to realize public education is about the students.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated many people have asked the Town Council to do a full audit on the School system. She noted perhaps this would settle the debate so that everyone can understand where the money is spent. She pointed out the per capita income in Enfield is $22,000. She voiced concern about the tax increase due to revaluation. She stated her hope the Town Council will use common sense with this budget.
Paul DeGregorio, 15 Debbie Lane
Referring to the waste water treatment contract with the State of Connecticut, Mr. DeGregorio stated his belief the Town should expect that money. He added that contract was with the citizens of Enfield. He noted that extra money could pay for the athletic fields, school boilers, the Terra Nova program and road work. He questioned how the original $135 million dollars dropped down to a payment of $2.6 million dollars. He questioned whether the State of Connecticut should have adhered to that contract, and he feels it’s not good practice to give into the State.
As no others wished to speak, Chairman Tallarita closed the Public Hearing at 9:30 pm. |