At a meeting of the Town Council holden in and for the Town of Glocester at Ponaganset High School on April 25, 2015:

Transcription

1 At a meeting of the Town Council holden in and for the Town of Glocester at Ponaganset High School on April 25, 2015: I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. II. Roll Call Members Present: Also present: Walter M. O. Steere, III, President; George O. (Buster) Steere, Vice- President; William Reichert; Edward C. Burlingame; and Steven A. Sette. Jean Fecteau, Town Clerk; Tim Kane, Town Solicitor; Susan Harris, Deputy Town Clerk; Diane Brennan, Finance Director; and David Steere, Budget Board chair. III. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. IV. Budget 2015/2016 A. Operating & Capital Improvement Budgets Discussion and/or action Councilor W. Steere declared the Public Hearing OPEN and explained that the Public Hearing is to review and discuss the budget, as recommended by the Budget Board, for fiscal year 2015/2016. Councilor W. Steere stated that David Steere, Budget Board Chair, will review the Town budget as proposed & Diane Brennan will review the local school budget. Councilor W. Steere also stated there will be time for all questions after the budget is explained. Dave Steere, Budget Board Chair, stated that this year the process is different from past years as the voters have approved changing the process to an all day referendum instead of a Town Financial Meeting. Dave Steere explained the differences between the new process and the old process of adopting a budget. Dave Steere reviewed the budget as presented and stated he would only touch on areas where there may be changes. Highlights: Salaries & Fringe Benefits (which includes FICA, pension, health care, workers comp. & longevity.) Salary increases for police, clerical staff, police and dispatcher as agreed upon in union contracts and therefore are non-negotiable: Police: 2.75 % increase based on classification (all classification increase by $ ) Dispatchers: 2.3% increase Clerical: 2.1%-2.5% increase based on job class Non-union management staff: 2.75% increase Non-union staff: 2.5 % increase Page 1 of 7

2 Health care increase of 9% and Dental an increase of 15% D. Steere asked if there were any questions on salary and benefits: none Town Council expenses: Contingency increased by $1,000 for a total of $11,000. Dave Steere explained what that account is typically used for. D. Steere explained within that budget there is a proposed new line item for filming Council meetings for $750. Board of Canvassers: Dave Steere explained that this budget fluctuates up and down between years as it reflects an election season. This budget reflects a total budget for $14,203 which is a decrease this year of $7,148. Probate Court: same as previous year Building/Zoning: Decrease of $12,093 shown due to change in hours for (new) Building/Zoning official & a health care coverage change from the last person to hold this position. Fees: Building/Zoning reviews are done by a neighboring Building Official until state certification is rec d by the Town s employee so funds have been added to cover these fees. Operating expenses: There is a $400. increase to pay for a cell phone requested by that office. Overall there is a decrease to that departments budget of $10,148. Planning Department: Also, reflects a decrease in hours (started with new Planner) which is reflected as a salary of $46,238, a reduction of $19,905, with no longevity, and with fringe benefits of $25,688. Overall this budget shows a decrease of $17,080. This position currently includes a single health care plan. The Comprehensive Plan is adequately funded so this item is reduced down to $1,500 for a savings of $3,500 Boards & Commissions: Community Resource & Planning Board: no increase Zoning Board: additional $ (12 mtg. from 9 mtg..) W. Steere, School Committeeman, questioned longevity for employees. D. Steere explained this benefit had been eliminated for new hires some time ago. The benefit was explained and discussed. There was a question regarding the Police line item for longevity being doubled. D. Steere stated the reason for that increase is a result of negotiations and supported by binding arbitration. D. Steere stated that Conservation Commission, Land Trust, Legal Services, & Town Sargent all level funded. W. Steere, School Committeeman, questioned why Land Trust is projected to overspend their Page 2 of 7

3 budget. D. Steere stated a percentage of Realty Tax Stamp income goes to the Land Trust and they maintain their own budget. Finance Office: There are a few small additions and deductions, overall an increase of $2,254 Treasurers Office A change to Payroll services, increased by $2,000 Audit services increased by $4,000 Personnel: Advertising is up by $1,300 due to cost of advertising. Tax Collector: Tax Collections fee increase is an addition of $1,000. Tax Assessor: Revaluation funds have been previously placed in a Reserve Account, ( it is felt that said account is adequately funded, therefore that line item in proposed to be reduced to $5,000 for a $20,000 savings in the budget.) Public Safety: Propane costs are increased by $1,000 due to the cost of propane per gallon. Cost for supplies for a copy machine & office supplies are included (not previously funded) $1,500 Other Purchased Service: an increase of $5,000 to move a propane tank next to the Police Station (underground) and is funded for a one time expense. Service Contracts: An increase of $3,000 to cover equipment that has service contracts. Police Equipment, Non-office: An increase of $12,000 due to cost of digital recorder. Discussion followed on a new proposal: Portable Radio/Mobile Replacement Program: estimated costs are approx. $100,00. The Chief had indicated that he wants to start putting funds aside to offset expenses. The Chief is also trying to obtain grants which would decrease this line item if grants were obtained.. ($66,000 put away this year) L. Neidel-Gresh questioned grant funding for the digital recorder. D. Steere explained if a grant is sought and rec d that line item would be decreased. Animal Control: Several items reduced based on past usage. Reduction of $2,100 Public Works: Directors Office: Increase of $110 for Travel.dues Overall an increase of $4,802. Highway: Propane increase shown of $4,800 (cost increase times # of gallons) Safety Equipment: Other Purchased Services; Road Signs; & Misc. Expense reduced due to past usage last few fiscal years. Page 3 of 7

4 Snow Removal: D. Steere explained past practice of Snow Removal Account. Expense for past winter $232,000, will reduce the reserve by $182,000. D. Steere stated we are hoping to add $150,000 into Storm Account for W. Steere questioned how much is in the snow reserve account now and did we receive federal funds for any of those storms. D. Steere stated some reimbursements were received and there is an application due by May 1 st for federal funds. D. Steere stated the balance in the Reserve Account is $358,404. Maintenance Division: Other Purchased Services has a decrease of $9,100 which was for a one time expense. J. DiPietro questioned what the one time expense was. D. Steere stated it was to fix Winsor Park tennis courts, but D. Steere stated he did not know if those repairs were made yet. Repair/Maintenance/Construction there is a one time expense of $21,200 which is a $6,200 increase for a one time expense to fix the bulk head at town hall. Tools: There is also a one time expense of $3,000 for a portable generator. Maintenance: Overall there is a proposed budget of $50,100 which is an increase of $1,100 Maintenance: Vehicle & Equipment Other Purchased Services: $17,500 which is a $4,000 increase for a flat bed. Gasoline: $80,000 which is a reduction of $10,500 Lubricant Oil: $9,000 which is an increase of $1,000 Diesel: Budgeted at $72,223 which is a decrease of $6,000 Repair Parts: $110,000 an increase $17,500 Tires & Tubes: $13,000 Decrease of $11,200 for a one time purchase of tires Operations: Total budgeted $315,373 which is a $5,000 decrease from current fiscal year Waste Disposal: $6,000 Propane which is an increase of $1,200 Diesel: $ 27,700 which is an increase of $7,923 Other Purchased Services: decrease of $1,000 for the monitoring of the land fill/soil testing Recreation Wages slight increase (which reflect minimum wage) bringing them to $61,159 Operating shows two small increases Senior Center: Wages: $4,500 for interim Director in anticipation of the Senior Center Managers sick time coming up for a decrease of $4,000 for an overall decrease in salaries of $1,703. Operations Purchased Services: $9000, increase of $1,000 to cover a one time expense of resurfacing pool tables. Page 4 of 7

5 Slight decrease in Nutrition program Total $168,323 which is a decrease of $1,524. Human Services: no change Town Hall Other operational: Increase of $3,000 for electricity (period lighting & town hall) Increases for Security measures result in an increase of $2,300 for the installation of security cameras interior and exterior Advertising cost is increased by $2,500 due to rising costs. Negotiations: Budget in an extra $10,000 for a Personnel study & evaluation. Transfer to health care $17,850 for a $18,100 decrease IT: Last three items in budget: Server Replacement Program, work station/laptop replacement, & software conversion. D. Steere discussed a proposal from IT for funding over a five year period. The project is expected to cost approx $190,000 to fund and to putting $7,500 aside in a Reserve will allow the funding of $62,500 this year. Aide Requests were discussed at this time: Glocester Manton requested an additional $9,005. Cultural Services: no change Social Services: Down by $1,000 (Glocester Seniors did not apply for funding) There was discussion (question by R. Lavoie) regarding the request made by the Heritage Society for matching grant funds in the amount of $15,000 and a request to support the Blackstone Valley Tourism Heritage Corridor. R. Lavoie stated $1,000 will not break the bank. D. Steere stated there is a total of $6,930,733 for municipal expense which is a $153,945 increase. Under Education: Glocester School total for Operation is $9,570,627, with Revenue at $3,198,592, for an amount to be funded by the town of $6,372,035 which is the same level since fiy D. Steere explained the maintenance of effort, therefore, $6,372,035 would be the base number and spending is at the discretion of the school comm. W. Steere spoke about the schools surplus. Changing surplus and student population were discussed D. Steere asked if there were any questions on the Glocester School budget. none D. Steere stated the Regional Budget works out as follows: Glocester s share of Operating Cost is $8,783,302 which is an increase over last year of $308,494. Glocester s share of Debt Service $1,249,059 which is an increase of $31,078. D. Steere stated this budget represents a total for education of $16.404,396 which is an increase of $339,572. which overall is 70% of entire budget. R. Lavoie asked how many children we are educating, and how much the cost was per student. Page 5 of 7

6 J. DiPietro stated it is approx. $14,000 per pupil. (Someone, asked about bench marking information. That individual was referred to the R.I.D.E. website for further information) D. Steere explained the two Special Appropriations The first being the reserve for student proration, fluctuating. D. Steere stated the Town saved $ 72,000 this year,but to allow for those spikes, proposing $75,000 should it be needed if future years. Secondly, the Town purposes putting $80,000 in a Reserve Account for purchase/maintenance of recreation fields. R. Lavoie questioned the amount of recreation funds. Councilor Sette questioned the funding of fluctuation of students in a set aside only because he doesn t want to put $75,000 more for the school to spend. Discussion followed on the special appropriation and school spending. Discussion also followed on the spending of special appropriations and how commitments will be made for certain uses. Councilor Sette and J. DiPietro discussed and stressed the need to follow procedure when funds are Reserved for a specific use. D. Steere explained the Capital Reserve Fund which is a 2% set aside (by Charter) at $508,794. D. Steere outlined the Capital Budget Expenditure program totaling this amount: Highlights: Town Hall includes items for renovations & Geo Thermal supplemental expenses; & Public Works includes Road work, Hot Box for patching, and maintain & refurbish new/used trucks and equipment. W. Steere questioned Geo-Thermal and questioned how much the system is going to cost and if it is cost efficient. W. Steere questioned if this is a winning proposition. Councilor G. Steere explained why more funds are needed. D. Steere explained the budgeting up to this time. Discussion followed on the original company that did the work on the Geo-Thermal and the overall project. T. Kane is still working to recoup losses from the original geo-thermal company. W. Steere asked where the funding is coming from for the transfer station. D. Steere explained that money has been reserved over time. Discussion followed, again, on the different ways the budget is adopted and participation of the residents. D. Steere reviewed the Debt Service: Glocester Schools: $60,488 and Non-School: $508,052 for a total of $568,540. Page 6 of 7

7 D. Steere summarized as follows: All items included: Total Expenditure are at $27,766,055. Total Revenues include: Municipal $437,000; Glocester School $3,198,592; Other $2,724,433 for a total of $6,360,025. D. Steere explained the Adjustments in the Amount to be raised by Taxes and the Amount to be raised by taxes total is proposed at $21,204,030. The proposed tax rate for residential property would be 22.12% which represents a 0.35% increase. Councilor W. Steere stated the next step is for Council to adopt the budget which will be done before May 1 st and once adopted the ballots will be prepared for the all day Financial Town Referendum, May 19 th, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Glocester Senior Center. Discussion followed, again, on the process. W. Steere explained the process on Thursday, again, and everyone gave their opinions. Councilor W. Steere declared the Public Hearing CLOSED VI. Adjourn MOTION was made by Councilor Burlingame to ADJOURN at 3:45 p.m. ; seconded by Councilor Reichert. VOTE: AYES: W. Steere, Reichert, G. Steere, Burlingame and Sette. NAYS: 0 MOTION PASSED Page 7 of 7