Budget Workshop Meeting April 3, 2019

5:30 PM

Present: Commissioners Gregorio, Darling, Bartolotta (arrived at 5:36 p.m.), Thazhampallath, Kleckowski (arrived at 5:45 p.m.); Chief Howley, Fire Department members and members of the public.

  1. CALL TO ORDER
    Commissioner Gregorio called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

  2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
    The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

  3. OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
    Commissioner Gregorio opened the public session at 6:33 p.m.

    Daniel Penney

    Mr. Penney shared the following concerns relative to the 2019 - 2020 commissioner proposed budget as well as opportunities for cost reductions.
      • Reduce spending by eliminating commissioner compensations/stipends.
      • Disappointed that little has been done to make the voting public aware of budget workshops.
      • Requested the commissioners provide a copy of existing organization chart and the proposed 2019 - 2020 chart to identify any new proposed staffing.
      • Provide explanation and fiscal plan relative to why the district is at risk relative to the lack of having a three month reserves as previously recommended by OPM and is standard GAP practice.
      • Noted numbers in Grand List do not reflect current. May simply be a calculation misprint via fiscal program that was projected on district display screen. Needs to be corrected for next workshop.
      • Need to implement practice of publicly advertised bidding for most significant service contracts to effectively determine best practices and possible cost savings.
      • Questioned the initial estimate of line item 7606, estimated at $500,000,
        900.00% increase?
      • Questioned the increase of overtime by 33.80% to $371,000. Are there operational protocols or CBA matters that could be changed to effect expense reductions on this line item, 7603, for the benefit of district taxpayers to reduce the tax burden?
  4. CLOSE PUBLIC SESSION
    Commissioner Gregorio closed public session at 6:03 p.m.

  5. BUDGET WORKSHOP

    Chief Howley reviewed the proposed draft budget dated 4/3/19 (copy attached) and reduced the following line items: 7401-Fuel from $22,500 to $20,000; 7710-Professional Services from $55,000 to $50,000; 7801-Building Repairs from $22,500 to 20,000; 7903-Training from $25,000 to $22,000; 7909-Uniforms from $30,000 to $27,500.

    8% of the increase in budget is attributable 7607-Heart and Hypertension. This is an unfunded liability not covered by insurance. Without this liability, the mill rate would be 5.111 as opposed to 5.526. Six to eight employees are protected by the Heart and Hypertension Act. Currently there is one open case for which a hearing is scheduled on Friday to determine the settlement. Commission Gregorio will email the Commissioners with the results of the hearing.

  6. RE-OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
    Commissioner Gregorio re-opened the public session at 6:39 p.m.

    Daniel Penney

    Mr. Penney requested a breakdown and audit of overtime. He feels the district could cut spending without compromising the service. He reiterated that an organizational chart should be part of the budget.

    Tom Quirk

    Mr. Quirk agreed there should be a breakdown and audit of overtime. He was disappointed that this will be the biggest increase in the mill rate in over ten years.

  7. CLOSE PUBLIC SESSION
    Commissioner Gregorio closed the public session at 6:48 p.m.

  8. ADJOURNMENT
    MOTION to adjourn by Comm. Bartolotta/Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.
    Meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

Submitted by,

Alyse McEwen
Recording Secretary

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