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Windsor Town Council
Budget Session Special Meeting
Council Chambers - Town Hall
April 7, 2004
Approved Minutes
Mayor Trinks called the Budget Session Special
Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
- Roll Call – Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy
Mayor Curtis, Councilor Dean, Councilor Ellingwood,
Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor
Mulligan, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker
- Board of Education
Mr. William Herzfeld, BOE Member, Dr. Elizabeth
Feser, Superintendent of Schools and Mr. Frank
Williams, BOE Finance Director presented the budget.
The proposed budget for FY 2005 is $51,492,900 which
is an increase of 5.29% over last year’s budget of
$48,904,600.
Councilor Ellingwood asked about the savings of
leasing versus buying for computers. and the term of
the lease. Mr. Williams said that the savings are
$140,000 for the first year of leasing. They are
leased for three years. Councilor Ellingwood asked
about the addition of the Challenge Math Teacher and
the duties. Dr. Feser responded that last year’s
increase helped subsidize a pullout program for math
for 6th and 7th graders for the
current year which has been enormously successful. The
unfortunate piece is that the 8th grade
students are not able to participate this year, but
with this addition they could participate next year.
Councilor Ellingwood asked what the function of the
World Language teacher would be. Dr. Feser said that
it would be for a liaison between the high school and
middle school in exchange for a one period release on
a daily basis.
Deputy Mayor Curtis asked about the increase at the
Roger Wolcott site. An answer will be forthcoming at
the next meeting.
Councilor Dean inquired about the Virtual High
School and asked if it is a one year program. Dr.
Feser said that it would be ongoing. High schools
throughout the country are unable to offer all the
classes that the students request, so a virtual high
school was created with accredited courses. Teachers
are trained to teach the course online. East Windsor
has been involved for several years. If we decide to
continue after the pilot year, we can send our own
teachers to be trained and in exchange we would
receive 40 seats. Students sit in front of an
individual computer and communicate directly with the
teacher. Any student may participate, but some classes
may have prerequisites.
Councilor Simon asked about the student enrollment
reports and noted the elementary level classes seem to
get smaller. He asked if we are projecting smaller
classes in the future. Dr. Feser replied that there
will be a decline in the elementary level over the
next five or six years, the exception being
kindergarten enrollment, which will remain flat.
Councilor Simon requested for a list or total of
one-time expenses (non-recurring) in any area. Dr.
Feser said that they would put it together.
Councilor Jepsen requested that the Board of
Education be present at the budget meeting on
Wednesday. He asked about the total cost of ownership
when leasing computers. He believes that we will
realize a savings this year, but maybe we want to hold
off. Mr. Herzfeld said that interest rates are low,
but it could be postponed. Councilor Jepsen asked
about the extra maintenance supervisor. He asked if
anyone looked into consolidating maintenance with the
town side. Mr. Williams said that we do some of that
now with computer projects. Since there will be
numerous maintenance projects, there is a need to
bridge the gap between the day and night shift.
Councilor Jepsen questioned if the salaries include
retirements and hiring someone at a lower rate. Mr.
Williams said that there is not a significant savings.
We typically don’t hire someone right out of college,
our average starting wage is around $47,000. The
difference helps cover leaves including disability or
childbearing which is not a budgeted item. If that
person has enough sick time, we pay them and the
substitutes for extended periods of time. There are
certifications in Connecticut that there are teacher
shortages, which includes English, science, world
languages, library media, and math. These teachers
usually come with experience and that costs money.
Councilor Jepsen requested Budget vs. Actual for FY
2004. Dr. Feser will provide this information at the
next meeting.
Councilor Walker inquired about leasing options for
computers. He believes that there might be advantages
that are overlooked; computers that get heavy use,
advances in software and operating systems, and in a
three year contract, the purchase option may be as low
as $1.
Councilor Mulligan requested the non-recurring
costs in last year’s budget as well.
Dr. Feser will provide them at the next meeting.
Councilor Broxterman questioned the average sick
days that a teacher takes and if the trend is moving
up or down. Dr. Feser said that they will provide the
data to the Council at the next meeting. Councilor
Broxterman inquired if the before/after school
programs are priced competitively so as not to
undercut other daycares in town. Mr. Herzfeld replied
that they are market-priced. There are some
opportunities for reduced income families who may not
be able to afford a town daycare program. Councilor
Broxterman asked if we have looked at what it costs
the town to perform these services versus contracting
them out. Dr. Feser said that the ValueNet initiative
is an excellent example as to where we may find
significant savings. Councilor Broxterman asked if we
still offer the Suzuki Program, what the participation
rate is projected to be and how much is the cost. Dr.
Feser said that the program is in all of the
elementary schools starting in Grade One. They could
provide the costs at the next meeting. Mr. Herzfeld
added that the program is very successful.
Mayor Trinks was pleased to see the Challenge
Teacher increase. He asked if the academic eligibility
advisor is a certified position. Dr. Feser said that
it is certified and requires experience in order to
work with teachers and coaches and to be an effective
advocate for students. Mayor Trinks asked if we are
looking to produce public access programming. Dr.
Feser said that we are at the infancy stage and that
they would like to launch this program at the high
school developing a partnership with WIN-TV. Town
Manager Churchill is confident that there would be A+
quality productions coming from high school students.
Councilor Walker has been looking closely at what
public access should demand from cable providers. He
suggested that we keep it in mind when we go into our
meetings with WIN-TV.
- Library Services
Ms. Laura Kahkonen, Library Director and Ms. Gaye
Rizzo, Wilson Branch Manager, gave an overview of the
budget. The proposed budget for FY 2005 is $1,210,260,
which is an increase of $45,890 or 3.94% over last
year’s budget of $1,164,370.
Councilor Mulligan asked about the enterprise fund
for the Wilson Library. Town Manager Churchill said
that the lease referred to a specific accounting for
donations. The method the town uses is a special
revenue account that meets the needs of the lease.
Councilor Dean inquired about building maintenance
and if it includes the building being open for the
entire year. Ms. Kahkonen said that it was left in
there depending on the timetable of the expansion.
Town Manager Churchill said that the figures will be
dependent on if the temporary space would require
building maintenance. Ms. Kahkonen said that the
janitor salaries are in there and they will work at
the library and the temporary space.
Deputy Mayor Curtis inquired about the increased
number of visits anticipated and how the number was
reached. Ms. Kahkonen said that both libraries have
electronic eyes that count the number of visitors.
They left the performance measures the same for next
year because they will be dependent on the location,
etc. of the temporary space. Ms. Rizzo added that the
computer use this year at the branch has been
phenomenal.
Councilor Ellingwood asked how many computers the
libraries have. Ms. Kahkonen replied that there are 25
at the main library and 6 at the branch. Councilor
Ellingwood asked if there is a charge back for the
Town’s IT services the library uses. Town Manager
Churchill responded that there is not a charge back
for IT services. Councilor Ellingwood recommended
looking into a charge back system. Town Manager
Churchill said that years ago a charge back system was
implemented that was not successful, but they could
look into that type of system once again.
Councilor Walker asked if the expansion of the
Wilson library has been explored. Ms. Rizzo replied
that there were funds left in a bequest from the
Walter Becker Estate, but the conservator fees are
taking much of the money. There is also a Wilson
Principal Account that can only be used for library
expansion.
Mayor Trinks asked if the insurance proceeds from
the auto accident covered all the repairs. Ms.
Kahkonen replied that they did. Mayor Trinks also
asked about public feedback regarding the temporary
space. Ms. Kahkonen responded that the response has
been positive, people understand the need to move the
library during the construction period.
- Health Services
Mr. Charles Petrillo, Director of Health Services,
Ms. Sharon Enot, Public Nurse Educator, Mr. Charles
Wall and Mr. Glenn Cusano, Sanitarians gave an
overview of the budget.
Councilor Mulligan inquired about services for
mosquito control and what the estimate for spraying
prior to concerts would be. Dr. Petrillo said that
treating SummerWind would cost $3,300.
Councilor Walker asked how the budget addresses
responding to nuisance complaints. Dr. Petrillo said
that they have had no clerical help since 1994. That
has necessitated us doing things that would be more
efficiently done by a clerk typist, such as handling
phones, copying, data entry, and typing. This position
will free us up to get out in the field to inspect
restaurants and handle nuisance complaints. Mr. Cusano
handles most of the main inspections for nuisance
complaints. However, there are occasions that Dr.
Petrillo or Mr. Wall would handle them.
- Human Services
Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure
Services, Ms. Mary-Liz Sullivan, Youth Service Bureau
Director, Ms. Millicent Gill, Senior Services, Ms.
Kathy Marshall, Senior Services, Bernadette Connors,
Social Services presented the budget.
The proposed budget for FY 2005 is $1,219,510.
Deputy Mayor Curtis commented about the mental
health taskforce and its broad range of people from
partnership to adult daycare. It is very exciting. He
asked where the funds are coming from and who would be
trained. Ms. Newman said that the funds are coming
from Healthy People, which is part of Human Services.
Town Manager Churchill said that they are starting to
lean to first responders however, the planning effort
is in the embryonic stages. Ms. Sullivan said they
would like to hire a contractual therapist that would
be housed within the youth services bureau.
Councilor Jepsen inquired about the financial
impact of the Board of Education creating a enterprise
fund relative to before and after school child care.
Ms. Newman said that they haven’t seen a change, but
they will continue to meet with the Board of Education
staff to ensure that there isn’t a duplication of
services, etc.
Councilor Simon stated that it looks like there is
more economic stress in the town this year,
particularly for energy assistance and the food bank.
He asked if the additional social worker will help
manage this increase. Ms. Newman said that the
increased social worker will divide time between the
schools. Clerical support will alleviate the social
workers to provide the services and demands that are
needed by residents in the community.
Councilor Broxterman asked if the food bank is
providing food for 160 households monthly. Ms. Newman
confirmed this.
Councilor Walker supports the idea of having
additional caseworkers and clerical support to address
the needs of our residents, especially those with
mental health issues. He believes that there are two
parent families in our town that are working hard but
just can’t make ends meet. More kids are asking for
reduced lunches. That is the reality of our economic
times.
- Recreation and Leisure Services
Mr. Paul Norris, Director of Recreation and Leisure
Services and Ms. Kathy O’Donnell of Northwest Park,
presented the budget.
The proposed budget for FY 2005 is $1,573,100, an
increase of $66,315 or 4.40% over last year’s budget
of $1,506,785.
Mayor Trinks asked for an estimate for what is
placed into the Police Athletic League (PAL) fund. Mr.
Norris responded that it is $64,000 between full and
part time staff. Mayor Trinks asked about fee changes.
Mr. Norris said that there are some minor fee changes,
but there will be a significant increase in the number
of programs that are offered after school and in the
summer.
Deputy Mayor Curtis inquired about PAL’s funding.
Mr. Norris said that the funding of the program fell
under support for education.
Councilor Jepsen asked if the added programs will
be self-sufficient. Mr. Norris said that most of the
programs will be self-sufficient 03 accounts.
Councilor Walker asked how we should expect to see
improvements in scheduling of programs (i.e., swimming
classes and sports). Mr. Norris said that they are
constantly looking at becoming more efficient in the
department. They will use the Safari software more and
work with the BOE to reserve space. Most of the
scheduling that we do is reserved in blocks of time by
the organization. The individual organization then is
responsible for scheduling within that time block.
Councilor Broxterman asked about $138,000 for
community centers and if it is for the labor. Mr.
Norris said that it is for labor such as taking care
of the swimming pools, taking care of facilities, etc.
Councilor Mulligan asked what determines who pays
for facilities. Mr. Norris said that if the
organization has 80% of Windsor residents, they do not
pay to use the fields or facilities.
Councilor Broxterman asked if we charge for the
Soccer Tournament. Mr. Norris responded that we do not
as Windsor Soccer holds the program to raise funds.
Councilor Jepsen asked where the 80% rule comes
from. Mr. Norris said that rule has been in effect for
many years. Some benchmarking was done and 80% is very
common for sponsorship. There are other criteria such
as a not for profit organization, non-discriminatory
policies, etc.
Mayor Trinks noted that PAL does their own
fundraising and has their own fund balance. He asked
how we make sure their money does not mix with the
town’s money. Mr. Norris said that they have their own
separate account. The town budget pays for staff.
Mayor Trinks questioned the contractual service line
which was reduced by $45,530. Mr. Norris believes that
it is due to grants associated with the Parent Center,
which was separated from the recreation budget and now
is reflected in the Human Services Department budget.
Town Manager Churchill said that there was some
co-mingling of funds, which were separated out into
Human Services.
- Child Day Care
Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure
Services and Ms. Anne Wakelin, Early Childhood
Manager, presented the budget.
Deputy Mayor Curtis asked if there is still a
waiting list and if there are referrals given. Ms.
Wakelin said that there is a waiting list in all
programs except the after school program. They refer
parents to the info line.
Councilor Simon said that he likes the fact that we
are offering recreation scholarships for Windsor
residents. He would like the town to offer some
scholarships for preschool.
- Adult Day Care
Ms. Robin Newman, Director of Family and Leisure
Services and Ms. Deborah Boemmels, Caring Connection
Manager, reviewed the program and budget.
Councilor Ellingwood asked about the decrease in
revenue. Ms. Newman said that during the move of the
facility they lost some clients and the opening of the
new facility occurred in September not July as
originally planned.
Mayor Trinks asked if there the Caring Connection
who were in danger of not receiving reimbursement from
the State. Ms. Newman said that we are not in danger
currently. Town Manager Churchill said that the
reimbursement does not cover the entire expense on per
client basis, so increases from $65 to $67 per day to
the private pay clients will be necessary to cover
costs.
Councilor Jepsen asked about the Caring Connection
loan. Ms. Newman said that the Caring Connection is
paying $30,000 a year for ten years toward the loan.
Councilor Walker is concerned people who cannot pay
may be shut out. Ms. Newman said that as long as there
is capacity in our facility, we will accept any client
who needs the services. The overall goal is to
increase our daily census. There is more revenue if a
majority is private pay, but it is not fair to not
take someone who cannot afford private pay. Town
Manager Churchill said that if we do not market to
those private pays, we lose the balance to keep this
operation solvent.
Councilor Ellingwood asked if we can advertise this
facility. Ms. Newman said that we are actively
marketing the facility to medical personnel and
facilities.
- Adjournment
Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor
Walker to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Motion Passed 9-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin Countryman
Clerk of the Windsor Town Council
cc: Town Clerk
Main Library
Wilson Branch
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