MINUTES
WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
POLK SCHOOL LIBRARY
MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2002, 8:00 P.M. PRESENT: Elaine Adams
Lee Archer, Chairman
Raymond Hebert, Jr., Vice Chairman
Robert Kane
Jean King
Raymond Primini
Paul Rinaldi
Paul Valenti
Richard Wick
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Frigon, Interim Town Manager
Frank Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director 1. Call Meeting To Order
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Called the Meeting to Order at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Called a Recess at 8:00 p.m. (to allow Clerk to set up).
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Reconvened the Regular Meeting at 8:10 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Ms. Roman, Acting Board Clerk, executed the Roll Call. 3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Archer, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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4. Public Participation
MaryAnn Rosa, Northfield Road, Watertown, CT 06795
Ms. Rosa: I listened to your discussion earlier about the desire, or lack of desire, to make a cut in the budget given the defeat at the polls, and I would like to offer you my thoughts for what they're worth. I've spent 13 years on the Board, and I think if I recall correctly I've been on the Budget Committee every time. It's never easy and it's always difficult. And when this Referendum was defeated, I felt much like you did in the beginning, I didn't want to cut it, but I thought about it a lot and I'm over being upset, and I believe that we need to do what the people that voted told us to do, we need to cut it. As many of you said during your discussions, people in Town have never really seen what a cut means. On the Board's side it's always been things that were not visible to parents. We didn't make class sizes larger, we didn't take elective offerings out of the High School. We took it out of maintenance and other things, and we didn't buy as many new computers, but the average family doesn't see that and they don't really understand the impact. I think as officials, we have a responsibility to let them know what that impact is, and maybe this is the time.
I think we all can understand, and maybe we don't like, but people can vote against the budget. They're own personal and financial situation dictates that they can't support an increase, and that's understandable, and you can't disagree with someone that votes in that manner, so if they tell you that they cannot afford, as a community, to spend any more money, then all of us as elected officials need to say okay, that's fine, but we're going to have to live within the boundaries that you've chosen. In my mind those boundaries, on your side of the aisle, mean you go for public safety, fire, police, public works first. Things to maintain the Town and the safety of our buildings and our citizens. The extras, the things that you don't have to have, are the things that you need to look at. I enjoy all of those things, I enjoy going to the Library and the Recreation Programs, but if we're down to bare bones, those are the things that need to be looked at first.
On the Board of Ed's side we've done some of that when we had that very large cut of $677,000. If we have another cut now, I think you heard Scott say, and I agree with him completely, that we are not going to give up the teachers that we have to have, and we are not going to give up the maintenance of the buildings or the additional two people we need to maintain the buildings and grounds, so that means other things, and they're not things that any of us want to look at, but they're things that the people in Town will have to understand that they have made the choice and we're only carrying it out. So when you make your final decision as you go through your Agenda tonight, just know as someone that understands where you're coming from, I know the cuts aren't easy, but I fully support the fact that you need to make them, and I for one am going to vote for the things that the public has asked us to do when I have a chance on the Board. I'm going to say okay, this is where the cuts are coming from, and I'm afraid you're going to have to do the same. Thank you.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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Roger Mitchell, 99 Norway Street, Oakville, CT 06779
Mr. Mitchell: I've been hearing talk like this for 35 years. It's always whack the kids. How about the top end of the scale? We hired a new Superintendent for $125,000, and the other lady was getting $112,000. Why the increase? I mean you know this is a tight budget. Cut salaries a little bit, take a pay freeze. I mean everybody is, I don't know how many guys are regular working people, but the average guy on the road is hurting. One guy on my street has been out of work for 8 months. Town vehicles – cut down on personal use of those things. They don't need them. We've got one, I believe he drives to Derby, Seymour. Charge him for it. If he wants to take a car home, charge him. There's a lot of places to cut without hurting anybody. Thank you.
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at about 8:20 p.m.
5. Minutes
A. Regular Meeting Minutes – July 15, 2002
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Mr. Wick) to Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated July 15, 2002 as presented.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Budget Public Hearing Minutes – July 10, 2002
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Ms. Adams) to Approve the Budget Public Hearing Minutes dated July 10, 2002 as presented.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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6. Sub-Committee Reports
A. Manager Search Committee
Mr. Archer: At our last Council meeting I had reported that by this Council meeting we expected to have what's referred to by the Consultant we hired as a Challenge Statement, and what a Challenge Statement is is sort of a long prose version of what the consultant's findings were in having discussions with different department managers in the Town, with the Interim Town Manager, and with members of the Council, the Superintendent; I believe he interviewed approximately 18 people. And what that document is ultimately used for is to go out and aggressively search for a candidate, and what they'd like to do is present to the candidate exactly what it is, for lack of a better term, what they're getting themselves into if they come and work here. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Mr. Bennett, the Consultant, and myself were sort of going back and forth via email with that document. He was looking for additional color, if you will. You know there's the play by play guy and then there's the color commentary guy, looking for additional color to add to the section which describes Watertown. The purpose of that is to properly convey the flavor of the Town to the person who would be seeking the job here. Obviously anyone who is going to go work for a new company wants to know all about the corporate culture and just what type of company they're getting themselves into, and likewise any manager who's looking to come here would want to do the same thing. So as of midday today that document was still in preparation so it did not make it to tonight's meeting. As soon as we have that in hand we'll be distributing that to each of the Council members, please Chuck, via email first and then hard copy as well to their houses so that we're entirely ready to go forward with that at the next meeting.
B. Facilities Subcommittee
Mr. Primini: The Subcommittee met with the Public Buildings Committee last Wednesday for the purpose of the disposition of what both Griffin and Baldwin Schools may be. We met with the architect, Steve Whitaker, and we conducted a walk through of both schools, and hopefully we'll get a report towards the end of September, beginning of October, so we're going to have some input on what we're going to do as far as the Town office situation - whether it be Griffin, Baldwin, or a combination of both, or whatever the consultant comes up with.
Mr. Archer: Chuck, when we voted to spend the money on Steve to have him do this, my recollection was that report was supposed to be due the end of July. Are we talking about the same thing then? Is this is a delay in that report?
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August 5, 2002
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Mr. Frigon: The delay was facilitating the meeting between both the Facilities Committee, the Public Buildings Committee and Steve Whitaker, and so there was a complete understanding between all three as to what the ultimate outcome of this report was going to be, that it was going to indeed satisfy the needs of all three.
Mr. Archer: So you said there was some difficulty in getting them all together. Was this like a Summer and vacation type thing?
Mr. Frigon: Yes.
Mr. Primini: There was originally a meeting scheduled about 3 weeks ago when there was no quorum from the Public Buildings Committee so it was rescheduled until last Wednesday.
C. Finance Subcommittee
Mr. Kane: As you know we met at 7:00 p.m. this evening. I think all of us were truly disappointed that the budget that we presented on July 30th had been defeated, but as the Town has asked that cuts will be made, we have a recommendation tonight that you will find in the Agenda that offers a new proposal.
7. Chairman's Report
A. Correspondence
None
B. Turkey Brook
Mr. Archer: I have a note from Chuck Frigon, Interim Town Manager, just letting us know that we have reached yet another formal review of our Town's application for additional M.M.A. funds. Apparently we had to give them a whole boat load of information again.
Mr. Frigon: Yes (inaudible).
Mr. Archer: So as far as D.E.C.D.'s sort of determining whether this project has merit and whether they should provide additional funding for it, they are still collecting data from us and still in the process of making a decision and we're providing them with all of the material that they request in the hopes that they do come through with something else. There was some talk around Town that the funds that have already been allocated for it were lost. Is that untrue?
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August 5, 2002
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Mr. Frigon: To my knowledge that is untrue. I have included that in your packet (inaudible). The funding (inaudible).
Ms. King: One question on that (inaudible) Larry Wagner's memo to the State, there was some reference to an outstanding invoice from the State. Have we not received any money, is that correct?
Mr. Frigon: We have not received reimbursement for some of the expenses that we have encumbered, that's true.
Ms. King: Okay, they would have come out of the original grant basically?
Mr. Frigon: Yes. I was hoping that (inaudible). I know that we had been promised that the funds would be deposited (inaudible).
Ms. King: They've told us that they would.
Mr. Frigon: That's correct.
C. Noise Ordinance
Mr. Archer: There is a citizen who has come forward to the Council on a number of occasions questioning whether or not our Town comes under the umbrella of the Noise Ordinance as issued by the Torrington Area Health District, and this discrepancy is all about the date at which we joined the Torrington Area Health District and whether or not we were grandfathered in. So here's a note from James B. Rokos who is the Director of Health from the Torrington Area Health District:
"Enclosed is a copy of a letter we received from the DEP concerning some technical changes need to make to our Noise Regulations so they comply with Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA). I have other changes that I will inform each of our member cities and towns about, that I will propose to the Board of Health at its September meeting.
The DEP cannot offer any clarification on the applicability of the Noise Regulation to cities and towns who jointed the TAHD after the regulations were adopted in 1983. I will ask our legal counsel for his opinion, but in the interim we are considering the TAHD Noise Regulation effective in all of our constituent municipalities regardless of when they joined."
We hope that solves that and answers that question for the citizen who brought it up. Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
Page 7
Ms. Adams: Has a copy of that been sent to the citizen who brought that up?
Mr. Archer: I couldn't tell you.
Ms. Adams: If not, could we send a copy to the citizen that brought this up?
D. Historic Document Preservation Grant
Mr. Archer: This is a note to Virginia Stewart, our Town Clerk, from the State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Library:
"Dear Town Clerk:
The Connecticut State Library is pleased to inform you that your grant application for Paper Conservation in the amount of $5,000 has been approved. The State Library is obligated only for the amount of funds requested and approved in the application. The Town is responsible for any project expenses above and beyond this amount."
So kudos to our Town Clerk for a successful grant application.
E. Other
Mr. Archer: I, too, am disappointed about the budget going down. I don't really understand how Watertown is supposed to be like a sort of a pocket of deflation in the middle of the State where prices don't go up and nothing ever costs more. One of the sort of ironic things about having a mill rate as we do is it attracts developers to come and build houses because it's really easy to sell them because the realtors can say hey, you've got one of the lowest mill rates in the State, so it's kind of funny that the same people who say that we shouldn't have a mill rate increase also want to put a freeze on residential development, which of course you can't do, so (inaudible).
Mind you I don't take any of this personally, the budget defeat. I don't think this was anything personal about me, and I don't think anyone else on the Council takes this personally, it's just that we are doing what we think is right, and the voters disagree which is their prerogative to do, so we go back and slash and burn and take another referendum vote to the people and that's what we'll do.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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8. Action Items
A. Consider Appointments to Boards and Commission
The terms of various boards and commissions have expired or are expiring. Appointments must be made to fill these vacancies.
MOTION: (Ms. King, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to appoint Wanda Witty, 136 Eddy Street, Watertown, CT, to the Commission on Aging, replacing Barbara Marchand, Term to Expire January, 2003.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Consider Acceptance of Report of Playing Field Inventory, Recommended Use and Allocation as Presented by the Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission was charged with evaluating all playing fields within Watertown.
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) that the report of playing fields, recommended use and allocation as presented by the Parks and Recreation Commission be accepted as read and forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools for consideration and comment.
Discussion: Ms. King: I really appreciate the work that the Parks and Recreation Commission did in putting this together and it's very useful to see that evaluation of fields and the details on that which I think will be helpful for everybody, and also they're commending of the people who are still trying on both the Town's side and the Board of Ed's side to keep up with, as best they can, with limited resources to the things that need to be done on the fields. The Motion says something about forwarding to the Superintendent of Schools for his review?
Mr. Hebert: Consideration and comment.
Ms. Adams: Just one part in here where it talks about Recommendation #4. Unfortunately there's no page number that goes along with it, but it says that the lease with the Watertown Oakville Little League for Mosgrove Field be renewed and extended. I think that's something that hasn't been done for several years. It might be something we'd want to look at or maybe the Parks and Recreation Commission could bring it forward to us.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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Ms. King: It's here. It's Addendum #4. Didn't we agree to that at the last meeting?
Ms. Adams: I don't know that we did, cause we didn't have it in front of us.
Ms. King: We did that part.
Mr. Archer: We did that part but we didn't do . . . . . no?
Mr. Frigon: The lease has been completed. It's now being evaluated by the Town Attorney and (inaudible).
Mr. Archer: And that will come before us at the next meeting?
Mr. Frigon: Yes.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Consider Approval of Bid of Sale of Town Owned Parcels of Land
1. Seneca Road Lots 8, 10, 11, and 12
2. Rockland Avenue Lot 17
According to Town of Watertown Guidelines for Sale of Real Property, the Town Council is charged with the final determination of awarding a bid for the sale of Town Property.
The Town of Watertown, for various reasons, obtains ownership of real property within the Town's legal limits. The Town Council has made a decision to aggressively market those properties in which have no potential future benefit to our residents. An award of bids publicly advertised and received for the above referenced properties will be considered.
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) that the Town Council, according to Town of Watertown Guidelines for Sale of Real property, accept the offer of Mr. William Zuraitis, in the amount of $3,500 for Seneca Road Lots 8, 10, 11, and 12.
Discussion: Mr. Frigon: I did receive a letter from the Watertown Land Trust. I'd like to read it to you:
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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"Thank you for your letter of August 30, 2001 same subject. After some discussion at the last Land Trust Board meeting, we concur with our recommendation to sell these parcels. We would have the stipulation that no additional building lot be created as a result. In the event that sale would result in an additional lot we believe the Town should retain ownership. Thank you for your consideration in this matter."
Ms. Adams: Is there enough to put together for a building lot?
Mr. Frigon: Not without variances. There are two contiguous owners that have both bid on these four parcels. And I don't believe, I do know for sure that without variances neither of them would be able to construct an additional building lot.
Mr. Wick: On the issue of the building lot, I understand that variances would be required, but what is the probability that the variances, if applied for, would be granted?
Mr. Frigon: That's very difficult to say, Dick.
Ms. King: The memo that we have from Mary Barton says there is a slight possibility, but I don't know how you evaluate slight.
Mr. Wick: One of the reasons I ask is the concern about what Lee mentioned earlier. This is certainly on a mini scale, potential one house, but nevertheless every new residence has the potential for anywhere from 1 to 3 school kids and we've just been through the math on that issue and it works out to an average of $7,500 a year for the years they're in school, per child, so if we were to sell the parcels to the low bidder, we might end up saving money in the long run, given the assumption that a residential house would eventually be constructed on the property.
Ms. King: I would think, though, I was looking and these are in the Lake Winnemaug Estates area, which doesn't have water and sewer, so that really limits your ability to put something in there, according to the other memo here that there would have to be a septic system, and there are issues about septic there?
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August 5, 2002
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Mr. Frigon: Yes, there are issues. That area is very crowded. If you look at the map which is included in your packet, one of the property owners bidding on it, unfortunately the lower one is contiguous. Obviously he is looking to use that area or purchase that area for additional septic area, not to build on. There's no indication whatsoever that they would ever make any attempt to subdivide it or build, but they want to add it to their property. Bidder #2 has, according to Mary, although I have not seen any evidence of that, has stated that there may be some future desire for a subdivision.
Mr. Wick: Is it possible to sell the property with a deed restriction?
Mr. Frigon: Yes, but I'm not sure what that would cost (inaudible) cost of the property the difference between the low to the high might cost you more legal fees to come up with a deed restriction. I'm not sure but we could check.
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Ms. King, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti
Opposed: Mr. Wick
Abstained: None
MOTION CARRIED (8-1-0)
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) that the Town Council, according to Town of Watertown guidelines, for the sale of real property accept the offer of Mr. William Quadrato in the amount of $11,000 for Rockland Avenue Lot #17.
Discussion: Mr. Wick: If I understand this correctly this could also result in another expense to the Town. Am I correct on that, with respect to the issue of a road?
Mr. Frigon: The expense to the Town should be negligible in that if a variance is sought to subdivide, or turn that particular parcel into a building lot, it would be incumbent on the developer to provide any enhancements on the road.
Mr. Wick: It's a paper street now?
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August 5, 2002
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Mr. Frigon: Yes.
Mr. Wick: So the developer would have to create the road, but then the Town would have to maintain it?
Mr. Frigon: The Town would have to accept it and then maintain it. I also have a letter here that I received today:
"From the Watertown Land Trust. After some discussion at the last Land Trust Board meeting, our opinion is that this lot should be retained as open space either by the Town or by adjacent property owners. If it can be sold without creating a buildable/developable lot we would have no objection. However if selling the lot would allow for future development of same, then we believe the Town should retain ownership."
Mr. Wick: The bid received is considerably less than the appraised value, and given the possibility that it might create yet another residential structure, I would think that the Town should keep it for now.
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Ms. King, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti
Opposed: Mr. Wick
Abstained: None
MOTION CARRIED (8-1-0)
D. Consider Resolution of Support for the Reconstruction of Main Street (SR 73) from Candee Hill Road to Rockdale Avenue
The Town working through the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley, has requested regional funding support for the reconstruction of Main Street (Route 73) at the location of Ro's Pizza for the purpose of straightening the curve. The proposed resolution demonstrates the Town's support for moving forward with this process. If approved, this work is expected to be in the construction phase in approximately six (6) years and will be 100% funded with the possible exception of the southern sidewalk, which if included in the final design would be expected to receive 80% funding.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has published a legal notice display ad, mailed a news release to a number of officials and agencies, and mailed a formal letter to abutting property owners, announcing a public informational meeting on the proposed STP Urban Transportation project known as State Project #153-H028; and
WHEREAS, a public informational meeting was held on June 27, 2002, at Polk School Library, Oakville, Connecticut from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at which meeting residents had an opportunity to voice their concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Council of Governments Connecticut Naugatuck Valley has selected this project as a regional priority and to utilize federal funds for right-of-way, preliminary engineering and construction activities; and
WHEREAS, the Watertown Town Council has considered the concerns of the residents from the public informational meeting and finds that the proposed State Project #153-H028 is in the best interest of the Town of Watertown, and will promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its residents and provide for convenience and safety of the motoring public.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Watertown based on the above information, and by virtue of this resolution, hereby fully supports the proposed project.
Dated at Watertown, Connecticut this 5th day of August, 2002.
Lee Archer, Chairman
Watertown, town Council
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) that the Resolution of support for the reconstruction of Main Street (SR73) from Candee Hill Road to Rockdale Avenue be approved.
Discussion: Mr. Archer: Chuck, this is basically us rubberstamping the State of Connecticut's desire to change this?
Mr. Frigon: That's correct. It's 100% funded with the exception of the southerly sidewalk; if the Town should consider constructing that one portion, the State would reimburse us no less than 80%.
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August 5, 2002
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Mr. Archer: But they're proposal contains in it a sidewalk on the northern side which is on the brook's side. (Tape #1, Side A ended – may have missed some).
Ms. King: (Inaudible.) This is several years away, correct? Is this just putting this on the list, or are we beyond that?
Mr. Frigon: We're beyond just putting this on the list. We've actually gone to public hearing on this particular project. The State and the Regional Council of Governments has endorsed this project. At this point once this Resolution has been adopted and forwarded to the State then it will be officially on the list as a viable project.
Ms. King: Who ends up, if they take out the railroad abutment there, who ends up owning that?
Mr. Frigon: There are some easements that we would have to obtain, and some land swaps that would be considered.
Ms. King: We don't own it now?
Mr. Frigon: No, we don't own it.
MOTION PASSED UNANINOUSLY
E. Consider Authorizing a Bid Waiver for Repairs to the Air Conditioning Unit at the Watertown Police Department
The Town Council is asked to consider a bid waiver for the immediate replacement of a rooftop heating and air conditioning unit servicing the Watertown Police Department. The present unit failed approximately one week ago. Tri-Star Services, the contractor responsible for maintenance and repair of these units, is strongly recommending that the Town consider replacement over repair. The present unit was installed in 1980 and has a questionable life expectancy even once the compressor is replaced. This unit is the only means in which fresh air ventilation, air conditioning, and heat is delivered into a third of the interior facility spaces. The urgency is to provide a functioning unit in the shortest period of time at the most economical cost. Tri-Star Service has been servicing the Police Department mechanical systems most professionally and satisfactorily for a number of years. The owner of Tri-Star Services is a resident of Watertown.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
Page 15
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Town Council approval is required for waiving the bid process and awarding a contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder:
WHEREAS, Town Council Authorization is required for any purchase exceeding $4,000 that has not been independently bid by the Town's Purchasing Agent.
WHEREAS, the Watertown Police Department is in need of immediate repair to the air conditioning unit over the Police Chief's area of Police Headquarters.
WHEREAS, Tri-Star, owned by a Watertown resident, has satisfactorily serviced the Police Department for a number of years and will provide the serve within the timeframe required.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Watertown Town Council hereby approves a bid waiver for repairs to the Watertown Police Headquarters air conditioning units.
Dated at Watertown, Connecticut this 5th day of August, 2002.
Lee Archer, Chairman
Watertown, town Council
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) that the Resolution authorizing a bid waiver be approved for the repairs and replacement of the air conditioning unit at the Watertown Police Department.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Consider Budget for Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Budget
Prior to setting the Ballot for the Referendum, the Town Council will formally approve a budget to be sent to Referendum
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
Page 16
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) that the following budget be approved to be considered by Referendum as follows:
Town General Fund $18,549,081
School General Fund $27,605,895
General Fund Total $46,154,976
Town Road Aid $ 210,896
Water Operations $ 1,259,651
Water Capital $ 48,500
Water Extension $ 70,000
Sewer Operations $ 2,128,875
Sewer Capital $ 36,500
Sewer Extension $ 182,300
Water & Sewer Debt $ 172,034
Crestbrook Golf Operations $ 893,156
Crestbrook Improvement Trust $ 64,000
Local Capital Improvement $ 161,415
Discussion: Ms. King: Because we didn't have the numbers in front of us as you read it, this represents a cut of $90,000 on the Board of Ed's side and $90,000 on the Town's side?
Mr. Nardelli: Yes.
Mr. Archer: But if I understand correctly, that's not what we ultimately end up with. We can determine . . . . .
Ms. King: No, the split has to be determined cause we (inaudible).
Mr. Archer: That's right, cause you need the actual numbers.
Ms. Adams It's where we say we could make the cuts, we could do that.
Ms. King: But if you wanted the split to be different, then the numbers would have to be different. That's what I wanted to point out.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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Mr. Kane: At our Finance Committee Meeting which took us right to 8:00 p.m., in the essence of time we recommended that the split be even, half on the Board's side and half on the Town's side. Although in my feeling though, is that we don't necessarily have to do that, and that an adjustment could be made. Again I'm still sitting here boggled because the budget that we had presented on the 30th did not pass, and although it did, and people asked for cuts and there's a group that said they want cuts, and we're going to abide by that, but I don't feel that the children have to suffer every single time in every year that we do this, so I would recommend that we change those figures to read $120,000 out of the Town's side and only $60,000 out of the Board of Ed's side.
Ms. Adams: Is that a Motion?
Mr. Kane: Well that's my, I'm throwing that out for discussion.
Mr. Archer: I would agree with that. Short and sweet.
Mr. Hebert: I'll withdraw the Original Motion.
Mr. Archer: Is there any further . . . . .
Ms. Adams: We have to amend it and vote on it.
Mr. Rinaldi: I'm confused. There's a Motion on the floor. It was 90/90.
Mr. Hebert: Now it's 120/60.
Mr. Rinaldi: So which one are we voting on?
Ms Adams: We haven't done that yet.
Mr. Kane: I'm just opening it for discussion.
Ms. King: He didn't raise it as an amendment.
Mr. Nardelli: The new numbers would be on the school $27,635,895 and the Town's would be $18,519,081.
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Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
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Ms. Adams: I'll go ahead and support that. What I think I'd like to see for this time around, I'd like to see our department heads come back with some suggestions where to cut, where they have room to move, or what is going to be less painful for the Town.
Mr. Hebert: I don't want to see this budget cut anymore, unfortunately it has to because of the results of the last referendum. The Town Manager and his department heads and Mr. Nardelli have been making the decisions right along as to what they need and what they don't need. I think now this is what we have to do; this is what we were elected to do. It's out job to make the final cuts. We can take recommendations from the Manager and the Finance Director and the department heads, I don't have a problem with that, but I do believe that it is this Council's decision as to where those cuts should come from. Unfortunately we were elected to a job, and that's one of the parts of the job, that we should do it ourselves.
Ms. Adams: What I thought I had said was for them to come forward with the recommendations; it is always the Council's responsibility as to where the cuts are going to be made. If we like them, great, it's a lot easier for us, and if we don't, then we'll go back and do what we need to do, but we always make the cuts.
Mr. Wick: I would support the suggestions for the amended motion. It's really a question of the least (inaudible) alternative, but there's one thing I think we should do, in addition to what we've done before, and that is to attempt to market the importance of passing this budget this next time to more members of the eligible voters. I remember during the last Council it took 4 tries and the efforts of an interested and very energetic citizen to get more people out to vote. I think that's what it takes. There are certain attitudes that I don't believe can be changed, and I think I understand those attitudes, and while I don't agree with them I think they're something we have to recognize. And the only way to get a budget passed is to have more people vote in favor of those budgets, and the way to get that done, I believe, is better, more energetic marketing and I'd like to see us, I'm not making this is in the form of a Motion, but I would like to see us to come up with something in addition to the efforts that have already been made to try and present the budget to the people which were better than any I've ever seen. Unfortunately not enough people saw them at the Public Hearings or on TV, but if we can get some active lobbying, if you will, going on in Town, we might get enough people to come out and crate some (inaudible) power.
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
August 5, 2002
Page 19
Mr. Valenti: Just for the benefit of the public, although the press heard it earlier today, it's my understanding that this would be a proposed .35 mill increase. Is that correct?
Mr. Kane: Yes.
Mr. Archer: For the record we've been saying it's our job to do this, and it's our job to make the decision on where the cuts are. It is ultimately our decision to make, but in this process we've had a couple of different public hearings. Now the last one we were looking for input from the public and about 75 of our citizens came out to hear what the budget was about and to offer their views. The most vocal group in Town, as far as no budget increases are concerned, actually chastised us for asking the public their opinion. They said we should go out and just do the job and just cut some stuff, and just get it down to a zero mill rate increase. So we were actually chastised for trying to be representative of the people, and then they came to that meeting and did so again. And I spoke with one of the members of that vocal minority and said how come you don't come forward with any specific cuts to the budget, because I'd like to hear them. That's our job, is to listen to the people and do what they ask us to do, and that member of that group said, well I don't understand the budget. I find that kind of bizarre that you could actually go to the polls and vote against something you admittedly have no understanding of. I just found that fascinating and I wanted to share that for the record.
Mr. Hebert: I will amend my Motion, Mr. Chairman.
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) the Town General Fund will change to $18,519,081; the School General Fund will change to $27,635,895.
Discussion: None
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