MINUTES
WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
POLK SCHOOL LIBRARY
MONDAY, JULY 21, 2003, 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: Frank Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
Meredith Robson, Town Manager
1. Call Meeting To Order
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Called the Meeting to Order at 8:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Ms. LaForme, Board Clerk, executed the Roll Call.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Archer, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 2
4. Public Participation
Michael Corcoran, 274 Tarbell Avenue, Oakville, CT 06779
Richard DeFederico, 20 Capewell Avenue, Oakville, CT 06779
Mr. Corcoran: We're with the Veteran's Council; I am the Chairman, Mr. DeFederico is the Vice Chairman. We just want to bring to the attention of the Council that we're present and I believe you have a memo stating the intentions of the Veteran's Council to have a Memorial put up in Veteran's Park.
Mr. Archer: Yes, and it is on the Agenda as Item 9E.
Mr. Corcoran: We're here to answer questions if there are any.
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 8:02 p.m.
5. Minutes
A. Regular Meeting Minutes - June 16, 2003
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Ms. Adams) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated June 16, 2003 as amended.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Sub-Committee Reports
A. Public Works Subcommittee
Ms. Adams: We met last Tuesday. We're kind of limited as to what we can discuss because we don't have a budget, however one item that the Council spoke about a few months ago regarding back charging developers for snow removal, ice removal, etc., we have approved a plan that would need to be either amended, one of our current ordinances amended, or possibly a new ordinance so that may be something to refer to the Ordinance Subcommittee and we can take the next step with that, but there's a fee schedule approved, and conditions approved, etc.
Mr. Archer: Has that already been edited by legal?
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 3
Ms. Adams: It's going between Roy Cavanaugh and Frank Nardelli and Meredith Robson. As far to legal, we didn't feel that was our realm, but the Ordinance Subcommittee would be the one to take it to that step.
Mr. Archer: So that's something you're ready to turn over to Ordinance?
Ms. Adams: Yes.
Mr. Archer: Let's consider that done, and Dick, you can take it from here.
Ms. Adams: Secondly we talked about taking all of our, especially our drainage problems, to a referendum. We did approve a list of projects that basically people have complained about. They've been either safety concerns, predominantly in the Winter with icing, freezing, car sliding, trucks having to go out and make sure that these areas have been taken care of, so we have approved a plan to move forward to the Council to decide what they'd like to do with it. We also have a few transfers tonight.
Mr. Archer: Do you know how much that it?
Ms. Robson: It's almost $954,000.
Ms. Adams: For the drainage and there are some road improvements, just North Street, that's another $400,000 in change so it's probably $1,700,000 or $1,800,000, and there are probably more projects we could add to that, but these are the ones that have been on the list quite a long time.
MOTION: (Ms. Adams, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to add Agenda Item 6C, Finance Subcommittee Report.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Ordinance Subcommittee
Mr. Wick: We completed our work on the first draft of the new ordinance regarding the code of ethics, and that's on the agenda last for discussion. And the ordinance that we were asked to work on pertaining to the makeup of the E.D.C probably will be coming back at the next meeting. I intend to attend the E.D.C. meeting to discuss it with them before we come up with a recommendation.
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 4
C. Finance Subcommittee
Mr. Kane: We did meet at 6:30 and just finished just before 8:00 tonight but it was probably the most difficult meeting we've ever had as you know. We are in a difficult situation, whether it be the State or Locally, and because of the previous two referendums that have failed we needed to make further cuts from a budget that had difficulty to make cuts from. We will be talking about that later on the Agenda and we feel that the majority of voters have spoken on the first two referendums so we needed to make further cuts on our side, as well as you will see tonight as we talk about the possible date as well as the question.
7. Chairman's Report
A. Correspondence
1. Letter Regarding Donation of Computers from The Siemon Company.
Mr. Archer: With apologies to The Siemon Company, the Agenda states that I'm going to read a letter regarding the donation of some computers by them to the Senior Center, and we do not have that letter in hand so I can't read it, but I do want to make mention that they have donated 3 or 4 computers to the Senior Center and I'm sure we'll come up with that letter and we'll read that into the record next time.
B. Facts and Fallacies
None
C. Other
Mr. Archer: This was probably the most difficult Finance Subcommittee meeting that we've had. According to the Governor's recommended budget cuts we are receiving $1,200,000 less this year from the State than we did the previous fiscal year, so in order to make up just that shortfall from the State would require a 1 mill increase, so it has been a difficult process to figure out how to make up that difference. Even if we were to have a 0 mill rate increase, we're essentially going backwards in our Town finances so we will be getting to specific recommendations later on in the meeting, but it is a difficult situation that the Town is in.
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 5
8. Action Items
A. Consider Appointments to Boards and Commissions
The terms of various Boards and Commissions have expired or are expiring. Appointments must be made to fill these vacancies.
None
B. Consider Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Fiscal Year Budget
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to Table the 2003/2004 fiscal year budget.
Discussion: None
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini, Mr. Valenti, Mr. Wick
Opposed: Mr. Rinaldi
Abstained: None
MOTION CARRIED (7-1-0)
C. Consider Setting Date, Time and Place for Machine Vote on 2003-2004 Budget
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to Table setting the date, time, and place for Machine Vote on 2003/2004 budget.
Discussion: None
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini, Mr. Wick
Opposed: Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti
Abstained: None
MOTION CARRIED (6-2-0)
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 6
D. Consider Setting Ballot for Machine Vote on 2003-2004 Budget
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to Table setting the ballot for machine vote on 2003/2004 budget.
Discussion: None
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini, Mr. Wick
Opposed: Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti
Abstained: None
MOTION CARRIED (6-2-0)
E. Consider Tax Refunds
The Town Council is being asked to approve the refunding of the overpayment of property taxes.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Taxpayers have made application for the property Tax Refunds in accordance with Section 12-129 Refund of Excess Payment; and
WHREAS, the Tax Collector recommends that the Refunds be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-129;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council approves the following Tax Refunds:
1,153 Calca, Paul, N. Amount of Refund: $205.62
62 Ball Farm Road Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-9171
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 7
1,154 Calca, Paul, N. Amount of Refund: $210.65
62 Ball Farm Road Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-9171
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Veteran Exemption Applied
1,404 VT Inc. Trustee W O L T Amount of Refund: $155.20
3120 Rider Trail South Type: M
Earth City, MO 63045-1518
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Prorated
1,407 BMW Financial Services Amount of Refund: $176.81
5515 Parkcenter Circle Type: M
Dublin, OH 43017-3584
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Prorated
1,408 Vait, Ekrem Amount of Refund: $ 48.52
51 Pleasantview Avenue Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-0000
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
1,409 Vait, Ekrem Amount of Refund: $ 34.00
51 Pleasantview Avenue Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-0000
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
1,410 Vait, Ekrem Amount of Refund: $ 58.45
51 Pleasantview Avenue Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-0000
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
1,411 Vait, Ekrem Amount of Refund: $ 37.40
51 Pleasantview Avenue Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-0000
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 8
1,412 Vait, Ekrem Amount of Refund: $ 38.76
51 Pleasantview Avenue Type: M
Oakville, CT 06779-0000
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
TOTAL FOR ALL REFUNDS: $965.71
Dated at Watertown, Connecticut, this 16th day of July, 2003.
Lee Archer, Chairman
Watertown Town Council
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to approve the Resolution authorizing the Tax Refunds as presented.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Consider Transfers – Fiscal Year 2002-2003
Town Council authorization is required for the transfer of departmental funding between line items.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, expenses in the 2002-03 Fiscal Year require the Transfer of Funds:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by vote of the Watertown Town Council, that the following actions are taken relative to the Transfer of Funds:
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 9
GENERAL FUND
WAGE AND SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR FY 2003-03
NO: 1
FROM:
010-50110-004-0012 Purchasing Agent $25,737
010-50120-004-2155 Data Processing assistant 15,600
010-50110-007-0042 Secretary I 2,638
010-50125-007-0000 Temporary Salaries 3,685
010-50125-009-0042 Secretary I 911
010-50120-010-0062 Registrars 1,090
010-50125-010-0066 Voting Machine Inspectors 2,573
010-50125-014-1902 Temporary Salaries 1,921
010-50120-019-0072 Crossing Guards 2,715
010-50110-020-0055 Patrol Sergeants 47,662
010-50110-020-0056 Detectives 43,846
010-50110-020-1822 Lieutenants 36,493
010-50149-020-0000 Other Compensation 5,131
010-50155-020-0000 Holiday pay 1,501
010-50110-025-0007 Communications FT 4,362
010-50120-025-0075 Communications PT 7,712
010-50130-025-0000 Communications TO 2,773
010-50155-025-0000 Holiday Pay 6,942
010-50110-030-0013 Town Engineer 2,271
010-50125-031-0000 Temporary Salaries 3,388
010-50110-036-0128 Park Maintainer 2,092
010-50125-036-0000 Temporary Salaries 10,162
010-50225-042-0000 Employee Severance 20,000
010-50160-043-0000 Police Special Duty 61,797
010-50110-045-0091 Wage & Benefit Adj. 49,747
010-50110-002-0001 Town Manager 2,194
010-50110-002-0041 Secretary II 3,198
010-50110-002-0047 Executive Secretary 1,222
010-50120-002-0043 Minute Secretary 1,935
010-50120-002-1764 Temporary Secretary 17,535
010-50110-004-0003 Finance Director 3,381
010-50110-004-0009 Data Processing Coordinator 11,671
010-50125-004-0000 Part Time Salaries 2,159
010-50110-007-0042 Assessor 6,349
010-50130-009-0000 Overtime 2,745
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 10
010-50120-010-0063 Deputy Registrar 2,375
010-50110-011-0019 Zoning Enforcement Officer 2,306
010-50110-011-0177 Assistant Zoning Officer 2,616
010-50120-011-0043 Minutes Secretary 1,219
010-50120-011-1654 Intern 9,273
010-50130-012-0000 Overtime 1,644
010-50120-013-0043 Minutes Secretary 4,239
010-50130-013-0000 Overtime 2,103
010-50120-014-0000 Part Time Salaries 1,281
010-50110-015-0005 Building Inspector 2,828
010-50110-016-1927 Fire Marshall 3,951
010-50110-016-1928 Fire Chief 4,909
010-50120-017-0069 Fire Volunteers 8,789
010-50110-019-0006 Police Chief 3,754
010-50110-019-0176 Deputy Chief 3,233
010-50110-020-0057 Patrol Officers 125,448
010-51030-020-0000 Overtime 85,836
010-50110-030-0011 Public Works Director 1,405
010-50110-030-0041 Secretary II 1,734
010-50130-030-0000 Overtime 2,621
010-50110-031-0024 Highway Superintendent 3,021
010-50130-031-0000 Overtime 1,536
010-50110-036-1766 Parks Director 1,929
010-50110-037-0020 Assistant Director 2,946
010-50110-037-1768 Recreation Director 3,759
010-50161-043-0000 Police Special duty 25,605
AMOUNT: $1,180 No: 2
FROM: $ 400, 010-50326-037-0000 – Recreation, Telephone
FROM: $ 780, 010-50310-037-2101 – Recreation, Background Checks
TO: 010-50319-037-0000 – Recreation, Vehicle Maintenance
REASON: Gas leak in Recreation Department Vehicle
Dated at Watertown, Connecticut this 21st day of July, 2003.
Lee Archer, Chairman
Watertown Town Council
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 11
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to approve the Resolution authorizing the transfer of departmental funding between line items for fiscal year 2002/2003.
Discussion: Ms. Adams: This is just to close out the year and to make sure that everything is . . . .
Mr. Nardelli: Yes, these are the wage and salary items that we're closing out.
Ms. Adams: This is going into the Genera Fund.
Mr. Nardelli: They're just transfers within the General Fund, from one line item to another line item.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
G. Consider Transfers – Fiscal Year 2003-2004
Town Council authorization is required for the transfer of departmental funding between line items.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, expenses in the 2003-04 Fiscal Year require the Transfer of Funds:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by vote of the Watertown Town Council, that the following actions are taken relative to the Transfer of Funds:
GENRAL FUND
AMOUNT: $2,916 No.: 1
FROM: 010-50690-046-0000 – Contingencies
TO: 010-50120-002-1764 – Town Manager, Temporary Secretary
REASON: Funding for Secretary
Dated at Watertown, Connecticut this 21st day of July, 2003.
Lee Archer, chairman
Watertown Town Council
Watertown Town Council
Regular Meeting
July 21, 2003
Page 12
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to approve the Resolution authorizing the transfer of departmental funding between line items for fiscal year 2003/2004.
Discussion: Ms. Adams: Can we do this? We don't have a budget.
Mr. Nardelli: There's $35,000 in the contingency line item and based on last year's, you know we're 1/12 of the prior year's budget, that's what that $2,916 represents. The Town Manager is looking to maintain the Temporary Secretary for at least another month.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Consider Bid Waiver for Green Hills Subdivision Water Main
RESOLUTION
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