ANNUAL BOROUGH & BUDGET MEETING

April 16, 2011 ~ 9 AM at Stonington Firehouse

Draft Minutes

The annual Borough meeting was called to order at 9:00AM by Warden Don Maranell with approximately 17 voters in attendance. Present were Burgesses Kathryn Burchenal, Paul Burgess, Jeffrey Callahan, Howard Park, Robert Scala and Clerk-Treasurer, Frederick Souza. Burgess Edward McCreary was not present.

On a motion by Jeffrey Callahan, seconded by Burgess Scala, Scott Bates was unanimously appointed moderator. Reading the call of the meeting was dispensed. The following is the call as printed in the New London Day on March 31, 2011:

This is to warn voters and taxpayers of the Borough of Stonington that the Annual Borough and Budget Meeting will be held on April 16, 2011, at 9 A.M. at the new Firehouse to approve the minutes of last year’s meeting, to hear the Warden’s report, to act on a budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, to consider a Highway Department Capital Improvement Program, to select trustees for the Waldron Fund, and to consider such other business as may come before the meeting.

Approval of Minutes:

After the public was given the opportunity to review the minutes, Warden Maranell seconded by Burgess Callahan, moved acceptance which was unanimously approved.

Warden’s Report: The following are highlights of the Street Commissioner’s (Warden Maranell) report:

à The School Street improvement project was completed during the year and the sea wall at the end of Diving Street was repaired.

à Handicap accessibility to Wadawanuck Square and to the Post Office was improved.

à Cannon Square restoration was completed with the exception of sprinklers and grass which will take place this year.

à This year will see rebuilding of Hyde/Orchard Street, repairs to the Church Street sea wall, and discussions with the Town regarding drainage issues which have flooded Bayview Avenue stemming from Meadow Street/Velvet Mill area.

à A utility tractor was recently purchased to help with snow and leaf removal, maintenance of gravel areas in the Borough, and mowing.

à The larger of the two loans for the firehouse has been paid off with approximately $105K left to pay off by fiscal year 13-14.

Public Buildings Commissioner (Jeffrey Callahan):

à Renovations to Borough Hall have been put on hold except for essential maintenance and the improvements made as part of the repair process. This included several modest, non-routine projects which included replacing the fire escape door and repairs to the electrical panels. It is anticipated that this year will see replacement of the old standby generator.

à The Borough clock recently underwent some routine maintenance.

à The firehouse is in good shape with some repairs to leaks, and Bill Teixiera and Roger Collelo were applauded for their efforts in maintaining the firehouse and the Borough Hall on a daily basis.

à The escalating cost of fuel was noted, as was that this year we were protected by contracts which had been priced much lower than the cost of fuel oil and propane is now. This is anticipated to have a bearing on costs for next year.

Fire Commissioner (Robert Scala):

à Appreciation was offered for the volunteers in the fire department who work so hard to keep us safe.

à Chief Hoadley thanked the community for its continued support of the department, and he referenced the need for improvement and upgrade of the fire fighter’s equipment which is expensive and often 10 years old or more.

Police, Public Affairs & Communication Commissioner (Kathryn Burchenal):

à In the area of Emergency Management, there has been good rapport developed with the Town Police department and there is ongoing dialogue regarding safety issues.

à There is a four way stop being investigated right outside the Borough in an effort to curb speeding at the foot of the Viaduct where it intersects with Trumbull Avenue.

à Traffic control is also an ongoing issue which all of us must be conscious of.

à We are working to improve the Borough website for better communication.

Utilities and Sanitation Commissioner (Edward McCreary): NOT PRESENT

à There are few issues regarding sanitation and utilities except to note water line improvements on Main Street near the firehouse.

Parks, Trees and Rights of Way Commissioner (Howard Park):

à The new organization in the community—the Friends of Wad Square have been working carefully with the highway department to help with upkeep of the square.

à Along these lines, the lights on the square have been systematically removed, restored and repaired. Borough money was used to finance one of these and donations from SVIA and other private citizens has contributed to two others.

Emergency Management, Sidewalks and Street Lights Commissioner (Paul Burgess)

à Ten homeowners repaired or replaced sidewalks at Borough’s request. Additional homeowners repaired sidewalks at their own.

à First historic stone crosswalk repaired/reset on Main Street/High Street intersection.

à Only significant streetlight issue has been getting CL&P to replaced light on footbridge.

à No significant Emergency Management issues.

Budget: A summary of the proposed budget is as follows:

Income

Grants and Reimbursements $180,271

Fire Protection Fees 106,537

Other Income 6,279

Property Taxes 688,360

Accumulated Revenue Balance 47,500

Total Income $1,028,947

Appropriations

To Ordinary Expenditures

General Government 216,431

Boards & Commissions 42,240

Fire Department 203,944

Hydrants 41,000

Public Buildings 24,006

Street Department 184,603

Parks, Trees & Rights of Way 20,000

Sanitation 1,500

To Contingency Expense 25,000

To Debt Service 38,413

To Special Revenue & Trust Funds

Infrastructure Reserve Fund 209,393

Clock Fund 500

Sidewalk Fund 4,000

LoCip Grant (Tentative) 1,714

Cannon Fund 16,203

Total Appropriation $1,028,947

Burgess Callahan moved approval of the budget under consideration which was seconded by Burgess Scala. The motion passed and the budget was approved as presented

Various points within the proposed budget were discussed and are highlighted below following correction of the column headings to reflect the correct fiscal years being referenced

• A resident (George Peterkin) questioned the budget item for fire truck and department maintenance and also the comment that a newer truck will be needed in the not-too-distant future.
• A question regarding why there was money included in the budget for the Stonington Ambulance was answered by the fact that they didn’t request any last year but did this year.
• A resident (Martha Mitchell) questioned a number of items which might be cost savers and included suggestions for greater efficiency in striping crosswalks and using grant money to help pay for sidewalk repair (the Borough Ordinance on sidewalk repair was also questioned). Health care costs were mentioned as well with smoking cessation noted as an option.
• The cost of the Administrative Assistant Position (created 4 years ago) was discussed since that has risen dramatically in 4 years and now when benefits are included costs the Borough in excess of $45,000. Sharing of insurance premiums for this position and others is under review, and it was noted that the estimated budget item will be approximately $5,000 less, but the line item was not reduced.
• Line Item # 105 for professional services was questioned (Betty Richards) and the salary of the Zoning Enforcement Officer noted as being somewhat high given the small scope of work in the Borough.
• The cost of a line striper has been included in the budget as has replacement of the snow plow.
• The cost of pruning and cutting of trees was discussed and the suggestion made that pruning trees back further in the first place would mean fewer expenses and might be healthier for the trees and for safety issues related to the trees.

On a motion by Burgess Callahan seconded by Burgess Park, the following highway capital improvement plan was brought to a vote for fiscal year 2011-2012 and unanimously approved:

2011-2012 Hyde and Omega Streets, seawalls and needed sidewalks and curbs $150,000

2012-2013 Cliff and Omega Streets, seawalls and needed sidewalks and curbs 150,000

2013-2014 Grand and Temple Streets, seawalls and needed sidewalks and curbs 150,000

2014-2015 Denison Avenue & Wall Street, seawalls and needed sidewalks and curbs 200,000

2015-2016 Northwest & Front Streets, seawalls and needed sidewalks and curbs 200,000

Waldron Fund:

On a motion by Warden Maranell, seconded by Burgess Callahan, the following were reappointed trustees of the Waldron Fund—Mary Nunes Maranell, Lisa Tepper Bates, and Kathryn Nason Burchenal.

Other Business:

Lisa Tepper Bates provided a summary of the Waldron Fund over the past year.

The meeting adjourned at 10:23 AM

Respectfully submitted,

Frederick J. Souza ~ Borough of Stonington Clerk/Treasurer