Special Three Board Meeting
January 18, 2022
First Selectman Fiorentino called the special meeting of the boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education to order at 7 p.m.
Present: from the BOS, Mark Fiorentino, Sally King, Fred Moffa, Mark Neumann, Kelly Rome; Town Manager Erica Robertson, From the BOF, Michael B. Guarco, Jr., Jenny Emery, Kevin Hobson, William Kennedy, James Tsaptsinos and Alfred Wilke. From the BOE, Sarah Thrall, Monica Logan, Donna Nolan, Whitney Sanzo, and Rosemarie Weber. Also present, Director of Finance Kimi Cheng, Superintendent of Schools Jordan Grossman, BOE Business Manager Anna Robbins,
Opening Remarks
Fiorentino opened the meeting by thanking everyone in attendance for their patience with Zoom, especially those attending virtually. He briefly reviewed the budget process noting the Three Board Meeting is the first step. The intention is to give a higher-level view of both the Town’s and Board of Education’s obligations and priorities for consideration for the upcoming fiscal year. The Board of Finance will take the Plus-One Budgets under advisement and wait for the first version of the state’s budget in early February for its effects on revenue. It will be taken under advisement and followed by a Public Meeting to issue further guidance on the process. The boards of Selectmen and Education will work through the details and make the necessary adjustments to come within their guidelines. A series of public workshops will take place and as many of those as is possible will be on Zoom.
Fiorentino noted the importance of the workshops for individuals who want to be heard. They are urged to attend and provide constructive input. The board will listen and take these comments into consideration. The budgets will be submitted to the Board of Finance and a Town-wide meeting will be held, followed by the referendum vote.
Review of BOS Plus-One Budget
Fiorentino indicated the Board of Finance has already seen the Plus-One budget and said “We have a responsibility to our citizens to provide services they need and desire and be sensitive to the mill rate at the same time. The costs of doing business, materials and supplies are up significantly from a year ago.”
Fuel and salt costs are rising, salaries increase, and health insurance is projected to increase 20 percent. Trash disposal is proposed to increase 10 to 15 percent as well, although that will not be finalized until the end of February; it could be as high as 25 percent.
The total projected increase of the town budget is 5.29 percent. The IT infrastructure is extremely out-of-date, and it is an area that we cannot afford to have failures. Additional resources are needed to build up IT and help maintain it. Communication improvements are needed to the website, Facebook and Zoom to keep things up to date and be able to communicate with constituents, broadcast meetings, etc. Updates to the emergency communications infrastructure are needed as well. King and Neumann commented on the need for improvement in IT and trash expenses.
Review of BOE Plus-One Budget
Thrall welcomed all the new board members and thanked Grossman and Robbins, the Granby Public Schools administrative team and board members for putting the budget together. She stated the BOE follows six strategic goals to move the public schools forward: success for all students, a safe environment, continuous improvement, accountability, diversity, ethical behavior, and economic value. Assumptions for FY2022-23 include:
Retirement of three certified employees with a savings of $97K.
Health benefits rate increase of 20 percent.
A 20 percent increase in the bus contract that continues to be negotiated. Two bus runs have been consolidated. Fuel prices have increased and budgeted at $3.29/gal. Insurance cost increased 5.3 percent. Overall transportation increase projected at 10.2 percent
Negotiated salaries adjusted for anticipated retirements 3.2 percent, administrators 2.36 percent and teachers 3.10 percent.
Oil at $3.59 per gallon.
Increased Special Ed over FY22 Budget by $320K. Special Ed represents 19.81 percent of the total budget.
Zero percent increase in pre-school tuition as well as rental fees for facilities.
FY23 PK-12 enrollment of 1,760 reflects an increase of two students.
Maintain five-year positive balance in Quality and Diversity.
Based on the above assumptions, this year’s Plus-One Budget is 4.26 percent—which includes a 20 percent increase in the health care contribution:
+2.15 percent base
+0.83 percent Special Education
+1.57 percent all other line items
-0.29 percent retirement savings
District enrollment is projected to increase slightly over the next six years. By FY27, enrollment is projected to increase by 40 students.
Review of Plus-One Budget (BOF)
Guarco thanked the board of Selectmen and Education for submissions. He recognizes the hard work the boards put into these budgets and the challenges they face every year. When setting a budget guideline, the BOF considers the needs of the BOS and BOE, along with being sensitive to the taxpayers. It will be a challenge to get below a 2 percent increase. The BOS is over 3 percent and the BOE is over 2 percent. The BOE revenue of $400,000 from Special Education reimbursement from other towns will help reduce the difference. This is just the first part of the process. The State budget that comes out in February may help solve the math equation. BOF understands the pressure with the rising Special Education costs. This all plays into building the budget. The BOF meets soon to talk about the budget guidelines. Tipping fees and Special Education both increased greatly. The final budget will be ready to present to the public in March before it goes to vote.
Discussion and Consideration of Public Comment
Emery commented that although school enrollment overall is not a concern, the younger grades are growing faster. She would like to be reassured during the process that contingencies regarding space needs are being thought about.
Wilke has concerns with the projected increase in medical expenses and medical inflation. He would like to make sure the actuaries are not over-estimating the numbers. Fiorentino responded that the town is self-insured and there have been significant claims in the past few years. Robertson noted it only takes a few very large claims to increase the number. The benefit is not increasing 20 percent, it is about the number of claims and our history. She is reaching out to other sources to confirm or deny whether 20 percent is realistic or not. Fiorentino commented there is a town committee whose purpose is to focus solely on health insurance.
Wilke questioned how the Quality and Diversity fund is being used. Grossman noted the fund is used for such items as the purchase of chrome books.
Guarco stated “we hope to produce a package that we are comfortable with, and one that the public understands and supports as well.”
Tsaptsinos commented the budget is a long and arduous process. The biggest expense is adding new staff. Be mindful of that.
Fiorentino added all the board members are volunteers and taxpayers. The budgets being discussed are based on certain assumptions and projections. Boards build in some conservatism and try to err on the side of caution, and try to balance the wants and needs of the community, the services provided and the cost of providing them. During public comment, he asked individuals to be respectful, be constructive and be specific.
Bill Glueck, 18 Barkhamsted Road, thanked everyone for serving and the work they do. He reminded everyone the pandemic is ongoing and many have lost income and businesses have gone under. He suggested the boards be very careful and look at the level of spending and not generating the revenue needed to support the increase. Especially the increase in health care costs. He asked that every aspect of the plan and benefits be reviewed. He believes a change is needed.
Glen Ballard, 289 Granville Road, commented that with a new First Selectmen and a new Town Manager, it is a perfect time to update the story. The town has excess and unspent reserves close to $9M. He proposed that while looking at the budget process, a line item be created “Contribution to the General Fund,” with a cap on reserves and return the rest to the taxpayers.
Fiorentino responded that many factors go into what amount of money the town holds in reserves in terms of borrowing capacity, bond rating and preparing for emergencies. Ballard also inquired about an efficiency study. Fiorentino responded he personally is not ready to support spending taxpayer dollars on an efficiency study. It is fair to start with our staff as we always do.
Kate Bogli, 198R Salmon Brook Street, supported comments made by Glueck. She asked the selectmen to speak into their microphones and thanked them for broadcasting the meeting on Zoom.
Susan Patricelli Regan, 62 Hungary Road, thanked everyone for their hard work and recommends holding the mill rate flat as much as possible and keep it going forward. She questioned if Quality and Diversity is just another name for CRT. Grossman commented the Quality and Diversity Fund is not a grant. It is funded from Open Choice in CT and noted for every student who comes from Hartford, Granby receives $8,000 per student and $2,000 more for every Kindergarten student from Hartford. Critical Race Theory is not taught in the Granby Public Schools. At the next BOE meeting, the Quality and Diversity fund will be presented as it is every year.
Michael Fitzgerald, 25 Strawberry Fields, noted that while listening to the comments from individuals he observed many of the people are concerned about taxation and any change or increase. He personally looks at taxes as an investment in the town and the quality of life it generates. He looks at what the town provides to him and other families, i.e., education for children, police services, trash services, public works and much more. He is concerned when there is such a focus on keeping things [taxes] flat as costs go up and he believes investments in the town remain important. He feels many people believe this as well but do not always speak up. He wanted the board to know there are other people who are not as resistant to changes in the budget.
Respectfully submitted
Erica Robertson, Town Manager
Special Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2022
Present: Mark Fiorentino, Sally King, Fred Moffa, Mark Neumann, Kelly Rome, Town Manager Erica Robertson.
On A Motion by Neumann, seconded by Rome, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of Jan. 3, as presented.
On A Motion by Fiorentino, seconded by Rome, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the appointment of Don Rawling (R) to replace Eric Lukingbeal to the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Management Plan (LFSWS) for an indefinite term. There is still one vacancy for this board. Anyone who may be interested in serving can contact the BOS for additional information.
On A Motion by King, seconded by Moffa, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the following Democratic Town Committee re-appointments for individuals whose term will expire Jan. 10, 2022: Kent R. McCord and Melinda Gould, Conservation Commission); Matthew L. Brady, Development Commission; Aurelle S. Locke and Victoria K. Dirienzo, Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission; Patricia (Pam) M. Jones and Robert Donna, Library Board); Steven Simard, Parks and Recreation Board.
King noted Monica Logan will not continue on the Development Commission; another candidate is being interviewed to fill the vacancy.
On A Motion by Neumann, seconded by Rome, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the following Republican Town Committee new appointment and re-appointment whose term will expire Jan. 10, 2022:
Re-appointment of Donna Snyder, Commission on Aging; and appointment of Hillary Peterson to replace Matthew R. Hamer, Library Board.
Consideration of IBAC Charge
Robertson and Fiorentino recommended re-establishing the Intra-Board Advisory Committee (IBAC) with a new charge. The First Selectman will determine topics for the committee to study with the first being the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (federal stimulus monies) received by the Town of Granby. A charge has been created and the first meeting of the committee is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26, 2022 at 8 a.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
On A Motion by Rome, seconded by Moffa, the board voted (5-0-0) to establish a new Intra-Board Advisory Committee (IBAC) to review, examine, and make recommendations on topics of importance for the Town of Granby at the discretion of the First Selectman. The committee composition shall consist of the three voting members: First Selectman or designee, Board of Education Chairman or designee and Board of Finance Chairman or designee; and non-voting members: Town Manager, Superintendent of Schools, other staff as required.
Town Manager Report
Budget Operations
Robertson reported tax collections are at 67 percent, which is consistent with previous years. A total of $620,000 in auto supplement bills have gone out. The Town Clerk and Building permit fees continue to be strong, slightly better than the same period last year. Some expenditures and deficiencies were reviewed. Everything is on track and mostly trending well or slightly above from same time year.
Strategic Goals
Robertson and Fiorentino have put together a Strategic Planning Process for the Town of Granby. The purpose is to focus on coordinating efforts of boards and commissions to guide decisions of the Board of Selectmen. There will be a six-step process beginning with board and commission members submitting goals to the Town Manager followed by workshops to develop a draft strategic plan. Comments will be heard, and a final plan will be adopted, which will be distributed to various boards and commissions as well as being placed on the town website and published in the Granby Drummer. The deadline for draft goals is May 1, 2022.
Other
The Department of Public Works is still within budget despite increased expenses due to storms that have hit on weekends and holidays.
First Selectman Report
Fiorentino shared a note he received from Don Shaw of the First Congregational Church thanking him for his part in the Habitat for Humanity house opening ceremony. The family has moved into its new home and have felt very welcomed to Granby.
In addition, the First Selectman thanked all the volunteers that helped with the distribution of COVID test kits. It went very smoothly, and it took a lot of work to put it together.
Respectfully submitted,
Erica P. Robertson, Town Manager