2003-02-27budBUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, February 27, 2003 ~ 7:00 p.m.
Caucus Room A - Berlin Town Hall
Minutes
1) Roll Call
Those in attendance were:
Councilor Frank Dobeck, Jr., Chairman
Mayor Paul Argazzi
Councilor Donald Geschimsky (arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Councilor Ida Ragazzi
Deputy Mayor Scott Veley, Vice-Chakman
Also in attendance:
Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
Herman Middlebrooks, Assistant Town Manager
Anna Johnson, Finance Director
Chairman Frank Dobeck, Jr., called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2) Discussion on Budgets
Fire Department - Dept it31:
Mark Lewandowski, Kensington Fire Cheil presented the Fire Department budget. The Fire
Department held the operating budget to no increase. The Fire Department with the help of the Finance
Director, Anna Johnson, established a long-term program for replacing fn-e equipment.
Account #249, Physicals has been cut back. Instead of doing all 100 members every other year, it was
decided to have 50 members have the physicals one year and than the next year the other 50 members.
The different departments for maintenance of the fire buildings use account #230 Rent. A number of
years ago a 5% increase in the rental amount for each year was negotiated but never put into effect.
Since the Fire Department wanted to submit a lean budget, this increase is not in this year's budget.
The training tower located in the town of Newington is going through some major repair. The money
that has been built up in that account will help the three Towns get through the cost of these repairs.
The training tower was erected in 1984/1985.
The Capital Items are Account 409-5 Air Compressor for $20,000. which is the second installment to
replace the ak compressor unit which is used to fill the breathing apparatus bottles. Account 419 Air
Bottles, this is the third installation for this item. It is a mandatory requirement that every 15 years
these bottles are taken out of service. East Berlin's ak bottles are due this year.
Maintenance for the Fire Departments include, for example a new boiler, also Kensington Fire
Department does have a mortgage. At one point Kensington Fire Department had to stabilize the
building since it was sinking. This was at a cost of over $300,000.
Municipal Garage - Dept tf35:
Jim Simons presented the Municipal Garage budget.
Account #205 Maintenance of Radios has decreased but the Police Department will have a new line
item for maintenance of their radios.
Fuel oil bids come out in July and hopefully we will be able to hold the line.
Under Capital Outlays Account 245-1 Snow Equipment should be moved into the
Professional/Technical part of the budget. This is really a maintenance account.
Community Services - Dept #55:
Antoinette Pajor presented the Community Services budget.
The Blue Collar Personnel Account 105 can probably be decreased. The newly hired Bus Driver will
not have any vacation in the first year.
Discussion concerning attendance with the different classes. People pay per class instead of paying for
a block of classes. Mrs. Pajor would like to increase the fee from $2.00 to $3.00 for these classes. Also
Mrs. Pajor would like to increase the suggested bus donation from $1.00 to $2.00.
The Town pays for the special license for the Bus Driver. This is covered in Account 209 Training.
The new Cable Company, ComCast may offer one free cable to the Town as well as to the schools. It
would be given to the Senior Center.
Commission_for Disabled- Dept #26:
Antoinette Pajor presented the Commission for Disabled budget.
No discussion.
Fire Marshal - Dept #34:
Steve Waznia presented the Fire Marshal budget.
A letter is attached from Mr. Waznia concerning Account 103 Mid-Managers Personnel. Since 9/11 the
Fire Marshal is getting more and more involved in Terrorist Training. Case numbers for the Fire
Marshal has been increasing. Back in 1991 there were 310, now the office is involved in 565 cases.
Hazardous materials standards will ~ntinue to increase the workload in the coming year. The Town
Manager did cut the full time position. This position has top priority if funds become available.
3) Minutes
Mayor Argazzi moved to accept the minutes of February 3, 2003
Seconded by Councilor Ragazzi
PASSED 4-0-1 (Councilor Geschimsky abstained)
4) Adjournment
Councilor Geschimsky moved to adjourn seconded by Deputy Mayor Veley
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 5-0
Meeting ended at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathryn J. Wall
Town Clerk