Town of WILTON 2006 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

November 14, 2006

 

 

Members Present:       Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, David B. Tierney, Jr, Joyce A. Fisk, Selectmen Representative Daniel Donovan III and Donna Pucciarello

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Daniel Levesque, Jerry Greene and Donald C. Davidson, Jr.,

OTHERS PRESENT:            Carla Walter, Steve Elliot, Maurice Guay, Doreece Miller and several High Mowing School Students

 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

7:30        Minutes of November 8, 2006

7:35        Highway, Parks & Recreation and Resurfacing

8:00        Cemetery

8:10        Building Inspection

8:15        Zoning Board of Adjustment

8:20        Recycling Center

8:30        Wilton Main Street Association

8:35        Other Business

-                      Heritage Commission

-                      Host Homes

9:00        Adjourn

 

Ch. Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

1.)                November 8, 2006 Minutes

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the November 8, 2006 minutes as written.

Voting 4 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

2.)        Highway, Resurfacing and Parks & Recreation Budgets

 

Steve Elliot appeared before the Committee to discuss the above noted department budgets.    He specifically noted a 24% increase in Resurfacing, a 2.0% increase in the Highway Department and a .5% increase in Parks & Recreation.

 

Steve also explained the Town is putting $93,000 into the sidewalks as the Town’s contribution in keeping with the rules of the grant of the Main Street Project. $39,000 is an additional amount that will be needed for the work on the street itself that cannot be counted as part of the Town’s contribution to the project. He explained he would like to do the 1” top coat to Main Street after the construction is complete rather than wait one (1) year and noted it would be beneficial for traffic flow and Main Street businesses.  He concluded a warrant article would be needed for the remainder of the funding for the Main Street Project as $43,000 was allocated last year.

 

Dan Donovan stated the Selectmen plan to vote to carry over appropriations for Marden Road.

 

Steve also noted he would propose a warrant article to upgrade the 1990 Mack.

 

Steve concluded that the decrease in Parks & Recreation Supplies was due to the fact that fertilizer was needed for Carnival Hill, which will not be needed next year as the Wilton Junior Athletic Association (WJAA) will be assisting with the purchase.

 

There was no further discussion on the above noted budgets.

 

3.)        Cemetery Budget

 

Steve Elliot and Cemetery Trustee Doreece Miller appeared before the Committee to discuss the budget for the Cemetery Department.  Doreece explained the Trustees had received several complaints within the last year regarding the condition of the cemetery grounds.  Therefore, they had the soil analyzed and found they needed to add a significant amount of lime to bring the pH up the appropriate level.  She also noted they have also added a line item for re-imbursement for travel/gas when a trustee attends a conference.  Doreece concluded the proposed budget would increase 12%.

 

Doreece and Steve thanked the Committee for their time.  There was no further discussion on the budget.

 

4.)        Building Inspection Budget

 

The Committee noted the Building Inspection Budget is proposing a 3% increase.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

5.)                Zoning Board of Adjustment

 

The Committee noted the Zoning Board of Adjustment is proposing a small increase in their budget due to increased hours of the Secretary.  There was no further discussion on the budget.

 

6.)        Recycling Center

 

Maurice Guay appeared before the Commission to the operating budget for the Recycling Center.  He noted a proposed 5.5% increase.  He also noted that as of 7/1/2007 TV’s will no longer be able to be in land fill containers.  The Center will still receive TV’s in a separate closed in container. He concluded he would like to purchase an additional baler for approximately $50,000. The Committee noted there is $57,000 in a reserve account. 

 

Maurice thanked the Committee for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

7.)        Wilton Main Street Association (WMSA)

 

Chairman Hughes explained they had received the financial information requested at last week’s meeting. 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $10,000 to the WSMA.

Voting:  5 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the budget.

 

8.)        Heritage Commission

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $700 to the Heritage Commission.

Voting:  5 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the budget.

 

 

9.)        Host Homes

 

Carla Walter distributed copies of the financial information requested at last week’s meeting.  The Committee asked if appropriating less than the requested amount would change the status of family assisting in Wilton. 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $1,000 to Host Homes.

Voting:  5 ayes; motion carried.

 

10.)            Committee Vacancy

 

Mark Whitehill explained to the Committee that he is close to securing the vacancy in the Committee.

 

11.)      Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting:  5 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.

 

                                                                       

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

 

 

NOTE:  NEXT MEETING NOVEMBER 28, TUESDAY, 7:30 WILTON TOWN HALL

 

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