Town of WILTON 2006 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

November 8, 2006

 

 

Members Present:       Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, David B. Tierney, Jr, Joyce A. Fisk, Jerry Greene and Donna Pucciarello

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

OTHERS PRESENT:            Carla Walter, Tom Herlihy, Daniel Donovan III and Brent Hautanen

 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

 

7:30     Discuss need and possible candidates for a new member to replace Bill Keefe

7:35     Discuss the Wilton Water Commission request for funds for Wellhead Projection Survey

7:50     Review the following small budgets for approval:

                        American Red Cross

Bridges Domestic Violence Support Program

                        Home, Healthcare and Hospice Community Services

                        Host Homes

Milford Mediation Program

                        St. Joseph's Hospital

8:00     Review and discuss the following budgets to determine what additional information the Budget Committee might need:

Bridge Aid King Brook Road

Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County

Wilton Main Street Association

8:30     Salary System

 

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

 

1.)     Budget Committee Vacancy

 

Chairman Hughes reminded the Committee that member William Keefe is now the Town Moderator and has left a vacancy on the Budget Committee.  Mr. Whitehill stated Betsy Castro is currently thinking about the position.  Chairman Hughes asked Mr. Whitehill to stay in touch with Betsy.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)                Wilton Water Commission Wellhead Protection Survey

 

Chairman Hughes explained to the Committee that the Water Commission is requesting a survey be done to assist the Planning Board in developing regulations and drafting further zoning ordinances to protect the well recharge area in a manner that would withstand legal challenge. 

 

Water Commissioner Tom Herlihy stated the survey is estimated at $45,000 and the Commission is requesting the Budget Committee appropriate $15,000.  He further noted the Water Commission is matching a State Grant of $15,000.  Chairman Hughes asked if the State funding is not available, if the Commission will allocate an additional $15,000.  Mr. Herlihy stated they would. 

 

Mr. Greene inquired if the town had a back-up resource of water.  Mr. Herlihy stated the Reservoir was still the town’s backup but the water is in raw form and would need to be processed through a treatment plant, which could potentially cost $3,000,000.

 

Chairman Hughes asked Mr. Herlihy to return to the Committee with a formal request for $15,000 and their Operating Budget for the December 5, 2006 meeting at 7:30 p.m.  Mr. Herlihy agreed and thanked the Committee for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)                Miscellaneous Budgets

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the following budgets:

·        American Red Cross                                                          $1,000

·        Bridges Domestic Violence Support Program                      $   750

·        Host Homes                                                                       $2,500

·        Milford Mediation Program                                     $   500

·        St. Joseph’s Hospital                                                          $1,040

·        Home, Healthcare and Hospice Community Services           $7,000

 

The Committee asked if the town had used Host Homes.  Police Chief Hautanen stated that a family has been set up but that a situation did not warrant using this family in the last year.

 

THIS MOTION was amended to remove Host Homes until additional information is available on other towns’ contributions and a budget of income and expenses.

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried. 

 

The Committee also noted that we do not have a formal request from Home, Healthcare and Hospice Community Services.  They have requested $7,000 in 2006.  The Committee agreed to appropriate $7,000 at this time.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $10,290 to the following:

·        American Red Cross                                                       $1,000

·        Bridges Domestic Violence Support Program                $   750

·        Milford Mediation Program                                            $   500

·        St. Joseph’s Hospital                                                       $1,040

·        Home, Healthcare and Hospice Community Service     $7,000

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

4.)                Bridge Aid King Brook Road

 

Mr. Greene updated the Committee on a preliminary estimate from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for King Brook Bridge.  He noted the State Bridge Aid covers 80% of the total $300,000 needed and the Town share, 20% is $60,000.  This needs to be allocated this year in order for work to start in 2010.

 

The Committee noted there is currently $55,000 in a reserve account.  Chairman Hughes asked if this money was allocated to a certain bridge, and if the funds should be added to this reserve.  He further noted that if the State funding doesn’t come through this way the town would still have the money allocated to serve for other bridges in town.  Mr. Donovan stated there were currently three (3) bridges on the Red List, which are as follows:

·        Old County Farm Road over Blood Brook

·        Frye Mill Road over Burton Pond Outlet and;

·        Stage Coach Road over Burton Pond Outlet

 

Although King Brook is not on the above list, it is recommended repairs are needed due to traffic volume. 

 

Mr. Donovan stated he would contact Town Counsel Attorney Silas Little to see if the current bridge reserve can be used as the 20% payment on King Brook Road.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

5.)        Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County

 

Police Chief Brent Hautanen appeared before the Committee in support of a new non-profit organization’s request for $1,000.  He noted that the Child Advocacy Center was recently under Bridges Domestic and Sexual Violence Support Organization but had branched out on their own.  He also gave the Committee details on the important benefits of their organization.  The Committee asked where their funding comes from.  Mr. Hautanen stated fundraising and grants play a large role in the funding. 

 

The Committee requested their budget, and what other towns contribute to the Center.  Mr. Hautanen agreed to contact the Director and provide the information within a timely manner.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

6.)        Wilton Main Street Association

 

Chairman Hughes reminded the Committee the town has allocated $10,000 to the Main Street Association (WMSA) for the last few years and explained the town and the Main Street Association are working on the sidewalk improvements for 2007.  He noted they allocated $43,000 in 2006 towards the town’s $93,000 match.

 

The Committee requested a report of total income/revenue from all sources be provided.  

ACTION ITEM: Cary Hughes to contact WSMA for the above information.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

7.)        Salary System

 

Chairman Hughes asked Police Chief Brent Hautanen to appear before the Committee at their December 12, 2006 meeting in order to go over the guidelines for a proposed salary system including a merit system and pay scales.  He stated they would require 45 minutes for the presentation.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

8.)        Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

 

                                                                       

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

 

NOTE:  NEXT MEETING NOVEMBER 14, TUESDAY, 7:30 WILTON COURTROOM

 

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