Wilton 2006 Budget
Committee
Members Present: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, William J. Keefe, Donald R.
McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, David B. Tierney, Jr. Joyce A. Fisk, Donna
Pucciarello, Donald C. Davidson, Jr., Daniel Levesque and Dan Donovan III,
Selectmen Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Carla
Walter, Police Chief Brent Hautanen and Fire Chief Ray Dick
The AGENDA was amended as follows:
1.)
Fire Department
2.)
Police Department
3.)
4.)
Elections
5.)
Other Business
6.)
Adjournment
Chairman Hughes called the meeting
to order at
1.)
Fire Department
Chief
Ray Dick appeared before the Committee to explain the 2006 proposed budget. He
noted the following changes:
·
Air pack maintenance
decreased by $200.
·
The 1987 Engine 1 would be
requiring six tires/rims due to rust on valve stems.
·
The reimbursement for the
firefighters increased 3%.
·
The fire station building
has cracked windows along the diner side of the building that he would like to
replace. Ray had received quotes for this ranging from $2957-$5,000. The cost
is for replacement of the glass only and not frames. He concluded the
additional $3,000 to the line item would also include all other maintenance for
the station as needed in 2006.
·
A $1,000 increase in
training due to the fact that there are 33 employees now with the fire
department, noting the previous year he had spent $9,000 but only had to fund
an actual $2,000 due to federal grants available for training.
Ray
explained the 1975 Engine 2 Chassis needs to be replaced. He had received a
quote from Valley Fire Protection out of
He also
explained that there is a site visit on
The
Committee thanked Ray for his time and noted they would be discussing the Fire
Department again at the
2.) Police
Department
Chief
Brent Hautanen presented the budget for the Police Department and Building,
noting the budget was originally presented on
1.)
Purchase
Budgeting for $15,000 a year with new cruiser purchases
occurring in 2007 and 2009. This is the current method of replacement and
requires the department to keep a cruiser for six years, averaging
approximately 50,000 miles per year on the primary cruiser. After two years,
this car already has 100,000 miles on it. It then moves into a secondary role
and averages another 25,000 miles per year for an additional two years which
results in a cruiser that has approximately 150,000 road miles after four
years. This figure does not account for idle time on the vehicle during the
period. The industry standard is that one-hour of idle time equals 33 miles.
The police cruisers experience substantial amount of idle time during the
courses of its working life span resulting in thousands of miles that are not
reflected on the odometer. At the end of the four-year cycle it then moves into
the detail/training, car role where it remains for two years before it is
finally retired. (noting it may be necessary to use this vehicle in the case of
an extreme emergency, or to replace one of the other cars in the event that
they are removed from service for some reason). Lastly, it is important to
consider that, as the car ages, repair costs can increase substantially.
2.) Lease
Leasing an SUV in 2006 for three years, leasing a car in 2007
for three years and leasing a car in 2009 for three years. This would result in
only a minimal cost increase over the next four years and the cruisers
progressing through the rotation sooner thereby reducing the mileage. This
would decrease repair costs, provide safer vehicles and would even lead to
higher sale prices when the Town puts the car out to bid at the end of the
cruiser’s life cycle.
Mr.
Hautanen noted neither option includes equipment that may need to be replaced
in the cruiser (i.e., light bar, laptop and stand, siren, radar unit, etc.). He
reminded the Committee that when he purchased the new car this year most of the
equipment needed to be replaced because it was old and worn out. This resulted
in the Town having to budget $35,000 to purchase and outfit the car. If this
continues in the same manner then in 2007, we will need to budget at least this
amount again.
We are
also enrolled in the CAR 54 program. This program provides over $10,000 per
cruiser in grant money to equip cruisers with specific equipment including
laptop computers for mobile data communications. Currently, the department is
only able to use this to outfit their 2003 and 2005 cruisers. The 2001 is not
eligible due to its age and the amount of mileage it has. By leasing a new
vehicle in 2006, we would be able to use this grant money to significantly
decrease the cost of equipment. Only a small amount of equipment would be
needed (i.e., cages, two flashlights, pushbumper, minimal lighting and
graphics).
The
Committee supported a 4-year rotation of the cruisers versus a 6-year rotation
but did not act upon the proposal. Chief Hautanen spoke of his desire to obtain
the Expedition SUV to help get to locations that currently the Police have to
contact Fish and Game to get to. The
cost for a 2006 Ford Expedition is $26,808.00
The
Committee also inquired about an increase in secretarial support to the budget.
Chief Hautanen explained that his secretary is doing such tasks as
transcriptions that previously were contracted out.
Chief
Hautanen concluded his discussion with a warrant article for $11,000 for the
purchase of equipment and software to upgrade the departments three cruisers
and server for mobile data communications. The Committee also supported the
request noting that the monthly mobile fee of $50.00 should come out of the
operating budget in 2007 if the warrant article is approved for 2006.
The
Committee thanked Chief Hautanen for this time and noted they would be
discussing the Police Department again at the
3.)
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $500.00 to the
Voting: 9 ayes; motion carried.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
4.)
Elections
Chairman Hughes informed the
Committee the increase of $775.00 was due to more elections in 2006 then 2005.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $2,050.00 to the
Elections Budget.
Voting: 9 ayes; motion
carried.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
5.) Other Business
The Committee deferred approving
minutes of
The agenda’s for the upcoming
meetings are as follows:
Adjournment
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.
Voting: 9 ayes; motion
carried.
The meeting was adjourned at
________________________________________
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Carla J. Walter