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Home My WebLink About1996-11-04 GROTON TOWN BOARD PUBLIC HEARINGS Monday , 4 November 1996 � Board Members (' absent) Others Present Teresa Robinson , Supervisor 14 -mcts Casullo , Town Attorney Colleen D . Pierson , Clerk Mark Robinson , Liz Brennan Dan Carey DeForesL Hall , Phyllis Tin merman Donald Palmer Margaret Palmer, Leland Lewis Sovocool Bob W Llpole , Oley Houghtalirrlg *George VanBenschoten Lee Shurt:leff, Chief, GFD The Public Hearing was opened aL 8 : 00 p. m , by Teresa Robinson , Town Supervisor. Budget handouts were provided for everyone present , After making sure everyone had a copy of the budget , the Supervisor presented the proposed budget to those present . She explained the different divisions of the Town as called out: In the "Summary of Fiscal Budget by Funds for 1997" presented , from Item A through Item SF2 . Supervisor Robinson reported that personnel expenses were included in the tlgures shown . The budget presented , if adopted , would represent a tax rate of $6 , 54.5 which is a 15. 5% increase from 1996. This increase is broken flown as $3 . 94 (Village) and $2 . 605 (Town) . Supervisor Robinson went on to explain that there was not a lot of revenue and very little fund balance. Robert Walpole was recognized by Supervisor Robinson . Mr. Walpole stated that in reading the " Budget Narrative" provided to those present, he .noticed that the Town Supervisor and Town Board members have elected to keep their salaries at: the 1996 rates, while all other employees were to receive a 3% increase . He wanted to know why the Supmtsor and Board Members did not feel they, too , were entitled to an increase . Member Carey replied that he felt that t:he Board should show some constraint on their part, especially in light of the fact that the tax rate was being increased , and Member Sovocool stated that he felt he "gets enough . " Mr. Walpole countered with what lie had heard " on the street" that "they must be they're aslianied to raise the taxes . . . " He reiterated his opinion that " it didn' t look very good to the general public , " and if everyone else was receiving a 3% increase , then the Board and Supervisor should receive a like increase. He also stated that if the Board still felt they should not receive the increase , then perhaps they should look at Llie salary increases that were proposed for other Town personnel . Supervisor Robinson replied that this matter had been discussed in preparing the budget, and the consensus of the members was that they did not wish an increase . Mr. Walpole continued , citing page 10 of the budget handout , under Machinery, asking Highway Superintendent Cornelius if he felt the amount allocated for his budget: was sufficient. The Superintendent replied that he had no problem with what was proposed . Mr. Walpole then asked what was going to be done over the next: two / three-year period to replace equipment in the Highway rt Depament; would they have to borrow money'? Although he realizes the Town is free and clear of debt, it was his opinion that a small increase in the tax rate of 504t per year was preferable and would allow an increase in the fund . in contrast to previous reductions in the tax rate which , he felt , put the Town in its present position of having to make a large increase in the rate, as is proposed . He also is dissatisfied with the County Budget, staling they had no increase for roads or bridges, but really increased the human services portion , in answer to Mr. Walpole's comriients regarding the 'Town Highway Department, Supervisor Robinson stated that they were looking forward to a " normal " year for the Department, and that they do have a plan to set aside monies for machinery; this was why they propose to transfer $45 , 000 to the machinery, thus building it, up and not spending it elsewhere. She further stated that the County is proposing that the 'Town pay 200A of the approach rind topping of Lhe bridges in the Town : however, this isjust a proposal at this time . Supervisor Robinson asked if there were any further comments or questions . Phyllis Timmerman asked Supervisor Robinson to explain the " Peruville Light District" item, which the Supervisor did . DeForest: Hall stated that there was "quite a Jump in the tares" and asked if there was any way t:o cut: the proposed budget further. The Supervisor and Board members replied that. they had cut everything Town of Grotork Budget Flearingg November 4, 1996 possible �L7d that this was What WZEL8 required Lo igun the Town for the r1ext fiscal }Fear. Mr. walpoit said that the only pjaCj� CO cul: would be ire Lhe macllinery account , and the ,supervisor replied that if this was [lone , it world only accomplish a reduci, ion in the rate oi` Mao cents , Mr. Walpole closed his refnarks by rc-sLating his op111iors that the . , upervisor and Town Board fxlembers were entitled to a 3 raise , the same as Ulf; other personnd , upervl5o'r Robinson Lben asked il` !_here were way further que-sbi7r.7s or co0aments , There being none , she closed die first budget h (ea_dng at 8 : 18 1) . m , t Sw3o p. m. , Supervisor Teresa Robinson commenced the public hearing for the proposed contracts with the Groton Fire Protection and Ambulance Service , turning the meeting over to Lce Shurtleff, Fire Clhief, Chief Shurdcff explained Lht proposed 0 COLOn 1'ire DepaTtmenL HudgeL w Moil proposed $62 , 00D Far the )Fire Department. and $ 55 . 000 for the Ambulance Ser�! ce , an increase of 1 , 7 % , or 4 , COO , over the 1996 1;3udgtL. A copy of Mae Proposed Budget vas made available to al ] those present for their review and comment. He reported on the Departmcnifs activities, stati [Ig that the EMS program WEIS VM successful and had become a year-round program , He also stated that the ArnbWance Service had 600 calls so far lhiS dear [a '10- month) Figurer Indicating possible Incri%ase of frrom 6 t:a 8 percent, Lind that the caIls wire continually iner acing- Sliurtlefi` sLaLed that they plan to pLuchase /.replace o.r] ; ambulance in 1997 buL, other khan that, have i>] anned no rnajor purchases For the ncKt Three or four years . He also skated that flit Departrnent $ trainiTIg program was very active and very suc:cessfjjl . Chief Sh urL' lcif asked if anyone present had any quCSUOns Or corn Men ts regarding the proposed budget , There being none . S upervisor Teresa Robinson closer] this public hC Lring at : 37 p , rn . A motion to accept Lhe 1997 Budgcts, as presented , was macle by Baard Member D. wis sovacool . seconded by Board MleRiber Dan Carey , with all ill err] bers present %rating 1n favor- Respectfully submitLed , t Joan l?. Fjteh , recording Secretary Town Budget Headings 2