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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-04 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING October 4, 2012 Present: Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner , CI Stephen Stelick, CI Joseph Solomon , Cl Jason Leifer Absent: CI Linda Lavine Elected Officials : Bambi L. Avery , Town Clerk Other Town Staff: Dan Kwasnowski , Director of Planning Supv Sumner called the meeting to order at 6: 43 p. m . She explained that it is necessary to authorize her to sign the purchase agreements for the Jerry Dell Farmland Protection Implementation Grant . D Kwasnowski said the purchase agreement is set up as a bargain sale . There is no town money involved . The State will pay 75% of the purchase price and the out-of- pocket expenses. RESOLUTION # 154 (2010) - AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR JERRY DELL FPIG Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption : i RESOLVED , that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute two purchase 1 agreements in connection with the Farmland Protection Implementation . 2nd Cl Solomon Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Cl Solomon Yes Supv Sumner Yes Cl Leifer Yes Budget Workshop Board members have received the Supervisors tentative budget. Supv Sumner said the budget direction in her view is to keep the tax rate stable . And changes in assessment address inflation and growth issues. That seems to have held true in the past. The second priority is fund balance. We will not rely as heavily on fund balance in the future. This budget decreased appropriated fund balance from two million to 1 . 6 million dollars . Anything we cut in appropriations will decrease the amount we have to use from fund balance . The tentative budget presented represents department requests , some of which have been slightly reduced by the supervisor. Personal services have increased slightly. Contractual is the largest portion of the budget, but is lower than last year. Employee benefits are slightly less than last year due to what is probably a more realistic estimate and bringing the Teamsters to the Consortium for insurance benefits . Cl Leifer said the surplus has been used as a rate stabilization fund since the economy tanked . The board discussed fund balance. They would like to identify a target number for fund balance and develop a policy for getting to and maintaining that target number. It could • be something like 20% of operating expense, but that will be a discussion for a future time . It was pointed out that there will not be a lot of revenue generated by income or raising taxes so Page Iof2 expenditures will have to be cut . The board agrees there needs to a gradual change in both expenditures and tax rate , probably over a five year period of time . Cl Stelick said the town currently pays about $22 , 000 per year per employee for family medical and $ 18 , 000 for single coverage . There was some discussion of all employees contributing 10% to health insurance premiums. That would be a savings of $67 , 000 to the town over the year. Supv Sumner said she agrees the town needs to move toward employee contributions, and has for new employees, but would like to discuss some alternatives . For instance , employees could be offered a choice of plans . That is something the Consortium would have to look into. She would also like to offer a flexible spending plan or wellness program , or both . She would like those in place before employees are asked to make a substantial contribution . CI Stelick pointed out that a 10% tax increase is not palatable , so we need to look at everything we possibly can . There will need to be some expenditure cuts . The board should evaluate whether we have the right staffing. Supv Sumner said we also need to look at our fee structures . Planning and Recreation are working on evaluating their fees . D Kwasnowski pointed out that the plan for Varna has the potential to increase the value of that part of town by tens of millions of dollars in a very short period of time . There is the potential for a lot of growth there and at the NYSE:G interchange . We could attract growth to the town . There will soon be an application for a new business in town . There is potential for a lot of new growth in the town . The board discussed the planned spending down of the fund balance and the need for a ® fiscally responsible plan for future boards to refer to . The attorney's retainer agreement needs to be tightened up for next year and more clarity on the vouchers. Department heads need instruction with respect to what is billable time. The need to tighten up equipment budgets was discussed . The board reviewed the tentative budget with the supervisor, who reviewed the changes she had made from department requests . With respect to salaries , CI Stelick said pay increases would be a stipend or a percentage , but there is nothing in place for longevity at this point . His goal is to have a budget that he can defend on every point. No changes were made and budget workshops were scheduled for October 19 and October 26 , 2012 at 3 : 00 p . m . Supv Sumner asked the board to come to the workshops with suggestions and ideas . The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Ad/el /CI.; 4,iliatizAy 13ambi L. Avery Town Clerk Page 2of2