Selectboard Budget Minutes 12-12-2022
Selectboard Budget Minutes 12-12-2022
TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING
RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL
181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT 05736
DECEMBER 12th, 2022
This meeting had a virtual attendance option available for anyone to join.
- Meeting opened at 5:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance
- Board members present Don Chioffi, Joe Denardo, Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, and Kurt Hathaway
The main purpose for this meeting is to finalize the draft budget proposals.
Chairman Chioffi read a letter from the Foley Cancer Center at the Rutland Regional Medical Center thanking us for the donation sent to them from the Town. It was sent as a thank you to Mark Foley who brought his ice cream truck to the Town Wide Celebration and gave out ice cream at no cost.
Chairman Chioffi read a thank you card from Ann Scholtz, thanking the Board for sending a gift basket after her recent surgery.
The Rec budget was reviewed with Recreation Director Mike Rowe. Most budget items are close to, or the same as last year with only a few exceptions. After some adjustments to the income lines were made, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the budgeted expenses presented of $168,008. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
Transfer Station Manager Larry Dell Veneri was present and reviewed his budget. There were no changes made to his proposal. The budget is up over last year mainly due to recycling costs.
The Fire Department budget was reviewed. Chief Chris Clark, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Carlson, and Assistant Fire Chief Larry Dell Veneri were all present. Most items did not change significantly. Compensation lines were adjusted by the 6%. The daytime wage line was increased by $9000, due to its positive impact on responses. The overall budget increased by 3%. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the budgeted expenses presented of $232,254. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
The Police Budget was reviewed with Chief Dumas. Equipment and fuel have the largest increases due to the anticipated costs. The overall budget increased by 12%. Discussed the acquisition of a new vehicle, using the funds received from the settlement with The Cortina Inn instead of adding money to the budget. The Board was in favor of this. The line for purchase / lease was reduced to zero. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the budgeted expenses presented of $564,068. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
The Highway Budget was reviewed with Road Commissioner Dave Sears. Retreatment was reduced due to a miscalculation in the last budget which resulted in more taxes being raised than anticipated. These additional funds will be used to supplement this line for the coming year. The balance of the lines were reviewed. Adjustments were made to the calculations to reflect correct accounting for state aid income. Discussed being able to purchase an additional vehicle from Capital Improvement Funds rather than making it a budgeted expense. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the budgeted expenses presented of $1,002,558. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The amount to be raise by taxes will be $882,558. The motion passed 4 – 0.
Discussed the future of dispatch services and the related expenses. Selectman Denardo suggested authorizing a ballot item which would ask the voters to allow the board to spend up to $150,000 for dispatch services, if required, from the 1% local option tax in excess of the $1,200,000 projection. There is no information available from the state yet for funding requirements.
The Board began discussing the General Budget.
1st Constable Michael Delehanty was present to review his proposed budget. Constable Delehanty is recommending reducing his previous budget of $9500 for his vehicle to $7600 based on a new projection of his schedule. This was updated.
2nd Constable and Health Officer John Paul Faignant was present to review his proposed budget. There were no changes from the previous discussion. The increased costs were due to an increase in the reimbursement rate and additional hours being projected to work.
Planning Commission Chair Barbara Pulling was present to review the Planning Commission budget. Most expenses were level funded, except for the reimbursement line increasing by 6%.
The Board discussed the compensation rates for some Town employees.
The Listers rate does not yet reflect the anticipated personnel change in the office. After some discussion, the Listers compensation line will be changed from $39,636 to $44,096 to reflect the appropriate rate and anticipated hours worked in the office.
Chairman Chioffi recommended an increase in the base salary of $1000 for the Town Administrator based on the increase in tasks in the office and the work produced. Selectwoman Ashcroft recommended an increase in the base salary for the Town Clerk line and for the Town Treasurer line of $1000 each. Chairman Chioffi recommended an increase of $1000 for the compensation of the Assistant Town Clerk and Treasurer. These amounts would be in addition to the 6% raise already calculated in the proposed budget.
Discussed the appraisal update expense based on the presentation from Gail Gantick. Money received from the State for reappraisal maintenance can be used for business personnel property reappraisal services. The proposal was for $30,000 to review up to 25% of Town accounts annually. After discussion, the budget will remain at $6500.
Discussed how to handle the balance of the lister salary expenses. After a discussion, the compensation for the Listers will be listed as one total rather than breaking it out per position. With the anticipated personnel changes coming, Lister Marcia Chioffi will increase the weekly hours worked to 32. Lister Howard Burgess will reduce the weekly hours worked from 40 to a number yet to be determined. 28 hours was identified as the gap.
The budget for general attorney services was increased due to uncertainty with issues on the South end of town.
Based on changes to compensation discussed at this meeting, related personnel costs may need to be recalculated.
Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet
| Don Chioffi, Chair |
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| Joseph Denardo, Clerk |
| Mary Ashcroft |
| Sharon Russell |
| Kurt Hathaway |
Center Rutland, VT.