AGENDA – WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING FOR January 28, 2014

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY

January 28, 2014

6:30 P.M.

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $5,362.39 (#477-503) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector

3b. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Tom Vitali at to serve as a Regular Member to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a three-year term expiring January 7, 2017– Chairman Vincent Cervoni

3c. Consider and Appointment of Timothy Wall, Samuel Carmody and Joseph DaCunto as Constables for two-year terms which expire January 7, 2016 – Chairman Vincent Cervoni

3d. Consider and Appointment of Chester Miller, Robert Jacques, Sr., Armand Menard and John LeTourneau as Constables for two-year terms which expire January 7, 2016 – Chairman Vincent Cervoni

3e. Consider and Approve the Appointment of James Fitzsimmons at to serve as a Regular Member of Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term expiring January 8, 2019- Chairman Vincent Cervoni

3f. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Rocco Matarazzo at to serve as an Alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a three-year term expiring January 8, 2017- Chairman Vincent Cervoni

3g. Consider and Appointment of Joe Rusczek as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term expiring January 8, 2017 - Chairman Vincent Cervoni

3h. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $80 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services

3i. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $100 from Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce for Youth and Social Services Special Fund- Holiday for Giving to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3j. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $120.00 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services

3k. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $180.00 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services

3l. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $240.00 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services

3m. Consider and Approve an Appropriation of Funds in the Amount of $2,100 to Revenue-Miscellaneous Reimbursement Acct #100- TBD and to Continuing Education & Training Acct #10020100-55700– Animal Control Officer

3n. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $18,000 to Transportation Equipment Acct # 43300392 and from Maintenance Structures & Improvements-Treatment Acct # 43100651 for $6,000 and from Meter Expenses Acct # 43100663 for $ $12,000 – Water Division

3o. Consider and Approve acquisition of Property at 237 Pond Hill Road – Water Division

3p. Consider and Approve Amended Memorandum of Agreement with South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority – Water Division

3q. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of January 14, 2014

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

6. Conduct a Public Hearing for January 28, 2014 at 6:45 P.M. with regard to an Ordinance entitled Penalties for Violations of Zoning Regulations –Ordinance Committee

7. Consider and Approve Authorizing the Mayor to sign the Consent Order issued by DEEP to provide municipal drinking water to five properties located on South Broad Street - Mayor

8. Consider and Approve Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to apply for the State of Connecticut Potable Water Grant with the Commissioner of DEEP in the Amount of $225,000 and execute all applications, instruments, contracts and documents, and accept payments and do all other things that may be necessary for state grants and loans relating to said grant - Mayor

9. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $225,000 to Services Acct # 53300345 and to Contribution in Aid – Water Division

10. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property - Mayor

 

The overtaxing of Wallingford

Taxing considerations was printed today in the Record Journal – in it Mike Brodinsky outlined many points regarding our budgeting processes. It is a comprehensive read and I recommend it to everyone.  

Our current budget (from this past May) already included $4.3 million dollars from the rainy day fund; when the end of year audit was completed, the budget balance for the fiscal year 2013 was $7,388,000 to the positive. This is because the town took in $3,587,000 more than planned (as I stated during the budget cycle we are TOO conservative with our income projection numbers) and we spent $3,801,000 less than planned (and that is simply credit where credit is due - it doesn't make sense to spend more than you need to).

In May of 2013 I pressed that “TOO conservative with our income projection numbers” issue - MY TAKE - Wallingford budget passes with additional cuts 

We could have fully funded EVERYTHING and STILL had money left over because we sandbag our revenue numbers to make an excessive cushion. We over estimate expenses as shown above (and agreeably, that is a harder target to hit).

Yes - it is better than running into the red but when these monies are only shuffled around it is bad for the taxpayer.

That $4.3 million dollars moved into this current budget will be slid back into the general fund and not spent and then it will be infused into the new budget and likely not spent as well.

The current budget was adopted at $147.4 million dollars – an increase of 4.3 percent on the full budget this upcoming May totals a new budget of $153.4 million; an increase of $6,000,000. The total tax bill for the town CAN go up by that amount and there SHOULD be no tax increases for that to the taxpayers because we are sitting on $7,388,000 to the positive from this year (with about $900,000 or so being held back for future revaluations.)

What is more likely is the scenario that was laid out in the paper in the Wallingford audit shows healthy revenue article - $2.16 million will be added to the town’s general fund, which grows to $24,804,000. Of that balance, $6,471,000 remains unappropriated. $11,794,000 — is retained to show creditors the town is well-off financially.

 

From the City and towns differ in how to handle audits article:

Cheshire - Total Budget: $98.7 million Surplus: $1 million Unassigned Fund Balance: $9.4 million Credit Rating: AAA (Fitch) Aa1 (Moody’s)

Wallingford - Total Budget: $145.1 million Surplus: $2.1 million Unassigned Fund Balance: $18.1 million Credit Rating: Aaa (Moody’s)

Aaa - An obligor has EXTREMELY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. – Wallingford

Aa1, - An obligor has VERY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest rated obligors only in small degree.- Cheshire

Aa2 and Aa3 also fall into that “An obligor has VERY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest rated obligors only in small degree” bucket – SOURCE.

I will remind our taxpayers of just one additional thing – when your tax situation changes, you sell your business (and no longer pay those taxes), downsize your home or move away you are never going to get a refund on these excess taxes you are paying right now. You will never see an increase or added service for the dollars you paid to the town.

It is impossible to hit the budget target on the nose but as I pointed out last year, as a freshman councilor versus as 30 year sitting mayor, we fudge the numbers way too much.

This is nothing short of being over taxed year after year.

There are a lot of numbers in this article – let me summarize for you.

If Wallingford’s total tax bill this budget season goes up less than 4.3 percent on the full budget for a new budget of $153.4 million AND our tax bills go up then the shell game is getting played again and you are being overtaxed.

See you in April at the budget hearings.

AGENDA - WALLINGFORD REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY

January 14, 2014

6:30 P.M.

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer Reverend Dean Warburton Church of Wallingford

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $2,364.98 (#441-#452) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector

3b. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $9,082.41 (#453-#473) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector

3c. Consider and Approve Merit Review – Personnel

3d. Acceptance of Donation from the Evonik Cyro Industries and Appropriation in the Amount of – $2,000 to Donations Public Safety Account 250200247152 and $650 to Donations Public Health Acct # 250400247152

And to

$1,000 to MRC Police Expenditures Fund #250 to be determined

$1,000 to MRC Fire Expenditures Fund #250 to be determined

$650 to MRC Health Expenditures Fund #250 to be determined

-Mayor

3e. Consider and Approve Resolution for the Wallingford MRC (Health Department) to enter into agreement with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to conduct education and training to citizen volunteers to provide support and depth to local emergency response teams and to accept $3,500-Health Department

3f. Acceptance of MRC NACCHO Award and Appropriation in the Amount of $3,500 to MRC-NACCHO Acct # 250400247152 and to MRC-NACCHO Acct to be determined – Health Department

3g. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $500 Youth & Social Services Special Fund to Donations Acct # # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3h. Acceptance of funds from Trail of Terror for Youth & Social Services Special Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $5,000 to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3i. Acceptance of funds from Trail of Terror for Youth & Social Services Special Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $10,000 to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Service

3j. Acceptance of registration fees for Youth & Social Services Special Fund STEM Academy and Appropriation in the Amount of $480 to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 22640150-58830 – Youth and Social Service

3k. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $1,000 Youth & Social Services Special Fund to Donations Acct # # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3l. Acceptance of Donation in the Amount of $2,080 for Youth & Social Services Special Fund STEM Academy from the Wallingford Education Association for $2,000 and from registration fees for $80 and to Approve and Appropriation to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 22640150-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3m. Acceptance of funds from private donors for Youth & Social Services Special Holiday for Giving Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $4,654 to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3n. Consider and Approve a Transfer for $5,000 from Contingency- General Acct # 10019000-58830-20 to Fuel Crisis Acct # 10040150-58220 - Mayor

3o. Establish a New Line and Approve a Transfer for $2,000 from Fire Marshal -PC & Accessories. Acct # 1002020-57000-00231 to Fire Marshal – Laptop Accessories Acct #1002020-57000-New Line to be determined – Fire Marshal

3p. Consider and Approve a transfer in the Amount of $500 from Continuing Education & Training Acct # 10020200-55700 to fire Operating Expenses Acct # 10020200-58735- Fire Marshal

3q. Acceptance of Emergency Management Performance Grant and Appropriation of $4,458 to State Grant Revenue Fund #225-To be determined and to Expenditures-Cook Hill Firehouse Renovations Acct # 225-To be determined

3r. Consider and Approve a transfer in the Amount of $3,000 from Contingency Acct # 10019000-58820 to Town Clerk-Office Expenses Acct # 10010650- 56100-Town Clerk

3s. Consider and Approve a transfer in the Amount of $15,000 from Contingency- General Acct # 10019000-58820 to Professional Services-Specialists Acct #10010300-56714- Law Department

3t. Consider and Approve Bid Waiver regarding Farmland Lease Properties Program for Field 8A, 5-year term, #50/annual fee and Fields 9B and 9C (together), 5- year term, $151.20 annual fee – Conservation Commission

3u. Set a Public Hearing for January 28, 2014 at 6:45 P.M. with regard to an Ordinance entitled Penalties for Violations of Zoning Regulations –Ordinance Committee

3v. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of December 10, 2013

3w. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Swearing-In Ceremony of January 6 10, 2014

4. Discussion and Possible Action regarding tentative agreement with AFSCME Council 4 Local 1183 from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2016 - Personnel

5. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

6. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

7. Announcement of Committee Appointments

8. Consider and Approve Bid Waiver to purchase Police mobile and portable radio equipment from Motorola, utilizing the current State of Connecticut pricing agreement in the Amount of $264,649 – Police Department

9. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $264,649 to Mun. Rev. Sharing Grant Acct # 1009051-45125 to Police Radio System Acct # 1002005-5700-To be determined - Police Department

10. Public Utilities Commission report regarding current status of Wallingford’s purchase of electric energy though Energy New England (ENE) - Public Utilities Commission

11. Consider and Approve proposed changes to the Town Council’s Rules of Procedure

12. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property - Mayor

13. Executive Session pursuant to §1-225(f) and §200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending tax appeal matter of Naugatuck Wallingford v. Town of Wallingford – Law Department

14. Motion to consider and Approve the settlement of the Naugatuck Wallingford v. Town of Wallingford tax appeal matter as discussed in Executive Session.

In accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act- Individuals in need of auxiliary aids for effective communication in programs and services of the Town of Wallingford are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA Compliance Coordinator at 203-294-2070 five days prior to meeting date.