DISCUSS AND ACT:  FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 MUNICIPAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS

The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is submitted in accordance with Sections 6-4-2 and 6-4-3 of the Town Charter.  The proposed budget identifies anticipated revenues and expenditures.

Police:

Chief Correia discussed the problems that the Barrington Police Department has been dealing with over this last year in which the department was down seven (7) officers (in a department of 27) during the month of July.  But, said Chief Correia we worked together to fill all of the shifts.

Discussion ensued regarding that Barrington is not as competitive as they should be as the cities and towns are all competing for the same limited resources and that many departments are experiencing transfers.  Chief Correia stated that we need to be fully staffed in order to prevent loss in moral and personnel and concluded that it is his job to actively recruit and retain the police for the safety of the Town of Barrington.

Motion by President Kustell and seconded by Councilwoman Berard to direct the Finance Director to add up to $185,000 to the Public Safety budget for salaries and benefits.  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Motion by President Kustell and seconded by Councilwoman Berard to direct the Town Manager to begin a discussion regarding a wage reopener with a Memorandum of Agreement with the Police Department only (after a vote in favor at the FTM.  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Councilwoman Berard questioned the police auto replacement fund.  Discussion ensued in which the funds help to allow access for purchasing the automobiles.    

Dispatch – no questions.

Harbor – Councilwoman Berard asked for clarification.  She said that it appears that there is no increase to this budget.  Discussion ensued that it is a 5-year projected forecast.

Department of Public Works

Director Alan Corvi was present for the discussion.  Discussion ensued regarding auto/truck replacement purchases in which bids will be made on a large truck and a forklift.  Discussion continued regarding that this year a purchase for an electric pick-up truck was acquired and the roadway pavement with crack sealants program.

Councilwoman Berard discussed the landfills with environmental/water issues and the awareness regarding the high methane gas levels.  Director Corvi discussed that testing is required and there are funds that are held in reserve (a good safety net) for any emergency situations.

Councilwoman Berard questioned the streetlights.  Discussion ensued regarding the ornamental streetlights that were damaged.  Director Corvi stated that this is covered by insurance, but the Town must pay out first.

Discussion ensued regarding refuse and recycling and the rising costs due to the war in Ukraine (approximately over an 8% increase), diesel fuel has significantly risen, and that there is a need for an additional part-time office personnel (afternoons) as the current full-time administrative assistant is retiring and there is only a part-timer in the afternoon.

President Kustell discussed the tree maintenance line item.  Discussion ensued regarding that there are many trees that are diseased and that specialists are needed who have the proper equipment additional funds are always helpful.  Discussion continued with the retirement of the tree arborist (who is certified to work close to power lines) and currently there is an employee on staff that is now serving as the arborist.  Discussion regarding a 14-year-old truck with bucket had a $17,000 repair but will hopefully last another 5 years.  Director Corvi would like to discuss additional employees in the future.

Motion by Councilwoman Berard and seconded by Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier to increase the tree maintenance line items from $70,000 to $100,000 (+$30,000).  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Tax Assessor – no questions.

Planning, Building and Resilience:

Discussion ensued regarding the only significant increase is that the department requested an additional part-time employee as well as a backup on-call building official (with health care costs) when the full-time building official is on vacation/sick.  The discussion continued regarding the decrease to the contracted line item.

Councilwoman Berard questioned the Park & Trail line item.  Planning Director Crean explained that the monies will be used for the shade structure located on Lincoln Avenue at the tennis courts along with match requirements for grants and other projects (Harold Gibbs Wood, South Lake Drive

Recreation and Peck Center for Enrichment:

Discussion ensued regarding that there is more of a need in recreation for additional monies and used the monies from the Sr. Services.  The discussion ensued regarding camp costs.  Ms. Geremia explained that the fees to attend a camp session have been increased for the coming year.

Human Resources:

Discussion ensued regarding the department has not had clerical staff but had used interns over the years and therefore requested the increase for a part-time staffer.

Councilman Cloutier questioned the education and training and asked is it to educate town employees.  Ms. Oliveira explained that the monies are for her to keep her accreditation.

Town Manager Hervey explained that there is a line item that reflects professional development at $5000.  Councilman Cloutier requested to add another $5000 for additional training.  Councilwoman Berard stated her concern that the monies were not used this year and if they are used, she would like to consider this increase for the next fiscal year budget.

Motion by Councilman Cloutier and seconded by President Kustell to increase the MISCELLANEOUS – Professional Development/Wellness by an additional $5000 (total $10,000).  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Town Clerk, Probate and Board of Canvassers:

Town Manager Hervey explained that an oversight occurred with the Board of Canvassers part-time line item.  He requested that an additional $3500 be added to the line item for a total of $8700.

Motion by Councilwoman Berard and seconded by President Kustell to increase the BOC PT Help an additional $3500 for a total of $8700. The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

A discussion ensued regarding the recent announcement that Municipal Court Judge Connors will be retiring on August 31, 2023. 

Discussion ensued regarding the salary for the Probate Judge.  Councilwoman Berard said that she was shocked at the extremely low salary.  Town Clerk Meredith DeSisto explained that her research included in which some of the cities/towns have probate hearings two times a month, but the average salary is approximately $9500 and that is why she requested only an additional $2500 for a total of $5000.

Discussion ensued if the motion can be strictly for the Probate Judge, and that if a new municipal court judge is hired later in the fiscal year that an increase could take place.  Town Manager Hervey stated that the line item could reflect that of an “overspent” occurred if an increase for the municipal judge and bailiff.

Motion by Councilwoman Berard and seconded by Councilman Cloutier to increase the Probate Judges salary to a total of $10,000.   The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

President Kustell said that we will not address the salaries of the municipal court judge and bailiff at another time.

Discussion ensued with land recording revenues and the increase of house values and most recently that the land recordings are trending low.

Finance:

Discussion ensued regarding Computer Operations and that the increase is for cybersecurity. 

Town Hall Utilities – Contracted Services:

President Kustell discussed a proposed increase to the Town Hall Utilities – Contracted Services for additional monies to support cellular phones.  He suggested to increase the line item with an additional $2,100 ($20,000 + $2,100 = #22,100.)

Motion by President Kustell and seconded by Councilman Cloutier to increase the budget for Town Hall Utilities – Contracted Services with an additional $2,100 ($20,000 + $2,100 = #22,100) for the purpose to be used for mobile phone stipends.  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Discussion ensued regarding the compost program.

Discussion ensued regarding fields, field maintenance and cell tower revenue.  Town Manager Hervey stated that we presently do not have recommendations for improving the fields.  He said that the field maintenance fund currently has funds and that it is funded by cell tower revenues.  These funds can give us an opportunity to use the money for improvements in the very near future.

Town Manager:  

President Kustell suggested to increase the auto allowance for the Town Manager.  He said that his predecessor had a monthly allowance of $600.

Motion by President Kustell and seconded by Councilman Cloutier to increase the Town Manager’s auto allowance from $100 a month to $600 a month for an increase of $500 a month for a total of $5000 and a total of $7200 annually.  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Town Council: 

Councilman Cloutier discussed that he recently reviewed a 2014 survey in which Barrington is number 37 out of 39 with the salaries for the members of the Council (The average salary is approximately $3800 a year – Barrington at $500 and Providence at approximately $18,700 a year.)  Discussion ensued regarding the number of hours that a council member participates by attending meetings, serving as liaisons, meeting with constituents attending various events and other board and commission meetings, as well as the additional hours in which they must prepare for these meetings. 

Motion by Councilman Cloutier and seconded by Councilwoman Berard to increase the Council salary line item with an increase by $5000 to a total of $11,000 (each council member to receive an additional $1000).  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Electricity:

Councilwoman Berard said that she had reviewed the cost of electricity.  She said that across the board that there were different percentages to the increases of electricity.  She asked if there was a blanketed amount for each of the buildings.  Town Manager discussed the aggregation and that the contract ends in November of 2023 but unfortunately the increase is approximately 22% based on current year expenditures. 

Fire:  

Councilwoman Berard questioned the fire apparatus replacement line item.  Town Manager explained:

“Approximately $150,000 is budgeted each year to build up the reserve to sufficiently fund the systematic fire apparatus replacement program. Vehicles include rescue, engine, and ladder vehicles; rescue vehicles are required to be replaced every four years to maintain a reliable transportation fleet. This is the first of two $225,000 annual allocations needed to fully fund the replacement schedule after funding was zeroed out in the FY2023 budget in order to fully fund the replacement of self-contained breathing apparatus (see Fire Equipment Replacement reserve account).”

Climate Mitigation:

Councilwoman Berard was surprised to see that this line item was reduced, especially with the surge (of water) on County Road and with Latham Park at a potential increase.

Town Manager Hervey commented on the increase last year because it was a high priority, but the reserve account is increasing, and each year it will be aggressively higher.  He said that the intent is to hire a consultant and to leverage more grant money, but this will be addressed next year.  Councilwoman Berard stated for the record that she will be looking to increase this line-item next year.  Both President Kustell and Councilman Cloutier support Councilwoman Berard.

Discussion ensued in which the Town Manager stated that the staff is very lien.  Councilwoman Berard stated that she fully supports the hiring of additional staff to relieve the burden from the current staff members. Councilman Cloutier and President Kustell agreed.

Finance Director Raposa reviewed the amendments to the budget:

                                                                                    INCREASES

Public Safety Departments and Benefits                       $185,000          

Tree Maintenance                                                            30,000          totaling            $100,000

Professional Development                                                 5,000          totaling                            10,000

Board of Canvassers                                                           3,500          totaling                              8,700

Probate Judge                                                                    5,000          totaling                            10,000

Town Hall Contractual Services                                         2,100          totaling                            22,100

Town Manager Auto Allowance                                        6,000          totaling                              7,200

Town Council Salaries                                                       5,000          totaling                            11,000

Councilwoman Berard asked the Town Manager if he agreed with the amendments and if he was asked at the COA meeting if there were any items that he change.  The Town Manager agreed with the amendments.

Motion by President Kustell and seconded by Councilwoman Berard to accept the proposed budget as presented and amended and direct the Town Manager to submit the amended budget to the Committee on Appropriations.  The motion passed 3-0-0-2 in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

Budgetary Summary and Impact

Fund                          Proposed Funding    % of total budget                   % change

Municipal         $20,647,315 $20,886,937             22.7% 22.9%                 5.1% 6.3%

Capital (M)                            $1,649,000                        1.8%                           2.2%

Schools                                $62,493,714             68.6% 68.4%                           4.6%

Capital (S)                                $388,595                         0.4%                           0.0%

Debt                                      $5,905,683                         6.5%­­                          -3.2%

Total                 $91,084,307 $91,323,929                      100.0%                  4.1% 4.4%

If accepted, the total tax levy would be $69,167,530 $69,407,152, an increase of 3.4% 3.8%. 

Adjourn:

Motion by Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier and seconded by President Kustell to adjourn the meeting at 9:56pm. The motion passed 3-0-0-2, in favor, President Kustell, Councilwoman Berard, and Councilman (Medlin) Cloutier; no one opposed, no recusals and there were two (2) abstentions (Vice President Robert Humm and Councilwoman Annelise Conway absent).

___________________________________________

Meredith J. DeSisto, CMC, Barrington Town Clerk