A. Meeting called to order

The meeting called to order by Town Council President Gosselin at 6:02 p.m.

B. Roll Call taken by Deputy Town Clerk

Councilman Licciardi

Councilman Messier

Councilman D’Amico

Council Vice President Williamson

Council President Gosselin

C. Deputy Town Clerk declares a quorum.

D. Acting Town Manager gives an overview of the budget process

Acting Town Manager Knott reported:

This is the second Public Hearing for the proposed FY 2022 budget. We completed 10 or 12 smaller departments last week. We intend on continuing with the rest of the departments. The department heads were considerate of the town fiscal constraints while drafting their request. That will support the continuation of services expected by our community and also providing some capital items necessary to provide those services more efficiently. The key points on this budget as originally presented there’s been some changes since it was printed and released to the public. The total budget increases were expected at slightly above 5.4 million. That’s inclusive of 2.1 municipal expenses and 3.3 for school aid pass-through appropriation the levy increase was 2.01 or slightly more than 1.2 million. The estimated tax rate increase on the original proposal was 2.1 dependent on finalized tangible, annual returns that were due last week. Funds included in general government for the current collective bargaining processes. Capital expenditure requests totaled $436,000, 100% of our pension arc is included in this budget, $358,000 was included for our property reevaluation process in the next fiscal year, tax increased from 96.8% to 97.0% and a propose use of $500,000from the fund balancing mechanism.

E. BUDGET WORKSHOP-FY22 (JULY 1, 2021-JUNE 30, 2022)

F. The Town Council will hear the following proposed departmental budgets:

• School Department

Superintendent, Karen Tarasevich reported: At the February meeting they voted to approve a balanced budget for FY2022. There are five goals to present a balance budget:

• To support education and programming for the school department.

• Compliance with educational mandates

• as well as the Bep

• Continued compliance with pension and OPEB Contributions

• Consideration of future budgets

The balance budget presented was in the amount of $63 million six hundred and thirty-three thousand four hundred and eighty-four dollars. This reflects no increase in the appropriation from the town. The FY 22 budget is balanced with an increase of 6% from FY21 and a dollar amount of $3 million three hundred eighty- seven thousand eight hundred and seven dollars. Anticipated State Aid our local appropriation and Medicaid reimbursements will support this increase. $2.5 million increases in salaries at 7.4 %, $77,000 increase in transportation costs a 3% increase, tuitions for special education placement is actually a decrease in the amount of $500,050 and an increase in the medical premiums $292,000 at 4.5%. the school is following the state pension contribution in the amount $666,000 which is a 17% increase the OPEB contribution is 28,000 and a 10% increase and municipal pension contribution is $57,000 at a 3% increase. The Fiscal Year 2021 budget was the first in years in which the school district received a local appropriation increase, since the district for a number of years accepted level funding while the town recovered from its poor financial state. Taxpayers last year approved a municipal budget that included an additional $800,000 for schools. As the school department has demonstrated over the past several years we are committed to helping the town’s fiscal recovery efforts. The district was happy to be able to help the town out by amending its proposed FY 22 budget.

The Town Council heard the following proposed departmental budgets:

• Public Library

• Fire Department

• Emergency Management Agency

• Police Department

• General Government

• Department of Public Works

• Parks & Recreation

• Capital

• Town Sargant

• Town Clerk

• Board of Canvassers

• Probate

• Town Council

• Legal

Refer to zoom for more detailed information.

G. Adjournment:

Councilman Messier made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Vice President Williamson and approved by a voice vote.

The meeting adjourns at 7:23 p.m.