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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING
APRIL 28, 2004
A Public Hearing was held in the Auditorium of the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Raffia Road, Enfield, Connecticut on Wednesday, April 28, 2004. The Hearing was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 7:12 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present for the Enfield Town Council were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Egan, Fiore, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, Tait and Tallarita. Councilmen Edgar and Kaupin were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki.
Present from the Enfield Board of Education were Donna Corbin, Kristen Provencher Hamilton, Albert Harrison, Kenneth Hilinski, Roger Jones, Sharon Racine, Carol Santoski, Lynn Scull, Nicholas Sinsigalli. Also present were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Gallacher; Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Business Manager, Patricia Brooks
Chairman Tallarita read the legal notice of Public Hearing which was published in the Journal Inquirer as follows:
TOWN OF ENFIELD
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED BUDGET FY 2004-2005
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the TOWN OF ENFIELD shall hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the Proposed Annual Operating and Capital Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. The Public Hearing shall be Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Raffia Road, Enfield, CT. All electors and taxpayers will be provided an opportunity to express their opinions and further give written and/or oral comment regarding the proposed budget.
Also, in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 4 of the Town Charter, along with the Notice of Public Hearing was published a summary of the proposed expenditures and revenues, as well as the amount to be raised by taxation, and that this summary can be found on pages 2 and 3 of the budget.
At the Special Meeting of the Town Council on April 5, 2004, Resolution #7088 was adopted establishing the conduct for this hearing. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Enfield values the opinions and comments of its constituents; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 4, of the Enfield Town Charter, any elector or taxpayer may have an opportunity to be heard regarding appropriations for the ensuing fiscal years and for the purpose of being heard on issues of vital community importance and concern; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council shall conduct a public hearing at the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Raffia Road on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.;
RESOLVED, that the order of business of the 2004-2005 Budget Hearing be arranged as follows:
1. Presentation of the Town Manager's Budget.
2. The Chairman of the Board of Education highlights education budget.
3. Comments from members of the public for the first time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each speaker be requested to register with the Town Clerk his name and address and that no speaker be allowed to speak more than five minutes each successive time the speaker's name is called; additionally, any speaker who has not registered with the Town Clerk will be allowed to speak only after those who have registered no longer wish to speak.
PRESENTATION OF THE TOWN MANAGER'S BUDGET
Mr. Shanley referred to the expenditure summary and noted the combined budgets increased on the expenditure side by 2.31%. He explained 2.31% added to the 1% last year averages 1.6% for the two years. He stated his belief this is very good.
He stated the current mill rate is 33.43 and the proposed budget would be a 4.5% increase in the current mill rate.
Mr. Shanley listed some of the increases in the budget as follows:
" Employee salaries - between 3% and 4%
" Health insurance - 7%
" Utility costs are up
He explained how they are in a situation whereby they can have a combined two-year increase of 1.6% per year, but property taxes go up considerably more. He noted at the local government level there's a partnership with the State of Connecticut. Most of what municipal government does is a result of enabling by the State government. He stated many things that municipal government does are really State responsibilities that are delegated to municipalities to do. He noted there are a number of different taxing sources in the State of Connecticut to be able to fund the $102 million dollars worth of services provided in Enfield. He stated the State has state sales tax, state income tax, state corporate tax, etc. He noted Enfield has basically the local property tax and fees. He stated he added investments because when the interest rates used to be up around 4%, they would earn something on their investments. He noted because the interest rates have been so low over the past couple years, they've been earning 1% or less on investments, therefore, they've lost a lot of revenue.
Mr. Shanley shared some of the losses of State revenue that the Town has had. He noted from 2002-2003 they lost $2 million dollars - $600,000 mid-year in 2002 and another $1.2 million dollars. He stated they used to get $50,000 per year for the DARE Program; Machinery and Equipment Reimbursement (an economic development incentive by the State) - this would mean property tax wouldn't have to be paid. The State would pay the municipality the equivalent they would have paid, however, they've backed off of that and are no longer reimbursing at 100%--about $146,000 has been lost in this area.
Mr. Shanley stated the Town used to get reimbursed for some veterans' benefits, however, they are no longer getting that reimbursement.
He stated as the Town begins losing revenues or they stay flat, all of the cost has to be made up by the local taxpayer.
Mr. Shanley stated this is the third year that the Town has had to use Reserves. He noted they will be using about $1.2 million dollars in Reserves. He explained this is a savings account for hard times and the Town has been drawing that Reserve down, however, this is the last year that can be done. He noted this has been a way to attempt softening the impact of the loss of the State revenue so that it doesn't get entirely passed to the local property taxpayer.
He stated they can reduce programming, however, they cannot control demand. He noted they have to figure out a way to balance a growing demand with a shrinking revenue stream.
Mr. Shanley referred to the expense side of the Town budget and noted there are few differences from last year. He noted the Highway Division has $136,000 worth of increased road maintenance costs. He explained this is an effort to do a better job with road maintenance. He noted this is a new service above and beyond what has been done in the past, and it's up to the Council as to whether they wish to leave this funding in or take it out. He went on to note last year they didn't budget for leaf vacuuming and the Council put that back in. He noted the second installment for the truck for the trash collection at condominiums is in the CIP budget and this would also be a new service.
Mr. Shanley commended Town department heads and the School Board for doing a strong job this year in bringing in a budget that's less than the social security inflation rate in spite of all of the costs that are inflating at a far quicker rate than 1.6%.
He stated they need to examine service levels for real longer term savings. He stated his belief they've done a very good job at holding back the expenses for the last two years while they used reserves.
Mr. Shanley stated tax reform is needed in Connecticut. He noted the single largest collector of taxes in the State of Connecticut is the local property tax - 37.5% of all taxes collected (state and local taxes) is the local property tax.
He stated they need to stop utilizing Reserves next year and substitute either reductions in costs or other revenues. He noted they need to continue creative approaches to old demands and importantly they need to have realistic expectations of the service levels that they can provide at a 1.6% per year increase.
PRESENTATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET
Chairman Hilinski stated salaries increased by about $981,000 and this represents all the union contracts. Employee benefits increased about $676,000. Other areas that have increased include property and liability insurance, transportation fees, utilities, memberships and postage, and the Suffield Vo-Ag tuition.
Mr. Hilinski stated fixed costs increased 3.35%.
He stated in Fiscal Year 2002 the Board of Education proposed a $60,900,000 budget (a 7.3% increase), and they actually got a 4% increase; in Fiscal Year 2003 a 7.5% increase was proposed and they actually got a 3% increase; in Fiscal Year 2004 a 4% increase was proposed and they actually received a 1% increase. He noted this shows how the budget increases have been going down - not only from the standpoint of the Board's proposals, but the actual adopted budget after negotiations with the Town Council. He stated in Fiscal Year 2005 they requested an increase of 1.94%. He noted the fixed costs increased 3.35%, therefore, they made a significant reduction in the budget for this year.
Dr. Gallacher shared the following reductions made at different school levels:
Elementary Level
Elimination of:
One classroom teacher
Two Health teachers
One elementary instrumental music teacher
Reduction in supply and textbook accounts and various supply lines
Savings: $227,000
Middle School Level
Reduction in library books and supply lines
Savings: $17,000
High School Level
Elimination of:
One Civics teacher
One Business teacher
One Social Studies teacher
Reduction in text library and general supply and account lines
Savings: $218,000
Athletics
Reduction in Freshman Level sports (reduction in the number of away games by approximately 50%; reduction in transportation, supplies, athletic awards)
Savings: $33,400
Special Education
Eliminate the Assistive Technology teaching position
Savings: $74,138
Plant Maintenance
Reduction in plant maintenance
Savings: $75,000
Administrative Reductions
Elimination of the Academic Intervention Coordinator
Reduction in copy costs
Reduction in attorney fees
Savings: $168,000
Technology
Elimination of a programmer
Eliminating some of the summer work
Reduction in supplies and contracted services
Savings: Approximately $40,000
Terra Nova (school operated at Asnuntuck Community College consisting of
approximately 40 students)
Eliminate the Artist in Residence for the Alternative Learning Center
Eliminate some of the professional development and field trips for students
Savings: Approximately $10,000
Dr. Gallacher stated 9.33 is the full-time equivalency positions and the actual reduction is $863,081.
Dr. Gallacher stated the 1.94% that the Board is at right now is the lowest request by a Board of Education in the State of Connecticut at this time. He pointed out the average Board request has been in the 6.5% range and the average award by the funding body has been in the 4.5% range. He noted the Board and administration has worked hard to get down to the 1.94% figure.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
John Feliciano, 15 Webster Road
Voiced concern that Enfield's school budget increase is so much lower than other towns. He stated his belief the education of Enfield's children is important. He feels the Town and Board of Education have lost their focus in that they represent residents and the children. He stated just the talk of closing a school upsets him. He questioned whether this was a scare tactic.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated her belief the budget dilemma relates to the form of government in Enfield which doesn't allow people to vote on their budget. She noted high pay raises from $5,700 to $7,000 don't average out with the Enfield per capita of $21,967. She stated the retirees and elderly have to pick up the slack, which they can no longer afford.
She suggested everyone should read the Town financial report, the budget book, and the Enfield Strategic School Profile. She noted a glowing report is given on student testing, however, she doesn't see that in some areas, i.e., SAT Reasoning Test-district-69 and state-76; the average district score was only one point above the state for Math; fourth grade doesn't meet any of the state scores.
Ms. Jedziniak referred to the following statistics - 57 dropouts with 22 from Enfield High and 35 from Fermi High School.
She concluded stating her belief they're not getting "a bang for their buck".
Terry Halas, 34 Marion Place (a parent at Nathan Hale School)
Stated she opposes closing a school. She noted Enfield is growing. She pointed out children are the future, and if they're not properly educated, the Town will not survive. She feels they need to do everything possible to save schools because they can't afford to have crowded classrooms. She urged the Town to consider other alternatives.
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
Stated since July, 2000 63,000 jobs have been lost in Connecticut. He noted Hamilton Sunstrand negotiations have taken a turn for the worse and at the core of the dispute is a proposal to take away retirees medical and life insurance benefits, as well as to make current employees pay more than 30% for medical insurance.
Mr. Sheridan stated his belief a 4.5% increase is unacceptable. He pointed out taxpayers pay for the wages and benefits of the Town and School employees. He stated his belief binding arbitration must be addressed anew. He agreed budget decisions are tough, but not unfamiliar to the citizens of Enfield who are being pinched every year and are forced to make very tough cuts of their own.
Charles Woods, 11 Westerly Drive
Commended the Town and School for very good presentations this evening. He noted he recognizes there are always fixed costs and they're always rising because of inflation. He stated at the same time decision makers have to look deep into their hearts and philosophies of what the Town needs and do some offsets. He noted the Town doesn't necessarily need things such as a fishing pier in the pond. He stated if they're even considering closing a school, they shouldn't be building fishing piers.
Mr. Woods noted dropping interest rates apply to private individuals as well, therefore, every time the Town raises taxes, private individuals are hurt even more.
He stated his belief they need to constantly review what services are provided since the taxpayers have to pay for those services.
As concerns the increase in salaries and benefits on the School side of the budget, Mr. Woods noted he was amazed they are up around 60% in benefits in addition to the increase in salaries. He stated his belief they have to learn to run a leaner ship.
Mr. Woods stated he was amazed that the Democrats are presenting an individual running against Senator Kissel who helped bring about binding arbitration.
Rebecca Kalagher, 23 Pierce Street
Voiced concern about consideration being given to closing one of the schools, specifically H.B. Stowe. She stated her belief it would be a shame to close Stowe or any school. She noted Stowe School has a great principal and wonderful teachers. She stated parents often volunteer at this school, and she feels a great sense of community. She noted her son loves attending this school with his friends from the neighborhood and he attends Cub Scouts at his school with other children.
Ms. Gallager stated if a school is closed, it not only affects the academic part of the children's lives, but it also affects the extra programs they're involved in.
She stated the Education Cost Sharing Grant is money from the State of Connecticut based on student statistics. She stated her understanding that with the 2003-2004 school year, they received approximately $100,000 more than expected. She noted she also understands that this surplus money did not go to the students, but rather to the Town. She stated she does not understand why this money isn't given back to the students.
She pointed out many parents can't attend Council or Board meetings because their personal lives are taken up with their children's activities, i.e., baseball, soccer, swimming, Girl Scouts, etc. She stated her belief people should be able to trust the people they voted for to do what parents know needs to be done.
Michelle Hoyt, 59 Webster Road
Voiced her opposition to the potential closing of Nathan Hale School or any other school in Enfield. She pointed out just a year ago, they completed additions on the elementary schools which added gymnasiums, cafeterias, libraries, and classrooms. She noted children love the new additions. She stated these additions represent millions of dollars of Enfield's tax dollars and she feels it would be fiscally irresponsible to close a school that had this amount of money invested in it.
Joseph Saroce, Briarwood Drive
Stated his belief the Town and School system turn a deaf ear to taxpayers. He stated his belief employees should pay more toward their benefits and have lower pay increases. He added his belief Enfield should not be competing with other communities as to what they pay employees in certain positions.
Mr. Saroce stated his belief Council representation should be for the whole town and not for a particular district.
He stated his belief there needs to be a change in the Town Charter that will allow voters to take the budget to a referendum if they're not satisfied with it.
Mr. Saroce concluded stating his belief the Council and Board are derelict in their duties in representing the taxpayers of Enfield.
Judith Desroches, 28 Celtic Court
Stated she's very interested in the Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC). She noted parents inquired about the MLC last year. She stated she asked the Superintendent's office about the process for applying for this school and was told that typically there are ten slots available for Enfield students. She stated she later learned the process was different in Enfield and it related to the budget.
Ms. Desroches stated last year the Town Council stepped in and made things right for the Suffield Vo-Ag School. She noted according to Mr. Shanley, there's $90,000 within the Town's budget to pay tuition for Vo-Ag students next year. She stated that same money was budgeted again in the Board of Education's budget according to Dr. Gallacher's presentation of April 14th. She suggested rather than just cutting it from the Town Council's budget, she would like to see some of it used for ten students at the MLC. She noted that cost would be $2,000 each. She stated her belief this isn't just a money issue, but also a process issue. She feels parents and students need to know what the process is by which they participate with Schools of Choice. She emphasized that this process needs to be definable and clear.
Gina Reale, 48 Brook Road
Agreed with the previous speaker about the need to put a process and policy in place concerning Schools of Choice.
Mrs. Collins, Hazardville Section
Stated she didn't appreciate a comment she read in the Hartford Courant that suggested people who didn't agree with the budget should leave town.
Marjorie Willis, 19 Rockland Drive
Stated she is speaking as a taxpayer, parent and teacher. She noted she has experienced shortages of supplies in the classroom.
Ms. Willis noted her taxes are very high and she's concerned about the revaluation that will take place in five years. She stated her belief there shouldn't be any increase in taxes and they have to find ways to cut back on taxes.
She concluded stating she's against any budget that increases the taxes in any way whatsoever.
Roy Reale, 48 Brook Road
Stated his belief there needs to be a policy in place concerning Schools of Choice. He questioned why other schools besides Suffield Vo-Ag aren't in the budget. He concluded stating whatever is done, there needs to be equality.
Steven Camerota, 312 North Maple Street
Commended the Town Council and Board of Education for their time and service. He noted his son attends Fermi High School and tells him he's getting a great education at Fermi. He stated his belief Enfield offers a lot in the way of education.
Mr. Camerota stated his belief parents and children should be given the opportunity for diversity when it comes to education.. He stated his belief they should delegate funds so that people have the choice where they send their children to school.
Catherine Smith, 86 Sheridan Road
Stated her child attends Nathan Hale School and she does not support any schools closing in Enfield. She noted she supports the education budget as presented. She went on to state she's appalled they're taking things away from the children, i.e., school and library books.
Mary Ann Turner, 7 Meadow Road
Stated the Town Manager started his presentation off saying they need realistic expectations for services, and she feels they shouldn't be servicing condominium trash. She stated although it was mentioned the cost was $126,000, it's actually $236,000 that was put away for the truck. She noted this program's kick-off is almost $500,000. She stated her belief the Town doesn't need to be spending money on this service.
Referring to the fishing pier, Ms. Turner stated her belief the money for this came from outside of Enfield's tax base. She pointed out every tax people pay, whether it be state, federal, or local comes out of the same pocket. She noted taxpayers pay for every service they get.
Ms. Turner stated her belief there are ways to consolidate the Town's buying structure and she feels there has to be other budget items they can look at.
As concerns the comments about the Education Cost Sharing Grant that comes back to the Town, Ms. Turner stated her belief the school system has always spent this money.
As concerns closing any school, Ms. Turner stated her belief they have to look at how this effects the community as a whole.
Bridgett Birchall, 14 Farmstead Circle
Referred to the South Maple Street bridge and suggested the Public Works Department look at spreading that project over a period of time.
As concerns the purchase of Public Works equipment, Ms. Birchall stated she's not sure it's necessary to buy all the equipment right away.
Ms. Birchall stated she's disappointed in the discussion she read in the paper regarding the computer system between the Town and School systems. She noted she's appalled at the amount of time it's taking to get the new software up and running.
As concerns the amount of education staff needed, Ms. Birchall stated certain things need to be understood, i.e., the No Child Left Behind Act; test scores, the rewriting of the curriculum to align with the federal and state standards, some of the curriculum hasn't been rewritten since 1989, the need to bring children into the current century, etc. She stated her belief they need to take a look at where the district is moving and what they need to be doing to afford the resources and the strategies to help children be life-long learners.
Ms. Birchall stated if closing a school is an important decision, then it should not be done at budget time. She noted they would need a study group consisting of members of the community to look at this issue in a thoughtful way.
John Foxx, 15 Sandpiper Road
Stated his support of a budget increase for the public library. He noted the amount of the increase is negligible in comparison to other department requests and should be honored.
He submitted a petition which shows overwhelming support for the library. He noted 700 signatures were collected in two weeks. He pointed out these signatures represent people from all parts of Enfield.
He stated a good library is crucial to the development and culture of a town.
He stated his belief it's inevitable that a school would be closed due to census information, and he supports the closing of a school.
Jean Wyse, 2 Pine Street
Stated her daughter attends MLC in Bloomfield. She requested the Town consider allowing the opportunity for ten students to attend MLC to join over 30 other Enfield students already attending this incredible school. She urged the Town not to cut the funding for any of these children. She stated this is a successful program. Ms. Wyse noted the Town is spending over $400,000 for the Terra Nova program for 30 students.
Sharon LaBreck, Hazardville Section
Spoke regarding the DARE Program and pointed out the DARE Program has not received $50,000 for several years. She clarified the DARE Program has been totally funded by private donations for several years. She explained the only expense to the Town is her salary as the DARE officer for the Town of Enfield, which she would have to be paid anyway.
Ms. LaBreck stated when they originally received this $50,000 grant, it came under drug education and the town received it because of the DARE Program. However, out of the $50,000 grant, the DARE Program only received $5,000, and the $45,000 balance went toward a New Directions counselor who was one day at Fermi, one day at Enfield High, one day at JFK Middle School and one day in East Windsor.
Ms. LaBreck stated she loves DARE, it's a great program, and it's the most successful drug education program in the country. She added this is the 14th year she has been doing this program, and she is quite proud of this program.
Robert Tkacz, 1300 Enfield Street
Stated the school budget contains hardly any money for textbooks. He noted other countries spend the money for textbooks.
Mr. Tkacz stated Enfield is not growing and he shared the following statistics:
Declining births - 1993 - 649 births; last year - 450 births
Deaths increased- 1990 - 299; almost 400 at this time
Marriages - 1988 - 443 marriages; 200 at this time
He noted the enrollment in the elementary schools has dropped 11% in the last ten years, and in the next year it's projected to drop 13%. He went on to note the enrollment dropped 18% since it opened in 1995; Stowe-8%; Parkman-16%; Hale-11%; Hazardville and Crandall remained relatively stable.
He stated if there are less people in Enfield, the budget should be declining. He noted they need less staff in the schools and less schools.
Mr. Tkacz stated there should be a committee to learn what's going on in Enfield, i.e., is it the high mill rate. He noted in a couple years Enfield could be a 50 mill rate town.
Mary Lou Strom, 17 Mathewson Avenue
Commended the Town Council and Board of Education for all their work. She agreed with Bridgett Birchall in that there needs to be a study regarding the issue of closing a school and that it shouldn't be decided at budget time.
Ms. Strom stated the reliance on property tax is what's causing the problems in all the towns.
She suggested cutting leaf pick-up or condo trash before looking at closing schools and increasing class sizes or cutting staff at Town Hall which they can't afford to cut.
She concluded stating her belief there needs to be more communications between the Council and Board of Education and the public.
Scott Vining, 10 Grove Road
Stated according to the State Board of Education, Enfield's school enrollment peaked in 1998, but since then it has declined. He stated his belief they should look at the idea of cutting schools. He stated his belief with the declining enrollment they can't keep all the schools going.
Mr. Vining voiced his support of merging the technology of the Town and School systems.
He stated he's disturbed to learn the Terra Nova program rents space at Asnuntuck for $75,000, but yet the Town rents that building to Asnuntuck for $1.00 per year.
He stated he doesn't understand why the Finance Director for the Town makes less money than the Business Manager for the School system.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated her belief there should be a full audit of the school system so that taxpayers know where the money goes.
Chairman Tallarita invited citizens to contact the Council or Board of Education with any comments, concerns or thoughts about this budget.
As no others wished to speak, Chairman Tallarita closed the Public Hearing at 9:04 p.m.
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