741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Finance Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Kevin J. Dombrowski

Regular Meeting - Hybrid Format

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

5:00 PM

Town Hall Annex Building

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CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Saums at 5:02 p.m. at the Council Chambers Town

Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Saums welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. He stated for the Town Council

Finance Committee and members of the Public who were participating via video

conference that remote meeting information was available on the Agenda that was

posted on the Town’s Website - Granicus-Legistar Meeting Portal.

II.

ROLL CALL

Councilor Bill Saums

Councilor Andra Ingalls

Councilor Tim Ryan

Present:

In addition, the following were present:

Mary McGrattan Town Councilor

Fred Allyn, III Mayor

Claudia SweenyRegistrar of Voters

Dianna Mann Registrar of Voters

Judy Johnson Registrar of Voters

Jennifer Smith Library Director

Roxanne MaherAdministrative Assistant

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Healthcare Insurance - Councilor Saums stated the town was currently participating the

in State of Connecticut’s Partnership 2.0 Healthcare Plan. He stated for the upcoming

year the cost of the State’s Healthcare Plan was anticipated to increase between 9% -

12%. Therefore, the town was researching options, which included possibly going back

to a Self-Funded Healthcare Plan, which in the past, had worked well for the town for

many years.

Mayor Allyn, III, stated he and Administrator of Human Resources Don Steinhoff and

Finance Director Matthew Bonin had a call today with Healthcare Consultant Joe

Spurgeon to discuss Healthcare Plan options going forward. He stated when the State

initially offered the Partnership 2.0 Plan to municipalities that it was a robust coverage

plan at a very low rate, which saved the town money for the first couple of years.

However, he explained the savings started to dwindle and they were now at a point

where the Connecticut Partnership 2.0 Plan was starting to cost the town more. He stated

based on their conversation today, that Mr. Spurgeon would be working to prepare some

information for Ledyard to consider. Mayor Allyn stated he would keep the Finance

Committee informed as they obtain more information on the healthcare costs for the

upcoming year.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated a number of municipalities have left the

Connecticut Partnership 2.0 Plan and have formed their own Healthcare Group.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Finance Committee Meeting Minutes of November 2, 2022.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

VOTE 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

VI.

FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Finance Director Matthew Bonin reported on the following: (1) Annual Audit Fiscal Year

Ending June 30, 2022 - Mr. Bonin stated Auditors CliftonLarsonAllen LLP have

prepared the Annual Report and that it would be submitted to the State before

December 31, 2022 deadline. He stated he would like to invite CLA to present the

Audit Report at the Finance Committee’s January 18, 2023 meeting; (2) Fiscal Year

2023/2024 Budget Preparation - Mr. Bonin stated this would be his first year working

in ClearGov for the budget preparation, noting that last year former Finance Director

Marcia Hancock handled most of the ClearGov budget work. He stated that he has

been working in ClearGov to prepare the forms for Fiscal Year 2023/2024. He stated

starting tomorrow the ClearGov program would be available for Department Heads

to begin entering their Fiscal Year 2023/2023 budget requests into ClearGov. He

stated the ClearGov support has been very responsive.

Mayor Allyn, III, addressed the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget in the ClearGov system

noting that last year there were several versions of the proposed budget as they were

working thru the process and making adjustments. However, he stated for the upcoming

fiscal year there would only be the following four versions: Department Budget Request;

Mayor’s Recommended Budget; Finance Committee Recommended Budget; and Town

Council Budget/Adopted Budget.

VII. FINANCIAL REPORTS

Annual Audit Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022 - Preliminary Draft Statements.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin provided an overview of the Preliminary Audit

Statements noting the following:

Revenues:

o Tax Revenue came in $215,214 higher than budgeted.

o PILOT Funding came in $804,810 higher than budgeted.

The State changed the PILOT Payment to a tiered program. The funding

received was based on a number of components such as the net equalized

grand list, medium income, etc.

Year End Deficit was in the amount of $43,375

o Board of Education made accelerated payments (expenses) for Information

Technology Support (IT) as follows:

Fiscal Year 2022/2023

Fiscal Year 2021/2022

Over Expenditures:

Healthcare costs were a $861,753 over budget as follows:

§ Board of Education Retirees were not budgeted - over budget by $484,525

Increase of Board of Education Active Employees were added to the

Healthcare Plan - over budget by $377,228.

TOTAL Over Expenditure: $861,753

o Other Department Over Expenditures

Mr. Bonin stated Ledyard’s past practice has been for the Town Council to

approve transfers at year-end to make each of the over expended accounts whole.

However, he explained because the Town Council has been authorizing budget

over expenditures throughout the year that he would suggest that they not

transfer funds at the end of the fiscal year because it skewed the end result. He

stated the Audit Report would include a footnote that said “These departments

were over their budget for the following reason….These over expenses were

covered by revenues that came in that were in excess of what was budgeted.

The Finance Committee agreed with Mr. Bonin’s suggestion not to transfer funds at

year-end to make over expended accounts whole. The Committee noting by not making

all accounts whole that it would provide more transparency in identifying which

accounts were under funded and which accounts were over funded. This information

would be helpful in preparing the budget for the following year.

DISCUSSED

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

RESULT:

Continued discussion regarding the status and possible changes to Capital Improvement Plan

(CIP) and Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Fund based on the American Rescue Act Funding

(ARPA) and the process to approve ARPA Projects and expend ARPA Funding.

Councilor Ryan noted the ARPA Projects spreadsheet columns included “Funds

Appropriated” and “Balance Available”. He questioned whether the funds available took

into account completed projects that have come in under budget. Finance Director

Matthew Bonin stated the spreadsheet that was attached to tonight’s meeting packet was

not the most up-to-date spreadsheet, noting that he was maintaining a more detailed

spreadsheet to track the projects as they were progressing. Councilor Ryan stated it

would be good for the Finance Committee to see the rolling balance so that they could

reallocate funds from completed projects that came in under budget, to projects that may

be coming in over budget, or to projects that were on the ARPA List but were not

budgeted yet. He noted the ARPA Funding had to be appropriated before the end of

2024.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION to authorize the Registrar of Voters to over expend the following accounts for

election and referendum related expenses:

Account #10110303 51720 (Stipends) by up to $2,500.00

Account#10110303 56900 (Other Supplies) by up to $3,000.00.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the Registrar of Voters have requested authorization

to over expend these accounts because of the additional expenses related to running two

Primary Elections this year, which included hiring additional poll workers and to

comply with the Secretary of the State (SOTS) mandate to purchase ballots based on

100% of the registered voter list.

Councilor Ryan noted the Registrar of Voters “Other Supplies Account” had a balance

$2,500. Therefore, he questioned whether the Registrars were expecting to spend a total of

$5,500 for the remainder of the year.

Registrar Claudia Sweeny stated the Other Supplies Account balance was currently $1,900

and she explained that they had outstanding invoices related to the November election which

included expenses such as the printing of the ballots in the amount of $2,100 and the cost for

the additional poll workers that were needed.

Mayor Allyn, III, noted the upcoming costs to run the May Budget Referendum. Mrs.

Sweeny stated that the Registrars also expected additional expenses to attend a required

Conference in the Spring.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to authorize the Mayor to submit an American Library Association Application to

obtain a - Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

Grant in the amount of up-to $20,000 to purchase books, programming, and building

improvements designed to serve individuals with disabilities.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums noted Library Director Jennifer Smith was present this

evening and he asked her to provide an overview of the Libraries Transforming

Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant Program.

Library Director Jennifer Smith noted Ledyard Public Libraries were seeking

approval to apply for the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and

Rural Communities grant that was offered by the American Library Association. She

stated the purpose of the grant was to provide “community engagement and

accessibility resources to small and rural libraries and to help them better serve

people with disabilities.” She stated based on Ledyard’s population of less than

25,000 they were eligible to apply for this grant program.

Ms. Smith continued by noting the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible

Small and Rural Communities Grant was a new program provided by an anonymous

funding source; and she explained that there were two grant levels: $20,000 and

$10,000. She stated with the Town Council’s authorization that the Library would

apply for both grant levels. She stated in attending the webinar she learned that they

could apply for both grant levels and she explained if Ledyard was not approved for

the $20,000 grant, that they could then be considered for the $10,000 grant amount.

Therefore, she stated that they would have a better chance of receiving some grant

funding is they applied for both. She stated the funds would be used for one-time

purchases such as books, programming, and building improvements.

Ms. Smith went on to explain that the Library’s target audiences in the community

were adults and youth with visual and/or hearing disabilities, with neurodiversity, and

with mobility limitations. She provided an overview of the Library’s goals as

follows:

First Goal was to “Increase the accessibility of library facilities, services, and

programs for people with disabilities.”

ü Expand Library large print collection for adults and youth.

ü Create programming specifically for neurodiverse adults and youth.

ü Add a handicap accessible door to Gales Ferry Library.

The Gales Ferry Library has a handicap ramp with a set of double doors that

lead into another set of doors to get into the building. Those in a wheelchair

or with other disabilities currently have to call the Library for someone to go

out and open the doors. She also noted that measurements have not been

taken yet to determine if the space could accommodate automatic doors.

However, she stated if they received the grant funding and then find the space

was not large enough for the automatic doors that the funding would be used

for another item on the list.

ü Upgrade the facility’s technology for those with hearing disabilities or

mobility limitations. I-pads, upgrade portable microphone system, and

projection system.

ü Purchase specific items to enhance and make all programming more

accessible.

· Second Goal was to “support community engagement efforts by providing

resources to help them work with impacted populations to guide improvement of

library services.”

ü Expand the Library collection with specific titles for the community’s needs

including representation.

ü Create programming to educate the community about specific disabilities

such as American sign language books/program.

ü Create programming to develop and foster support networks within the

community.

Councilor Ryan questioned whether the Library has prioritized the list of purchases

or projects in the event they do not receive the $20,000 grant. Ms. Smith stated that

she was in the process of obtaining cost estimates and quotes; and therefore, she has

not prioritized the projects noting that they had an extensive list.

Councilor Ingalls questioned whether this was a new grant program and whether any

local matching funds were required. Ms. Smith stated the Libraries Transforming

Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant was a new program

provided by an anonymous funding source that was being offered though American

Library Association. She stated no local matching funds were required.

It was noted that the Application Deadline was February 28, 2023; and the Award

Notification Date was April 19, 2023.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

AYE:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

MOTION to approve appropriations from the receipt of sales of vehicles and equipment

through GovDeals in the total amount of $55,500 as follows:

• $48,500 to the Public Works Heavy Equipment CNR Account #21040101-57311; and

• $7,000 to the Public Works Small Truck CNR Account 21040101-57313.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the town has been using the on-line auction site

GovDeals.com to sell surplus equipment. He stated the revenues received from the

sales were appropriated to the respective capital reserve fund to supplement/offset

direct budgetary appropriations in meeting lifecycle replacement costs. He stated the

following items were auctioned:

· 2006 F350 Flatbed - $7,000

· 2000 Mobil Athey Sweeper - $15,000

· 2002 Sterling/Aquatech Catch Basin Cleaner - $33,500

Total: $55,000

Mayor Allyn, III, noted although they did not receive the dollar amount that they had

anticipated that the bid amounts received were higher than the amount the dealer was

willing to pay. He explained the lower than projected revenues received for these

pieces of equipment would have a minimal impact on the Capital Account used to

purchase/replace large equipment over time, noting that Public Works Director/Town

Engineer Steve Masalin has already entered the data into the spreadsheet and

reviewed the funding impact.

Mayor Allyn went on to state that they would be purchasing one multi-use piece of

equipment to replace both the street sweeper and catch basin cleaner; explaining that

the new Street Sweeper unit included a Catch Basin Cleaner mechanism. He

explained when the town was using sand on the roads that the catch basins had to be

cleaned on an annual basis. However, he stated since the town changed to a salt

product for winter operations/road treatment they were now only cleaning about a

quarter to a third of the catch basins each year; and that they rotated the cleaning

schedule. He stated the town would now have one vehicle that could perform both

functions as needed.

Mayor Allyn continued to state the Catch Basin Cleaner was purchased by

Chihuahua, Mexico, noting that they sent a person up to drive the piece of equipment

back to Mexico. He stated since the town began using GovDeals they have had a few

international sales noting the following:

· Board of Education’s boat went to Puerto Rico

· Fire Department Scott Packs went to Africa

· Catch Basin Cleaner went to Mexico

Councilor Ryan questioned whether the town kept track of repeat buyers. Mayor

Allyn stated although they have not been keeping track of repeat buyers from the

on-line GovDeals auction site that they did have access to see the list of bidders for

each of the items the town auctioned. He went on to explain that although the

bidders do not use their name, that the town does recognize repeat buyers by their

GovDeals Usernames, noting that items such as the old police cruisers were typically

purchased by a couple of New York city taxi companies.

Councilor Ryan suggested they use conservative numbers in budgeting revenues for the

sale of surplus equipment in the upcoming budget. Finance Director Matthew Bonin

explained that the revenues received from the sale of surplus equipment goes into the

Capital Fund noting that they were not budgeted in the General Fund.

Councilor Rodriguez questioned whether a total dollar amount received from the

GovDeals sale of surplus equipment could be provided on an annual basis. Mr. Bonin

stated the revenues received from the sale of surplus equipment were posted to the Sale

of Capital Equipment Account line. He went on to explain that the Annual Audit Report

also included a line showing the revenue received from the sale of surplus capital

equipment.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to grant a Bid Waiver to Kent & Frost of Mystic CT in the amount of up to

$112,000 for the next phase of the Tri-Town Trail project, due to the lack of receiving the

required three bids in accordance with Ordinance #200-001 (rev 1) “An Ordinance for

Purchasing.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Mayor Allyn, III, stated the town received a State of Connecticut DEEP

Recreational Trails Program Grant in the amount of $112,000 for the design and

engineering work for the next 2-mile phase of the Tri-Town Trail which would

extend the existing trail from the Northern Section in Preston/Ledyard to Bluff Point

in Groton and would include the construction of two parking lots. He stated in

response to the Request for Proposals (RFP #2023-05) that only one bid was received

from Kent + Frost, who was the Landscape Engineers who did the prior work on the

trail.

Mayor Allyn went on to explain that this work would include identifying multiple

potential trail routes that would be evaluated by the Town and the Tri Town Trail

Association to determine the greatest suitability. He stated this DEEP Grant could be

used for the engineering and design work to continue the trail or for the maintenance

of the existing trail. Therefore, he stated that he has advised the Tri-Town Trail

Association not to spend this grant funding on engineering and designing the trail

over property where it clearly could not go, and/or where property owners did not

want the trail to pass over their private property. He stated the Tri-Town Trail

Association has looked at multiple options for the trail route, which included: (1)

Taking the trail closer to Avery Hill Road; (2) Possibly taking the trail thru land

owned by the Avalonia Land Conservancy, and to Stoddards Hill State Park, which

would have that leg of the trail terminate at the Thames River. However, he stated the

Tri-Town Trail Association had their heart set on getting to Bluff Point, but that this

would require the trail to travers through a large piece of private property. He

continued by stating Town Planner/Land Use Director Juliet Hodge participates in the

Tri-Town Trail Association meetings and that she was aware of his position not to

spend this grant money designing the trail where it could not go. Therefore, he stated

based on the options he noted earlier, that they were confident that the trail could be

constructed thru a number of other existing parcels, that would not take a lot of work.

Councilor Ryan questioned the funding source for the local contribution. Mayor

Allyn stated in-kind services could be used as the local contribution and he explained

the two gravel parking lots (one across from the Preston Plains Park and one by the

Clark Farm) that Eversource was constructing would qualify as their local

contribution to obtain the $112,000 grant funding. He explained in-exchange for

closing the Tri-Town Trail until Spring 2023, for Eversouce to work on the

High-Tension Transmission Line, that Eversource would be constructing the two

parking lots. He stated because Eversource would be operating large excavators and

other equipment on-site that it was in the best interest and safety of the residents to

close the Tri-Town Trail during the transmission line work.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to appropriate $17,942.17 of National Opioid Settlement Payments received to

date to Account #20810201-58206-24206 (National Opioid Settlement).

In addition, appropriate all future National Opioid Settlement payments received to the same

Account.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the Opioid Settlement Payments were a result of

the lawsuit involving the Sackler family who were the owners of Purdue Pharma and

were found to be accountable in the US Opioid Epidemic. He deferred to Mayor

Allyn, III, to provide the background regarding the Settlement Payment Process.

Mayor Allyn, III, explained that the National Prescription Opiate Litigation Plaintiffs’

Executive Committee confirmed that the $26 billion global opioid settlements were

finalized with the “Big Three” drug distributors ( AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal

Health, and McKesson and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson) for their

participation of litigating local governments nationwide. He stated Ledyard would be

receiving four payments from the Global Opioid Settlement Fund. He noted

subsequent to the Town Council’s September 14, 2022 meeting he forwarded the

document that outlined the terms of how the money could be used. He stated these

funds could only be exclusively used for opioid abatement purposes, including but

not limited to expanding access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention,

treatment, recovery options, the DARE Program, the Ledge Light Health District

Prevention Coalition, or Southern Regional Action Council (SERAC) as

subrecipients; in a similar way as they did with the American Rescue Plan Act

(ARPA) funding.

Mayor Allyn continued by providing some background on the process to be included

in the Opioid Settlement, explaining that the Attorneys structured the Opioid

Settlement in a way that required all 169 towns in Connecticut to participate in the

claim for the State to receive 100% of the proceeds that would be appropriated to the

State of Connecticut, because the State did not have “County Governments”. He

stated the settlement payments to the State would have been reduced based on the

number of towns that participated, noting that the reduction in the settlement payment

was on a very steep decline in terms of the number of towns that took part. He stated

with the assistance of Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) that all 169

municipalities took part in the Opioid Settlement Application; resulting in the State

of Connecticut receiving 100% of the of the proceeds that would have been allocated

to the State. He explained with the receipt of the Settlement Payments that the State

would then appropriate the funds to each municipality based on their per capita.

Mayor Allyn went on to state the Town has begun to receive the payments from the

National Opioid Settlement and was expected to receive payments from multiple

sources. The payments received to date have come from the Distributor Settlement;

and that town would also be receiving payments from the Janssen Settlement. He

stated as the settlement payments were received from the State that the funds would

be appropriated to Account #20810201-58206-24206 (National Opioid Settlement)

which was a “non-sweeping” account; explaining that the money would continue to

go into this account year after year and that there was no date that the funds had to be

used by. He stated once they develop a list of the allowable uses of the funds, that the

Town Council would determine how Ledyard wanted to spend the funds.

Councilor Ingalls questioned: (1) Why a municipality would have chosen not to

participate in the Settlement; and (2) How the percentage of money each municipality

would receive from the Settlement was determined. Mayor Allyn responded: (1) A

municipality may not have participated in the Settlement because of the paperwork

involved, explaining that Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) was very

helpful and instrumental in completing the paperwork; and (2) The percentage of

money each municipality would receive from the Settlement was based on per capita.

Councilor Saums commented that the municipalities were fortunate to have

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) noting they were a wonderful

organization. He requested clarification noting that the Town Council would only be

taking this one action to appropriate this payment and all future payments received

from the Opioid Settlement to Account #20810201-58206-24206 (National Opioid

Settlement). Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated that was correct.

Councilor Saums addressed the opioid epidemic, and he noted the movie “Dopesick”.

He stated although they were reading news articles about people becoming addicted

to the medication when it was taking place, that the movie put the whole story

together in how the drug manufacturer targeted certain states for the drug trials.

Mayor Allyn also noted the mini-series “The Pharmacist” was an interesting story.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to approve a proposed Appendix A - for Ordinance # 300-027 (rev 2) “ An

Ordinance Regulating Parking of Commercial Vehicles on Public Streets In Residential

Zones And /Or In Front of Residentially Used Properties” as contained in the draft dated

October 13, 2022.

Draft: 10/13/2022

Ordinance # 300-027

(rev 3)

APPENDIX

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PARKING OF

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ON PUBLIC STREETS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES

AND/OR IN FRONT OF RESIDENTIALLY USED PROPERTIES

*ALL BELOW FINES ARE IN ADDITION TO THE SURCHARGE REQUIRED BY

THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

First Offense (Infraction):

$90

Subsequent Offense (Violation):

$200

Adopted by the Ledyard Town Council on: _____

___________________________

Kevin J. Dombrowski, Chairman

__________________________________________________________________________

____

Sec. 7-148. Scope of municipal powers

VIOLATION OF MUNICIPAL PARKING ORDINANCES

The complaint ticket may be used for violations of municipal parking ordinances

where the amount of the penalty established by the ordinance is $250.00 or less.

When computing the “Total Amount Due” begin with the ordinance penalty

amount. Where the ordinance penalty amount is $90.00 or less, add to that amount

the fee amount which is equal to one dollar for each $8.00 or fraction thereof on the

first $88.00 of the ordinance penalty amount. To this sum, add a surcharge of $20.00

if the Ordinance penalty amount is less than $35.00. If the Ordinance penalty amount

is $35.00 or more add a surcharge of $35,00. Where the ordinance penalty amount

exceeds $90.00 but does not exceed $250.00, the "Total Amount Due" is equal to the

ordinance penalty amount.

STATE.NO.

7-148*

Municipal PARKING ordinance where the amount of the penalty is $90.00 or less.

(See Examples 1 and 2 Below)

7-148PK91-250 Municipal PARKING ordinance where the amount of the penalty is greater than

$90.00 but not more than $250.00. (See Example 3 Below)

EXAMPLES: 1. Ordinance Penalty Amount $29.00; Total Amount Due = $53.00 ($29.00 +$4.00 (Fee

$20.00 (Surcharge))

2. . Ordinance Penalty Amount $35.00; Total Amount Due = $75.00 ($35.00 +$5.00

(Fee) + $35.00 (Surcharge))

3. Ordinance Penalty Amount $100.00; Total Amount Due = 100.00

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated in response to residents’ concerns regarding safety

issues pertaining to a large commercial vehicles being parked on residential streets that

amendments have been proposed to Ordinance # 300-027 “ An Ordinance Regulating

Parking of Commercial Vehicles On Public Streets In Residential Zones And /Or In Front of

Residentially Used Properties”. He stated in determining the best mechanism to address

the on-going issue of the commercial vehicles being parked in residential neighborhoods

and on town roads that both the Zoning Regulations and the use of an Ordinance were

discussed. He stated because of the enforcement issues involved it was determined that

amending Ordnance #300-027(rev 2) would be the best option because the Police could

issue a ticket for violators.

Councilor Ingalls stated the Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee took the lead on

drafting the proposal to address the parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas. She

noted in reviewing the Ordinance at their September 28, 2022 meeting the Administration

Committee recommended taking the “Fines” out of the Ordinance and making them an

Appendix, as they have done for other Ordinances that have a fee schedule, so that if

they wanted to make a change to the Fines they would not need to go thru the process to

amend the Ordinance itself.

It was noted that the Fine Schedule provided in the Appendix was in

accordance with CGS Sec. 7-148. Scope of municipal powers “Violation of

Municipal Parking Ordinances”.

Mayor Allyn, III, stated the Town Hall fields a number of telephone calls regarding

large commercial vehicles such as tow trucks, home heating oil trucks, etc., being

parked in higher density neighborhoods making it difficult for cars to go around

them. He went on to note that the school bus drivers have also complained because

the commercial vehicles make it difficult and dangerous for them to drive thru the

area. He stated they have also received calls about a large tractor trailer parked on the

side of the road idling taking up three-quarters of the lane, making it difficult for

other vehicles to pass. He stated as winter approaches that they want to make sure

people were aware that they cannot park on the street explaining that it was difficult

for the plows to go around the vehicles.

Councilor Ryan stated the proposed Ordinance Amendments included a number of

exceptions, noting that if a contractor was actively providing a service during regular

business hours that they would not be fined.

Councilor Rodriguez stated a resident attended the May 2, 2022 Land

Use/Planning/Public Works Committee meeting to express safety concerns regarding

large commercial vehicles being parked on residential streets. She noted that this has

also occurred in her neighborhood. She stated the question that comes up was “Who

do you call”, noting that they did not know who owned the truck, etc., and that it was

a safety issue. She stated in speaking with a resident about the proposed Ordinance

Amendments that would prohibit large commercial trucks parking on residential

streets that the resident stated that the regulation was unenforceable. She went on to

note that someone suggested that they would have to post a sign on every street. She

stated in speaking with Police Chief Rich that he has reviewed the proposed draft

Ordinance Amendments and he stated that it was enforceable; and that they did not

have to post signs on every street. She went on to state in speaking with Councilor

Paul who worked for a home heating oil company, that he stated their policy was if

an employee took a truck home that they have to be able to park the truck in a safe

place such as their driveway. She stated Councilor Paul stated they could not park the

truck on the street because of safety and liability issues.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to approve the Town Council Department Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget in the

amount of $190,846.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums explained as part of the Annual Fiscal Year Budget

Preparation process the Town Council was required to approve a Town Council

Department Budget.

Councilor Saums stated the Town Council Department proposed Fiscal Year

2023/2024 included salaries for employees, funds for the annual audit along with

legal fees and other operating expenses.

It was noted that the Town solicited Requests for Proposals (RFP #2022-09) for

Auditing Services for fiscal years ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023; which

also included two one-year extensions options.

The Finance Committee noted that the increase in the Auditor account was short by

$895,00 which brought the total budget to $190,846. The Committee agreed to

update the Town Council Department total proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 from

$189,961 to $190,846 as a “friendly amendment”.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to approve the Town Council Department Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Capital

Improvement Budget in the total amount of $1,500.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated as part of the Annual Fiscal Year Budget

preparation process the Town Council was required to approve a Capital Plan for

Town Council Department. He stated the Town Council has been budgeting $1,500

to provide members of the Council a laptop to conduct town business. He stated

depending on the balance in this Capital Account they may choose to remove these

funds during the budget preparation process.

Councilor Ryan questioned whether the Town used a preferred vendor to purchase

this type of equipment. Mayor Allyn, III, stated the MIS Department typically shops

around for the best price.

VOTE: 3- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

Review draft preliminary Budget Work Session Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023/2024.

The Finance Committee agreed by consensus to the following Budget Work Session

Dates to begin at 12:00 p.m.:

· Thursday, March 9, 2022