Town Council Hammers Out Budget, Council Goals

Town council members cemented their priority goals at a workshop on Tuesday evening, which highlighted some fundamental differences on how some council members want to approach the upcoming budget season.

Council members Mark Gill and Sam Belsito pushed for wording changes that would call for a zero percent tax increase for the budget season. They suggested that the town examine costs and approach services looking for creative, outside-the-box methods that could save taxpayer money while still providing services that the majority of town people find acceptable.

"I think the only way to solve this is to look for new ways of delivering the services and products that the town delivers," Gill said. "Our economy is flat, so our revenue coming into the town is flat at best. We have an education and town system that has millions of increases built into the system."

However, some council members were reluctant to name a precise number into budget goal language as they said it could be incorrect to assume that Tolland residents would prefer a zero percent increase at the potential exchange of a loss in services.

"I think responsible financing is our goal," council member Josh Freeman said.

Vice-chairperson Rick Field added that professionals such as town employees, coupled with the votes of Tolland residents, should be central to helping design and approve the budget the council presents.

"Let the town decide what they want to do," he said. "I can see where there's improvements that need to be made, I can see the built in increases with salaries. I would just as soon have our experts tell us what they need to drive their individual areas. I'd like to give the town the ability to make the decision."

Town Manager Steven Werbner told the council that if a number were included in the council's goals, he would prepare his budget to meet that goal as closely as possible.

"If that's a goal, that's a goal that I will give to my administration," he said, adding that a change in town service levels would be inevitable with a zero percent increase.

Chairperson Jack Scavone met opposing council members in the middle, but stressed that the council must find a new budget approach given the difficult economic times.

"We can have both. I think we need to invest wisely in things that are going to make us sustainable," he said. "Just looking at the numbers, it's not a pretty picture. We're at a crossroads in this town."

The council ultimately decided against adding a budget number in their goals and approved its official action items, listed below:

• Develop strategies for implementation and prioritization for future Town and/or BOE facility improvements or relocation
• Working with the EDC, Planning & Zoning and landowners to identify next steps to assist in moving forward development in the Tolland Village Area, Gateway Design District and Technology Zone
• Continue to increase use of volunteers for Town activities, particularly area of Fire Service
• Review town budget that is within the economic feasibility of the taxpayers, and if there must be an increase, it is defensible and to the extent possible current levels of service are maintained (Editor's Note: language may not be precise)
• Initiate discussions with BOE regarding fiscal consistency among BOE/Town staff
• Work with WPCA and TWC on issues impacting the functioning of the Commissions
• Aggressivley pursue grants that will enhance the quality of life in Tolland including, but not limited to, grants for open space, economic development, new program endeavors, affordable and/or senior housing and infrastructure projects
• Review contracts with vendors for possible cost savings including possible rebids
• Identify a use for Parker School
• Identify ways for efficiency improvements excluding eliminating staffing
• Identify ways that BOE staff and facilities can be better used during times of emergencies within the community
• Support the Town Manager, the EDC and other Boards and Commissions in the marketing of Tolland for business development, expansion or relocation
• Identify possible locations for an additional affordable, senior housing development in Tolland
• Encourage public participation in Council meetings and discussions: continue the use of community conversations when appropriate, continue to rely on town administration for providing factual information on items brought to the town council's attention, during town meetings ensure that all speakers use the microphones or speak loud enough for all to hear, explore multiple public hearings at different times for significant issues
• Continue to preserve, identify and acquire open space that enhances and preserves the character of the Town in perpetuity