Annual Town Budget Meeting
May 21, 2009Moderator: Hank Martin
Clerk: Sheila Silvernail
First Selectman, Mark Lyon, opened the floor at 7:30 p.m. requesting nominations for moderator. Mr. Solley nominated Henry (Hank) Martin which was seconded and passed with no other nominations presented. Sheila Silvernail read the warning.
Warning: Town of Washington, Connecticut Annual town Budget Meeting
The voters and electors of the Town of Washington are hereby warned that the Annual Town Budget Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Washington Depot, Connecticut to consider and act upon the following:
1. To consider and act upon the proposed General Fund Expenses and Transfers for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
2. To consider and act upon the proposed Nonrecurring Capital Expenses for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
3. To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for and expend any Federal or State Grants for and by the Town of Washington for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
4. To adopt, on behalf of the Town of Washington, Nondiscrimination and/or Affirmative Action Policies required under Connecticut General Statutes and all other related policies required for applications for Federal and State Grants for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
5. To amend Town Ordinance #511A “Waiving Property Tax Less Than $2.00 Amendment.”
6. To amend and approve the Lake Waramaug Interlocal Agreement.
Resolution #1: General Fund Budget - To approve an amount not to exceed $4,048,126 for expenditures from the 2009-2010 General Fund Budget, which includes $3,928,126 for General Fund Operating Expense, and transfers of $75,000 to the Open Space Fund, $25,000 to the Housing Fund and $20,000 to the Legal Litigation Fund.
Proposed by: Mark Lyon
Seconded by: Mary Anne Greene
Discussion: First Selectman Mark Lyon and Michael Jackson of the Board of Finance explained details of the proposal noting line item differences, overall increases and decreases, and how the General Fund works in conjunction with entire budget. Various citizens made comments, asked questions or requested clarification.
Secondary Motion: To move that the motion on the table be postponed indefinitely.
Proposed by: Allan Grunberg
Seconded by: Ken Cornet
Discussion: The moderator explained that if it the secondary motion was approved, the Item #1 on the agenda, the General Fund Budget would not be voted and that it required a majority vote for it to carry and debate was allowed. Michael Jackson and Mark Lyon provided further clarification of the issue.
Tertiary Motion: To call the question on the secondary motion to postpone indefinitely.
Proposed by: Wayne Hileman
Seconded by: Phyllis Allen
Discussion: The moderator explained the rules and process and that there would be no further debate on the secondary motion. He answered questions about due process and explained what the vote would be about and that it needed a two-thirds vote to pass. Several people requested clarification on which motion and process for voting.
Vote: Moderator requested all those in favor and all those opposed.
The tertiary motion passed with a clear two-thirds majority ending debate on the secondary motion and bringing it to a vote.
Secondary Motion: Continued and brought to a vote.
Vote: Moderator requested all those in favor and all those opposed. Only one person was in favor with a clear two-thirds majority against postponing Resolution #1 and bringing it back to discussion.
Resolution #1: Continued – General Fund Budget
Discussion: Peter Tagley provided further comment and clarification for the audience with confirmation on percentages and details by Michael Jackson and Mark Lyon. The audience then agreed to come to a vote. The moderator reread the resolution requesting all those in favor and all those opposed.
Vote: The motion passed strongly.
Resolution #2: RESOLVED: To approve an amount not to exceed $906,900 for expenditures from the Nonrecurring Capital Fund Budget, which will be offset by anticipated grants in the amount of $30,000, resulting in a net expense of $876,900.
Proposed by: Mark Lyon
Seconded by: Kathy Gollow
Discussion: Selectman Nick Solley provided explanation and details. Dan Leeb, Peter Duncan, Susan Branson, and Dick Carey questioned details of grants, protective fire gear, litigation, funds requested but not included, and the steel overhang at the transfer station. Answers were provided accordingly.
Vote: The moderator requested all in favor or all opposed and reread the resolution. The motion carried with no audible opposition.
Resolution #3: RESOLVED: To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for and expend any Federal or State Grants for and by the Town of Washington for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Proposed by: Hank Martin
Seconded by: Rocky Tomlinson, Phyllis Allen and others.
Discussion: Moderator explained briefly and there was no audience discussion.
Vote: The moderator requested all those in favor and all those opposed.
Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution #4: RESOLVED: To adopt, on behalf of the Town of Washington, Nondiscrimination and/or Affirmative Action Policies required under Connecticut General Statutes and all other related policies required for applications for Federal and State Grants for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Proposed by: Hank Martion
Seconded by: Sheila Anson
Discussion: The moderator explained that this required annual approval by the town. There were no further questions.
Vote: The moderator requested all those in favor and all those against.
The motion passed strongly.
Resolution #5: RESOLVED: That Town Ordinance #511A, adopted October 2, 1995, be amended to read as follows:
To waive tax refunds due in the amount of Five Dollars ($5.00) or less in accordance with Connecticut State Statue Sec. 12-129.
Proposed by: Mark Lyon.
Seconded by: Barbara Johnson and Mr. Carey
Discussion: Mark Lyon explained that this was a simple change from $2.00 to $5.00. There were no questions from the audience.
Vote: The moderator requested all those in favor and those opposed
The motion passed strongly with only two opposed.
Resolution #6: RESOLVED: That Town Ordinance #1503, be amended and approved to read as follows:
Section #3: Interlocal Advisory Board.
There shall be an Interlocal advisory board. Each Town shall be a member of the Board. The members of the Board shall number: one member from the Town of Warren, one member from the Town of Washington, and one member from the Town of Kent. The members representing the Towns of Warren, Washington and Kent, shall, in each case, be the First Selectman or other chief elected official. The Board shall meet not less often than annually, and it shall report to each of the Towns not less frequently than annually.
Section #10: Delete:
10. Five-Year Review. It is the intention of each of the parties to this agreement that a general review of the efficacy of this agreement be undertaken by each party in 1987. This provision neither modifies nor displaces any other provision of this agreement.
Proposed by: Mark Lyon
Seconded by: Sharon Martin
Discussion: Mark Lyon explained the proposal and noted a typographical error in the handouts. It was noted that the error was not in the original. The moderator called for questions and with none moved on to a vote.
Vote: The moderator requested all those in favor and those against. It passed unanimously.
Adjournment: The moderator indicated all business on the agenda had been addressed and called for a motion and second to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. which passed with due process.