Budget 3/22 & Alcohol Forum
BUDGET WORKSHOPS continued this evening. On the docket were Finance/Admin, Building Inspection, Police/Animal Control and the Fire Dept. Again, most of the budget line items were fairly status quo + wage increases.
The few changes were 1) Finance requesting an increase in the number of hours for one staff position from 19 to 25 hours/week. However, with respect to costs, this is not only a 30% increase in hours. The normal town policy calls for employees below 20hrs/wk to receive no benefits. (20-25hrs/wk receive 25% of bene's paid for by the town.) And town employees working 25hrs/wk to receive 50% of their benefits paid for by the town. So when any position jumps to 20hrs/wk or more, the town starts paying benefits. 2) Building Inspection didn't ask for anything that I recall. However they did mention their purchase of a hybrid truck... which is saving on fuel. And we all know how ridiculously high those prices are right now. I was back up to $36 today to fill my tank! 3) Police/Animal Control gave a good presentation. It was all done by Acting Police Chief Michael Cruess. And particularly in light of the circumstances in which he finds himself, I think he did a really good job. I'm not sure on the total hour or position increases requested (many positions are often shared by multiple people) and need to follow up on that. But I believe the Police were asking for increased hours/staff, largely due to 1) increased Homeland Security requirements, 2) ability to let staff focus on a particular job (rather than jumping from answering 911 calls to running to Staples to buy a new computer cord) and 3) other benefits, such as greater flexibility with staffing. And Animal Control had its own special moment. Two youngsters, Daniel Byrd and Katrina Matz, each spoke on behalf of the Animal Control budget. I think it takes a lot of courage for anyone to stand up and be heard, but considering their age... it was a truly special moment. And finally 4) Fire Department discussed its budget. The most notable item for me was hearing that Cheshire is indeed in the running for the statewide (or regional??) firefighting training facility. This could be great for the town not only because it allows our FD to train locally, but the town would also get some additional revenue (PILOT or Payment In Lieu Of Tax) from the state.
Well, I think those are pretty much the highlights for tonight's meeting. Oh... and several dept's are also asking for vehicle replacements. And if you're unaware, the town does keep a replacement schedule for its 150 or so vehicles. So for the most part, I think the vehicle replacements make sense. For the budget meeting schedule, go to: http://www.cheshirect.org/towngovernment/council.html. And for another take on the meeting: http://www.record-journal.com/articles/2006/03/23/news/news08.txt
And one final note, there will be a townwide ALCOHOL AWARENESS MEETING held next Wednesday, March 29 @ 6:30pm in Town Hall. I believe this meeting has already been endorsed by both the Youth Services and Human Services Committees. If you are available, I hope you consider going. I think it could be worthwhile. (I may not be able to make it, as we have another budget meeting that night.) For more info: http://www.cheshirect.org/youthsocial/files/495A5947F4484DDEB8AF032D017541EA.pdf
Tim White
Town Council, Budget Committee (and Human Services Liaison)
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
21 comments:
What the hell is happening to all our restaurants? Do we all have to go to Southington or Hamden to get a decent bite if we don;t want coffee and donuts?
Which restaurants in particular? I can think of Pasta D'oro (sp??) and Damon's. But haven't Vespucci's and Yellowfins (the brand new one in the old Callahan's) opened in the past year, as well?
The Supt of Schools developed a budget but did not include the proposed increase in electrical charges for next year. That number, according to the Supt's comments could be 300 to 400k for next year.
Here is the question: where does he expect others such as the Town Council or BOE members to find this amount of money? Will he come back to the Concil in December and say he is short of money and needs more?
Why did the BOE allow a budget to be passed when they knew the energy costs were not allocated for?
Maybe the cost of living and running a business is too high in Cheshire. eating places are normally high gross margin businesses. Maybe the combination of taxes, insurance, rents, food, labor is finally taking a toll on small business. Maybe we reached a saturation point for Italian food. The first signs the local economy are: restaurants are reduced, people do not pay their past due bills on snow plowing, leaf removal, grass cutting and landscaping. tey start to these things themselves. Ask around, thy small businesses that do this manual labor have seen a large drop off in business. People are starting to become affected by the cost of living. Reality is getting closer.
The last revaluation reduced property taxes on commercial property and shifted the burden to residential owners. Guess that did not work.
Now our legislatures want to create a "Nutmeg Zone" for Cheshire that will reduce costs for businesses and provide incentive to move in. Why do I think this will not work either?
Follow the logic, we reduce taxation on businesses to move in so we can get more tax revenue from those businesses.
anon 2:39pm... as I wrote in a recent a letter to the editor... "unfortunately for the taxpayers, the board never seems to act responsibly and never performs a real review of the budget." (Cheshire Herald, Feb 16, 2006) I wish I could answer your question. Perhaps you should ask your question in a letter to Herald?
I believe the cost of electricity is expected rise another 20-30% on Jan 1, 2007.
You think a shot and beer R is going to be seen in a place that says its "a slice of Nantucket", who do you think we are , James Taylor clones?
To anonymous 2:39 - Good question on why did the super not include the electric charge increases in his budget. Why did he budget more in some accounts when past spending in those accounts was under the budgeted numbers?? I'm no financial wizard, but I would think you should budget only the amount you'll need for an account. You shouldn't just automatically increase some accounts when you spent less the previous 2 years. And why did the super put in a request to the state for 850k for a turf field when the board members never voted and approved the idea? How did the turf field request become a school construction request?? Reimbursement rates on construction projects is around 39%, the board never approved it as a construction project either, and who's going to pay the other 61% of the cost?? Why pay was it $20K for things like cookies and coffee at meetings (hardly anyone attends), or lunches for teachers on prof. dev. days (can't they brown bag it?). Lots of unanswered questions! I believe the tc reviews the boe budget on 3/29. I hope people go and ask their questions.
And to anonymous 2:50 - What do you mean people are starting to do their own lawns, snowplowing, etc?? We've always, and I've been in town for a long time, done our own mowing, raking, shoveling etc. That's the reality for me and many others. Or maybe I could also say that it's our way of controlling expenses and our budget.
anon 8:30pm... not sure I really understand.
anon 9:05pm... Last June (not once, but twice), I conveyed my two main concerns to the Board of Ed: transparency and planning. (I felt both were severely lacking.) Much of my concern was rooted in the BOE budget and their seeming inability to add. I said that my concern with the BOE was not related to anything Republican or Democrat… liberal or conservative. Rather, I simply believe that facts should be known before decisions are made. How can you make a wise decision when you are basing that decision on faulty information?
I’m not sure how or why the turf field request became a school construction request. I presume that was a decision made in Hartford. And I believe the bill went through the Education Committee, so you may want to direct your question there.
I just want to note that I find it somewhat offensive for anonymous posters to engage in what I can only describe as accusatory tactis here on this blog.if you have something to say or question, instead of accusing Tim of something, either engage in an honest discussion or identify yourslef and backup your statements.
we live in a community. That means we should despite our differences in opinion and politics, work together as neighbors to address the issues, honestly and openly. To do otherwise is, well intellectually dishonest and only gives the impression one has a hidden personal or political agenda.
sorry I was not clear Tim, if I wanted to live in a place with all chi chi resturants and no family restaurants or down to earth lounges. I'd move to Westport...are we headed down that road>?
What do you mean Aaron B about people accusing people of things? What things? And I don't see anyone accusing Tim W. of anything. If you mean the reference to the boe and their lack of budget review, I see nothing wrong with that. It is generally a true statement and it doesn't single anyone out on the board..that would be wrong. What's the difference between posting as "anonymous" or just using your first name? I commend Tim for creating this blog as it's a great way for people to express their opinions and concerns. It also brings information to the attention of the readers. Whether it's about a good situation or a negative one, the point is it gets people exchanging thoughts and ideas. No problems can be addressed nor could solutions be found without conversation. I would bet that most of the posters are people who avidly watch or attend the boe/tc meetings. Lighten up Aaron.
Anon 2:14 (sounds like a bible reference!). I was merely tryign to say that there had been one or or two occassions a reference made towards Tim ( am not sayign your anonymous posts were the culprit), that implied he was being less than honest, which I took exception to. I just would like all of us to be respectful of each other and our opinions thats all.
I would liek to comment on the restuarant issue. I can tell you that as a family with young children, we normally have to leave town to go out to eat. There are very few places to eat in this town. yes it would be nice for people with families to be able to go to a Chilis, or Applebees without leaving Cheshire. There is no reason why we cant have this establishments in town. The idea that they somehow deamn our town is ludicrous.
aaron b.... for more than a year now, my mom has been telling me that we need a Cracker Barrel (sp??) restaurant in the northend. (I think CBs are family-style restaurants.) And it seems like a good idea to me.
However, like a sewer use fee, this is not a Council question. A CB would start with P&Z, as a sewer use fee would start with WPCA. It's just the way our town charter is written.
The last thing this town needs is a chain restuarant. Chain restaurants like Chili's, Applebee's and Cracker Barrel are just big corporations that give residents menial jobs and snuff out small business owners. This town needs to make it attractive for small business/restaurant owners to stay or start in town. This starts with lowering property taxes and real estate in this town.
Anon 10:07 said"The last thing this town needs is a chain restuarant. Chain restaurants like Chili's, Applebee's and Cracker Barrel are just big corporations that give residents menial jobs and snuff out small business owners. This town needs to make it attractive for small business/restaurant owners to stay or start in town. This starts with lowering property taxes and real estate in this town."
Id liek to address those comments. Firstly, this town has very few restuarants as it is and I dont see any locally owned new ones opening in drives to satisfy the demand that many residents have for decent family restuarants. Secondly, the comment that the chain restaurants propvide only menial jobs is both condescending and inaccurate. Yes, there are a number of jobs that might be considered menial, but for someone who needs to work, perhaops those menial jobs as you call them are the best opportunity to gain employment. No job is too menial for someone who just wants to work, be it someone supporting a family or looking for extra money to pay for college or help with the family finances.
Further, the folks who work in "retail" restuarants in management capacities, do so oftyen as a meaning career. They work hard and pay their bills, feed their families. I find your comments demeaning and insulting to those people. Knowing soem folks who have done and do that for a living, I know they would find your comments offensive as well.
Why shouldn't Cheshire welcome chain restaurants? Are they demaning to the town? Do they attract a negative element? No in fact they are for the most part, well run, clean and family oriented establishments. Further any additional tax reveneu they bring is more than is being brought to the towns coffers now.
I know I am, along wiht many other residents with young families, sick of the holier than thou attitude that is pervasive in this town. The notion that we are too good for companies such as Lowes, Sam's Club, Chain Restaurants and the like to be allowed to open and conduct business in this town. ANd we wonder why our neighbiors in Wallingford, Southington and so on look at Cheshireites as wealthy snobs, its stuff like this.
Retail development should be welcomed here, providing it is done in a tasteful way such as towns like Canton have done. Go up there and have a look and see what a beautful retail center they created. No reason we cannot, should not do the same here. Time to take our collective noses out of the air.
Obviously you have misunderstood. I called the jobs menial because given the opportunity, those waitresses and bartenders at chain stores don't have the option of opening their own businesses if the chains come to town. When we support big corporations, residents can't compete with corporations that are making millions. They can't have their own businesses. Look at communities that have welcomed Wal-Mart. All their mom and pop stores have gone out of business. What happens to those workers that may have been receiving medical benefits or a decent pay? What happens to the families that have owned their business for 20 years with the hopes of passing it down to their children? They get to go work for Wal-Mart for $7 an hour without a union or health benefits. You are telling me that's a better solution then to lower rent in buidlings so small business onwers can stay. A prime example is Peter's II restaurant near the post office. They are being forced to leave. Who will replace them? Adding big box stores creates suburbs like New Jersery. Do you want Cheshire to turn into New Jersery or worse RT. 1 in Orange where there is a Mc Donalds or Chili's on every corner?
I was not saying those working in a restaurant are worthless. Quite the opposite, I was suggesting those people deserve more than to work in a chain store. They deserve good benefits and the opportunity to own their own retail or restaurant. However, that is snuffed out when big box retail and restaurants move into communities.
I agree with anon.11:21....Damon's has been empty for quite some time now and I don't see any mom or pops trying to move into it. I would like to see a Chilis or Outback there. It's a good location and it's not like I'm saying we should line route 10 with a bunch of chain restaurants. Many families would probably like to see a reasonably priced family restaurant in town. Not all of us can afford to go to Brix!
Does anyone know what's going on with the old Huxley's property? For those that haven't been in town long, I'm talking about the property next to 7-11. I see there's a "will build to suit" sign out there. I didn't think they could build on that property, but I'd sure like to see it looking better than it does now.
Anon 12:35, so your saying every town that has big box retailers is like New Jersey or Orange? Canton and Avon are nothing like that, have you seen the retail develoipment up there? can you deny its tastefully done?
As for your comments that when mom and pop restaurants ans the liek go out of business, those employees lose their medical beenfits....are you kidding? do you know how few mom and pop business actually provide any benefits at all. You cant possibly be under the illusion they provide better benefits than corporate owned entities. There is still plenty of room for well run privately owned business. You know why so many privately owned retail business fail? They fail to invest in their own business inclusive of maintaining hours that make them available to the public.
Again you make the argument that working in Chain's is something less than respectable. Its a demeaning attitude. further, the notion that everyone should have the opportunity to own and open a business, they do, its called free enterprise. of course not everyone can.....if you have the financial resources or can secure them, along with a viable business plan you can succeed. Simple as that. Your arguments are terribly flawed at the very least.
anon 4:06pm... I believe that sign on the Huxley's property went up in April/May '05. So it's been there a while already.
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