Budget mtg 3/20
Several departments were discussed at tonight's budget meeting... Elections/Registrar, Town Clerk, Planning and Public Works (Water Pollution Control Dept, Public Properties & general PW). I think for the most part, the requested budgets were simply maintaining services.
Registrar's wants new voting machines for a few reasons. The Town Clerk wants to add one summertime position to help with seasonal work (such as dog licenses, I think). Planning wants to get involved with some new software which has clear demonstrable benefits... of course, every benefit comes with a cost.... And the final piece of the pie tonight was Public Works. That was the most interesting discussion for me.
Sewer use fees were again discussed. And while it was not an in-depth discussion, issues such as watering lawns and washing cars were addressed.
Apparently half the towns (with sewer systems) in CT already employ a consumption-based fee. And at least some base their fees on averages that are drawn from the nine non-summer months of the year. It's a fairly simple approach. But it may address some of the concerns that were mentioned in my previous post. Again though, this is a WPCA issue. They decide if this is considered and they don't report to the Council.
And if you're curious about the upcoming budget meetings: http://www.cheshirect.org/towngovernment/council.html
Tim White
Town Council, Budget Committee
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
2 comments:
I was greatly disappointed in your simplistic comment about the Registrars' budget. First of all, we are not seeking new voting machines; they are being chosen by the Secretary of the State's office. IT IS A PART OF THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT (HAVA). We were looking for greater funding for this office and were highly upset that the current proposal gives us a 1/2 of one percent increase for all office expenditures including a total cut of the advertising budget, not nearly enough money for our office people to attend necessary registrar of voter training sessions (ROVAC Conferences are held twice a year), and only a token raise for the Registrars who are sorely behind the pay average and expected to perform more and more on less and less.
Aleta... no disrespect was intended. I should've been more clear about your proposed budget, but that's the beauty of a blog. Where I'm wrong or provide incomplete or misleading information, you can correct me... in real time. I love that about this thing. I certainly don't intend to ever mislead anyone in anyway.
Again, no disrespect was intended. I simply don't have that much time to type these blogs up between when I get home after meetings and when I fall asleep. But I do appreciate you stopping by and adding your input. It helps the public understand the complexities of the town's $80,000,000+ budget.
Post a Comment