REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF GREENWICH
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2003 MEETING
DEPARTMENT: Legislative & Rules Committee
REFERRED TO: All Committees
VOTES:
RESOLVED, that the rules of the RTM, Section III. Organization and Procedures, Subsection I., Procedures at Meetings, be amended to add a new Paragraph 5 as follows:
There shall be a Consent Calendar on which shall be entered such resolutions as the Moderator, the Committee Chairpersons and District Chairpersons shall designate, which shall be proposed to the RTM by the Moderator in the form of a Motion to Move to the Consent Calendar. All resolutions designated for action on the Consent Calendar shall be passed on motion without discussion unless, at any time prior to the motion for passage, a duly seconded motion of an RTM Member requests removal of a resolution from the Consent Calendar. In that event, the movant shall have three (3) minutes to address the RTM to show cause why there should be a removal, which time may be extended, in the Moderator’s discretion. The Moderator shall then call for a standing vote, and if at least twenty (20) Members
vote in favor of removal, then such resolution shall be so removed and placed on the regular call.
This resolution is effective January 1, 2004, and shall be in effect for one (1) year only, unless extended by subsequent resolution.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Our Town Moderator asked the Legislative and Rules Committee (“Committee”) to consider whether a Consent Calendar might be appropriate for a more efficient conduct of business at the RTM meetings, and if so, to prepare an appropriate resolution for consideration by the RTM.
Our Committee first reviewed and considered Consent Calendars from municipalities within the State, as well as the State Consent Calendar. We chose to use the State Consent Calendar as our template, and made changes to conform to our local Rules. In March 2003, our Committee passed a resolution for a Consent Calendar by a vote of 11-0-0 (District 1 absent). That resolution, which is identical to the one in the Call except for the absence of a sunset provision, was disseminated by our Committee members to the District meetings for comment.
The matter of the Consent Calendar was then taken up at the Moderator’s Meeting in late March, which several of our Committee members attended. Those Committee members reported back to our Committee the various comments and concerns discussed at the Moderator’s Meeting. After taking into consideration the foregoing, our Committee revised the Consent Calendar to include a sunset provision, and the Consent Calendar, as revised, was unanimously approved by our Committee on June 2, 2003.
The proposed resolution was then forwarded to the Law Department this fall, with a request that it review the proposed resolution with the rules of the RTM, and to make recommendations concerning where the resolution should be incorporated within those rules. Attorney Sassos recommended that a new paragraph five be added to Procedures at Meetings, incorporating the Consent Calendar. There was a discussion about deletion of the reference to the Combined Items Procedure from the resolution, inasmuch as the Combined Items Procedure is not a part of our rules.
The purpose of the Consent Calendar is to streamline our meetings, so that we can obviate the need for discussion from Committee Chairs about uncontroversial resolutions, and to eliminate the time involved in taking a record vote.
There may be an additional benefit to a Consent Calendar, in that for those resolutions not on the Consent Calendar, we may have RTM votes that are more reflective of how each of the voting members feels about a particular issue. In the combined items procedure, there may be a coercive effect created when only one vote is allowed for the combined items. Even though individual members might feel inclined to vote against one resolution, often that member might not do so, because he or she is inclined to vote favorably on the other combined items. If we can use the Consent Calendar for the truly uncontroversial matters, our voting may reflect a more accurate measure of support (or lack there of) on the other, more controversial issues.
Attachments
None
DEPARTMENT: Fleet Department 2003 December FL-1
CONTACT: Elizabeth Linck 203-869-0532
REFERRED TO: Finance, Town Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Estimate & Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the Sum of $58,000.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Account Number 380-59220.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Replacement of the Fuel Pumps at Indian Field, North Street and Two (2) above ground Tanks at North Street.
In order for the Town to stay in the fuel dispensing business, we need a new automated fueling system, which has been requested as a Capital item for Fiscal Year 2004-05. Before a new system can be installed, new fueling pumps are needed. In addition, above ground tanks at North Street need to be installed to replace the current tanks.
The current pumps are mechanical; the pumps being requested are electronic. Automated fueling systems require electronic components to properly operate the electronic pulsar.
The electronic pulsar is essential for the proper operation of an automated fueling system. The current mechanical pumps require the use of a mechanical process to drive the pulsar, which causes operational problems, resulting in excessive downtime of the fueling system.
The current pumps are older and made by Tokheim, a company that is no longer in business. They are being repaired by “cannibalizing” parts from yet older surplus pumps that were retained for that purpose. In the past two years the pump vendor has replaced 6 resets, 5 totalizer/counters, and rebuilt one tank pump. The Fleet Department technicians have spent approximately 70 hours of labor time, some of which at weekend and holiday pay rate, making repairs, modifications or overriding the system.
The mechanical pumps at North Street are older and were purchased by the Board of Education. The tanks at North Street need to be replaced with above ground tanks along with above ground pumps.
Indian Field is the largest and main fueling site, and is the site that is primarily repaired with the surplus parts. For the past few years considerable time and funds have been used to keep this site operational.
Pumps – Indian Field and North Street $29,600.00
Tanks – North Street $28,400.00
$58,000.00
DEPARTMENT: Tax Collector 14-November-2003
CONTACT: Lou Caravella/Ed Gomeau
622-7891 618-7683
REFERRED TO: Town Services Committee
VOTES: Board of Estimate & Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $19,500 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Tax Collector Account No. A139-51450 – Delinquent Motor Vehicle Fees.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Connecticut State Legislature passed a Special Act 03-1 in August, 2003 during their special session. PA 03-1 amends Connecticut General Statute 12-146 and requires the following:
“a. If any property tax, or any installment thereof, laid by any city, town, borough or other taxing district upon a registered motor vehicle or snowmobile remains unpaid, the Tax Collector of such city, town, borough or other taxing district shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such delinquency in according with the listings and schedules of dates established by the commissioner and on forms prescribed and furnished by the commissioner specifying the name and address of the person against whom such tax has been assessed, the date when such tax was due and the registration number, if known to the collector. Such forms shall be submitted to the Commissioner together with payment of a fee of fifty cents for each such vehicle or snowmobile. Such fee shall be deposited into the General Fund.”
(New language of CGS 12-146 a is in bold.)
Attachments
DEPARTMENT: Public Works 0312PW01
CONTACT: James V. Lavin, Admin. Coordinator (203) 622-3717
REFERRED TO: Finance, Public Works Committees
VOTES: Board of Estimate & Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $153,624 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Public Works’ Account No. F314-59600-24104, known as “Asphalt Paving Program.”
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is for a new appropriation of $153,624 to perform asphalt paving on town roads. These are grant monies provided to Greenwich by the State of Connecticut under the State Town Aid Grant in semi-annual installments of $76,812. The first installment of $76,812 was received in October 2003, and the second installment is expected in January 2004.
Attachments
None
DEPARTMENT: BET 11-13-2003
REFERRED TO: Finance, Legislative & Rules Committees
VOTES: BET 12 - 0 -0
RESOLVED, that the following home rule action initated by theBoard of Estimate and Taxation be adopted:
Sec. 11. Comptroller; appointment; term; salary; vacancy.
(a) The Comptroller shall be appointed by the Board of Estimate and Taxation for a two-year term at the meeting at which the chairman is elected. The Board shall fix the salary of the Comptroller, which shall be paid out of the general funds of the Town upon the requisition of the chairman or clerk of the Board.
(b) The Comptroller shall serve and hold office during the appointed term at the will and pleasure of the Board and until his successor shall be appointed. When any comptroller shall, in the opinion of the Board, by reason of illness or disability, become unable to discharge the duties of his office, the Board may appoint some suitable person Acting Comptroller at such compensation as the Board may fix. The Acting Comptroller, upon being duly sworn and giving a bond satisfactory to the Board, may exercise all the duties and perform all the functions of the Comptroller until such time as the Comptroller shall be found by the Board to be able to discharge the duties of his office.
(S.A. 347 § 5, 1921; as amended by S.A. 343 § 1, 1937.)
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Board of Estimate and Taxation is recommending that the appointment process of the Comptroller be the same as the Tax Assessor. Under this charter change, the term of the Comptroller is now explicit. Also made clear is that the term is for two years, not an unlimited period.
Attachments
DEPARTMENT: Board of Assessment Appeals
CONTACT: Maureen Kast Contact's phone 622-2214 Contact's email
REFERRED TO: Finance, Town Services Committee
VOTES:
RESOLVED, that effective July 1, 2004 that the annual stipend for the Chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeals shall be $8,500 and the annual stipend for each member of the Board of Assessment Appeals shall be $6,000.
FURTHER RESOLVED that, twenty percent (20%) of such stipend shall be paid in November and eighty percent (80%) of such stipend shall be paid in March.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Board of Assessment Appeals consists of five members, one who serves as Chairman. The cost of this proposal is $5,000 annually. The Chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeals submitted this request for an increase in the annual stipend to the Board of Estimate by letter dated October 2, 2003. The justification for the increase is based on the following:
- Revaluation of all property every four years instead of the previous ten.
- Last year’s revaluation led to 1,600 appeals, which took the entire month of April to hear and act upon.
- For the first time last year the Board heard appeals on commercial buildings.
- To retain and encourage qualified citizens to serve on the Board.
Attachments
October 2, 2003 letter from Jeff Reardon, Chairman of the Board of Assessment appeals to Stephen Walko, Chair, Human Resources Committee, Board of Estimate and Taxation.
Oct 2,2003
Mr. Stephen G. Walko Chairman
Human Resources Committee
Board of Estimate and Taxation
Dear Stephen,
After discussion with my fellow board members we have decided to re-quest an increase in the salary received by the Board of Assessment Appeals Members. We request an increase of $1,000.00 per member. This would result in regular board member salaries of $6,000 and Chairman salary of $8,500. With the town now having a revaluation of all property every four years instead of the previous ten, it will increase the workload significantly. Last
years reval-uation led to 1,600 appeals and it took the entire month of April including Saturday to hear and act on each case. In addition we heard commercial building appeals for the first time, instead of automatically denying them and forcing court action. This should have saved the town a considerable amount of money avoiding court cases.
Obviously any salary increase is no more than a goodwill gesture by the town for the amount of work that this board accomplishes. It is not easy to attract qualified people who are willing to spend so much time on behalf of its fellow citizens and Government. I hope that your committee will give serious consideration to this request and I am available to discuss this issue at any time.
Very Truly Yours,
Jeff Reardon
Chairman
Board of Assessment Appeals
65 Patterson Ave.
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-661-3723
DEPARTMENT: Police Department 0312PD02
CONTACT: James A. Walters 622-8010 N/A
REFERRED TO: Town Services Committee
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the Greenwich Police Department accept a 1999 Dodge Intrepid vehicle with a value of $7,300.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Greenwich Police Department requests permission to accept the award of a 1999 Dodge Intrepid Sedan with a Blue Book value of $7,300. This vehicle was part of an inventory of property seized in connection with a criminal case in June 2002. Because the owner was unable to be identified, the Court has awarded the car to the Greenwich Police Department. This is not part of the Federal Assets Forfeiture Fund. It is anticipated this vehicle will be turned over to the Town’s Fleet Department for vehicle replacement where needed.
Attachments
DEPARTMENT: Police Department 0312PD01
CONTACT: James A. Walters 622-8010 N/A
REFERRED TO: Town Services Committee
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation – 12-0-0
RESOLVED, … that the Greenwich Police Department accept a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health in the amount of $1,667 for the purchase of mannequins and accessories to support the Department’s Emergency Medical Services training program.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Greenwich Police Department respectfully requests permission to accept a grant award in the amount of $1,667 from the State of Connecticut Department of Health for the purchase of mannequins and related equipment. These mannequins, along with their carry cases and accessories, will be utilized to support the Department’s program for Emergency Medical Services training for its personnel. The Greenwich Police Department is the designated “First Responder” for medical emergencies for the Town of Greenwich.
Attachments
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education 0312ED01
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance Committees
VOTES: Western Middle School Building Committee - vote 8-0-0
Board of Estimate & Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $70,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated from “RESERVED FOR CAPITAL & NON-RECURRING FUND” to account Z68015925956023170 Western Middle School Auditorium Renovations.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
We have run into several unanticipated costs on the auditorium renovations. Preliminary testing was done on the floor of the auditorium to determine the thickness of the concrete over the crawl space beneath it. This testing showed a floor thickness of eight inches. The architectural plans were based on these results. Once the auditorium chairs had been removed, it was discovered that in many areas, the floor thickness was only five inches. In order to address this deficiency, a revised floor system was developed which had an additional cost of $36,000.00. Since that was beyond the contingency funds available to the committee, we reduced the scope of the project by eliminating the refinishing of the stage floor and the replacement of the stage curtains. We have also experienced
unanticipated costs for asbestos monitoring for the removal of the asbestos ceiling in the auditorium and special inspections for engineering analyses of the auditorium floor. The cost overrun on the asbestos inspection services amounts to $20,000.00 and special inspections are in the neighborhood of $10,000.00.
The school has also requested that we install lighting over the orchestra pit as part of this project since that area will be difficult to access once the seating has been installed. We did not include additional lighting in the stage area as part of this project. The committee has also determined that the new floor should receive an epoxy coating rather than being left as bare concrete.
Based on these unanticipated costs and to provide stage curtains and lighting, the committee is requesting an appropriation of $70,000.00.
Attachments
None
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