Minutes
There was a meeting of the RTM Ways and Means Committee on Monday, July 6, 2009, at Canoe Brook Senior Center, 11 Cherry Hill Road, Branford, CT.
This was a joint meeting with the Public Services Committee.
The meeting came to order at 7:35 PM. Present for Ways and Means were Representative Avitable, Representative Nardella, and Representative Thayer. Representative Cinque and Representative Keefe were absent.
Present for Public Services were Representative Baker, , Representative Flanigan, Representative Hanlon, Representative O'Donnell, and Representative Twohill. Fourth District RTM nominee John Leonard was also in attendance. Also present were Selectman Opie and Representative Reiners.
1. To consider and, if appropriate, act on the following proposed resolution approved by the Board of Finance: “Resolution appropriating $350,000 for the planning and design of a new public works complex and authorizing the issue of $350,000 bonds of the Town to meet said appropriation and pending the issuance thereof the making of temporary borrowings for such purpose” and to recommend the resolution for adoption by the Representative Town Meeting
Motion by Representative Nardella to rerefer, second by Representative Flanigan. Motion passed 8-0.
2. To consider and, if appropriate, act on the following proposed resolution approved by the Board of Finance: “A resolution appropriating $300,000 for the purchase of a new Ladder Truck and authorizing the issue of $300,000 bonds of the Town to meet said appropriation and pending the issuance thereof the making of temporary borrowings for such purpose” and to recommend the resolution for adoption by the Representative Town Meeting.
Chief Ahern presented. A demonstrator model ladder truck is available that meets at least 90% of the specifications approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners ruck Committee. Its drive train and pump exceed those specifications. The truck approved by the Truck Committee is estimated to cost $950,000 - $1,000,000. New emission standards expected to go into effect on January 1, 2010 could increase the cost by 15%.
The price of this truck from Smeal Fire Apparatus Company is $709,500. The warranty on the truck will be the same as if it were brand new. The interest rate for bonding could be as low as 3/4%.
This truck has its own pump, while the current ladder truck does not. Purchase of this truck could let the Town push out the purchase of another pump truck by as much as eight years. Funding will come from $358,000 in the sinking fund at the end of FY 2009, $175,000 budgeted to be added to the sinking fund in FY 2009- 2010, less $100,000 to acquire a replacement rescue vehicle, plus this $300,000 to be bonded. The sinking fund balance would be approximately $23,000.
Motion by Representative Flanigan to approve, second by Representative Avitable. Motion passed 8-0.
Motion to adjourn by Representative Avitable, second by Representative Flanigan. Meeting adjourned at 8:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Thayer
Ways and Means Committee Chair
July 7, 2009
| 
