The RTM Ways and Means Committee met on Monday, December 1, 2008, at Canoe Brook Senior Center, 11 Cherry Hill Road, Branford, CT. The meeting came to order at 7:30 PM. Present were Rep. Avitable, Rep. Keefe, Rep. Nardella, Rep. Prete, and Rep. Thayer. Also present were Selectman Opie, Rep. Twohill, Rep. Black.
The following were heard:
1. To consider and if appropriate approve an agreement between the [Marker]Town of Branford and the United Public Services Employees Union Local #010 [Marker]Park and Recreation and Custodians.
Finance Director Jim Finch, HR Director Joyce Forte, Parks and Rec. Dept. Head Alex Paluzzi, Mary Grande of the Recreation Board, and Attorney William Ryan presented.
This is a five year contract, retroactive to July 1, 2007, with wage increases of 3.5% in the first and fifth years, and of 3.25% in Years 2, 3, and 4. The Town will realize savings on health insurance costs due to increased employee premium share and by implementing plans with higher copays and deductibles. The current Century Preferred $5 copay plan will be phased out in FY 2009, and employees will choose the new Century Preferred $20 copay plan or the new Health Savings Account high deductible plan. The long term of the contract will save money for the Town that would be spent on employee time and legal fees involved in labor negotiations.
An important factor in the contract negotiations and the Ways and Means Committee's vote was the consideration of what would happen if the contract was rejected and became subject to binding arbitration. Arbitrators would look at contracts in comparable towns and Branford's ability to pay, in which case, the Town's financial soundness would work against it. This contract is in line with municipal union contracts in other towns. If this contract were to go to binding arbitration, the Town would incur fees and expenses estimated at upwards of $40,000 and end up with a contract very much like the contract that has been agreed, a contract that calls for a total increase of $57,000 over its five year length.
Motion to approve by Representative Nardella, second by Representative Keefe. Motion passed 4-1. (Representative Avitable against.)
2. To hear and if appropriate approve a request from the Tax Collector for the following transfer (FY08-09):
From: 101-4904-494.59-13 Contingency (50,000)
To: 101-4107-407.59-01 Tax Refunds 50,000
Tax Collector Joanne Cleary presented. $75,000 is left in the budget for tax appeals, with $95,000 in refund settlements pending. In some cases, unexpectedly high interest of 6 to 10% has been added to the amount of the tax refunds. Fourteen appeals are still open, which usually average about $4000 each.
Motion to approve by Representative Prete, second by Representative Avitable. Motion passed 5-0.
3. To hear and if appropriate approve a request from the Town Clerk for the following transfer (FY08-09):
From: 101-4904-494-59-13 Contingency (2,780)
To: 101-4108-408-10-19 Expanded Hours 2,780
Town Clerk Marianne Kelly was away on vacation. Representative Thayer relayed information from a conversation with the Town Clerk. The committee also reviewed an email and a letter to the Board of Finance. The expenses are related to extra work needed in the Town Clerk's office, starting in September with overseas and military absentee ballots until after the polls closed on Election Day by two employees in the Town Clerk's office, and on Election Day by three Town Hall union employees.
The Town Clerk requested $2500 in the 2008-2009 budget in anticipation of these election-related expenses, but the request was cut.
Motion by Representative Avitable to approve, second by Representative Prete. Motion passed 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Thayer
Ways and Means Committee Chair
December 5, 2008
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