Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT MAY 15, 2017 Present: Mayor Daniel T. Drew, Corporation Counsel Daniel B. Ryan, Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; Sergeant-at-arms William McKenna, Chief of Police; and Council Clerk Marie O. Norwood. Absent: Councilman Philip J. Pessina Also Present: Seven Members of the Public 1. MAYOR CALLS MEETING TO ORDER. The Mayor opens the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and leads the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair welcomes everyone to the Budget Approval meeting and asks the Clerk to read the call of the meeting. The Council Clerk reads the call; the Chair declares the call a legal call and the meeting a legal meeting. 2. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. The Chair opens the Public Hearing on agenda items at 7:02 p.m. Chief McKenna comes forward to address the Police Department’s budget. He is asking for the Council’s support during this difficult season. He is one of two directors in attendance and the only one in attendance last year. We have been monitoring the State budget as well and you can verify that with Director Erlacher; he spent a lot of time on the phone with him. He worked on an 85 page document analyzing the need for increasing patrols. The analysis gave objective reasons why they were needed and your support was so reasonable. We get the bombshell of the State and budget and no matter what you hear from people, he explained in his report prior to June why patrols were woefully inadequate and we have not increased coverage for close to 30 years. We calculated a reasonable amount of police coverage for each shift and figured out the days, hours of the days for more police coverage for the prime times. The Mayor and Council were updated as well as Director Erlacher. We have been running with those numbers since June. I explained to everyone the justification analysis that there were factual numbers where officers were outnumbered and with good leadership deescalated certain situations. We are a young police force and my job and yours is to protect those who are protecting others. State and Federal laws have mandated procedures that we need to follow and the consequences of not doing so are monetary. I ask that you support the Mayor's budget; it is the most realistic we have presented. He thanks the Council. 3. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED. The Chair asks if there are any other members of the public wishing to speak on agenda items; seeing no one, he closes the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. 4. RESOLUTIONS: A. ADOPTING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. (AMENDED AND APPROVED) Resolution No. 56-17 File Name 17-18genfundresolutionwithamendments BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the City of Middletown General Fund Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017, is hereby approved and adopted with the following amendments: CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - EXPENDITURES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2018 01000 MAYOR 53452 PUBLIC ARTS  MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 2 1000-01000-53452-0011-00000-0000-000 ARTS: PUBLIC ARTS 3 SPECIAL PROJECTS ........................................... -11,000 NET DECREASE - PUBLIC ARTS -11,000 53460 KIDS ARTS 1000-01000-53460-0011-00500-0000-000 ARTS: KIDS ARTS 5 COUNSELORS ................................................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - KIDS ARTS -5,000 NET DECREASE - MAYOR -16,000 03000 FINANCE 52120 CONFERENCES 1000-03000-52120-0000-00000-0000-000 FIN: CONFERENCES 1 TRAINING, WORKSHOPS & TUTION REIMB. ........................ -2,500 NET DECREASE - CONFERENCES -2,500 54130 NATURAL GAS 1000-03000-54130-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: NATURAL GAS 1 ............................................................ -10,000 NET DECREASE - NATURAL GAS -10,000 54140 GASOLINE 1000-03000-54140-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: GASOLINE 1 ............................................................ -15,000 NET DECREASE - GASOLINE -15,000 54150 FUEL OIL 1000-03000-54150-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: FUEL OIL 1 ............................................................ -10,000 NET DECREASE - FUEL OIL -10,000 NET DECREASE - FINANCE -37,500 03500 COMPUTERS/TELECOMMUNICATIONS 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-03500-51110-0000-00000-0000-000 IT: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 10 SUPPORT TECHNICIAN GRADE 10 STEP 3 9 MONTHS ................ -38,097 11 ADMIN / HELDPESK GRADE 8 STEP 3 9 MONTHS ................... -32,842 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM -70,939 NET DECREASE - COMPUTERS/TELECOMMUNICATIONS -70,939 05000 OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL 55480 TESTING SERVICES AND MATERIALS 1000-05000-55480-0170-00000-0000-000 HUMRES: TESTING SERVICES & MATE 3 POLICE/FIRE MEDICAL EXAMS (CONCENTRA) ...................... -500 5 MEDICAL MEDICAL EXAMS CONCENTRA (GENERAL GOVT) ............. -500 8 ENTRY LEVEL FIREFIGHTER TESTING ............................ -1,000 NET DECREASE - TESTING SERVICES AND MATERIAL -2,000 NET DECREASE - OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL -2,000 06000 YOUTH SERVICES 51220 SALARIES & WAGES, PT TEMP 1000-06000-51220-0000-00000-0000-000 YOUTH: SALARIES & WAGES, PT TEM 1 SUMMER STUDENT WORK PROGRAM ................................ -10,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, PT TEMP -10,000 NET DECREASE - YOUTH SERVICES -10,000 07000 RUSSELL LIBRARY 51215 SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1000-07000-51215-0000-00000-0000-000 LIBR: SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1 PAGES - CIRCULATION, CHILDRENS ............................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM -5,000 51345 SUNDAY OPENING OT 1000-07000-51345-0000-00000-0000-000 LIBR: SUNDAY OPENING OT 1 SALARIES FOR SUNDAY HOURS .................................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - SUNDAY OPENING OT -5,000 NET DECREASE - RUSSELL LIBRARY -10,000 10000 TAX ASSESSOR 51215 SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1000-10000-51215-0000-00000-0000-000 ASSESS: SALARIES & WAGES, PT PE 1 PART-TIME CLERK (AIDE I) ................................... 1,499 NET INCREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1,499 55110 ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING 1000-10000-55110-0000-00000-0000-000 ASSESS: ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING 1 SELECT PERSONAL PROPERTY ................................... -2,000 NET DECREASE - ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING -2,000 NET DECREASE - TAX ASSESSOR -501 14000 PLANNING, CONSERVATION, DEVELO 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-14000-51110-0000-00000-0000-000 PCD: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 12 PLANNER (NEW) .............................................. -80,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM -80,000  MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 3 53185 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1000-14000-53185-0000-00000-0000-000 PCD: PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1 REMINGTON RAND PROPERTY MANG ............................... 50,000 NET INCREASE - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 50,000 NET DECREASE - PLANNING, CONSERVATION, DEVEL -30,000 18000 POLICE 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-18000-51110-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PE 61 **PROPOSED NEW HIRE - APR 2018 - PATROL OFFICER (87) TO (88) -17,483 62 **PROPOSED NEW HIRE - JAN 2018 - PATROL OFFICER (86) TO (87) -35,975 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM -53,458 51357 REPLACEMENT OT 1000-18000-51357-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: REPLACEMENT OT 1 PATROLMEN .................................................. -481,141 2 SUPERVISORS ................................................ -218,859 NET DECREASE - REPLACEMENT OT -700,000 51950 UNIFORM ALLOWANCE 1000-18000-51950-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: UNIFORM ALLOWANCE 5 INITIAL OUTFIT FOR REPLACEMENT HIRES ....................... -5,000 NET DECREASE - UNIFORM ALLOWANCE -5,000 52110 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1000-18000-52110-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1 ACCREDITATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ...................... -2,000 9 OFFICE SUPPLIES ............................................ -1,000 10 ORGANIZATIONAL/DEPARTMENTAL MEMBERSHIPS .................... -500 11 PAPER ...................................................... -500 13 PRINTING ................................................... -500 14 REFERENCE BOOKS/LEGAL UPDATES .............................. -500 NET DECREASE - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE -5,000 53140 LETHAL & LESS LETHAL EQUIP & S 1000-18000-53140-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: LETHAL/LESS LETHAL EQUI 1 AMMUNITION ................................................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - LETHAL & LESS LETHAL EQUIP & -5,000 53510 GENERAL VEHICLE SERVICES 1000-18000-53510-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: GENERAL VEHICLE SERVICE 8 REPAIRS, PARTS, OIL ETC .................................... -10,000 NET DECREASE - GENERAL VEHICLE SERVICES -10,000 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-18000-55185-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 24 MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ......................... -4,999 NET DECREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES -4,999 NET DECREASE - POLICE -783,457 22000 PUBLIC WORKS 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-22000-51110-0221-00000-0000-000 BLDG: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 3 BLDG OFFICIAL (FILLED IN OCTOBER) .......................... -1 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM -1 51950 UNIFORM ALLOWANCE 1000-22000-51950-0220-00000-0000-000 PW ADMN: UNIFORM ALLOWANCE 1 CONTRACTUAL - ALL DIVISIONS, 40 EMP @ $350/3 EMP @ $275 .... -2,500 NET DECREASE - UNIFORM ALLOWANCE -2,500 53301 IMPROVED ROAD MAINTENANCE 1000-22000-53301-0233-00000-0000-000 TOWN AID: IMPROVED ROAD MAINTEN 1 IMPROVED ROAD MAINTENANCE .................................. -2,436 NET DECREASE - IMPROVED ROAD MAINTENANCE -2,436 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-22000-55185-0222-00000-0000-000 RECYCL: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 2 NEWSPAPER TRANS & PROCESSING ............................... -2,000 6 COMPOSTING LEAVES .......................................... -6,000 7 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE .................................. -2,000 NET DECREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES -10,000 NET DECREASE - PUBLIC WORKS -14,937 25500 OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 53380 REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE TO BUILDIN 1000-25500-53380-0000-00000-0000-000 EMER MGMT: REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE 4 MILE LANE .................................................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE TO BUILDI -5,000 NET DECREASE - OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMEN -5,000 26500 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 59200 GRANT 1000-26500-59200-0722-00000-0000-000 ART SUPP: GRANT 1 ART SUPPORT SERVICES ....................................... -10,000  MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 4 1000-26500-59200-0724-00000-0000-000 MATCHING: GRANT 1 AMAZING CHALLENGE .......................................... -2,500 2 EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE GRANTS (FORMER AFTERSCHOOL GRANT) .... -2,500 1000-26500-59200-0736-00000-0000-000 HLTH GRANT: GRANT 1 PUBLIC HEALTH BLOCK GRANTS ................................. -10,000 NET DECREASE - GRANT -25,000 NET DECREASE - HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES -25,000 27000 SPECIAL ACCOUNTS 52110 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1000-27000-52110-0710-00000-0000-000 URB FOR: GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1 ADMINISTRATION ............................................. -500 2 TREE PLANTING AND REPLACEMENT PLANTING ..................... -1,500 NET DECREASE - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE -2,000 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-27000-55185-0030-00000-0000-000 SPEC: EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES 1 ............................................................ -4,999 NET DECREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES -4,999 55400 OTHER SERVICES 1000-27000-55400-0000-00000-0000-000 PCD: OTHER SERVICES-ECON DEVELO 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (CHAMBER/WESU GRANT) ............. -25,000 NET DECREASE - OTHER SERVICES -25,000 57030 MISC EXPENSE 1000-27000-57030-0011-00000-0000-000 SPEC: SPECIAL PROGRAMS 2 SEASONAL CONCERTS .......................................... -4,200 1000-27000-57030-0708-00000-0000-000 COMMTY: MISC EXPENSE 13 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS ...................................... 2,000 NET DECREASE - MISC EXPENSE -2,200 NET DECREASE - SPECIAL ACCOUNTS -34,199 28000 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 51530 HEALTH INSURANCE 1000-28000-51530-0000-00000-0000-000 EMPL BEN: HEALTH INSURANCE 3 HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS LESS $190K DEDUCTIBLE $200K ......... -190,000 NET DECREASE - HEALTH INSURANCE -190,000 NET DECREASE - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS -190,000 31000 HEALTH 51215 SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1000-31000-51215-0000-00000-0000-000 HEALTH: SALARIES & WAGES, PT PE 1 PART TIME HEALTH DEPT. CLERK ............................... -5,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM -5,000 NET DECREASE - HEALTH -5,000 32000 REC & COMMUNITY SERVICES 51230 SALARIES, PT SEASONAL 1000-32000-51230-0321-00000-0000-000 RECR: SALARIES & WAGES, PT SEAS 10 SWIMMING STAFF ............................................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES, PT SEASONAL -5,000 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-32000-55185-0130-00000-0000-000 SENIOR: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1 MAT/DIAL A RIDE ............................................ -1,500 27 ADD'L TRANSPORTAATION TO SENIOR/COMMUNITY CTR .............. -1,500 NET DECREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES -3,000 55415 BUSING 1000-32000-55415-0321-00000-0000-000 RECR: BUSING 1 YOUTH DAY PROGRAM DAILY BUSING ............................. -5,000 NET DECREASE - BUSING -5,000 NET DECREASE - REC & COMMUNITY SERVICES -13,000 33000 EDUCATION 57010 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1000-33000-57010-0000-00000-0000-000 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1 BOARD'S APPROVED BUDGET .................................... -400,000 2 LESS PRIOR YEAR CARRYOVER .................................. -300,000 NET DECREASE - EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION -700,000 NET DECREASE - EDUCATION -700,000 35100 CAPITAL EXPENSE 59500 CNR CONTRIBUTION 1000-35100-59500-0000-00000-0000-000 CAP EXP: CNR CONTRIBUTION 1 CAPITAL PURCHASES .......................................... -100,000 NET DECREASE - CNR CONTRIBUTION -100,000 NET DECREASE - CAPITAL EXPENSE -100,000 35500 RESERVE FOR SALARIES 51120 SALARY RESERVE 1000-35500-51120-0000-00000-0000-000 RES SAL: SALARY RESERVE 2 466 CONTRACT WAGES/OT ...................................... -75,385  MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 5 3 PD CONTRACT WAGES/OT ....................................... -109,230 4 LIBRARY CONTRACT WAGES ..................................... -15,385 NET DECREASE - SALARY RESERVE -200,000 NET DECREASE - RESERVE FOR SALARIES -200,000 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 1000 GENERAL FUND -2,247,533 CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - REVENUES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2018 1000-01000-48110-0010-00000-0000-000 MAYOR: ECCRA 1,000 1000-03000-41110-0033-00000-0000-000 COLL: TAXES-REAL ESTATE/MOTOR VEH -4,535,032 1000-03000-49030-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: FUND BAL BUDGET CONTRIB 1,342,000 1000-03000-49035-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: TRANSFER FROM ESCROW 449,999 1000-14000-44460-0000-00000-0000-000 PCD: REMINGTON RAND RENT INCOME 50,000 1000-14000-49152-0000-00000-0000-000 PCD: SALE OF CITY LAND-DATTCO-Tut 336,000 1000-18500-44530-0000-00000-0000-000 PK DEPT: PARKING METER COLLECTION 100,000 1000-18700-44591-0187-00000-0000-000 CENT COMM: CELL COMM-TOWER RENTAL 8,500 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 1000 GENERAL FUND -2,247,533 Be it further resolved: That the mill rate be set as 33.9 to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes Councilman Thomas J. Serra reads and moves for approval the City of Middletown General Fund Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017, is hereby approved and adopted; and Be it further resolved: That the mill rate be set as 35.3 to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes. Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. seconds the motion. Councilman Gerald E. Daley moves to amend the resolution through substitution and reads all the amendments into the record with the mill rate of 33.9 mills to cover this budget. Councilman Thomas J. Serra seconds the motion. Councilman Serra wishes to speak to his motion. This is his 26th budget he has helped construct and by far the most difficult one. The difficulties started in 08-09; there are no numbers from the State Legislature from the Appropriation committee. They have not forwarded any tentative numbers and we used last year's numbers and we don't know if we will even receive that and we reduced the budget by using added revenue and went from 2 mils to .6 or 6/10ths increase. For individuals owning a $100,000 house, it is a $60 dollar increase; $200,000 is $120; $250,000 is $150; $ 300,000 is $180. This would have been much, much more. If we are funded appropriately from the State, and this goes to Chief McKenna, we could refund the reductions we made. With the proposal of the budget amendment, the citizens of Middletown, the essential services are reasonable and minimal with the State budget crisis. He thanks the caucus especially Councilman Daley who put it in the form it is. He thanks minority leader and caucus for their input as well because their efforts of additional changes and he thanks the caucus, but he will not endorse it because it reduces services further. He thanks Director Erlacher, Diana Doyle, Tina Gomes and Marie Norwood. The department directors need to rework what they will need to do to stay in the parameters of their budget because next year will be more difficult than this year. We need to stay within the budget; we need to look at appropriations and bonding. This has been the most difficult budget; however, the Mayor did not have the numbers as well and we did find some revenues and he thanks everyone who participated and he hopes the directors understand what has trickled down to us. We are in fairly good shape this year, but he is not sure about next year. We are fairly solvent this year and he hopes this budget works. Councilman Daley states I would characterize the budget a little differently as opposed to difficult; he has been involved with many budgets. He would say this is by far the least satisfying; it seems our work is not done because of the uncertainty of the State budget because of the direct impact on our budget. We are going to have to deal with that. The Governor put out his revised budget today; quite honestly there is some reason for optimism on how it will affect Middletown, but it is much harsher news for other towns in the State. It is doubtful it will make it through the legislature. We are in difficult times, not through our own making. Middletown is in good financial condition and what we are trying to accomplish is to stay in good condition and minimize the impact on the local taxpayer. That is the most oppressive part of our tax system is the burden on property tax payers. The message that is conveyed through this is we were trying to act responsibly and try to maintain the high level of services and we need to be diligent going forward and to work closely with all departments. We have to find ways to reduce our costs and provide essential services. We all feel we will have an additional time to make appropriations for additional spending. He is skeptical that they will realize the amount from the State that is in the Mayor's budget. We took the same lead and I am skeptical we will get that and we will have to take further measures to curtail spending and fiscal 2019 will be worse. With respect to the two departments most significantly affected by the MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 6 amendment, Police and Education, the cuts are severe and challenging and I hope the leadership of the Police Department will not be discouraged and redouble their efforts to find ways to keep the community safe. We need to look at alternate ways and to keep overtime at a more reasonable level. The proposal before us was to increase overtime in Replacement was roughly $500,000 which is what is proposed in this amendment. The increase of $700,000 from fiscal 2016 and what is presented to us this year is what was taken out. It sounds harsh and we may have to revisit it going forward. They need to look at other ways to provide effective coverage throughout the community. Don't be discouraged; we will work with you. One of the things this budget means for the Council is much closer monitoring of the budget and we need to call upon the Mayor and Department heads to adopt an outlook of trying to reduce expenses as much as possible going forward. It is unfortunate we have to increase taxes again; we need to continue to increase our efforts to foster economic development and we have to look at expenses. We are fortunate that there are a couple of one time revenue increases included in this amendment and we won't find them next year. The FedEx project was significant increase in Building Permit revenue; the sale of city land to Dattco is in. There are challenges ahead. I hope we will have full support of the Council. I add my appreciation to Council Members both Democratic and Councilman Giuliano for his leadership of the Republican caucus for their ideas and the positive approach to the budget. I want to especially thank Finance Dept. Staff Carl Erlacher, Diana Doyle, Tina Gomes and Marie Norwood for putting this together. I urge support of this amendment Councilman Giuliano expresses his thanks for everyone who had apart in this. There was a Minority Caucus proposal to cut more expenses and reduce the General Fund contribution by a little; they are not significant differences to not support this budget. I don't take any joy in this because this is going to hurt. I relate things to motion pictures and if any motion picture drama that depicts a crisis, it was Apollo 13 and there was a scene showing astronaut Mattingly was trying to figure out powering up to enter the atmosphere and there was little power left and he asked the engineers that he needs power to light up the parachutes. The engineer states you are telling us what you need and I am telling you what we have. We have what we have. We would like to give every department what they want, but we can't without putting an undue burden on the taxpayer. Many cases people are being taxed on something they bought and paid for decades ago, but the burden falls on them anyway. We pass this budget and we have to stay disciplined through next year to make sure we stick to it. If it turns out better than we think it will be, we may be able to restore some things. We have to get through this next year as best we can and he will be supporting this. Councilman Nocera states he will support this amendment to the budget; he won't restate what Councilman Serra, Daley and Giuliano accurately described but the uncertainty at the State level is real. Our goal is to hope for the best and plan for the worst. The magnitude of revenue loss in CT is enormous. Little has been done, it appears to control that. We have to work with our State officials to correct this issue because it is not correcting itself. We have an obligation to work with the State. We know our departments will rally together and understand this is our problem as well as the State and we can't overcome the bumps we face unless we work together to strategize how to improve services that are being stretched. We know this is a difficult time. We will work to resolve this. Councilman Faulkner agrees with his colleagues that this is a tough budget but wanted to shine a little light on the bright side. The public needs to know it didn't start out with the Youth Development Worker in it and the Mayor and the Director has it in the budget. We haven't had one for at least two years. The developmental assets engaged the whole city and engaged the young people instead of powering money on the back end of the situation, we are focusing some resources on the front end to keep young people out of trouble to give them services without going through the juvenile system. He thanks everyone for putting it back in there and keeping it in there. This is a message for young people and invites all youth service agencies to come back and join the efforts with Youth Services. It will take some pressure off other services. Councilman Blanchard states this is his second budget and when you have someone that has 25 budgets, it becomes apparent that it is difficult. No one wants to cut police or reduce education and he hopes they can restore some of it; but there will be challenging times ahead of us. There are towns hiking the mill rate up 4 and 5 mills and counting on money that might not be coming their way. We need to be mindful and watch this and tighten our belt and keeping to the analogy of movie selections, he takes Star Wars New Hope. He will also support this budget and keeping an eye on things coming down from Hartford. The chair, seeing no further discussion, calls for the vote on the amendment. It is 10 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 1 nay votes by Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 10 affirmative votes, 1 in opposition and 1 absent. The Chair asks if there is any discussion on the underlying amended resolution. Seeing none, he calls for the vote. It is 9 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano; 2 nay votes by Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 9 affirmative votes, 2 in opposition and 1 absent. MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 7 B. ADOPTING MIDDLETOWN FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET. (AMENDED AND APPROVED) Resolution No. 57-17 File Name 17-18fireamendmentsresbud Be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the Middletown Fire District Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017, is hereby approved and adopted with the following amendments: CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - REVENUES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2018 2010-50000-41110-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: TAXES-REAL ESTATE/MOTOR VEH -695,999 2010-50000-49030-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: FUND BALANCE CONTRIBUTION 695,999 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2010 FIRE -0- Be It Further Resolved: That the mill rate be set as 8.5 to cover this budget and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be It Further Resolved: That the Tax collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes. Councilman Robert P. Santangelo reads and moves for approval adopting the Middletown Fire Department budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017, is hereby approved and adopted; and Be It Further Resolved: That the mill rate be set as 9.1 to cover this budget and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be It Further Resolved: That the Tax collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes. Councilman Carl R. Chisem seconds the motion. Motion to Amend Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. moves to amend the resolution through substitution and reads the changes with a mill rate of 8.5 to cover said budget. Councilman Robert P. Santangelo seconds the motion. Councilman Serra states when we go through this, we review the finance report and the fund balance only shows $729,000 and they received $900,000 from the State and we were able to reduce the mill rate and he thanks Carl Erlacher because it wasn't in the Financial Report The chair calls for the vote on the amendments to the resolution. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. The chair calls for the vote on the amended Fire Budget resolution. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. C. ADOPTING SANITATION COLLECTION DISTRICT BUDGET. (APPROVED) Resolution No. 58-17 File Name 17-18sanitationbudgenres Be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the budget of the Sanitation Collection district for the fiscal year July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 as presented by the mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017 is hereby approved and adopted. Councilman Carl R. Chisem reads and moves for approval adopting the Sanitation Collection District Budget for fiscal year 2017-2018 as presented by the Mayor and advertised April 21. Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. seconds the motion. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley,  MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 8 Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. D. ADOPTING WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY BUDGET FOR THE SEWER DEPARTMENT. (AMENDED AND APPROVED) Resolution No. 59-17 File Name 17-18sewerbudgetresolutionwithamend Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the budget prepared and adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority for the Sewer Department of the City of Middletown for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017 is hereby approved and adopted with the following amendments: CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - REVENUES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2018 2050-65000-44715-0000-00000-0000-000 SEWER: SERVICE CHARGES 300,000 2050-65000-49030-0000-00000-0000-000 SEWER: FUND BALANCE CONTRIBUTION -300,000 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2050 SEWER -0- Be It Further Resolved: That the rate of sewer use charges as adopted by the Water Pollution Control shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2017; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. Councilman Eugene P. Nocera reads and moves for approval the budget prepared and adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority for the Sewer Department of the City of Middletown for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017 is hereby approved and adopted; and Be It Further Resolved: That the rate of sewer use charges as adopted by the Water Pollution Control shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2017; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges.. Councilman Thomas J. Serra seconds the motion. Motion to Amend Councilman Robert Blanchard moves for approval to amend adopting the Water Pollution Control Authority Budget for the Sewer Department through substitution. He reads the amendment in its entirety. Councilman Robert P. Santangelo seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. The chair calls for the vote on underlying amended resolution. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. E. ADOPTING WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY BUDGET FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT. (APPROVED) Resolution No. 60-17 File Name 17-18watergenres.doc Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the budget prepared and adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority for the Water Department of MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 9 the City of Middletown for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017 is hereby approved and adopted; and Be It Further Resolved: That the rate of water use charges as adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority and approved by the Common Council shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2017; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta reads and moves for approval the budget prepared and adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority for the Water Department of the City of Middletown for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 21, 2017 is hereby approved and adopted; and Be It Further Resolved: That the rate of water use charges as adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority and approved by the Common Council shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2017; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. Councilman Robert P. Santangelo seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. F. ADOPTING THE SPECIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT BUDGET. (APPROVED) Resolution No. 61-17 File Name 17-18businessdistrictbudresolution Whereas, the Business Improvement District Board of Commissioners has met and in accordance with the ordinance, Sec. 272-14, Subparagraph G, has set the budget and proposed a mill rate on the assessed value of taxable real estate property within the district for fiscal year 2017 - 2018. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the mill rate be set as 2.41 mills to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2017, and January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Ordinance Section 272-14 Subparagraph G, 2 (a) of the City of Middletown; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector, be and she is hereby authorized to collect said taxes. Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. reads and moves for approval the Business Improvement District Board of Commissioners has met and in accordance with the ordinance, Sec. 272-14, Subparagraph G, has set the budget and proposed a mill rate on the assessed value of taxable real estate property within the district for fiscal year 2017 - 2018. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the mill rate be set as 2.41 mills to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2017, and January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Ordinance Section 272-14 Subparagraph G, 2 (a) of the City of Middletown; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector, be and she is hereby authorized to collect said taxes.. Councilman Robert P. Santangelo seconds the motion. The chair, hearing no discussion, calls for the vote. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. The Chair recognizes Councilman Daley who would like to comment on the education budget and while the amended budget that was approved is a decrease of $700,000, part of that is attributable is that they will carryover which can be a surplus of a full $800,000 by statute, if they achieve that savings. They had previously projected $500,000; In terms of reduction in funding is $400,000 from what was approved by the Board and recommended by the Mayor and that does not mean a reduction, but a slight increase of over $1 million to $81,325,223 which is what we voted tonight for their budge. It is slightly more than $1 million and it is not a big increase, but not a reduction. Councilman Serra states that goes along with the last 12 years to give to the education budget above and beyond what they received before. We decrease their request, not their budget. We gave about MAY 15, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 10 40% of their increase. The Chair thanks the Council and public for their input in this budget because of the uncertainty of the revenue from the State. While we do face uncertainty from the State, the other towns face it, I have confidence we will emergence in a position of strength to allow the city to grow. We will get through the challenges as a community 5. MEETING ADJOURNED. Councilman Thomas J. Serra reads and moves to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is 11 aye votes by Councilman Eugene P. Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, Councilman Carl R. Chisem, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilwoman Deborah A. Kleckowski, Councilwoman Linda Salafia; 0 nay votes and 1 absent by Councilman Philip J. Pessina. The Chair states the matter carried with 11 affirmative votes, 0 in opposition and 1 absent. The Chair adjourns the meeting at 8:05 p.m. ATTEST: MARIE O. NORWOOD COMMON COUNCIL CLERK