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FINANCE / CLAIMS
COMMITTEE ACTIONS
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ATTENDANCE: Carvin Hilliard, Chair; Gwen Briggs;
Douglas Hempstead; Kelly Straniti; Douglas Sutton
STAFF: Thomas Hamilton, Finance Director, Frederic Gilden, Comptroller
PUBLIC HEARING – OPERATING BUDGET
Mr. Hilliard opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m.
Ms. Diane Cece, Olmstead Place spoke on behalf of the residents who experience flooding in their homes. She asked that the Common Council approve the full amount necessary for flood remediation.
Ms. Lise Rivieccio spoke on behalf of the residents who experience flooding in their homes. She said that she was here in full support of all the funds requested in the operating budget that will eliminate and remediate the flooding.
Mr. Jerry Curti spoke on behalf of the residents who experience flooding in their homes. He said that before the budget is cut, the Common Council and City officials should ask themselves what is more important to fix than flooding.
Mr. Michael Coffey, Nursery Street said that the operating budget as it stands is unacceptable. The tax increase is above the rate of inflation. He said that the delegation in Hartford needs to become engaged to help ease the tax burden in Norwalk. Mr. Coffey said that he agreed with the residents who want the flooding problem fixed.
Ms. Maggie Peterson, Gwendolyn Street said spoke about the flooding problems she has experienced in her home over the past three years. She said that her home was ruined because of all of the toxins and mold resulting from the flooding.
Dr. Barbara Amodio suggested that the Committee enact a salary freeze, particularly in the Board of Education, until there is serious relief for the tax payers.
Mr. Demitrious Arnone, Olmstead Street spoke about the flooding in his home. He said that it was not fair and that he was very frustrated. He asked the Committee to listen to the people whose homes are flooded. He said that they are desperate.
There were no further members of the public who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed at 7:08 p.m.
Mr. Hamilton said that the full Common Council will vote on the cap at their next meeting.
Mr. Hempstead asked Mr. Alvord if any proposed positions were being cut that would directly affect the maintenance of the drainage system. Mr. Alvord said there are five positions – a mason, two equipment operators and two laborers. He explained that there were a number of pieces to address the city storm drainage infrastructure system. Some pieces need to be repaired, replaced or maintained. In addition there are a number of water courses that have to be dredged to prevent flooding.
Mr. Hamilton said that $250,000 was appropriated last year to address storm drainage. This year Mr. Alvord requested $500,000, but he is not recommending funding that amount. Mr. Hamilton said that there is a substantial increase of resources to address the issue of storm drainage.
Mr. Hempstead suggested that filling one or two of the requested positions would be a move in the right direction.
Ms. Briggs asked about the relationship between the infrastructure and the bond rating. Mr. Hamilton said that the bond agency wants to see no tax increases, a maintained fund balance and a healthy infrastructure.
Mr. Hamilton explained that the priority is to try to address the most critical issues. He said that they have not decreased staff in the DPW, they have increased the amount of staff over the last four years. He said that they have added funding for drainage maintenance and replaced trucks. Mr. Hamilton said that he feels the City is taking concrete steps to improve the overall maintenance of the system.
Mr. Sutton left the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Mr. Hilliard asked if the drainage system has improved using the funds that were allocated last year. Mr. Alvord said that the bid package has just been advertised. He said that there are a number of areas where they know the storm system is plugged.
Mr. Sutton returned to the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Hempstead asked if a value could be placed on the requested positions that relate to drainage. Mr. Alvord said that a big problem has been to keep the City fleet operational. Mr. Hempstead asked what additional cost would be incurred to hire a mason. Mr. Hamilton said that he would calculate the cost and provide that information to the Common Council. Mr. Hamilton said that the role of the Common Council is to set the cap, which then goes before the Board of Estimate and Taxation.
Mr. Hempstead suggested taking funding away from the Board of Education to fund the mason position. He asked for an energy consumption cost by school. He said that he does not see the money that is going into the Board of Education developing into higher test scores.
Mr. Hilliard said that he agreed with Mr. Hempstead. He said that they have to help the residents whose homes are flooded. He said that the flooding problem is a very high priority.
Ms. Straniti said that it looks like the Board of Education’s portion of the budget is disproportionately higher than what the City is receiving. She asked if their Board of Education’s request could be decreased and moved to the infrastructure budget.
Mr. Hempstead asked Mr. Hamilton if he could get the cost of living increase amount along with the consumer price index from other municipalities in Fairfield County. He also asked the cost to maintain city building per square foot.
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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