Town of Redding
Board of Finance Public Hearing on the Proposed 2022-2023 Annual Budget
Tuesday, 3/22/2022
7:30PM via Zoom
Present:
Dr. Kimberly Yonkers, Chair
Ward Mazzucco, Vice Chair
Jamie Barickman
Robert Dean
Jenifer Wyss
Karen Gifford
Also Present:
Steve Gniadek, Finance Director
First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton
Dr. Jason McKinnon, Superintendent of Region 9
Christopher Parkin, Redding BOE Chair
Members of the Public
1. Call To Order
Chair Yonkers called the meeting to order at 7:31PM.
2. To Approve the Minutes of the BOF Meeting held on Monday, 2/28/2022
Motion: Vice Chair Mazzucco made a motion to approve the minutes of the BOF Meeting held on Monday, 2/28/2022. Ms. Gifford seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, and the motion carried.
3. Budget Presentations:
Board of Selectman
First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton presented the BOS proposed budget to the BOF.
The proposed BOS budget for FY 2022-2023 is $15,647,521. This is an increase of $269,724 or 1.75%.
There is a proposal to join a health district due to the retirement of the current Health Officer. This would cost the Town of Redding $130,000 and would require a Town Meeting vote. One of the potential health districts is the Aspetuck Health District.
Various Capital Projects were discussed. They are as follows:
Community Center Addition (Estimate) $970,000
New Tennis Courts $575,000
Topstone Playground $40,000
Highway Department Roof Replacement $90,000
Town Hall Roof Replacement $88,000
Town Hall Sprinkler System $350,000 (Possible ARPA Funding)
HVAC Design Engineering for Town Hall and Community Center $25,000 (Possible ARPA Funding)
Road Reconstruction – Balance from prior Bond $296,000 (2020-2023 Road Plan)
Chipper $60,000
Roller $25,000
WPCC Membrane Replacement $200,000 (Possible ARPA Funding)
Replacement Crane $25,000 (Possible ARPA Funding)
Body Worn Cameras and Evidence Software $163,000 (Possible ARPA Funding)
Discussion followed concerning department consolidation and a possible economic development commission.
Board of Education
Dr. Jason McKinnon and Chris Parkin presented the Redding BOE proposed budget to the BOF.
The proposed BOE budget for FY 2022-2023 is $23,896,619.64. This is an increase of $835,581.64 or 3.62%.
Discussion followed concerning Special Education enrollment and spending, facilities maintenance, bussing consolidation, and collective bargaining.
Region 9
Mike D’Agostino presented the Region 9 BOE proposed budget to the BOF.
The proposed Region 9 budget for FY 2022-2023 is $24,755,519. This is an increase of $160,264 or 0.65%.
The Redding share of the Region 9 budget for FY 2022-2023 is $12,038,609. This is a decrease of $635,326 or 5.01%.
Discussion followed concerning the budget apportionment for Redding and future trends, the budget increase for FY 2022-2023, and possible surpluses for FY 2021-2022.
4. Other Business
There was no other business discussed.
5. Public Comment
Chair Yonkers opened the floor to Public Comment.
Sarah O’Dell, Black Rock Turnpike, thanked Region 9 and the BOE for their presentations and stated the importance of funding the schools. She stated her support for the budget.
Chris Parkin said police vehicle funding and revenue from special police services were not transparent to the public.
Angela Caes, 41 Deer Hill Road, stated her appreciation for online budget access. She also discussed the importance of building maintenance and improvement.
Amy Arnold thanked the boards for their presentations and asked the boards about general education funding and mental health funding/programs
Motion: Mr. Barickman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Mazzucco seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, and the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:23PM.
Submitted by,
Zachary Smith