Snow Removal Leaves Public Works with $40,000 Shortfall

The Suffield Board of Finance held a budget review meeting Monday evening at the Suffield Police Department. They heard presentations from ten departments focusing on keeping costs down as much as possible in the difficult economic climate.

Senior Center Director Paula Pascoe sought an increase of three hours per week for a part-time assistant position due to increased participation in events as well as potential unreliability of volunteer assistance. The Senior Center currently has 1m120 members using its programs. Concern was raised about non-Suffield residents using the Senior Center, and Ms. Pascoe informed the Board that 27 percent of participants were from out of town.

“Senior centers run the gamut in what they do. Some require an additional fee for participating in activities, some charge membership dues, some don't do anything. We find that the ones that do as we do are typically more welcoming and people enjoy coming here more,” Pascoe said.

Programs are self-sustaining while salaries and facilities are maintained by use of town funds.

The Youth Services Department presented a budget with the elimination of the position of Assistant Director of Youth Services position. The holder of the position is currently on medical leave.

Director Peter Black noted, “we were hoping to continue to afford it, but we can't.”  

In the area of Health and Social Services, demand for services has remained flat over last year except in the area of energy assistance which was in greater demand. The unemployment rate in Suffield remained steady at 8.3 percent. The food bank remains well stocked due to the generosity of residents. The budget for the department reflected little change over last year. Suffield is a member of the North Central Health District, a regionalized health district responsible for septic inspections and other public health needs of the town.

Library Director Jim McShane and Vice President of the Library Commission Bob White answered questions concerning the endowments maintained by the library. There are currently two endowments. One is worth $600,000 and devoted to the expansion or replacement of the library. The second is worth $1.1 million and the proceeds pay for roughly $63,000 of the library's annual operating expenses. This represents 12 percent of the operating budget of the library.

Landfill costs will remain flat over last year. Recycling efforts have been strong but there is room for improvement. The recycled waste the town collects represents a strong source of revenue. Suffield is currently in the top third of towns according to Landfill superintendent Bob Heintz and Director of Public Works Jack Muska. Any resident requiring a second bin for recycling can request one from Chris Koren at the First Selectman's office at 860-668-3838.

The excessive snowfall this winter has left the town's highway and road maintenance budget with a roughly $40,000 shortfall. Between overtime, road salt, and contracting for snow removal from roofs, last year's budget was exhausted and additional monies were spent. The town contracts four independent plow drivers to assist with snow removal as necessary. To date, the Department listed 33 separate occurrences requiring snow removal and road clearing services.

The storm on January 11 to January 12, 2011 qualified for Federal Disaster relief funds. The Department anticipates receiving roughly $50,000 worth of assistance. Board of Finance Chairman Justin Donnelly commended the department for its efforts in an especially difficult year.

The Public Works Department anticipates an increase of approximately $3,800 in its budget for groundwater testing due to new requirements from the State Department of Environmental Protection. Currently, six groundwater tests annually are required, but beginning next year, the tests will be performed quarterly.

“An unfunded mandate, what a shock!” chairman Donnelly said.

The Board members expressed satisfaction with the maintenance of the town's buildings noting that,”money specnt on maintenance is money well spent.”

First Selectman Tom Frenaye requested an additional $15,000 in the other services line of his department budget, with the intended use of performing a fraud assessment audit for the Town Government.

The meeting adjourned around 8:30 pm.