001Welcome to the town of Bolton Board of Selection budget workshop number five, Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at the town hall and zoner. Now, first we're going to start off with the budget of the assessor. Do we have any Oh, we out of order then? >> Yeah, we're out of order. Assessor number five. 31 drag it home. >> You wanna >> Eric, would you mind coming up to the table so that we can pick you up on the recording? >> Yeah. Um, so there's really not um most of the categories when stayed the same or went down. um with the exception that we included the services that were not included that I that the assessor's office uses but that were on the I guess the general I don't know Thorman's budget which was um vision which
002is the CAM system for keeping track of real estate um and then the um the QDS system which is for billing and veterans and um all the exemptions folks programs and things like that. Um and uh yeah, so now they're they're on budget. So that one item um uh 50 I count 56 and 120. If we take those things out um that comparable number would have been 2,800 for for this year just to give you an idea. >> So it would have decreased. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> So vision has web access for vision is one thing and the vision software itself is another. >> Yeah. And there's there's Yeah. So what is happening if we if this project gets approved? So the the system we have now with vision they do the web hosting
003but um computer scenario. Our pictures no longer show on on there and um so to get more functionality out of it, they have a new program called Data Scout. Um they will post the pictures um and um it's a little more expensive, but that's the alternative. Um at least >> it's an addition or an alternative. It's it's an addition. >> No, it's an alternative because we're going to get Yeah. The way the contract is now with the web hosting, it's done like on a uh November to October building or something where they're going to give credit for the rest of next year to start July. Okay. >> Yeah. And then it'll go that way. >> Is there any other questions? Yeah. Very good. >> And we should see a $30,000 reduction in our solar budget.
004>> Yeah, you you haven't lifted. So, >> keep looking. >> Yeah, keep keep looking. >> It's on the agenda tonight. There. Thank you. >> Should make you happy. Yeah. So, so the vision softwares I just have the numbers here 16600 that you have there >> in in just I I'll make a comment in my conversations with our finance director last week. >> She feels that those th those costs really should be in the selectman's budget. But I thought it was best to leave it here at least, you know, for purposes of discussion for the time being. So Cara and I will will work that out if you know if we make those changes and move the money between this budget and the other budget. >> So it could end up back in ours before us.
005>> It should not it should remain in the admin budget because you're because you're going to have a def you're going to have a huge change in the budget which will be a questionary cost. It should remain. It's already in the selectman's budget. I mean the admin budget. It should stay there. All the other ones except for very few have always been there and it could it's it's questionable if you take it out of there. It should stay there. >> Questionable from an accounting standpoint from >> Yep. the auditor standpoint. >> Yep. >> Why? >> Because there's such all of a sudden you're taking that away. So you his questions he if you have a 20 28% change in your revenue in your expenditures we get questioned on that. That's >> is >> yeah it
006seems natural but it seems justifiable. >> It is justifiable. >> Well it is but why why why ARE WE TAKING IT OUT? There's no reason to take it out because that we need that the the regardless of who's working in what department that's something that the admin or select men need in order to make the town function. All and majority of all of the others the the the um all of the other programs that we have are in the selectman. Why take it out? Yeah, there there's there's very there's very few exceptions to that, you know, with the software, you know, coming out of this lock pins bugger. So, >> you can say take it out, but why >> what why would you do that? >> Oh, one could argue that uh I don't know
007about it. Do we use that software for any other departments or is it specific to the assessor? that it's it it well it go ahead Cara you go ahead >> yeah know I mean it's pretty specific to the assessor I mean what we have I don't know what's going on with the mapping program but that will link with vision but um >> so that it seems to make more sense that it belongs under your budget as it's a cost for you to do is >> yeah well yeah I mean but then >> I don't the clerk's software should you know diverge and the building department should be in flares and we just opened up a can of worms and when it comes to it an account an the um Steve's uh looking at the budget
008he's going to start quizzing Jill and she's going to have to come up with >> Steve being the auditor >> the auditor y'll be a lot of questions and what will the taxpayers see when they see money moving around like that you know it's probably a couple hundred grand all said and done. >> Yeah. And I I mean I think from our perspective it's an easy enough question to answer if it makes sense and if it's under the suggestion of I think you want to move them all at once if you're going to move them you know give the clerk first give the building department this is give the tax first. So, you know, >> I will say and not that I've worked in a lot of towns, but the other towns they've had it
009in our budget, you know, departmental budget, >> right? >> That might be set on differently. >> That makes sense. >> Which, you know, we're too far into the game already to >> Yeah. >> just stay from last year and next year. I don't know. What do you think, John? That's it's incredible. >> You know, I I think, you know, this this has been the town's interpretation of the uniform chart of accounts for a number of years. And, you know, I I do agree with Bryce that it's easy enough to explain, you know, that you've moved it from one budget to the other. I I don't necessarily have a strong feeling about it one way or the other. you know, when we include it in the administration budget, we do ask, you know, the leaders of
010those departments to provide us with the information so we're not chasing the information for them. Um, so you know, you know, it's it's there, you know, and I I think it really comes down to a level of clarity. if you think it's more clear in the individual department budgets, you know, maybe that's something you transition to, but maybe you do it in a wellthoughtout manner um rather than, you know, peace peace meal. >> I I Yeah, I would say either all or nothing. But what was the genesis of the um the change that we're seeing right now? Like why why is this a topic that we're even discussing? In other words, you know, I mean, we're >> by now. >> Yeah. The 30,000 was pulled and moved over. >> Is there >> I mean, I
011think it's a good topic. I'm just curious what the genesis like what what caused this to change >> because Cara included it in her budget. >> Okay. s simply because she included it in her budget and she and I have not had an opportunity to connect between when she produced this and now. >> Correct. So is it of any importance that we know or the taxpayers know what the total value of running the assessors versus the but on the other hand it doesn't matter because the with with as as a town as a whole you need that that's kind of like overhead period. It's got to be there. You know the paper and the people and whatever shuffles around but that's part of the town. You can't get rid of it. What? What? Let me
012just say when you look at the assessor's budget, not all of those things are expenditures to us because we have it revenue from Willington. So that's not what makes the whole assessor's department run. So because we're paid for half a care salary and other benefits that she has, but it comes in as revenue as the building and land use. So that's not really telling the residents what it takes to run the assessor's department. >> Well, it won't take it, >> right? So it's actually it's actually over inflated by half the payroll and half and and half the benefits in other places. >> Have you reimbured any of this program? >> No, because that's specific to Bolton. Okay. >> She has she has a similar program or the same program in Wilmington, >> right? >> So
013do you use the same laptop for both? >> Um, no. I don't I don't bring my a laptop anywhere. I just >> You have a desktop at each. >> Yeah. I mean, there's a >> It's probably a laptop just that doesn't go anywhere. >> The what? >> There's probably a laptop that just doesn't go anywhere between the two, my guess. But, >> um I have a laptop there. Not I haven't gotten one here yet. >> So, um I kind of think we should move it back into the administrative budget or or do >> How hard is that? >> It's easy. What other what other programs are there for other departments? How just roughly? >> So, I mean, you know, for the uh for the land use department, there's the the soft program that we use
014for, you know, permitting, but we also use that program for online dog licensing. We also use that program for um you can purchase your your permit for the transfer station on that program. I mean, there there's just there's a there's a number of programs, you know, >> dog tags. >> Yeah. The the the tax collector has software that shows up in the administration budget. There's software for almost every department. >> So, any other thoughts on that? But it >> I mean I guess the next question with that being said, would it be practical to implement all of those cost under their appropriate departments within this budget? >> I would say no because there how do you def there are three different departments that use um open gov. How do you determine how much it goes
015to each? And you got to remember like the tax collector, the assessor, my budget, we all have very small budgets. So if we have one thing that happens that's major, what then we've got to hope that we can get money from somewhere else. >> I'm not quite sure I follow up. >> Well, if if something major happens or if we we can't we don't get like well if we our budgets are so small and so few lines. If something major happens, we can't afford th that and now we need money from other places. The admin budget's a bigger budget than tax collector or the assessor or building and land use and at those that have these programs. >> So, so the the open gov bill comes in and how would you split it up >>
016between the three departments? That's part of the question. Yep. because it really isn't a it isn't an even split because uh dog dog tags are pretty much seasonal. You get once in a while you get them after the you know the season after July 1st. >> But most of it goes to building and land use. But how do you determine >> how how do you determine how much goes to admin? How much goes to >> this is a pretty simple question. This isn't like earthshattering stuff. If Cara feels that it should be in her budget, then I would I don't know. I don't want to whatever the town wants to do with it. >> But obviously you thought it was a good idea and makes sense. I would support you if I think that that's
017I mean it's >> we can understand that you take the money from one place and put it >> and you find it somewhere else >> like there's one thing because it makes sense for this particular department and perhaps the dog licensing and other stuff is is not analogous and it could could be handled differently. Okay, I agree with that. >> Doesn't sound like we have to make a decision right now, but I would support bar if that's just for >> just move that from one place to another really hard. >> All right, any other questions? >> None. >> Shall we move on to Thank you, Cara. >> Thank you. >> Cara or I'm sorry. >> Who's next? Uh the agenda >> finance >> pretty self-explanatory I do you have any questions cuz the increase well
018I mean the the salaries are the salaries and um training is it's what pops up. We don't necessarily know what um Tyler's going to have out there for training. So it's pretty much if we get any training offered to us um the other two are explained well the uh professional technical is um oped and continued disclosure filings and if you want to know a little more about that I can let you know or maybe you don't I don't know um >> I'd love to know more. Okay. Well, OPEDB is uh other postmployment benefits that uh we have to have an actuarial study done. So, actuaries have to do it. So, we have to um pay them to do that. And then we have to file our debt with Emma, which is um electronic municipal market
019access. We have a financial adviser that does that. and um just dues and fees, just operating expenses, envelopes, checks, w uh blank W2s, envelopes for that. Um 1099 forms. Uh that's basically what our office supplies obviously, you know, ink for the calculators and papers and pencils and all that kind of stuff. what we buy for office supplies and then just dues and fees with um GFOA. >> And you do the 1099s and the W2s for the school as well. >> Correct. All of them. >> They don't pay for theirs though. They have to pay. We split the costs with them. >> Oh, so you do the labor. They supply you with the correct and the Okay. Yep. >> Very good. >> Yep. As an aside, speaking of W2s, when are those expected for 2025? >>
020They were mailed. >> Okay. >> Um, is the under the salary line is that 3% across all three positions? No, just the two that are a union contract, the administrative assistance 2.75 on the finance director cuz that's what the um supervisor's contract which we follow for the finance director. >> So Dave, did you ask that for a reason? >> Yeah, I had gotten mine. That's why I had asked, but I guess >> I'll take another look when I get home, but I don't think I got them yet. >> They were all mailed out by the 31st. Mine was mailed out a couple years back. It took two weeks to get to me. >> Yeah, sorry. It No, no, but >> his product, so I just >> No, no, just let me know. >> I mean
021to ask it. So, >> no. Dave, David, send me an email and and I can if you don't get it within the next couple days, send me an email and we'll we'll I can shoot you one an emailed one. >> Oh, good. >> All right. So, post office is crazy, but so if you don't get it in the next couple days, I'll send you an emailed one. >> All right. Sounds good. >> You're welcome. >> Is there any other questions? >> Volunteer moving on. Can I >> Yes. Yes. Yes. And >> Oh, I think that's the first time we've taken a poll on it. >> Might as well start now, I guess. >> Do you want me to hang around for >> Yeah, if you can hang around because we've got several, you know, the
022administration budget and several others to go through. >> So, if you can hang around, I appreciate it. >> Okay. >> The administration. >> All right. The administration wasn't there. The payroll list is right there. Is there any other questions? There should be. >> How are we How are we dropping 25,000 from our >> I think the answer's on the second page, Rodney. >> Okay, third page. Second. >> Oh, unless you're talking about the 25K. I'm talking about the 24 288. Um, but I think the 25K that you're referring to is the software that we were just talking about. >> Okay. 24288 is the payroll noted on the second page, >> which I understand we're in a position of cart before horse. >> Yeah, correct. That's correct. because the 2026 FY concludes the raise whereas the
02327 FY 2027 now doesn't >> because we had >> Thank you. >> Oh, there's Bob. >> Hey Bob, how are you? >> I'm not good. I'm really disgusted with this computer, but at least I can hear you. >> Oh, >> we can hear you all. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. >> I can't see you, but I can I know you look like >> So, for the for the record, Bob Dero is joining against 6:31 p.m. >> Bad, bad, bad, bad. Thank you. So, so do you have any questions for the finance because we still have Jill here or we're on to the administration? >> Yeah, I want to ask you. I see a lot of entries for something spec um referee basketball refereeing. I'm curious whether or not we can pull reports. It shows
024what the total amount of referee crisis cost us for basketball for the youth league. Is that something? >> Absolutely. We can pull that. >> I would love to do. >> All right. Is there anything else? Bob, we're on the uh on the budget part of the show here. We've already we've already gone through the payables, but do you have anything else on the payables? >> I did, but I'm so pissed off at this now. I can't even remember. >> No, let go. >> Bob, feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have. Just send me an email. Yeah. Give me a call either way. >> So, we're we're now >> we're now on the administration. But he doesn't have this, does he? >> He has it in his email. >> Oh, okay.
025>> Yeah, I do. >> But your administration budget. >> His computer's not working. >> Number one. Oh, it's not >> why he's on. >> Oh, he's on his phone. >> Yes. >> Oh. Uh, all right. Does anybody have any questions on the administration budget? >> Yeah. So Jim, you're going to speak to I think the uh the change in first selement salary because there this year I guess last no this >> we we felt like we had some sense of where that was going last year. So we put the money in the budget last year and clearly that never materialized. So, I had reached out to Gwen uh Marian, our our deputy first selectman a while back since she was chairing that committee and said, you know, do you think it's possible that we can
026get that process wrapped up so that we can include an accurate number in this year's payroll? And she thought yes and we are well on our way to getting that done or or the what the committee is. And so that number still may change before this gets. >> So So we will probably be adding a little bit of money back into this budget, but I would rather have an accurate number in there than, you know, what we thought it might end up being >> be what it is now and then we can change it later. >> Correct. We we have until the point that we present this budget, you know. Well, so once we have everything in line, you know, Jill will be working on putting a master spreadsheet together so that we have a
027big picture view of where we're at with our budget. Um, and she may we have to may have to make some changes, but you know, we can make changes up until the time that we present this to the finance committee. >> My understanding was that we were going to discuss that whole budget at the next full board of selection meeting, which was the beginning of March. Correct. Yes, I think that's correct. >> And then so just one other follow-up question on that just so I have clarity too. So this this um value change down of 24,288 takes the money that was encumbered last year for a theoretical increase and set brings us back down to 17. So then we are to bring it back up to 36 or whatever would be an increase of you
028know what >> whatever that delta is >> whatever that delta would be. So that right yep. So this theoretical negative number will will likely will likely change. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Keeping in mind that we did carry more this year on this year's budget that we're in, not this one. >> Right. >> Enough to pay. So when that decision is made, it could be retroactive. So is is it retroactive or not? >> Right. And that would be all part of the discussion. >> Yep. >> Right. um on the line of payroll to actually I'll hold that question for now. Never mind. Okay. You guys have any questions over to the left >> on the technical services. You thinking you're going to save that? Yeah, I was looking at the other technical services being down
02910K. That's just the software. >> That's the software. >> Oh, that's the software. I thought the 25K would have been the software since Cara's increased by like 30K. >> No, that that Well, let me see. >> No, Jim and Car Jim didn't even know that Cara put it in her budget. >> So, we still have We're double counting it right now. >> So, okay. So, you're looking at the account number 53100, right? So that that is $25,000. We we carried money in >> this year's budget because we thought we were going to be able to strike a deal between the board of education, the town, and uh a payroll services company. So, we had budgeted for payroll services, which is not going to move forward because um the board of education found that although they
030were excited about some pieces of it, that they were not going to be able to perform what was necessary for the um for their um teachers retirement benefits and other retirement programs that they carry. So, we backed that we backed that out of the budget. That's what that 25,000 for is for. >> So they're going to be using a different software then they >> or they're going to be utilizing the software different. >> We are we are hoping that we can find a way to integrate you know electronic timekeeping into our current system which would be beneficial both for the board of education and for the town. That's one of the projects that we're working on now. So the problem with the payroll thing and why the school is involved is the town and school
031are we have one EIN number. So they won't take one without the other and it gets a lot more expensive with only 50 employees compared to 200. So that's the gist. Thank you. That's helpful information. Yeah. All right. Next question. Anybody? So the 10,000 back to that on line that's just a lower software cost 52520. >> So right so if you look if you look at you know the adopted expenditures and the unodudited actuals. Yeah. >> And then we also you know we also collected data to be able to come up with that number and we we found that we were able to reduce that and so we did that. I I tried to be very conservative in this budget and tried to make reductions wherever I could based on historical data and current collective
032data. That is the goal I put forward to all of our department heads. So I you know I have to follow that as well. You know what one of the things that you know gives me a little bit of pause I will just share with you is you know I want to be conservative. I want to make this budget as closer to actual expenses as we can, but this budget has also historically been a pressure relief valve for the rest of the town budget. So, making this tight, if we have a problem somewhere else, we're going to be scraping and scrambling to to find ways to bulk other budgets. Keeping in mind if some of the money that's on the income side doesn't come in the heat to take make up for it comes from
033this budget. None of it will come from the board of ed. It's not equally split. So if you were to lose 100 grand somewhere we would have to eat the whole thing and border bed would not consume any of it. So to keep this too tight you could be looking for trouble. >> I'm I'm comfortable with what we've built here, you know. I honestly am. >> Did I say that correct, Jill? >> Oh, she's not there. >> Is there any other questions? >> Sorry, I couldn't find myself. Go ahead, Bob. I think he was very very conservative maybe. So, >> I didn't want to be the one to say that, but that's okay. >> I think you kind of said that, too. >> Too conservative or too aggressive? Too tight or too lean? >> Too
034lean. So, be too aggressive. >> Yeah. Let So let me ask a question, Jim. >> Yes. >> Rodney and Jim, with this the these new projects that you're getting grants or have gotten grants for, how much engineering how much more engineering costs do you think we're going to incur because >> So, yeah. So, you know, we we talked about this last year, Jill, in the budget, and you know, really, I think, you know, we're with the amount of money that we have in the budget, we're we're kind of maxing out what they can perform. So, and we had bump we had bumped that up a little bit, I think not last year, but the year before because we anticipated more, but we're also bringing a lot of these projects to a point where a lot
035of the engineering is about done. U so I I'm, you know, and I thought about that carefully when I built this budget. So, I'm I'm comfortable with that number. >> That includes bridge >> does not include the digs. That that number is in the capital in the capital. But now what about the other new project that for the water and all of that? I mean, I I just can't see more engineering charges not hitting that. And I'm not trying to talk you into putting more money in there, but I I just I worry about that and the engineering charges. But, you know, how can I justify adding more when if you look at, you know, even last year, we we had roughly $40,000 left >> on the professional technical services. >> Yeah. >> We we
036didn't expense it. I mean, that that's a fair bit to have left, >> right? >> I looked Go ahead. >> I was going to say looking at the delta between the adopted and unaudited actual. >> Yeah. And I know we're we're spending more than that this year. >> Yeah. >> You know, we're we're we're we're probably on track to probably pretty well expense that budget this year. >> The 170. >> Yeah. >> That's why I'm saying because I'm looking at what we've spent so far in that in that budget and it's we're going to spend a lot more I think than last year. >> Yeah. >> And again, I don't want to talk you into anything. I just >> see it. I see what we spend. So, >> we have >> Well, I think it's
037hard to look at right now because it's it's got too big of a negative once once the >> Well, I guess the only thing that's going to change might be the payroll thing >> and and may may listen may maybe the right thing to do here is, you know, not to make any changes here, but when we see the big picture and Jill is able to put that master spreadsheet for us together, you know, maybe that's when we look at, you you know, if we have to make some adjustments, maybe we make some cuts somewhere, maybe we make some additions somewhere, and maybe that's the time to do it, you know, but I think having the conversation and thinking about it at this point has value, >> right? >> I mean, I just I almost
038mentioned something about the engineering costs in the last AP because out of that 96, yeah, 20 of it was engineering. I I I watched you highlight it. >> And so I was thinking too that it would to what Jill said, it would be interesting to see what our last two years of engineering cost was like and then kind of had a a conversation of, you know, back in napkin math where projects are, what we think we're going to cost, and then how does that really trend? >> We we've had a huge push for them this year. I mean, a a huge push and we are we have stressed them to the max with what they're able to perform. And then does it >> right and if we do have significantly more too if we're spending
039you know not 20k a month but 15k does it start becoming to a point where if this is a sustainable need is there an argument to be had for an in-house >> we we've started having those discussions and you know part of the conversation that John but I had you know we we told you that we would come back to you and we're we're working on drafting a memo about the changes that we think the board should consider for when he retires in February of next year. You know, one of the one of the things that we are going to suggest in that memo is that maybe we up the ante with salary just a little bit. you know, maybe from 116 to 120. And we look for somebody that has, you know, civil engineering
040background. So, at least they can take on small projects, even, you know, especially projects that don't necessarily need, >> you know, a complete set of plans drawn, things that, you know, can be done in the field, you know, value engineered that way. Undertake some of the inspections that our town engineer does for us. Now, you know, we we think that, you know, bumping that up four or $5,000 to get somebody with that kind of background and training might be money well spent that we actually, you know, get back, you know, exponentially. >> I think if you hire strictly a just an engineer, you're you're So, the way Joe does now, he's got a whole staff. So, if he doesn't know, he's got staff that can put other ideas into it. So, if you just have
041an in-house guy, you're going to get whatever he thinks. And there's not a lot of I mean, you could get a great guy who's going to give you everything you think you want. >> No, it does sound like it would be a unique position or a unique candidate that we'd be looking for. >> It would be a lower cost to potentially have it in house, but yeah, you would get all the ideas. >> What's the quality? We sell, >> right? >> Well, you also don't have you also we also don't >> we also don't have the equipment to produce drawings, you know. We don't have a space for that. >> Those are those are all those are all challenges. >> We have to build a town hall for him. >> Well, maybe we could do
042some sharing with Andrew, Columbia, Margo, >> uh, >> they're all doing the same thing we are, Bob, which is outsourcing it. You have you have to be a significantly larger town, you know, to be able to afford those services in house. >> Even Comry has a town engineer, but yeah, they're they're big enough that they're able to have >> it's a dual role. >> Sure. >> He also acts as our public works director. >> Okay. >> Jim, is your gut um that we had a above average amount of projects last year, average or below average? We we have been pushing to bring a lot of these projects to to a close, right? So, we're we're at the point where we're ready to go out to bid for the community septic system and the Heric Park
043fields. You know, not not that we don't have other projects in the works. You know, we've also had a push to get the project for the town green design. Um, you know, that's a a real push, right? And we're also right now it's been a little bit on hold because we've got these other projects we've been pushing for, but we've got to come back and revisited the her revisit the heritage farm trail so we can get that project out to bid. >> Um, so we've we've had a a lot this year. >> That's what I thought. Any intersection on Vernon Cory, >> right? There's there's also that that's happening. >> Well, that's going to roll into this year, right? Well, the the our goal is to get the engineering done so we can do the
044project, you know, come good weather. >> Y >> and I listen, I I applaud, you know, Jill's, you know, looking at this and and Bryce also noting it. You know, he looked at it in the in the reports, the town reports that we gave him at the last meeting. And it's it's important, but I I think we're I think we're on track and we're okay. >> Is there any other concerns? I guess not even questions. >> Bob, you're okay. The PR >> Thank you. >> We've got a couple of others that we need to do. We have the insurance budget, which I believe is number >> 13. Yep. So we are currently down 100%. Huh? Says >> yeah. >> There was Kathy told me to minus out the Cincinnati amount, but there was nothing in
045there for me to minus it out. We paid about 100 10,000 for the Cincinnati. So I wasn't sure what you >> It ended up minusing the whole 144,3 how different are the expenses supposed to be from 2526. >> Was it supposed to be a 3% increase, Jim? >> Yeah, 3%. >> Then% we've got we've got to correct this sheet because this she's not right. >> Hey Jim, can you take an action to correct the sheet? I will correct it in the in the whole system. But >> so one of the one of the what Jill's Jill's talking about the Cincinnati insurance and I don't know and I think it was done this way because Bolton Lakes Water Pollution Control Authority had no money when they first started. Bold Lakes Water Pollution Control Authority insurance was
046being paid out of this line item. So they are no longer broke. So Jill and I discussed that the town of Bolton is no longer paying for the property and liability insurance for Bolton water pollution control authority which is around $10,000 a year. So that was being backed out of this. >> So understanding like the deductible and the cyber liability we you know we budget those may not use them. Good thing we don't use them. Good thing we have them budgeted. No, cyber we do use, >> right? Cyber insurance we do use. >> We do pay for cyber insurance, but the hope is that we don't need to >> Yeah. Um the property liability on >> So there was no expenditures in 242. >> It was it was it was around >> No. No. Because
047we paid in 24 a year and a half for a year and a half because we wanted to get on a fiscal year. >> We wanted to get on the fiscal year cycle. Okay. But that happened after we created the budget. >> So then what's the delta between like property and liability between adopted and actual for 2425 and how are we tracking for 2526? Are we going to use that whole budget or is there some reason that we have a a buffer? >> So again, you know, part part so part of that this is not there's not not an easy way to answer a science. Um so we we know that the policy as a whole is going up. I had reached out because our total policy cost is more than this amount but part
048of it gets covered by the board of education for the school buildings. And I asked our account representative Chris Wardrop if he could get us that information so that we could accurately put a number in here to say what part of this belongs and he is not able to do that at this time. Uh I had a conversation with him and he said it is is very complicated and he as our you know consultant is not able to do that. Ker Kerma does that when they generate the bills. They actually separate it out. You have more to add to that, Jill? >> Nope. Nope. I would say probably 138,000 for that property and liability is a good number because you take the 144 times 3% minus out the 10,000 that will be paid by Bolton
049Lakes gives you the 138. So it's almost flat close. >> Well, it's a slight decrease. >> Um so to that note then would it be possible to create an internal projection if they are build separately and we could >> we are build separately. We are built separately >> and at what quarter because then we could just do a simple projection of or you know or what with what frequency are they build? That's not the only insurance though. That's the problem is that we pay two or three different insurance companies and that so Kerma and the property and liability isn't the only thing. We pay something separate for >> So we also right we're also insured through Smith brothers with a insurance company called McNeel for the fire department. So they they have and and we
050met with Kerma recently and with Chris Wardro our consultant and I've asked Chris to to get together with Peter Sarkeel who is our insurance agent for the McNeel insurance make sure that we're not being double coverage for instance you know if if we don't need to pay for insurance for the fire department itself under both insurance policies or if there's a good reason that we need to then we will >> um but but I've asked Chris to get together with Peter Starkkeell and make sure that our coverage is appropriate and we're not overlapping and I and I asked the question you know is there a reason that we use two different insurance companies you know I'm guessing you were going to ask that question next >> I'm going to ask many questions but I'm keep
051going >> so you know um so the reality is that we get more robust insurance for the fire department through that company that really specializes insurance insuring fire departments and fire apparatus. So the coverage is much more robust. >> Yeah. And I guess to take a step back to that too that I think we it is would it be possible then to break these out as they are separate charges to look at them and create a projection for what each of those would be and then to kind of say this is what we're paying for this line item. We incorporate it through. Oh, sure. We can we can put notes on this to show you what it makes up that line item >> and I don't know if it's worth it. I'm just kind of
052curious off this conversation, too. But then at So, at the same time, to the note of the conversation that you're that you've requested with our um insurance reps, is it possible that there's a resolution before this budget needs to be adopted or some clarity? Yeah. Yeah. I I So, as far as whether or not we're double insuring for something >> doubleuring if we are able to save the town some money. >> Yes, we'll we'll have that information before that. >> Thank you. >> Where's the workers comp insurance? That's not right. >> It's not in that that line. >> Employee benefits. It's in the personnel. >> And that one's easy because it's by itself. So, you want to do police protection next, which is 19. >> We're expecting an increase or we just budgeting for an
053increase. >> We are expecting an increase. And that you know that so there so there that in that that increase also includes it was so the amount of money in there also includes some money for overtime and we've included the data to show how many calls you know that's the second page behind that shows what the call volume has been historically I was >> say It's I was trying to find on the state the state police website like to look at this historically too to see you know are these calls but are these calls just are all they all dispatched to or do we have you know 182 calls that are being dispatched and the troopers going to a house for >> well it could be a house it could be a car accident it
054you know so >> well but they're so they're going for all of them and they're not supposed to call >> and this is just our resident troopers this doesn't include, you know, calls for service that are covered by other troopers from Troop K. This is just our resident troopers. >> We pay 85% of their salary and benefits regardless of whether they're working in Bolton or not. >> The state covers the other 50. >> State covers the other portion. >> Correct. So, it goes up every year because their benefits and their salaries go up. They have threatened to do a 100% to us. >> Yeah. >> Well, that was going to be my one of the questions I had too. But if you look at what the crime like of their actual report to, it's significantly
055less than the calls that are on the sheet. That data is publicly available. It's a year behind. But you can pull up like the crime data and there's you know two armed robberies in Bolton or whatever like you know it's just it's and you can and all the other categories of lesser crimes as well and you're able to say like oh there is if we were to look at that and assign you know a valued base for those genuine instances where these calls are where it's kind of hard to tell you know the nature of call or if this call is just truly to dispatch and it's like you know it's quickly followed by a disregard. if that makes sense. >> I I think they're I I listen I listen to a lot of the
056calls actually, you know, uh because I want to know what's happening in our town and so I actually, you know, when I'm boarded have absolutely nothing to do at night, I listen to the calls or during snowstorms, right? >> That's my life, right? Um, >> it's it's pretty it's pretty it's pretty it's pretty interesting what our state troopers do. You know, there's there's an amazing amount of domestic calls. There's an amazing amount of calls for people who just, you know, are out of control for a variety of reasons. Um, >> that's right. >> And there are some there are some nuisance calls, right? I mean, there's certainly a measure of that, but every one of these calls, you know, takes time. >> And if we didn't have a resident trooper, you would be waiting for
057another trooper to show up, >> which would probably be a minimum of 20 minutes depending on where they were coming from. >> Yeah, they're actually going to droop K. Definitely. That's right. >> And and some of some of those call without going into specific, some of those calls, you know, >> turn it turn into things that are much more concerning than what you would think. Like, you know, a a call for service, you know, turned into a very very serious call a while back. uh and we all know about it because it made the news, but that was just simply a call for assistance. >> And so you just you just you never you never know. >> Yeah. >> Jim, how does overtime work with the state trooper? >> So if they're working overtime for
058the state, we're not charged for that. But if we want them to cover a road race or the Memorial Day parade or work an event for the town or do you know um you know a toy drive or drug takeback and those are on their off hours. We pay the overtime for that. >> What are the on hours and off hours? >> So we have one person that works uh first shift which is 7 to three and one person that works sec second shift which is 3 to 11. >> Thank you. But they have rotating days, don't they? >> Right. >> I know. >> So, I mean, each one only works five days a week. So, you don't you don't have, >> you know, you don't have 247 coverage, >> right? >> And the overtime
059doesn't have to do with the day of the week. It has to do with if it's a sixth day, >> right? They work on a rotating schedule, >> correct? Okay. >> You know, >> so Sunday doesn't necessarily mean overtime. It doesn't necessarily mean overtime. That's correct. >> So sometimes they're because they're just short staffed anyways. Sometimes they end up work when they do work overtime, they're just on patrol doing overtime. But >> yeah, we we we really benefit >> not not overtime. It's overtime. The state is paying overtime. So as Connecticut taxpayers, we're paying overtime. as Tom Bolton. >> You get you get a lot of free coverage in Bolton because one of your your one of your resident troopers is a senior trooper and he often works overtime that's paid for by the state
060on North Patrol. >> Yep. >> And when he's working overtime, paid for by the state on North Patrol, unless he gets called somewhere, he stays in Bolton. >> So, we get a lot of, you know, kind of coverage that the state is paying for. Do we still have a resident trooper that lives here in town? >> No. >> They're only referred to as resident. >> No, I know. But when I was in school, we actually had one that lived here in town. >> That's right. >> So, >> yeah. Since he retired, we have not had another >> Well, there was even one before that, too. >> There was one before that. Yes. >> Then there was Constables before that. >> And then it was >> That wasn't that far ago. Did these guys get a
061raise? >> Yes, we got we we got a letter that they're getting a 3% increase. >> Just >> one more question on this. So, I'm thinking about other towns I drive through way to work. One of them being Salem that also has a resident state. Um do you know how we compare to costs for other towns in terms of state troopers? >> I don't. But, you know, it's it so we don't have a lot of control over who we get per resident state trooper. That that process is controlled by the state police. They have to bid for these jobs and then they have to interview with the state police for these jobs. >> Um, and it's going to depend on the rank of the officers that or troopers, sorry, that you end up with that's
062going to determine your cost as a town. >> Okay. >> This this is kind of a select group. We went to a a meeting on that a little while back and it's it's not everywhere. >> No, it makes it makes sense. Just curiosity if if if it was comparable because it's the obvious question for someone resident in town to to be asking. >> It's kind of like rent an expensive cup >> or so a question I do have too. So Jel had mentioned that there was a consideration of this going up 100%. >> That has been talked about by the state in the past but there's been too much political push back so it hasn't happened. So without having the historical data at hand too, is this 10% increase typical? Did it go up 10%?
063Okay. >> That's the first year I think I've seen this budget go up. >> Yeah, it was pretty far. >> Depends on the overtime, too. In the past, we've paid for overtime for the school's graduation and different things. We've had situations where it we've paid for overtime that cost us $20,000 because of situations that we've had. Um, >> but it depends on the overtime that they're allowed to do, too. But just a side note, we get a minimal amount of revenue from those tickets that they write during their overtime. >> Minimal. I mean, we get like $1,000 a year. I mean, very minimal. I was I think I think the last one was like $163 on the air. >> I was going to say, yeah, I won't ask for more tickets. >> So, is this
064something then with the information that you you guys have too, is this something that we should be cognizant of budgeting in future years as well, >> the increase? >> Yes. >> Well, their their benefits and their salaries increase every year like everyone else's. So, >> but it's right if it's a 3% or a 10% that starts to add up pretty quickly, too. >> Well, we and the worst part about this is we don't we don't get the information till we're way >> further into the budget p process. >> Usually done before >> we don't get the bill for them until after June 30th, if not later. We've even gotten it in August for that past fiscal year. So, it really puts us at a disadvantage. This is a partial gas. This is partial gas. >>
065But to to get a 10% increase for few consecutive years could be >> that would that would be an issue. >> That would be an issue. >> And we changed resident state troopers last year too. So it depends on who we get. >> So we had said they get a raise every year. Is that >> they typically get a raise every year. Sometimes they don't sometimes they don't get their raises for two or three years in a row because it takes them that long to negotiate a contract. >> Then all of a sudden they get a big jump. >> Maybe we can buy some robo comps. >> Any other questions? >> Have you seen the movie Minority Report? And are you familiar with actual Robocops? Animal control 21. >> I think that's the name of
066the movie too. >> So the animal control >> animal house. Uh so the 3,000 is coming out of >> Yeah. >> So So right. So we we collect we collect money every year for dog licenses. Right. And that money goes into a dog fund. And then whatever money that we don't expense out of the dog loan for the dog tags or the dog registrations that we take in that year gets sent to the state. So Jill and I had a conversation about this. We looked at this very carefully and I said, "Well, geez, you know, can we take money for this contract out of the dog fund?" And she said, "I think so, but let me look into that." So, you know, she she sent me the information for the dog fund, and it's, you
067know, it has about $31,000 in it right now, but pretty much all of the money that we take in for um dog licensing, aside from the little bit that the state lets us keep, has been going to the state. So, she she checked with Stephen and uh he said Stephen, the auditor, who said it was okay for us to be expensing that, you know, some of that out of there. I don't want to take the whole $10,000 out of it because if we do that then in a couple years we'll deplete that dog fund. >> Um and that dog fund also pays for, you know, if if our if our animal control officer picks up a a cat or a dog that needs veterinary care, we they go to Bolton Vet and they get that
068vet care and that comes out of the dog fund. So we don't want to deplete that, but it does make sense to use the money ourselves instead of sending it to the state. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> So that's why there's a reduction in this budget. Thank you. >> Any other questions on animal control? >> I would just say thank you for coming with that. And >> yes, creative. >> We try. >> I wish you could do that out of a bigger line item. >> I agree. >> Which one did you have in mind? Sure. No, no, but it being 30,000 or 300,000 versus 3,000 would be >> Yes, it would be nice, wouldn't it? Emergency management is a flat budget. >> So, what what is this? >> So, emergency management pays for emergency management director's
069portion of their salary. So is that like natural disasters or is that like dispatch for >> So you you have a person on staff which is Kathy McKavanagh that is acting as your emergency management director and part of her salary comes out of this payroll account. >> Okay. And if you know uh if if Kathy would prefer not to be taking the emergency management role on anymore, she's just too busy. We are actively looking for somebody else with an appropriate background to take on this role and this would you know be the stipen for that individual to take on the emergency management role. >> So so this payroll portion is in addition to our other payroll. >> It it's it's part of it >> is it? So it's this is listed twice. >> It it
070is it is not. No. Okay. >> But her her I'm guessing what he means is her published salary includes that salary wherever it else it's stored plus this. >> It's just a split funded. >> So correct. That's correct. >> When you look it up. Yeah. >> That's correct. >> Got it. >> Um and and the uh the other supplies, you know, that $5,000 actually used to be $10,000 and we've when we've needed places to cut the budget, we've whittleled it down over the years. So that money is there for when we have an emergency that we have some immediate funds that we have access to to spend toward that emergency. So what do we use money for out of, you know, if we need supplies for emergency management, you know, a couple years ago, maybe
071it was last year, I bet I think it was two years ago, we bought some sandwich board signs because we we need that kind of signage when we have an emergency. You know, we if we when we when we have a uh when we have a once a year we we're required to have a statewide drill. That statewide drill is typically almost an all day project. We have people from highway buildings and grounds, fire department, school, and we we typically, you know, buy some food to feed them during that all day drill. Um so so those are the kinds of expenses that come out of so a lot of a lot of years this money goes unspent. >> Mhm. >> And then we get grants don't we for this? We get grants. So you know
072we did some upgrades this last year with some grant monies that we were awarded. Yes. >> Question I had was is Kathy is going to stay in the role until it is filled. >> Yes. >> Thank you Kathy. There's a lot of training involved in it too. >> Yeah. Are there certifications associated with it? >> So there so there are I it's either eight or 10 classes now that you have to take and so so we get most of this money back in an emergency management performance grant. Not the $5,000 but the salary portion. But in order to be able to be eligible for that money, whoever's in that role has to take all of these classes and meet those certifications. And and Kathy has done that. When I was emergency management director, it was
073only seven classes and I had done those seven. Um, >> that's good. Thank you. >> Public building commissions. So, we haven't had this budget for quite a few years, but we have a need. >> So, and you know, we we looked at some historical data to come up with this. Basically, we're looking at a board clerk potentially advertising for bids and maybe some minor office expenditures. So, this is >> this is for the roof. >> This would be for the school roof budget. Yes. What sounds garbage? >> Bob, did you have any questions going along here? >> Oh, >> no. >> Can you see me? >> No. >> Well, we can't see you, but we can hear you still. >> You look like a circle with a phone in it. >> Uh, reps. So, it's
074going up a little bit. You know, we looked at, you know, we sat with John and we talked about it with Jill. We looked at all of our data. We reached out to the refuge companies regarding what their projected increase is. And our projected increase gets set, I believe, in March based on CPI. Um, and they >> cons. Yes. Thank you, Brent. I was having a hard time remembering. I appreciate it. >> Thanks for the backup. >> Um, yes, it's based on the consumer price index increase and um, so we're we're pretty comfortable with this number based on the usage last year and the amount expensed. >> Still a lot of money. >> It is. Yeah. I was nervous. >> Well, you know, >> was a tough pill to swallow. >> Yeah. And I, you
075know, I know that, you know, >> I don't know if any of you were here the year that we got caught really, really short, but you know, we scrambled >> and had to add what was it, Jill, maybe 30 or $40,000 to this budget. So, we had to >> I think it was 75. No, no, 45. 45, I believe. >> We had to pull from lots of places to be able to make up a shortcut. >> Only a couple. >> You remember that? And so Jim, in a meeting the other day, you had mentioned that our recycling grade or whatever the term is is subpar. >> Yes. >> With cardboard in particular. >> And so if that's something that's not addressed, that could we would see we might see an increase. >> We might. Yes.
076>> Did we have any discussions with um potential personnel who might be able to do an educational? >> I I am still filling out grant applications. Not not the one we talked about last week. I'm on I'm on to the one for the uh >> You still have a committee that can take that on? >> No, we don't. I I've asked the conservation commission in the past and they've done a little bit. Um I I still think, you know, with the passion that the leader of the conservation commission has about certain things. You know, if we could tap into that passion, I think he still would be a great person. >> Yeah, I think your time is better because that's up to you. But >> who is the head of the project? >> Rod Parley.
077>> Is that something that he should then ask for? >> No, I mean I I certainly can talk to him again and I I do believe that the uh the company that you know USA trash USA the company that we engage for trash services >> All American Waste. So they have two companies, right? So, All American Waste is the one that does your curbside pickup, but they they have a separate company which is USA Hauling, and they actually carry the trash from the transfer station over to uh >> Cassella or disposal. So, you've got three pieces, if you will, to that refuge budget. You've got the curbside pickup, you've got the hauling, and then you've got the uh the tipping fees, but but then you also have the hazardous waste. And >> hey, Jim, do
078they anymore? >> What's that? >> Do they really recycle anymore? What's the status on that? The actual viability of recycling 5%. >> Uh pe people aren't great at it, you know? >> No, I mean like actually the actual is Cassella actually. >> Oh, Cassella. Yes, they do. They've actually they've actually got you sorting machines. >> Yeah. >> You know, so they, you know, easy one, they use a magnet to pick out the the iron, you know, but they also use they actually use gravity >> and they fling material, >> right? >> And based on its density, it will settle in different places. But they also, if you've ever been down there, you'll see a lot of people hand sorted. >> Yeah, that's cool. >> So there's there's actually a lot to that. I was just
079curious because we've all, you know, all saw the news stories years ago with China not taking plastic anymore and then if there was any >> So, you know, so we get so we get some money back for recyclables, but that's based on the commodities market. >> So, you know, depending on how plastics are doing or how steel is doing, you know, that's going to depend on whether or not we actually get any money back. >> Yeah. >> But, uh but but they they do credit us for recycled materials. are the bulk waste fee. I know that's not going to be included in this budget, but does that allow any cost recovery for the part-time employees that you have listed? >> It's probably not circular like that, but it probably more than covers the part-time wages
080that are in the budget for running the transfer station. >> Maybe I'm in the wrong spot. >> What are you looking for? and zoning. >> Better. >> Is there any other garbage questions? >> Refuge. >> I was going to say that's Have you heard me? >> Um, a related topic. We were discussing the other night about the the the kickback the town gets from all the nips. Um, and then like the very next week we saw a news article that was like they were the state was debating getting rid of that. >> Oh, >> it was like really poor timing to have >> really bad. >> We we really do use that to help clean our streets. >> Which is really part of the intent. >> Yeah. Street sweeping. >> That would be sad. >>
081Well, wouldn't be a surprise though. >> Yeah. It's a good amount of money. We probably have 30 $35,000 set aside in a liability account that we supplement the uh sweeping of the streets. If that goes away generate that much income in Bolton. >> Oh, you should see how much Harford gets. Hundreds of thousands. >> Wow. >> It's incredible. >> Bridgeport, all those big cities get hundreds of thousands of dollars. They would hurt probably from it. >> Yeah, there there was push back. I just remember seeing the article. >> Jill, did we miss any budgets that we have to go through tonight? >> Well, we have so the personnel budget. I'm the personal services budget. I'm still working on I'm really close to that. We also have to talk about the um when the bonding is
082going to take place. depending on when the bonding is going to take place, we're going to have to put a substantial amount of money in that for the um all of the attorneys and financial advis all all of those that we have to pay in order to go out to bond, which is it's a substantial I believe the last time we did it was close to $75,000. >> Yeah, I think that's for that. >> I didn't know. Is is there a >> where where would the buyer trucks go or the refinancing? Is that in Did I see that yet? >> No, not yet. Because it depends on if you're going to next year, if you're going to do it in 27, you're going to put that if that's still what you plan on putting the
083fire truck into it. So, it'll all be incorporated into that one bond for the school and the truck. So yes, haven't seen that yet. >> We carried it for this year though for 26. >> Yes. I believe we put 20 or $25,000 in because that's about how much it cost for everybody that helps us out with the >> Right. And we were and we were going to pay some down on the loan. Correct. Correct. 30,000 if I remember. >> 35. >> So we're down to 595. >> Right. >> 100,000. 595. So depending on when we go for the bond for the route is if you miss the mark we may have to carry it. Will we have to carry the fire truck again? >> Correct. >> If we miss the mark on the bonding miss
084the mark. So which would be the timing. >> What's the timing? >> Correct. >> It's a it's a very long timing process. You have to do things in a certain order and it takes quite a while if you're going out to bond for something that large. >> So the refinancing on the truck is when in August. >> August, correct? >> So we're covered for this August, right? But the following August, if we don't have it in that bond, we'll have to refinance it again >> in 26. Yes. 27 year. It's August 26, but 27 year fiscal year 27. So we would have to at least put another 25 in again plus pay down on the principal. >> Right. So we we got to push to get that bond done before that date for no other
085reason. But the rule that's going to fall in makes sense. So, when when when should we plan to have another meeting to go over those last couple of things, Jeff? >> Um, I should have the uh personnel the benefits done tomorrow. And then it's just a decision on when you think you're going to go out to bid or out to bond for the the school. And then it's the other 50,000 for if we're going to put into separation. Those are the only ones. Oh, plus we'll we'll have we have the um debt and the in the debt service. We have those budgets done. The capital budgets are done. Um and then the only thing we need to know for the debt one is the uh student count for Colombia so that we can reduce that
086number of for the debt. >> Okay. >> And that should I mean if you want to meet >> I'll try to chase that down tomorrow. You want to put this together? >> Sorry. Go ahead, Joe. >> No, you go ahead, David. >> I was going to say there sounds like there's one budget left that we would need to discuss for here. Yeah. And since that hasn't been published yet, we wouldn't be able to do it Thursday. We would have to do it next Tuesday. >> That's right. >> Okay. Just want to make sure I had my ducks in a row. >> Correct. >> So, budget workshop number six really becomes >> nothing. >> Well, seven becomes six and six becomes nothing. >> Look at it that way. I think those are the only ones that
087were missing. >> Oh, the audit budget. Did you do the audit budget? >> Yeah, we did it last week. >> We did it last week. >> Okay. All right. >> And we did add the contract end date, which is 27. >> Okay. >> All right. Anything else? There's no adjourning here. So, when the when the time is up. >> Thank you, Joe. >> You're welcome. Good night. >> Thank you, Joe. >> You're welcome. Good night. >> See you. >> Bye. Bye. 40. >> Bye.