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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/08/1976CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 8, 1976 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, March 8, 1976, in the Conference Room, Municipal Office Building, 1175 Williston Road. MEMBERS PRESENT Paul Farrar, Chairman; John Dinklage, Michael Flaherty, Duane Merrill MEMBERS ABSENT Catherine Neubert OTHERS PRESENT William Szymanski, City Manager; Ruth Winton, Ethel Schuele, A. C. Audette, Don Duell, Bruce O'Neill, F. McCaffrey, Brian Searles, Chief Richard Carter The meeting was opened at 8:00 p.m. by Chairman Farrar Minutes of March 1, 1976 It was moved by Mr. Flaherty, seconded by Mr. Merrill, and voted unanimously to accept the Minutes of March 1, 1976, as presented. Disbursement orders Disbursement orders were presented for signatures of Council members. Sign note for C.C.T.A. subsidy payment The City Manager explained that rather than take the amount for the subsidy payment out of the City's savings account it was a good idea to borrow the amount at 3.75% C.C.T.A. is in need of the money now. Mr. Flaherty moved that Council sign the note for $6,700 to pay the C.C.T.A. subsidy. Seconded by Mr. Merrill and voted unanimously for approval. Work session on the proposed 76-77 budget Mr. Szymanski explained the $45,000 for the industrial park road which was not included in the Budget Summary presented last week has been included in the new Summary presented at this work session. He called attention to the deficit figure of $6,357. The proposed budget for the Park and Recreation Department was reviewed by Bruce O'Neill with an explanation of the activities of his department, the need for a Recreational Survey, the possibility of three small ball fields behind the Middle School, the need for new basketball equipment at Jay-Cee park for safety reasons, and a strong request for retaining the secretary in the department who is now paid by CETA funds. Ruth Winton explained the need for additional shelving for the Community Library, with both she and Mrs. Schuele describing the growth of the library. Mr. Audette reviewed the proposed budget for the Highway Department, saying most increases are for items the department has no control over. He said many of the City's roads are in critical condition. The department has gone over by $4,000 its budgeted amount for road salt this year because of the weather conditions; more salt has been used than in any previous year except 1970-71. The need for the addition to the garage for the locker room and lunch room was explained. The ditch on Spear Street was termed the biggest hazard in the City. Budget-wise the department is presently operating with one less man because an employee who left was replaced with a CETA employee. Chief Carter reviewed the proposed budget for the Police Department, stating most of the increases are for salaries. Regarding cruiser replacement he explained the State gets bids on these, resulting in a substantial saving for South Burlington. Repairs will be high this year because of some of the fleet being 3 and 4 years old, there could be a problem with one cruiser at inspection time. The proposed budget allows for replacement of three cruisers. Regarding the item for three light bars to replace the rotating blue lights, Brian Searles explained the bars are more effective than one light and the necessity of drilling a hole in the car roof is avoided. The estimated cost of $600 for these bars may be higher at purchase time. Asked about having Burlington do the dispatching for South Burlington, Chief Carter said there was no reason for this. South Burlington has someone on duty anyway on each shift and would have to keep them on as they are doing other work besides dispatching; also he felt the residents preferred to call the Police Department directly rather than going through Burlington. Having Burlington do the dispatching might aid Burlington is getting the computer they want, but would not aid South Burlington in any way. The possibility of borrowing money for the burglary alarm system to be repaid from the fees received was discussed. Chief Carter said the only problem would be if someone pulled out and had their own answering service. The City Manager felt the yearly payment could be adjusted. Chairman Farrar asked Mr. Szymanski to have the proposal prepared and have the answers ready for the anticipated questions. Other subjects discussed were bond issues, the expectation of receiving $15,000 Federal money as reimbursement for money spent on the tennis courts, the possibility of more funding for CETA employees, suggestions for replacing typewriters, increasing the salaries of Planning Commission and Zoning Board members, the question of whether the City was getting its money's worth for what was being spent for Dog Control, and the same question regarding the League of Cities and Towns. It was moved by Mr. Flaherty and seconded by Mr. Dinklage that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was declared adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.