Posted by Bob on May 27, 2011 under Daily Blogs | 
The Joint Boards of Mayor and Burgesses adopted the 2011-2012 budget late last evening (5/26/2011), which can be viewed here. The ONE HUNDRED FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE and 00/100THS ($105,548,765.00) DOLLAR budget represents a one and 71/100ths (1.71%) percent increase over the 2010-2011 budget, which equates to an increase in the mill rate of 79/100ths (.79). The budget is subject to referendum in accordance with the Borough’s Charter. Minutes from the meeting, which include individual votes on various departments, will be uploaded soon.
Posted by Bob on May 19, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
This morning’s (5/19/2011) editorial in the Waterbury Republican-American addresses the frustrations expressed by many municipal officials regarding public sector pensions. While print newspapers rarely provide a name to their editorials, the author discusses the provision in the collective bargaining agreements (“CBA”) between the Borough and local firefighters which allows members to retire with disability pensions for non-work related injuries and/or illnesses.
Our administration has consistently maintained that the Borough can not sustain certain benefit levels for the next generation of municipal employees. Unlike some who seem to use CBA’s as an excuse, we have actually been successful in negotiating that new hires in five (5) of our seven (7) municipal bargaining units receive defined contribution pension plans similar to the private sector 401 (k)’s. The benefits of such policy will take years to reap results, but this is a significant step toward fiscal responsibility in the long term.
The editorial gives credit to a particular elected official for advocating renegotiating such pension provisions in CBA’s. The particular agreement between the Borough and the Firefighters collective bargaining unit (“CBU”), covering the period from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009, can be viewed here. The provision in question is contained on page twenty two (22) of the CBA. It is interesting that the Borough signature on page thirty nine (39) of the CBA looks similar to the elected official receiving praise for advocating renegotiation of such provisions.
Our administration inherited this expiring CBA after the election in May of 2009. While this normally would present a great opportunity to negotiate changes to benefit the Borough, our negotiating team was forced to address another pressing issue. The previous administration budgeted for wage freezes during the 2009-2010 budget process, which concluded prior to the election. While this was certainly understandable given the recession that had engulfed the nation, the wage freezes had not been approved by all of the Borough’s seven (7) municipal, collective bargaining units, several of which had years remaining on their respective agreements. The focus of negotiations, given that budgetary restrictions, was to achieve the wage freezes for 2009-2010. In some cases, this required opening existing agreements. Some expiring agreements, including the Firefighters CBA, were extended to achieve the freeze. Given the collective bargaining system under which Connecticut municipalities operate, this made achieving more sustainable and systemic concerns addressing health care and pension benefits much more difficult.
As I have stated previously, the Borough can not sustain the level of benefits it provides to the next generation of municipal employees. That is not to say that we would not like to do so in a perfect world, but math is math and the economic realities in which we live force us to think about long term consequences. Wages have always been the most sensational part of collective bargaining agreements. The headlines wages receive in print and online media often do not mention the costly details of collective bargaining agreements. Achieving one (1) year fixes by focusing solely on wages requires work and expensive legal bills, but is certainly possible. Doing so at the expense of addressing the long-term, sustainable cost issues is a bad business practice that we can not afford. (Please view a previous post on this topic here.) Most elected officials who subscribe to this philosophy realize that it is not the most politically beneficial policy as they may be long gone before a true sustainable government can actually be achieved. Hopefully, however, those entrusted to determine public policy in Naugatuck will think how their respective votes and actions will impact future budgets beyond each individual year.
Intelligent negotiating strategy and time are the only way to address the provisions of collective bargaining agreements that taxpayers find most distasteful. There is no quick solution to repair years of shortsighted decisions. Rhetoric and a selective memory of the facts will not save the Borough a dime.
Posted by Bob on May 17, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
The Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses (“Joint Boards”) approved a proposed budget early Tuesday (5/17/2011) morning which will be presented to the public on Monday, May 23, 2011, 6:30 PM, at Naugatuck High School. Taxpayers may comment on all expenditures and revenue line items at the public hearing.
The current proposed budget totals a three and 32/100ths (3.32%) percent increase in municipal spending, and a one and 32/100ths (1.32%) percent increase for the board of education. The budget, if adopted would represent an increase (to 33.20) of one and 18/100ths (1.18) mills over the current mill rate (32.02).
In addition to an increase of SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY FIVE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN and 00/100THS ($745,311) DOLLARS for educational spending, pension requirements currently required by the Borough’s actuary have increased by FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY ONE and 00/100THS (579,431.00) DOLLARS.
Obviously we are not pleased with the prospect of the increased costs included in the current proposal. Many months have been spent reducing initial spending proposals. Last evening, additional reductions were made to almost all departmental supply accounts, various part-time positions and the elimination of the proposed blight officer. We encourage all interested taxpayers to attend and participate in the public hearing. Suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
After the public hearing, the Joint Boards will reconvene for a meeting currently scheduled for next Thursday, May 26, 2011, to formally adopt the 2011-2012 budget. The adopted budget is subject to referendum in accordance with the Borough Charter.
What will be interesting is the votes of each individual member of the Joint Boards. We are all forced to choose from multiple bad options as needs increase but revenues remain flat. Last evening, almost all members voted for spending increases in multiple departments after months of analyzing data and past history. Despite these votes, some members choose to vote against the revenue portion of the budget despite the fact that it is simply a mathematical function after finalizing expenditures. Do not be surprised if you hear certain individuals state that they voted against a tax increase, notwithstanding several votes to increase spending and a failure to propose a viable plan to significantly reduce costs.
Posted by Bob on May 16, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
The Board of Finance will present the current proposed budget to the Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses this evening (5/16/2011) beginning at 6:30 PM in the Commissioners Corner at Town Hall. This is the next step in the process prior to the proposed budget’s presentation at a public hearing during which taxpayers may comment on all aspects of revenues and expenditures. Tonight’s (5/16/2011) meeting, as always, is open to the public.
Posted by Bob on May 3, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
Any information relating to the political campaign Mezzo2011 is paid for by Mezzo2011, Terri A. Carter Treasurer; and all content relating to Mezzo2011 has been approved by Bob Mezzo.
Thank you to all those who voted to re-elect me as Naugatuck’s mayor. I am humbled and honored to have the privilege to serve the Borough that has been by beloved hometown for my entire life. I look forward to serving with all those elected this evening (5/2/2011), and congratulate all those who committed their time and energy to run for office during the election season.
On behalf of Eileen, Ally, Jay and myself, we thank you for all your support and friendship. God Bless.
Posted by Bob on May 2, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
Unofficial election results from the 2011 Borough municipal elections are as follows:
(D = Democrat) (R = Republican) (* = Incumbent) (Those elected in bold)
BURGESSES
* Tamath K. Rossi (R) – 2,111
* Michael Ciacciarella (D) – 1,677
* Robert A. Neth (R) – 1,670
Michael Bronko (R) – 1,575
Laurie Taf Jackson (D) – 1,479
Catherine M. Ernsky (R) – 1,387
* Robert J. Burns (D) – 1,384
Ronald S. San Angelo (R) – 1,255
* Patrick J. Scully (D) – 1,241
* Anthony Campbell (D) – 1,167
* Henry Kuczenski, Sr. (D) – 1,163
Matthew Katra (R) – 1,008
TOWN CLERK
Edward Carter (D) – 905
Michelle Dowling (R) – 2,201
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dorothy G. Neth-Kunin (R) – 1,715
* David M. Heller (R) – 1,614
* James M. Scully (D) – 1,507
Diana V. Malone (R) – 1,489
Glenn P. Connon (R) – 1,388
Debra A. Brackett (D) – 1,373
* James Jordan (D) – 1,361
Scott Slauson (R) – 1,298
Deanna Kryzkowski (D) – 1,292
MAYOR
* Robert A. Mezzo (D) – 2,378
TAX COLLECTOR
* James Goggin (D) – 2,320
As stated above, all results are unofficial.
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