Selectboard Special Meeting Notes: Everyone Is Heard, Nothing Is Decided

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their special meeting to continue discussion of the FY15 budget on Thursday with a large crowd in attendance that included many town meeting representatives and town staff, along with others including some that rarely attend public meetings of any sort.

No decisions were made, but the Selectboard seemed to be sticking to their previously announced views, a 3-2 majority favoring significant cuts beyond the elimination of the second bond.

The public seemed divided as well, with some insisting they could afford increases and would like the same budget as before, while others expressed real issues with tax increases and asked for relief.

Introduction

Brattleboro Selectboard Chair David Gartenstein welcomed the large roomful of citizens gathered to discuss the FY15 budget, and began the meeting providing an overview of the budget process to date.

He said that while Representative Town Meeting had approved the proposed $16.2 million municipal budget, a petition was received asking for a referendum on the budget issue. The subsequent vote defeated the budget by a margin of nearly 2-1.

“The fiscal year begins July 1,” he explained, “and we need to have a budget in place, if possible.” Without it, the board can borrow but would not have the authority to levy taxes.

He told those assembled that the meeting was a special Selectboard meeting, where the board would consider and make a decision about what budget would be approved and sent to Representative Town Meeting. “Part of what you’ll see is the Selectboard communicating with ourselves in a full public session about what to do.” He said the board would speak first, then they would hear from staff and department heads, and then the public.

Gartenstein said a second agenda item would be to warn a special Representative Town Meeting for Monday June 2, 2014. He said the date would allow for any further challenge on the budget.

He said that he saw many in the audience who don’t typically attend public meetings, “and it can be daunting to speak in front of a crowd.”  He assured them that everyone who wanted to speak would be given a chance, and that everyone would be heard and respected. Due to the number of people gathered, he said initial comments would be limited to 3 minutes.

The board introduced themselves.

The View of the Chair

Gartenstein then recognized himself to speak first. He said the budget was the result of months of work by town staff and the Selectboard, and that the board had asked for a range of alternatives, from keeping services the same to cuts of five percent.

He said that all of this was done in public session, and almost everything coming up now for discussion was discussed then. He asked if people had read the departmental memos regarding budget impacts and services provided. “We saw what 5% cuts would look like. We’ve already looked at all these issues, and the relationship between the budget and services.” All 10 departments appeared at Selectboard meetings to discuss services and expenses.

He reminded people that the vast majority of tax dollars go to personnel costs. “We’ve been clear for the last year,” he said, “to the extent that cuts would come, they would be to personnel.”

Gartenstein said that the board had asked the Interim Town Manager to provide cost savings estimates for a range of possible cuts in preparation for preparing a new budget to present to Representative Town Meeting.

He noted that the savings that would be realized in FY15 by not taking out the new $9 million bond would be just over $261,000. He also noted that the largest part of local tax increases come from the school budget, but only the municipal budget was challenged.

Gartenstein listed the proposals and the projected savings:

• Buy a single police cruiser rather than two, saving $41,000.
• Take some funds from sidewalk construction, saving $50,000.
• Eliminate two positions at the Library, one at $29,000 and one at $44,000.
• Eliminate  two positions at Recreation and Parks, one at $38,000 and one at $40,000.
• Eliminate one sidewalk plowing position at Department of Public Works, for $31,000.
• Eliminate the animal control officer position, for $52,000.
• Cut $5,000 from traffic safety.

Gartenstein said this total of $593,000 in cuts would bring the municipal taxes to about a 3.5 cent increase, plus the schools at 9 cents. “That’s a big tax increase, with all those cuts included.”

He said he’d support taking the $9 million bond from the budget, cutting sidewalks, one police cruiser, and one staff person from each of the four departments.

“I’ve gotten more correspondence in the last week,” he said, and a huge range of opinions. “There are no good choices that we face at this point. I respectfully say to all, no single cut that we need to consider can be shown to be more or less important. They are all about the same.”

Many, he said, commented on the high taxes and the risk of losing their home. He said keeping one’s home is a core element of quality of life.

He said the repairs required for the police and fire stations were overdue and serious, making them core needs that must be dealt with. “There is no more important quality of life issue than having quality fire and police services.”

He said Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and the Library are all important, and all are quality of life issues.

Some, he said, have suggested cutting staff pay to previous levels, but he felt the problems were those of taxpayers and how the town works, and the costs should not be covered by workers for the town.

“This is not a fiscal crisis. It’s long term delayed maintenance and we are unable to raise the taxes to cover it.”

Some, he said, have suggested cuts in the computer budget, but he said there wasn’t much savings there after preserving the town accounting system and digital records systems.

As to the idea of presenting the budget in a new format, Gartenstein wasn’t interested in taking that on before June. “The budget is understandable. This isn’t the time for revising how we do presentation of budgets.”

Other Board Members Views

Kate O’Connor thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. She said the board had been working on the budget since October, and there weren’t many people at the meetings along the way. “It’s helpful and gives perspective,” she said of public comment.

She said the vote was about the Police Fire project and also about high taxes in general. O’Connor said that people were asking her to do something about high taxes when she ran for the board over a year ago. “We need to go beyond cutting the bond.” She agreed with Gartenstein’s list of suggested cuts in personnel and projects.

“I don’t like doing this, but there is a reality we’re in. It didn’t happen overnight or over last year,” she said, adding that a new budget process would be coming up after this one, and the town would be less well off than this year without the “bonus” of savings from skating rink repairs.

She said the cuts were painful and that she wanted to apologize to the police and fire departments. “That’s where I am, and I have been listening. Anyone who contacted me, I’ve heard you. It’s not an easy decision. We may have the same issues next year.”

“My sentiments are the same,” agreed John Allen. “From day one I wanted a lower rate.” His ideas on how to achieve that lower rate differed from Gartenstein and O’Connor. He thought the board should do those cuts, plus take $300,000 from the undesignated reserve fund.

He said he knows the suggestion is to keep 10% on reserve, “but someone just came up with that. We don’t have to stick with it.”

He added eliminating the West Brattleboro station and two fire personnel, then completing repairs on the Central Fire Station, since the project is most needed and most ready to go.

Another thought, he said, came to him earlier in the day. They could go forward with the $1.2 million West Brattleboro station, and use it to alleviate problems at Central Station until the town can afford proper police and fire repairs downtown. “We have to think creatively. We have to get the budget down.”

Donna Macomber said that she agreed that the $9 million bond should be taken out of the budget, but that there needs to be a plan to do the work. “Its demoralizing for firefighters to wait so long. Saying that, there isn’t shame on any of us. The community is struggling financially – not each of us the same – we are facing a time where the Selectboard needs to hear from the community at large more than just at budget meetings.” 

She said it was exciting when people are coming out. “We have enough human and financial resources to keep Brattleboro thriving.”  She said the question we all need to ask was what we can do without.

Macomber said she was not in favor of cutting any positions other than the animal control officer. “It is not a response the community has asked for.” She suggested looking at the issues deliberatively. “We don’t want to see people lose their jobs. I want to go a bit more slowly.” She added that staff cuts didn’t feel right at this time.

David Schoales said everyone had different ideas for solutions, and there was no way to determine the intention of the recent vote. “We choose what we believe it meant, and act based on that. Democracy is complicated and this is part of it. We need to come up with options and choices.”

Schoales’ suggestion was to look more at revenue generation, such as money from non-profits, and the long-term process of convincing the state to return sales tax revenue to us.

“I don’t think we can cut our way to sustainability,” he said. “There is a range of opinion, so I’d like us to offer a range of options.”

Schoales said that it was Town Meeting representatives, ultimately, who make the decision on the budget. He said they could suggest taking a $7 million bond and extend the finance period to reduce the impact on the budget, delay the bond and reconsider, or skip the bond and do staff cuts.

He asked people to run for Representative Town Meeting and to “help us find new revenues. It’s the only way out.”

Gartenstein said that bond or no bond, work still needed to be done for core safety and health concerns, and those costs were not yet known. He said another special Representative Town Meeting would be likely needed to discuss options for the project.

As for revenue from non-profits, Gartenstein said they provide services and many function right at the margin. He also felt the state wouldn’t help us by sending tax revenue here anytime soon.

He said some in the community have said the proposed cuts are punishment for the recent vote, but denied that that was the case. “We’ve been talking about this for years. Things on the table are not reactions to the vote. We contemplated these cuts before we presented the level service budget.”

Current work on the police and fire facilities has been suspended, he noted, and the architect and engineer have been asked to provide cost estimates for the core life safety issues, and what we could buy with the $5 million already bonded.

Schoales said in response that the town could charge non-profits for services, just not tax them.

Interim Town Manager Patrick Moreland suggested the board take advantage of the knowledge and experience of the Police Fire Facility Project committee. “They can help.”

Departmental Views

Library Director Jerry Carbone asked which of the two library positions mentioned would be the one cut and was told that he would get to make that decision with the Interim Town Manager. Patrick Moreland said the employee handbook basically says the most recent person hired would be the first to go.

Kate O’Connor probed Carbone about the library’s $740,000 in endowment funds, asking if any could be freed up to help cover costs.

Carbone said about $580,000 of it was invested and unrestricted, and that it contributes four percent each year to the budget. The rest of the funds are for restricted, specific purposes, such as maintaining the art collection.

O’Connor sounded skeptical. “$740,000 sounds like a lot.”

“People like to give to libraries,” said Carbone, more than to municipalities. “Trustees spend those funds for the benefit of the collections. I’m a taxpayer here. I know the issues. Our library acquisitions have not risen in years. We supplement our budget with these funds.”

Police Chief Gene Wrinn spoke to the need for the Animal Control Officer, warning that police patrol officers would then take calls, which would reduce the number of tickets they could write, which would decrease revenue to the town. He said officers would require special training.

Carol Lolatte spoke to the necessity of Recreation and Parks employees, saying that the loss of a position would have a drastic and devastating effect on programs and facilities. Youth programs would be eliminated, day camp impacted, pool hours reduced, and “grass will still grow.” She said it would cause a reduction of income, as well as staff burnout and retention problems. There was an outburst of applause in support.

Next up, batting for the Department of Public Works, were Steve Barrett and Hannah O’Connell. Barrett did the talking, telling the boatd that his department has taken the brunt of the cuts over the last 20 years, and they are effectively down 10 people from where they were. He said he didn’t want to exceed the time being offered to speak.

Gartenstein asked the two Chiefs to speak to the facility issues.

Fire Chief Mike Buccossi said they have been working on a plan for improvements since the 1990’s, and repairs keep being put off because they are told a new facility is on the way. He said firefighters live with diesel exhaust, the floor of Central Station is weakening under the weight of the trucks, the roof has leaks and can’t be walked on, there is mold in walls, and other detriments to the health and safety of firefighters.

Police Chief Wrinn said there was mold in the basement where they train and try to attract new recruits, and the lack of a secure way to bring in suspects is hazardous. He said it remained hard to attract female recruits without proper facilities for them. He said big chunks of ice often fall from the roof of the Municipal Center and hit both officers and suspects, causing injuries.

Moreland said things that aren’t health and safety issues were still needed, but that ADA access and the planning for male and female police and firefighters might get deferred.

Gartenstein said it was unlikely they would make a specific budget recommendation that evening, and reiterated that it was Representative Town Meeting that makes the decision about the total budget amount. “Everything in the budget is a vital need, and a difficult decision.”

The Public View

John Wilmerding, a town meeting representative, was the first of the public to speak, using his time to suggest that people join him on the Finance Committee and help the town avoid situations like this.

Lifelong resident Ron Pickering said that laying off staff would be a mistake, and that the jobs would still need to get done. He predicted an economic downturn following layoffs. “Businesses in town need more sales, not less.” He suggested increasing efforts to attract new business, especially manufacturing, to help raise the grand list. Pickering noted that wages have dropped in the last 20 years, and we’ve lost $25 million in revenue as a result. He warned that insurance rates would go up for West Brattleboro residents if the fire station there was closed.

Native born Marshall Wheelock, a town meeting representative, said that rather than remove staff positions, a better approach might be to have an across the board cut. “If we do face reduced resources, it is more equitable to take a percentage from each department.”

“I’m going to take a risk and say an unpopular thing,” began Chris Chapman. He said that based on the facts, the Selectboard should simply resubmit the rejected budget again, as is. He said it wasn’t arrogant disregard of passionate voters, and that the vote was not a mandate. He praised town meeting representatives for their excellent decisions after careful deliberation and analysis.  Chapman said no one wanted to wake up to a less attractive town, and that he also recommended Pay As You Throw for trash collection savings.

Chapman got a round of applause.

Don Webster, a town meeting representative, said that this was our “fiscal Irene” and that tapping the reserve at $300,000 for three years would be wise. “I urge consideration of John Allen’s suggestion.” He quoted Oliver Wendall Holmes on taxes buying us civilization. “Maybe it is too expensive. Bring back a budget similar to what was defeated.”

Jane Southworth, a town meeting representative, said she would speak as a library supporter and as a citizen. As a library supporter, she said cuts were deemed unacceptable by the trustees. As a taxpayer, she said she was struggling, but would like to stay in town. She said she agreed with Donna Macomber that it would be wise to go slowly. She asked that they reconsider the 1% local option tax, and also think about forming a hub town committee to begin looking at that problem.

Kurt Daims, a town meeting representative, said he had given the board a copy of a state statute about bonds, showing that there is flexibility in how bonds are spent, and it could be used for any purpose that bonds are issued, with permission of the bond council. He said the bonds should go toward other expenses.

Terry Carter said she agreed with Steve Barrett that the DPW had taken big hits, and worried that it would impact pedestrian safety. She also felt an animal control officer was essential, as patrol officers aren’t trained to handle animals and training isn’t offered often. “There should always be someone trained at police station to handle this.”

Elizabeth McLoughlin, a town meeting representative and planning board member said she applauded efforts to focus on health and safety issues. She suggested the current architectural team be placed on hold and the town hire an consulting architect “to bring a fresh set of ideas and eyes to the project.” She said she could recommend firms.

Diane Clouet, a teacher at Green Street school, said she came to support the library, “the soul of the town.” She said she supported the original budget and was sorry it was overturned. “I want firefighters and police to be safe and healthy. I want kids to be able to go to the pool. We all want that,” she said, thanking Chris Chapman and asking for the same budget to be presented again. She said there was a responsibility to future generations to support the infrastructure. “We need to support what we have. Bring back the budget and we’ll try to get people to come out and pay for what we need.”

Robert Oeser said that there needed to be the broadest input possible on these issues. He suggested the board put out a warning for a Representative Town Meeting with a mechanism for representatives to focus on specific items in question.

The Chair took a moment to warn the audience not to applaud, as it can intimidate others who feel differently.

Tara Sullivan, a town meeting representative said the proposed budget increases weren’t as big as people imagined. She said it was about eleven dollars per department for a $200,000 home.  “I can do that. People didn’t know that the increase is incremental. It’s small.”

Paul Freed said he was an active participant in the Recreation and Parks department, and he has seen the dollars stretch. He said vital programs would suffer with a lack of manpower, and people looking to move here notice schools and parks. “I urge alternative cuts.”

“I wouldn’t diminish the importance of the vote,” said Arlene Distler. She said it was close to the same number as voted for president in the last election. She thought what remains of the first bond would help with needed police and fire repairs, and that no staff cuts should be considered. “We need to reset where we’re at.” She endorsed taking funds from the reserve to cover costs rather than lay anyone off.

Mary Cain, a town meeting representative, said she was shocked that there were no interpreters at the meeting. She warned that the population would drop with Austine school leaving. She told the board they “can’t guilt the community into accepting the budget. You are playing on people’s heartstrings by proposing to do inhumane things you don’t want. We want all those things.”  She suggested they stop new hiring, do without equipment, and control overtime. “You can do this easily enough with management overseeing it.”

Pat DeAngelo  said she wanted to offer “realism from a 99 percenter.” She said she keeps her thermostat at 60 degrees all winter and wears a heavy jacket indoors. As a senior citizen, “my pay increase was 1.5%.” She said she was representative of many her age. “I don’t have the internet. I go to the library for email, books, and entertainment. Jerry has the wonderful endowment due to his handling of these matters,” she said. “You can’t have everything you want. Watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves. Our library is one of the best in the state and probably on the entire east coast.”

Ben Underhill, a town meeting representative, thanked the board for the tough decisions they would make. He said people used Recreation and Parks and the Library, he hated to see changes to the Police Fire Facility, and that without sidewalk plowing homeowners would have to pay to have it done. “We all have to suffer,” he said. “I’d second bringing up the budget as presented before.  The increase is about the same as a couple of cups of coffee each week.” 

Ginny Yeager, office manager for the Police Department, said the department had already had cuts to the number of clerks, and that any further cuts could cause a backlog of paperwork, especially since the state has required them to be more open with public records. “We talk about people when we cut staff, taking away someone’s livelihood. Most are women at the lower end of the pay scale. She asked the board take into account that those are people that have to live and pay taxes like others.

George Reed Savory said he couldn’t sit and hear people talk about presenting budget as it was. He said there was a vote where people didn’t want that budget. “We have to recognize it and respect it.” He questioned whether it was fair to ask senior citizens to turn their thermostats down further so the town can remain as it is. “Taxes increase but fixed incomes don’t. I don’t know what people who want to send it back as is… what do they expect of these others?”

Joe Madison, a self-proclaimed new resident recently from Michigan said the taxes were high, but he appreciated the services. He asked the budget be brought back as originally presented. He suggested that if there had to be cuts, that they consider temporary furloughs instead. “We want the good trained staff with us. Don’t be draconian.”

Sarah Page, a town meeting representative, asked that the board balance the town’s needs on a variety of issues: health and safety for fire and police, the safety of pedestrians and snow removal, parks and recreation to fight obesity, and the need for a vibrant community to draw new businesses and taxpayers.  “I know people moving out of Brattleboro because taxes are lower in nearby towns. I’d look at adjacent towns for starting a new business.”

Deborah Luskin of Newfane says they pay taxes there, and also fees to Brattleboro for use of services such as the library, the pool, and parking. She said she also volunteers in town. “I don’t pay property taxes here,  but we use Brattleboro.”

Bob Tortolani was against positions being eliminated, and for finding out the costs of the health and safety fixes for facilities. He thought a 1% across the board cut would be better than eliminating positions. He said he was happy the budget went to referendum. “People voted in reasonable numbers.” 

Native Steve Hellus said he was usually busy running his business and his family, and relies on others to represent him, “but taxpayers write the check.” He said that everyone in the room had an agenda, and someone has to pay the bill. He noted that population hasn’t changed from 12,000, roads and bridges need repair, and many problems don’t get addressed. He suggested bringing more business and jobs to town, and getting non profits to pay their fair share. “The largest employers pay no taxes.”

Ronny Johnson, a town meeting representative, said she had been involved in town a long time, supporting everything the town does. She said she was in a hard place now. Unable to afford taxes, she sold her house and is staying in a different situation, forcing her to view things in a  different way. “I used to vote for these things because I could afford them.  Things are different now,” she said. “For people who can afford it, it’s academic, theoretical. When you can’t afford it, it’s very real.  I do hope that people remember that the people who can’t afford to pay are people, too.”

Elizabeth Tannenbaum said she came to speak against cuts to the library or rec department. Watching from the mezzanine of the library today, she said, she observed a real mix of people working. She said if staff are cut, hours and programs would be cut. “I hope we will not have to cut these positions.”  She said her son said that the Recreation Department was the one place in town where all kids in town can go and be welcome.  “We need to keep these services for all the townspeople to use.”

Jeremy Murray said he was relatively new to town and town meetings but worked as an employee for the town. “As a new father raising a new family, I’d prefer to pay more at home than lose my job which I need to provide for my family.  And I’m not alone.”  He said any staff person cut would have to give up everything to find another means of income.

Paul N. said there was no fat in the budget, the Police and Fire project has been talked about for 20 years, and he felt the board should reconsider the 1% local option tax.

Anne Senni, a town meeting representative, said the discussion was compelling on both sides, and a middle of the road solution might be best. She suggested looking conservatively at the budget, do small cuts, and leave the rest as it is.

Hyam Siegel said that as a town representative, he had always felt he was elected for his judgement, but the recent vote seemed to be a mandate from voters in his district to not accept the current budget. He said he didn’t see any place to cut, and didn’t see any extras, but he also could not vote for the same budget again. He suggested trimming 2% from each department, and working on raising revenues over a longer term.

Bill D. said he was against cutting jobs and against cutting pensions. He also liked the idea of the town taking donations. He warned that Brattleboro “doesn’t have a culture of shoveling their walks” so cutting sidewalk plowing would be bad for all.  “Tweaking is all that should be done.”

Dick Degray said he was happy with the meeting’s turnout, but pointed out that the school budget is twice the municipal budget and far fewer people attend school budget meetings. “Don’t hold the municipal budget hostage when two others are involved.” He endorsed the idea of furloughs rather than position cuts. He said it was disappointing to see town meeting representatives vote down the 1% tax that voters had endorsed, and questioned whether town meeting reps were talking to their constituents and bringing their concerns to the meeting. He said the projects, sidewalks, and police cruiser would all still be needed eventually. “Use forethought.”

Robert Sisler said he has lived in town 42 years, and that we need good police and fire departments. He hoped the board wouldn’t cut sidewalk repairs.

Kathy Dowd, a member of the Police Fire Committee and a town lister, asked the board to provide numbers of non resident participation, fees, and income for the next Representative Town Meeting. She said the facility committee was just getting to hard numbers when the project stopped. “I hope we can get to the hard numbers.”

Jason Cooper said he’s raised kids and started businesses in town and would happily pay $20-30 a month more to help maintain Brattleboro as a desirable small town. The Recreation and Parks have helped his kids with healthy choices, and he didn’t want to see them or the library cut. 

Wrapping Up

David Gartenstein said that the board would not make any recommendations yet, and would instead warn the special Representative Town Meeting. The budget discussion would return at Tuesday’s regular Selectboard meeting, unless a large crowd causes it to be re-warned for a bigger space. “We’ll discuss what we’ll do on Tuesday.”

The Special Representative Town Meeting will be on June 6 at the BAMS Multi-Purpose room at 6 p.m. The meeting will be to discuss the budget and will allow for discussion of taking from the surplus. Other than David Schoales, the board showed no interest in revisiting the 1% local option tax at this point, and it was left off the warning.

Degray said he was disappointed that they wouldn’t bring it up again. He said the 1% tax was passed by the electorate, and it should be revisited. “The voters spoke. There is a disconnect with Representative Town Meeting.”

Gartenstein thanked all for coming out, and those watching on TV. Moreland thanked town and school staff, and BCTV volunteers, for helping to pull off the meeting on short notice.

“We’ve never had this level of attendance,” said Gartenstein, “Thanks. It’s an important part of democracy.”

John Wilmerding repeated his suggestion that people join the Finance Committee to a diminished crowd, and suggested the board consider reducing staff by not rehiring (attrition) and by offering early retirement packages.

The meeting adjourned.