[0:00] special budget workshop uh to finish
outstanding budget items to order at
[0:05] 6:02
p.m. Um we'll start with citizens
[0:10] comments. If there are any citizens here
that wish to speak on any matter of the
[0:14] budget, you may now do so.
[0:19] Okay. Um I will do one more call.
Hearing no citizens comments, we'll now
[0:25] move on to item C1, which is any
unfinished uh business from the March
[0:31] 2026 budget workshops. So I believe
where we left off was that we needed to
[0:38] have further discussions about um the
technology item which was item T
[0:49] technology.
[0:58] What number would technology
>> number seven building under building
[1:02] inspection? Um okay. So the council um
had lots of questions about this open
[1:07] go.gov process where we were in the
process.
[1:11] » Yep.
>> Want to consider taking
[1:20] » Okay. So we'll start with seven. Um,
so there is a memo that we got from I
[1:28] think from John outlining the open.gov
status. Um, Mr. Town Manager or Sharon,
[1:36] is there anything else you or or Amanda,
is there anything else you'd like to add
[1:39] to this?
[1:43] » Great. Thank you. Go ahead, Amanda.
>> Sure. So, um, I just handed out a memo
[1:47] from, uh, John Eaggan, the building
official. He uh contacted several towns,
[1:52] Rocky Hill, Weathersfield, Glastonbury,
and Farmington to find out how long it
[1:55] took them to get it up and running and
uh live their open gov permitting
[1:58] process. And it seems that they all were
had a time frame of between six months
[2:02] to one year. So um we are within that
time frame right now. We are um we're a
[2:07] little further out than we expected to
go live. Not not much, but it's because
[2:11] we had a staff member that was out in
medical leave, which is when I jumped
[2:13] in. But um we've since caught up. We've
got our IT um consultant helping us
[2:18] create forms and that's going really
well. So um our current um phase, we're
[2:23] in the development process and we're
soon approaching the offline training
[2:26] portion. So that's when all the
applications are built um and they're
[2:30] actually workable. Then we can start um
working with the company again to uh
[2:34] train staff to use the program as if it
were live just to make sure we get all
[2:38] the kinks out before we actually make it
live. So um we are moving forward with
[2:42] the process.
Do we have an estimated go live date?
[2:48] » Um, at this time, uh, the building
official did not give me one. I think
[2:53] I'll have a better idea, um, after next
week once RIT, he just kind of started
[2:57] getting involved with it to speed up the
process. So, once he really gets into
[3:00] it, I think by the end of next week, I
can get a better idea.
[3:03] » Okay.
[3:06] So what is the what is the process look
like for phase four which is the create
[3:13] documents which will be reviewed for
defects. Is that so how's that different
[3:17] than number two which is the templates?
[3:23] » Yeah, I'll read I'll read it so you
don't have to pull it out. So number two
[3:25] says all designated departments work
independently of open gov on templates
[3:29] provided by open gov to create record
types similar to current applications
[3:33] being used by the town of Cromwell in
its current paper application system.
[3:37] And then phase four is all designated
departments create documents which will
[3:42] be reviewed I'm sorry not which will be
reviewed by open gov for defects. So is
[3:46] that like uploading the things that they
made in phase two to phase four?
[3:50] » I think that's they're probably speaking
to the training part of it. So um right
[3:54] so we had the company agreed to build
out certain forms for us. So we'll say
[3:58] one from each department but um each
department has several forms. So what
[4:03] we're actually doing is taking that
initial form and building it out so that
[4:06] it is um tailored to the specific
permit. So right now we're almost
[4:11] finished creating all the forms for each
department. So what I'm thinking that
[4:15] means I can verify but what I would
think that means is that when we're done
[4:19] building out the forms this is when we
start working with open gov to actually
[4:22] input the information and make sure it's
working correctly as it should before we
[4:26] go live. So, we are right before that
phase.
[4:31] » I don't know what you're showing me.
[4:39] » I don't know what you're showing me.
Sorry.
[4:41] » Yeah. No, it's okay. I don't have my
email in front of me, but
[4:46] » I'm just curious as to how these are not
standardized forms. If they've done this
[4:50] with so many other towns already, why
isn't there just a blanket form that I
[4:55] mean I'm assuming that building permits
all ask the same specific questions as
[5:00] opposed to all of the other type
permitting stuff?
[5:04] » Yes. So, we are using forms. So, what is
allowed per our contract? We were only
[5:08] allowed one built out form per
department. If we if we had them do all
[5:13] of our different forms, it would have
been an extra fee. What they have done
[5:15] for us is allow us to um use forms from
other towns. For example, right now
[5:19] we're using Glastonberries to tweak it
to make the process a little quicker. So
[5:23] like I said, we did have someone out in
medical leave, but since it got
[5:25] involved, it's really helped speed up
the process. So we aren't starting from
[5:29] scratch. We are using Glastonbury forms
because we researched and we found that
[5:32] theirs were um similar to ours.
>> Okay.
[5:35] » Yes.
[5:42] um with regards to the
um stuff that John points out in his
[5:47] memo with it like being tied together on
the back end of the application like the
[5:51] building department, tax department,
assessor department can automatically
[5:54] keep updates. So is this are they also
building like the back of house system
[5:58] that if I don't know some a value of
something changes the form will
[6:03] automatically like not know that
information so when somebody fills it
[6:07] out like it'll correct itself.
>> So every night uh the server I don't
[6:10] know they talk to each other so every
night when we go home they communicate
[6:13] so anything that was done on the
building or zoning side updates in the
[6:16] assessor database as well. We paid you
know that money was part of the money
[6:19] that was approved we paid for that uh
specific portion. So the the open what
[6:24] open govs is that happening already the
that that that server is talking that's
[6:29] already happening.
>> Yes that's happening.
[6:31] » Okay. So like for example with the
assessor updating the um farm stuff like
[6:37] when she did redid all that that
automatically overnight would update
[6:41] back into the system to be corrected.
>> From what I understand it it updates um
[6:45] I wish Sea was here but from what I
understand it updates any permits that
[6:48] were uh done related to that property.
So like you can just go to one place and
[6:53] see okay this is the address and these
are the permits that were approved or
[6:56] pending on going
>> and that's already that's already in
[6:59] place. It's the filling out the new
permits that is the part that they're
[7:02] still building
>> filling out the forms. We're as far as I
[7:04] uh understand we're almost done but it's
really the filling out um completing the
[7:08] forms and tailoring them to each
application is what was taking uh the
[7:13] longest.
>> Okay. So got it. Go ahead.
[7:15] » Am I understand that? All right. So from
what I understand from the original
[7:19] proposal was all of the departments will
be intertwined and and this this system
[7:24] will be a sharing process. So let's say
somebody pulls a building permit for an
[7:28] addition. Will that then automatically
update the assessor's information to
[7:34] assess the the the actual you know
addition
[7:38] and will it you know everybody who is
involved rather than going from office
[7:43] to office and handing forms. Is this
going to interlink everybody so that
[7:47] everyone's on the same page?
>> I am not sure about the assessor
[7:51] question. I know that like if it was
building planning and zoning or if it
[7:54] was uh building health, I know all those
departments talk to each other. So for
[7:57] example, if they got a zoning permit to
um build something on one main street.
[8:03] Yeah.
>> Uh the building department or if the
[8:05] zoning department so it would start with
the zoning and the building department
[8:08] would be tasked off on it. So in the
system building would be flagged. Hey,
[8:11] we have a permit. It's going through
zoning. Um it's approved and now it's
[8:15] your turn to inspect it. So, I know as
far as that goes, they all talk to each
[8:18] other. I would have to check on the
assessor one. I felt like that was more
[8:21] of like a database communication versus
like tasking the assessor to do
[8:24] something.
>> Okay.
[8:25] » In my experience, that doesn't really
happen like in those kinds of systems
[8:29] for with the assessor's office.
>> Okay.
[8:34] » Any other questions on this?
[8:39] If you had to throw a dart, Amanda, as
to like a month that you think the forms
[8:45] will be live online for residents to
start using, do we think it'll be done
[8:49] in this fiscal year, like June?
>> Oh, I hope so. Honestly, I hope it's
[8:54] done by July 1st. And I
I really think with having our IT
[8:59] consultant helping us, I I don't think
that it would be longer than that. We
[9:04] really not aiming for longer than a year
of working on this, especially since
[9:08] most towns, at least the ones we checked
with, had it up and running between six
[9:12] months and a year. So, I would I would
say hopefully by June 30, I'll check
[9:16] with the building official and I'll let
you know if it seems to be longer than
[9:19] that, but I don't think so.
>> Okay. Any other questions from the
[9:22] council? Thank you, Amanda.
>> Um, okay. Hearing none, then we need to
[9:28] approve this uh department. Um, so I'll
accept a motion for 315613.
[9:35] » Motion approved
>> made by Al.
[9:37] » Second.
>> Second by Jack. Any further discussion
[9:39] on that
hearing? None. All those in favor,
[9:43] please indicate by saying I. I.
>> I. Opposed. Abstension. Motion carries.
[9:47] Um, next we'll move on to item 12,
which is right. 12. Sharon.
[9:54] » Yes.
>> Donations and dues. So, um, Ann, if you
[9:58] want to come up on up to the table,
Sharon, before Ann starts, did we, my
[10:03] notes aren't clear. Did we approve
anything for the cultural commission or
[10:08] were we waiting for today to approve
anything?
[10:10] » We were waiting, we kind of went back
and forth because I think we were coming
[10:14] two fiscal years.
>> Yep. Okay, great. So, I'm I think I have
[10:19] an Amanda and I talked about this. We're
having Ann talk about
[10:24] next year now and then at the regular
meeting she's asking for an
[10:27] appropriation for this fiscal year which
will be part of the regular meeting.
[10:30] Right.
>> That's correct.
[10:31] » Okay. So, uh Ann, go ahead.
>> Thank you. And Grao, 70 strand circle.
[10:38] It's good to be with you here again. Um
just recently here, but because one of
[10:44] your commissioners was not available, um
I have handed out the packets again
[10:49] tonight. um that have been changed only
in the respect of uh one misspelling and
[10:56] a couple of dates where my finger just
automatically went to 2025 as opposed to
[11:01] 2026.
So that's the only change in the packet
[11:04] that I have just um given you
earlier. Um and so you know what's in
[11:11] that packet and and we really do not
have to uh I gave it to Brian a little
[11:15] bit ahead of time. has probably had a a
moment to review. Uh but obviously at
[11:22] the end of a little bit of a
presentation here again this evening
[11:26] just to uh clarify the two different
buckets um that we're talking about
[11:31] financially. Um I won't go over the same
material that is in the packet. And
[11:38] tonight uh for this meeting we are uh
asking for uh the the next fiscal budget
[11:46] 2026 27 to include two items. One is
funding for a secretary for CCDC's
[11:53] monthly meetings and the other is for
the $1,500 to use in uh further
[11:59] marketing and events.
U and I use the word further marketing
[12:05] uh because that will become clearer at
the 7 o'clock meeting.
[12:10] CCD was pleased to present the recent
budget workshop on 35 and the contents
[12:17] basically remains unchanged but to
remind regarding the highlights of the
[12:22] request for that for this hearing. CCD
is unlike communities uh I mean
[12:28] committees in that it is created by
ordinance. The coming state walkthrough
[12:34] at the end of April is the final step in
approval for CCD's application, CCDC's
[12:40] application, and part of their review is
learning about town support as well as
[12:47] volunteer.
CCD will continue to provide marketing
[12:52] and events that support visitor
engagement and tourism as well as
[12:56] community-based programming. The
specific events are still under
[13:01] consideration because we have not
received full approval.
[13:05] CCD through volunteer efforts the past
three years has provided provided the
[13:10] town with a robust application to state
which can be used in the future to
[13:16] further awareness
of the rich heritage and cultural assets
[13:22] of Cromwell and a town map featuring all
the cultural assets.
[13:29] I want to app tell you all that I
appreciate the town council and the town
[13:33] manager and Sharon for getting some of
my questions answered in the in and
[13:38] Amanda um in the ensuing days uh since
we first brought this to your attention
[13:47] and we do look forward to approval so
that we can share with the state that
[13:53] the town does foster tourism and
culture.
[13:58] Great. Um, so just really quick for the
funding for a secretary Sharon, what
[14:03] would be the level you recommend?
>> We're going to recommend that um the
[14:08] budget be approved for 2500,000
for the
[14:15] recording clerk and 1500 for uh
departmental usage or commission usage.
[14:24] » So 12 meetings at 75 would be 9
[14:36] total 2500.
>> Okay. Any questions for Ann about uh the
[14:44] request for next year?
[14:50] » Okay. Um, so I'll take a motion first to
approve the 2500 for fiscal year 2026
[14:59] 2027, a thousand of which to be
earmarked for uh, recording secretary
[15:04] and the 1,500 to be used for um,
commission expenses.
[15:09] » So move.
>> Second
[15:10] » made by an second by Brian and
>> Oh, sorry Paula. I'm looking at Ann
[15:14] talking to Paula.
>> Made by Paula, seconded by Brian. Any
[15:18] further discussion on that hearing?
None. All those in favor, please
[15:22] indicate by saying I.
>> I.
[15:24] » Opposed. Abstension motion carries.
Okay. And so now, what is the new total
[15:28] for this department?
>> 64,0006.
[15:34] » Okay. Um
>> I remember the dollar of that.
[15:38] » Um
so can I have a motion to approve for
[15:42] donation and dues $64,666?
[15:46] » So moved.
>> Made by Paula. seconded by Jack. Any
[15:50] further discussion on that hearing?
None. All those in favor, please
[15:53] indicate by saying I.
>> I.
[15:55] » I. Opposed. Abstension. Motion carries.
Okay.
[15:58] » Thank you. We'll see you in 45 minutes.
Um, okay. So now, Sharon, are there any
[16:05] other departments that we need to
revisit?
[16:16] Okay. And then what does um what does
that bring our final what do we need to
[16:22] vote on next? The final line item number
and what page should we go do for that?
[16:36] » Yep.
[16:39] Got it.
[16:47] » Okay. Um, we'll go on a brief recess
until you're ready. So that way you're
[16:53] not doing it under pressure.
>> Maintenance.
[16:57] » Oh, the air jets for the building
maintenance. Do we need to have a vote?
[17:01] I know we asked for supplemental uh
information on that. Did we
[17:05] » better bids? better bids. But did we
approve that pending the better bids?
[17:09] » No.
>> Or did we hold that capital item open?
[17:13] » Airs.
>> Yeah. For the building maintenance. Uh,
[17:16] was it building maintenance or
>> auto? It was the
[17:19] » highway department.
>> Highway department.
[17:22] » Yeah. Vehicle maintenance.
>> Vehicle maintenance.
[17:25] » No, no, no. Mac and
>> Yeah. He can't. He informed me he can't
[17:31] get those prices because he doesn't
belong.
[17:35] and they refused to come out.
[17:41] » But I guess my question was, did we
approve it and then said we would we
[17:45] need to go back?
[17:49] » Yeah,
>> thank you for the reminder, Al.
[17:53] » $3,600.
>> Yeah, for those of you watching at home,
[17:56] there was a request for vehicle
maintenance for an airjet. Is that what
[17:59] it's called?
>> Air jets.
[18:00] » For an airjacks, sorry. And um there
wasn't a quote accompanying it. So we
[18:05] had asked for more information and
[18:12] » we gave you a backup.
>> Yeah. And then we I don't know. The
[18:15] question is do we vote on it ever?
[18:26] » But they didn't vote on
>> those table 31.
[18:33] if we voted on it or not.
[18:38] » Yeah. Yeah. Tab 31 in our budget book.
>> Oh,
[18:41] » and I have it as zero. I have a note
saying zero until backup, but that
[18:45] doesn't necessarily mean that we we I
don't know how we voted. I don't have
[18:50] that minute the minutes.
Go hunt.
[18:58] » Yeah, it was the first night.
Second night. Second night.
[19:06] » No. Came back up Wednesday.
>> Yeah.
[19:10] » Thursday.
>> But I thought we did, but I was asked to
[19:16] look into
[19:19] » 3500.
[19:25] » Based on what he was asking, those were
handed out.
[19:32] See, he
[19:47] » knows that he's asking for these.
[19:54] » Those are backup for your
[20:05] Yeah, I can only go by I I did
specifically have a discussion with him
[20:10] and he informs me Snap-on is the only
one that comes around.
[20:22] » I'm not doubting that you were in
business. Folks, we're going to go on a
[20:25] a brief recess while we just try to
determine whether or not that needs to
[20:28] be voted on. Um, for those watching at
home, we're on page or tab 31 of our
[20:33] budget book. Just looking at that
airjacks. Um, we'll we'll be adjourned
[20:37] for a moment.
[20:46] » If it does, then you're going to vote on
the bottom number.
[21:53] Okay, we think we we made So, I'm going
to call us back into order 624 after a
[21:57] brief recess. Um, I think the clerk is
indicating that we made a motion on the
[22:02] final line item number, but we were
waiting for more backup, and we may we
[22:05] reserve the right to revisit it. um if
if the backup wasn't and if the backup
[22:11] wasn't sufficient. So Sharon, do you
have as the line item approved for
[22:15] vehicle maintenance 374716?
[22:21] » Nope, you're good.
[22:27] » Okay, then we approve the entire We
approved the entire one.
[22:37] Okay.
[22:45] » Yeah. If nothing changes, it should be
the same.
[22:47] » Change. Yeah.
[22:51] » Okay. Go ahead and give it to us.
[22:56] » Okay. And I'm not touching the overtime
this year, Sharon. So, um, can I have a
[23:01] motion for to approve the public works
budget 5,396 694?
[23:06] » Motion moved by Brian, second by Jack.
Any further discussion on that? Hearing
[23:10] none, all those in favor, please
indicate by saying I.
[23:13] » I oppose. Abstension motion carries. Um,
now, uh, madame finance director, are
[23:18] there any other items? Um, all righty.
So, going to the general budget, town
[23:23] council approved budget. What is the
final number? Is it the total G general
[23:28] budget or is it the government budget
without CNR? What how do we approve it?
[23:31] » Uh you approve the
approve the general service.
[23:40] » Okay. So they have to approve and then
the debt service.
[23:46] » Is that included in the final number?
>> Yes.
[23:49] » Okay. So what's the number for the
motion?
[23:53] » 23 million.
783
[23:57] 450.
>> Can you give that one one more time
[24:01] please?
>> 23 million 783
[24:04] 450
>> 50 or 60
[24:08] » 50.
>> Thank you
[24:12] 23
783 450.
[24:21] So, we cut So, we we cut from the based
off the town manager's recommendation
[24:26] 61,756
after all of that. Okay, good job, Tony.
[24:31] Uh, yeah. Wasn't much for us to trim
then. Um, okay. So, I'll accept a motion
[24:37] to approve the recommended total general
government budget of 23,783,450.
[24:46] » So, move second.
>> Motion made by Jack, second by Al. Any
[24:49] further discussion on that hearing?
None. All those in favor, please
[24:53] indicate by saying I.
>> I. Opposed. Abstension. Motion carries.
[24:57] Is there any other bit?
>> Okay. Go ahead.
[25:02] » The debt service.
>> Okay.
[25:05] » 3 million 6416.
[25:11] » One more time. I'm sorry.
>> 3 million 6416.
[25:17] » Got it. Um, and out of curiosity, when
we get with the state reimbursement for
[25:22] the for the building fund, um, we're
going where we've applied to the state
[25:27] to get our reimbursement check. Does
that money go to pay down the debt or
[25:31] where does that money go? Does it go?
>> It goes in the school building fund.
[25:33] » Okay. And then what is where does it go
from?
[25:36] » We close the fund.
>> Yeah.
[25:38] » It will be the portion for the town will
be less because that money will be in
[25:42] there.
>> You know how we were on the hook for the
[25:45] 29.
[25:48] Yes. So when I close the fund, that will
come out of our fund balance.
[25:53] » Okay. And that's a special fund, right?
>> Yes, it's a special fund and it is in um
[25:58] it was separated out in your audit
report this year.
[26:01] » Okay. And with regards to that debt, so
once that's settled out, if there's
[26:06] residual money in that, let's say the
project had a surplus or you know, I
[26:09] know the contingencies weren't all met,
does that money once that account is
[26:13] closed, does that go to pay down the
debt or debt service or
[26:17] » to the general fund which pays the debt?
>> Okay, I gotcha. And if you know what is
[26:22] the how how much how much more
outstanding items are there before we
[26:27] can know if we're under on that?
the school what they spent so far.
[26:32] » Okay.
>> Uh so so far between the school and the
[26:36] central offices they spent 64 million
9374.
[26:45] » Okay.
>> If you do that percentage it's 90% of
[26:49] their appropriations.
>> Okay.
[26:51] » But I haven't the bills for the solar
panels have not come through.
[26:56] » Okay. Do we know what the reimbursement
will be from the state?
[27:01] » No, because we sent in our report and
I'm not sure what the unreimburables
[27:05] are.
>> Um, we calculated what was it? I don't
[27:10] have the percentages
in my report.
[27:14] » Okay.
[27:17] » Sure. So, let's while while let's finish
the debt and then we can we can follow
[27:22] up on that at the seven. Um, so the
total debt $3,641,063.
[27:30] » Yes.
>> Do I have a motion for on the debt?
[27:34] » Jack.
>> Do I have a second?
[27:36] » Second by Ann. Any further discussion on
that hearing? None. All those in favor,
[27:40] please indicate by saying I.
>> I. Opposed. Abstension. Motion carries.
[27:45] Uh, and then final, we need to do the
third final number.
[27:48] » Total general fund.
>> Okay. Go ahead. What is the total
[27:51] general fund?
>> 27 million.
[27:53] » Yep.
513.
[27:57] » Okay. Can I have a motion for
27,425,513?
[28:07] » 2742432.
[28:10] » Oh, four.
>> Okay. 27424 513.
[28:15] » Yeah.
>> Approved.
[28:18] » Okay. Motion made by Jack. Do I have a
second?
[28:20] » Second.
>> Uh second by Paula. Any further
[28:23] discussion on that hearing? None. All
those in favor, please indicate by
[28:27] saying I.
>> I.
[28:28] » I. Opposed. Abstension. Motion carries.
So, what percentage of an increase is
[28:32] that total for the
>> I'm just going to give you the general
[28:35] government, not debt service.
>> Yep.
[28:37] » 3.87.
>> Okay. 3.87%.
[28:41] Increase.
>> Yes.
[28:43] » That's not awful. I mean,
>> how does that uh what does that equate
[28:47] to for males?
>> Do you happen to have that? Do you know?
[28:52] No. Okay.
>> What does it equate to? What's the
[28:55] question?
>> The mill rate.
[28:58] » I know fire came in at what did they
22 I think something like that. I read
[29:05] it but it came in really if I retain I
think it was
[29:12] » until the rate is I can't do the
calculation.
[29:16] » What's the what's the delta increase?
It's 930
[29:20] something thousand
[29:26] » 800
>> 86
[29:27] » 86
>> 972
[29:30] » and if if the mill rate was based off of
our gross assessed uh property and all
[29:37] that if the mill rate what's a one mil
rate increase equal like as far just
[29:41] based off of the assessed
>> value your assessment assessment
[29:48] » so one like
>> so
[29:59] » yeah I think the fire came in at what
point too
[30:02] » and board of I don't know what board of
ed did last night I didn't listen to the
[30:05] end of it
>> yet
[30:08] you know what can I get back to you on
that moment
[30:10] » sure sure that's fine um okay any other
budget item before us any other budget
[30:17] item for us hearing. None. I'll take a
motion to adjurnn until 6:50 for our
[30:22] sewer and uh other public hearing that
we have at that time. Do I have a motion
[30:28] to adjurnn?
>> Made by Al, seconded by Paula. Any
[30:32] further discussion? Hearing none. All
those in favor, please indicate by
[30:35] saying I. I. Opposed. Abstension. Motion
carries. Okay. We'll be back in about 17
[30:40] minutes for a town meeting, folks.