Board of Finance 'Caught Off Guard' by Campbell's Personnel Cuts

Thursday evening's Board of Finance meeting heard Chair Murry Stegelmann announce First Selectman Dave Campbell's proposal to cut two personnel. It's a decision that Stegelmann says shaves a necessary $68,000 from the Board of Selectmen's recommended budget, and a decision that members of the Board of Finance say comes too late for comfort. 

According to Stegelmann, the First Selectman's "alternative" proposal came early Thursday afternoon to change a full-time community planner to a half-time position and the cut the part-time fire inspector altogether. The two cuts net out to about $68,000—less than the $96,000 cut discussed at Tuesday's Board of Finance meeting.

"First he told me 96, I called him and said 82; we ended up with 68," said Campbell, who was not present at Thursday's meeting.

Discussions between the First Selectman and Stegelmann considered cuts to Planning & Zoning, Campbell said. The alternative solution reduces the hours of the manager of community development services whose role includes community development, parking, housing and grant writing, and cuts the part-time fire inspector.

It was the latter that came under scrutiny of the Board of Finance.

"I feel a little caught of guard. I don't recall any discussion about cutting the part-time fire inspector. I don't know where this came from," said Lorene Bora.

The primary role of the fire inspector is to assist the Office of the Fire Marshal in conducting mandated inspections of buildings in town.

"Without him, we wouldn't be getting [the inspections] done. We're struggling right now to get up to date on the required inspections," said Fire Marshal Bob Buch, who, prior to last night was also unaware of the news.

Selectman David Bayne urged the Board of Finance to "think long and hard" about Campbell's proposition.

"We're putting people's lives and safety at risk, not to mention the liability issues the town may face if there is a fire," said Bayne. "We've cut this budget to the bone. Now you're talking about amputating some of those bones.

Gwen Mogenson said she would like to time to discuss and consider the repercussions of cutting the fire inspector.

Regardless of whether or not the fire inspector stays or goes, $68,000 needs to be cut from the budget. Jon Zagrodzky offered a solution:

"One approach would be to vote for the dollar cut and then talk with Board of Selectmen to see if there's some other place it should come from," he said.

The Board of Finance voted unanimously on an unidentified cut of $68,000. The Board of Selectmen must come to an agreement as to where that cut may come from in the next week. The Board of Finance will vote on the budget Monday, April 19.

Campbell said he did not know how, if at all, his alternative proposal may change after talking with his board.

"We're going to review all this," he said.