Pledge: Keith Wescovich
Prayer: Gerri Lewis
Song: Gerri Lewis
Brents Card Game Winner: Joan Camire in a card-off
Sergeants Report: Paul Moore
Welcome Guest: Lynn Faulstick
Raffle Winners: Sam Fulginiti, Sandy Taylor, Walter Osborne
Happy Bucks
Announcements:
Brent Taylor: Talked about the golf tournament. Marty will be in charge of the workers so please let him know if you can work that day and what hours you are available. If you stay for dinner, the cost is $40 even if you are a helper. We will be selling mulligans to increase revenue, limit is 8/team @$5. Wal-Mart has donated $1000 and Saybrook Shopping Center (Matt Rubin) has pledged $2500. Tee box sponsors are critical to the success of the tournament so please get out there and bring them in. Posters are printed and the pictues have been developed and sent out. All raffle prizes and cash donations are to be forwarded to Sandy. We have received golf balls and for the first time, credit cards will be accepted at the tournament.
Program: First Selectman Michael Pace
Mike started out by apologizing for being late but he was tired out taking care of his new 5 month old grand child. He then went on to talk about the new iniative, Community Collaboration which garners the support of the towns service clubs to help those in need and to hopefully better coordinate their efforts. How people get along is a measure of the quality of life. Mike talked about grants available including those available to keep people out of foreclosure and grants for kids with special needs. Its important to try to get to the root of problems rather than treat the symptoms like get people working and earning and in the case of kids, getting them work experience that will help them in the future. The town is in good shape fiscally with little debt. Money has been taken out of the capital budget to plan ahead and positioning the town for the economic recovery. We have avoided layoffs. Sports facilities are planned - $60K has been budgeted for 2 new fields and "pocket parks" where kids can be active have been built. This will be a tight year with about $300K less budgeted than last year. Old Saybrook never ran a deficit. Property revaluations are going on and it is projected that the mill rate will drop down to 13 mills (from 16.69) to offset increased property values. Mike closed by telling us to contribute by serving on boards and commissions. Positive involvement is whats needed now more than ever.
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