Because of the large amount of “chatter” regarding Municipal Employee trips, I decided to expound on this very subject and find out how much was being spent by the town of Cheshire.

Now if you read my “Tattletales” post several days ago, you read that APPARENTLY, the Cheshire Police Chief had gone to San Diego, Ca. to attend a Police Chiefs convention last week. I received a tip from a person connected with the Town Government about this but little else. Nothing could be confirmed. And you know what, if it was budgeted for this past year, there is nothing to be done about it.

BUT, I wish the Town Manager would have mentioned this alleged trip and other trips as they occur-and provided details such as: where the conferences are taking place, who is attending them and how much money it costs.  This needs to happen and the taxpayers (who ARE footing the bill) deserve to know.

So to find out more information, I first contacted the Town Managers office and was directed to the Finance Department where I met up with Jim Jaskot, deputy finance director for the Town of Cheshire. Jim is a REAL NICE MAN, very professional and a pleasure to speak with.

He provided me with copies of Page 502 of the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 operating budget that deals with the various departments and the conferences and seminars they went on.

I DON’T HAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT. I asked for the Police Department, (you all knew I would get that one, if I got any of them), the Fire Department, Public Works and the Finance Department.

i was interested in WHERE these conferences and seminars were taking place and WHO was attending them.

Unfortunately, the operations budget doesn’t list WHO attends these conferences and seminars and I was also sort of disappointed to see that of the several departments I did look at, only the Finance Department listed the locations of the conferences and seminars they attended.

I am going to emphasize here that I have NO PROBLEM with conferences and seminars for educational and networking purposes. They are necessary to enable our town employees to gain knowledge and to be able to network.

But, I am wondering if it is possible to limit these conferences and seminars to CONNECTICUT or neighboring states within a certain radius.

I can ask for hotel bills and cost receipts-this is public information, but I am hoping the Town Government will take it upon themselves to take the current economic situation in light and use discretion and add limitations when allocating these monies.

I did ask Mr. Jaskot what if family members or friends wanted to attend these conventions and seminars? He told me the Town is very strict about that issue and that friends or family members would have to pay. I take him at his word.

Let’s look over what I received from Town Hall: (oh look, Ms. Stupidaire, I used a COLON)!!

Fiscal Year 2008-2009  Police Administration Operating Budget shows: Meetings, Conferences & SeminarsFY 2009 Department Request-$4,500; FY 2009 Manager Recommended-$3,000. THE EXPLANATION-IACP, SCCOP, CCOP and NEACOP.

Well that is all well and good but WHAT DO THESE ABBREVIATIONS STAND FOR? Civilian minds want to know.

I am glad the Town Manager cut this request from $4,500. AND  HOW ABOUT LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION PLEASE!!

The next department was Police Investigations-Meetings, Conferences & Seminars-(NOT CUTTING IT)  WHERE WHEN AND WHOM?? FY 2009 Department Request-$100. Manager Recommended-$100.

Now look, I know $100 isn’t a lot of money these days. That is not the issue. More specifics are needed.

The Fire Department was next. “Meetings & Conferences” FY 2009 Department Request-$1,300; FY 2009 Manager Recommended-$1,200. Big savings here!! Again, these conferences and seminars are important BUT WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED!! AND WHO IS ATTENDING!!

The explanation given is:

“Professional development for full time staff as requested. Various Chief/Marshall meetings and field service conferences.”

Next was Public Works-Administration-”Meetings, Seminars” FY 2009 Department Request-$300; FY Manager Recommended-$300.

Explanation: “Attendance at Various Profession Conferences.

Next Department: Public Works: Highways, Sidewalks and Drainage: FY 2009 Deparment Request-$2,000; FY 2009 Manager Recommended: $2,000.

Explanation: “Meetings, Conf. & Seminars.”

What!! $2,000. Home Depot and Lowes have free Do It Yourself classes every Saturday. SIGN UP!!

I am NOT BEGRUDING ANY DEPARTMENT FOR USING THESE MONIES BECAUSE IT WAS PUT INTO THE BUDGET, but remember people, over the next two years the State of Connecticut will be SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT!!

Next Department: Public Works-Trees-”Meetings, Conferences & Seminars” FY Department Request- $300; FY 2009 Manager Recommended-$300.

Lastly, Finance-Collection of Revenue: FY 2009 Department Request $1,465; FY 2009 Manager Recommended: $1,465. Now what is different is that this department ACTUALLY LISTED where the conferences and seminars were taking place, to their credit.

“Northeast Region in Lake George, N.Y.; Ct-Mystic Marriott; Fall & Spring-Ct-Meeting”

You need to go to a convention to learn how to collect money?? Next time, CALL THE GODFATHER!

It makes you wonder, did these people not go on family vacations when they were kids?

I am linking you all to an article that addresses this conference and seminar issue in Natick, Mass.

Click here

Thanks again to Triple J!!