BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
September 26, 2005
I. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Tom Harrison. Present were members Tom Gugliotti, Bill Hooper, Mike Monts, Jim Speich and Mark Zacchio. Cathy Durdan was absent.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Bill Hooper.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE - None.
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING: July 25, 2005
On a motion made by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the minutes of the July 25th meeting, as amended.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts and Zacchio voted in favor. Mr.Speich abstained.
V. OLD BUSINESS – Mr. Tom Mortimer attended the meeting to discuss his proposal for setting budget guidelines which would limit the growth of the Town expenditures per household and BOE expenditures per pupil to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This growth would be limited to the rate of inflation times the prior year’s budget, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The school budget would be based on the number of children enrolled and the Town’s budget would be based on the number of households. Programs that are mandated will not be included in the first year, but they will in subsequent
years. These same instructions will apply to the Board of Ed. Mr. Mortimer referred to a chart he has projected. Looking at those figures, Mr. Harrison commented Avon is not too far from targets projected in the charts. It was the consensus of the Board that the suggestions presented will be well considered in preparation of the budgets, but this Board does not feel it’s Charge allows such stringent measures. The Board thanked Mr. Mortimer for his time and efforts.
05/06-01 – Mr. Harrison reported at the July meeting a committee was formed to review the so-called “cover sheet” for the Town and BOE. Mr. Monts, who chairs the committee, reported there is no progress to report at this time. He will keep the Board advised.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
05/06/02a. – Supplemental Appropriation: $334,000 – Sewer Facilities Master Plan (55% Reimbursable from the State)
Bud Usich, Chairman of the Avon Water Pollution Control Authority reported we need this Board’s blessing for the $334,000 expenditure to cover the cost of our Master Facilities Plan. He reported we have been operating in a vacuum for the past 20 years without any dedicated plan of any sort given the fact that the entire plan was authored back in 1975. We need all the help we can get. Tom Daukas, Town Engineer, has been present since the inception of the plan; we have gone from zero sewers to a system of 65 miles of dedicated lines. We do not have a maintenance plan, we do not have any protocols in place to address any future sewering of the 3,000 or so residents who are not presently tied into the system, or for any new development in Town. The Town Council has approved the
appropriation and we would appreciate your approval so we can move forward. This plan will be funded from the present Sewer Fund which will be reimbursed when we receive money from the State.
The Town Manager certified there are sufficient Undesignated Fund Balance resources to finance this expenditure.
On a motion made by Mr. Speich, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $334,000 from Sewer Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance Account #05-0390-43913 and transfer from Sewer Fund, Other Financing Uses, Interfund Transfers-out Account #05-8700-58000 to Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), Town CIP – Facilities, Master Sewage Facilities Plan Account #02-4829-53365 and Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), Other Financing Sources, Interfund Operating Transfers-In Account #02-0390-43918 in the amount of $334,000 for the purpose of funding CWF-592 PG Engineering Agreement on Wastewater Facilities Planning & Evaluation of Administrative Systems as approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
05/06-02b. $39,252 Superintendent’s Position
Mr. Daukas reported that our current Sewer Superintendent (20 hrs/week, no benefits) has indicated his desire to retire at the beginning of the next fiscal year. The AWPCA and the Town Council have recommended the position of Superintendent of Sanitary Sewer Collection be created for one-half year, which will be funded entirely from the Sewer Maintenance and Operations Fund and will not have any impact on the Town’s Undesignated General Fund Balance or the tax rate, either currently or in the future. We are looking for a full time manager for this system; we don’t have a maintenance department so we have to contract everything out. We have 40 miles of sewers with 4 pump stations – that is not a small system
The Town Manager has certified that there are sufficient Undesignated Fund Balance resources to finance the fund of $39,252 for a Superintendent of Sanitary Sewer Collection, for one-half year.
On a motion made by Mr. Speich, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $39,252 from Sewer Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance Account #05-0390-43913 to Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll. & Disp., Regular Full Time Account #05-3205-51011 $26,150, Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll. & Disp., FICA, Account #05-3205-51031 $1,961, Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll. & Disp., Defined Contribution, Account #05-3205-51038 $1,961, Sewer Fund Sewage Coll & Disp., Hospitalization Account #05-3205-51033 $5,371, Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll. & Disp. Dental Insurance, Account 05-3205-51034 $540, Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll. Disp., Life Insurance, Account #05-3205-51035 $56, Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll & Disp., Workman’s Compensation Account #05-3205-51036 $668, Sewer
Fund, Sewage Coll & Disp., Long Term Disability, Account #05-3205-51937 $45, and Sewer Fund, Sewage Coll. & Disp., Retiree Health Account #05-3205-51039 $2,500, for the purpose of funding the position of a Superintendent of Sanitary Sewer Collection System for one-half year.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
05/06-03 Supplemental Appropriation: Pick-Up Trucks
a. Town: $8,116.09
b. BOE: $44,916.98
There was $40,000 in the Capital Improvement Program this year for the purchase of a replacement pick-up truck for the Department of Public Works. The bids came in $8,116.98 higher and we are requesting a supplemental Appropriation in that amount out of the fund.
The Town Manager certified there are sufficient Undesignated Fund Balance resources to finance the sum of $44,916.98.
On a motion made by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $44,916.98 from General Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance Account #01-0390-43913, and transfer from General Fund, Other Financing Uses, Interfund Transfers Out Account #01-8700-58000 to Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), BOE CIP-Equipment, Pick-up Truck Account #02-4864-53061 and Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), Other Financing Sources, Interfund Operating Transfers-In Account #02-0390-43918 in the amount of $44,916.98 for the purpose of funding the Board of Education truck.
And transfers from Account:
#02-4849-52183 Cap. Proj. Fund (F&E) Library Expansion Legal Fees $ 377.00
#02-4849-52219 Cap. Proj. Fund (F&E) Library Expansion Other 1,329.00
#02-4849-52239 Cap. Proj. Fund (F&E) Library Expansion Materials Other 5,500.00
#02-4840-53375 Cap. Proj. Fund (F&E) Town CIP PW Dump Truck 910.98
For a combined total of $8,116.98
to Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), Town CIP- Equipment, Pick-up Truck Account #02-4844-53354 for the purpose of funding the balance of the Town truck for a total cost of $48,116.98 ($40,000 budgeted in Fiscal Year 05/06 Account #02-4844-53354).
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor. Mr. Hooper Abstained.
In response to Mr. Gugliotti’s question, Ms Colligan explained that originally the $40,000 was included in the budget. There was a question of whether or not the projected increase in the Conveyance Tax income was to be included. However, it was inferred that if the money was received, the need for the Board of Education’s truck was to be considered for inclusion. In order to clear this matter, a motion was made by Mr. Harrison on the same resolution focusing on the $40,000 referred to in the final sentence of the resolution. Mr. Zacchio seconded, and Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Monts, Seich and Zacchio voted in favor. Mr. Hooper abstained indicating he does not understand the process.
05/06-04 – Supplemental Appropriation: $6,000 for DEP
changes to the Landfill Transfer Station.
Bruce Williams is requesting this appropriation to comply with changes required to renew our permit to operate a landfill; specifically, create a separate area to dispose of electronics; create a propane storage area to meet DEP requirements; spent batteries need to be stored on an impervious base as do storage of appliances that have Freon.Mr. Williams is requesting $6,000 to make these changes.
The Town Manager certified there are sufficient Undesignated Fund Balance resources to finance $6,000 for changer to the Landfill Transfer Station.
On a motion made by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mr. Gugliotti, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $6,000 from Account #01-0390-43913 General Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance to Account #01-3201-52185 General Fund, Solid Waste Disposal, General Service for the purpose of funding unbudgeted modifications to the Landfill Transfer Station as outlined by the DEP.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
05/06-05 – Supplemental Appropriation: $6,500 Floating
Irrigation System Pump – Fisher Meadows
Glenn Marston has requested funds not to exceed $6,500 for the emergency purchase and installation of a backup pump for the Fisher Meadows irrigation system. Because the water supply at Spring Lake periodically drops to the point where the intake pipe for the main pump is exposed, the current system will not draw adequate water for the system. With yearly re-sodding and seeding of the entire area for the Fall athletic season, and no rain in the forecast, the need to install the backup pump has become critical.
The Town Manager certified there are sufficient Undesignated Fund Balance resources to finance $6,500 for a Floating Irrigation System Pump for Fisher Meadows.
On a motion made by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Monts, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $6,500 from Account #12-0390-43913 Fisher Meadows Maintenance Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance, to Fisher Meadows Maintenance Fund, Contingency, Materials-Other, Account #12-8701-52239 for the purpose of funding an emergency purchase and installation of a backup pump for the Fisher Meadows Irrigation System.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
05/06-06 – Supplemental Appropriation: $44,877
Thompson/Old Farms Roads Redesign Project
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby amends the FY04/05 Budget by increasing REVENUES Capital Projects Fund (Facilities & Equipment), Intergovernmental, Thompson/Old Farms Roadway Redesign Reimbursement, Account #02-0330-43388 in the amount of $44,877 and increasing APPROPRIATIONS Capital Projects Fund ( Facilities & Equipment), Town CIP – Facilities/Road Overlay, Thompson/Old Farms Redesign/Project 04-98, Account #02-4831-53036 in the amount of $44,877 for the purpose of recording State Reimbursement for the project costs.
05/06-07 – Supplemental Appropriation: $9,350
Old Farms Road Bridge Project
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby amends the FY04/05 Budget by increasing REVENUES General Fund, State and Federal Grants, State Bridge Reimbursement, Account #03-0330-43363 $1,870, General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Federal Bridge Reimbursement, Account #03-0330-43318 $7,480, for a total of $9,350 and increasing APPROPRIATIONS CNREF, Old Farms Road Bridge Project 04-116, Streets, Account #03-4937-52211 in the amount of $9,350 for the purpose of reimbursement from the State and Federal Governments for expenditures associated with Old Farms Road Bridge Project.
05/06-08 – Supplemental Appropriation $39,366,
State Grant
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby amends the FY 05/06 Budget by increasing REVENUES Town Road Aid Fund, Intergovernmental, Town Aid-Public Works Department Account #08-0330-43353 in the amount of $39, 366 and increasing APPROPRIATIONS Town Road Aid Fund, Snow and Ice Removal, Materials-Other, Account #08-3103-52239 in the amount of $39,366, for the purpose of recording Additional State Revenue to be received to offset the increased costs of eligible activities under this Grant program.
On a motion made by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mr. Monts, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance collectively approve Resolutions 05/06-
06, 05/06-07 and 05/06-08, as submitted.
Messrs: Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS – Mr. Harrison reported he talked with Peggy Roell, Chair of the Board of Education and was advised that the sprinkler system at the Middle School had failed. One problem was that the alarm was going off in the school, but not at the Fire House on West Avon Road; they had to call 911. At this point they don’t know the problem; however, the worst case scenario would be to tear out the sprinkler system and replace it which could be several thousands of dollars.
Mr. Gugliotti reported that due to the excellent work of the Finance Director and her staff, we have again received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It’s nice to see all those plaques and we want to express our appreciation.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS – None.
IX. ADJOURN – There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Elinor Burns, Clerk
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