BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
JANUARY 22, 2007
ALL TO ORDER - Chairman Tom Harrison called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Chamber, Town Hall. Members present: Margaret Bratton, Catherine Durdan, Bill Hooper, Jim Speich, Tom Gugliotti and Mike Monts.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Margaret Bratton.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE - None.
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING:~ December 18, 2006
On Page 1, Item IV, Mrs. Bratton noted that while she was present at the November 27th meeting, she had missed the vote approving the minutes and, therefore, her name should be deleted from the list of those voting.
On a motion made by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Speich, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the minutes of the December 18th meeting as amended.
Messrs. Gugliotti, Speich, Harrison, Monts and Mrs. Bratton voted in favor. Mrs. Durdan and Mr. Hooper abstained.
V. OLD BUSINESS
05/06-24 - Review and Discussion: 07/08 Budget Process
Town Manager Phil Schenck gave a thorough review of the 07/08 Budget Process to date. He stated that it seems the consensus of several groups is to make the conveyance tax permanent. In a study of the Governor's Commission on Education Finance, nothing has been done with school formulas this year. It was felt that there might be the opportunity next year for increases in school funding.
Mr. Schenck reminded the Board that building in Avon still is depressed with only 14 single- family building permits issued in the first half of the fiscal year. (The norm would be close to 30.) Superintendent of schools Dr. Kisiel feels the number of students in the elementary schools may decline by 5-10 children per year. On the other hand, Avon High School is growing. To
accommodate changes and it may be necessary to do some minor redistricting at some time.
The Town Council directed the Town Manager to present a budget on February 1 with an increase of only 5%. The Capital Improvement Budget is at $2,580,000, an increase of~ 53%. The debt service is up 4% ($208,000). Mr. Schenck is confident it can be brought down but how far is still in question. The Board of Education insists the roof of the Roaring Brook School must be replaced this year as the leaks are damaging books, carpeting, etc. and it is essentially an emergency situation to have it moved up by one year. The plan had been to budget it over 3 years instead of two.
Assistant Town Manager Blythe Robinson reported on the progress of Town Hall buildings 5, 6 and 7. The goal is to have the architect finalize the design and determine a guaranteed maximum price good through the end of May. The costs will approach $2.2 million and could be on the ballot as a separate item in addition to the budget referendum. In asking the voters to approve the funding, it will be necessary to address the factors that have been problems such as the roof, insulation, heating, electricity, etc. The consensus of the Town Council is that if the project comes to $2 million, it should go to referendum although that technically is not required.
The Secret Lake Association is requesting the installation of town water and road repairs. Mr. Schenck spoke about the background of the Secret Lake Association and the Town of Avon's relationship. Secret Lake is one of 5 tax districts within the Town of Avon. The others are Pond Place, Hunters' Run, Farmington Woods, and the Lakeview Association. They operate similarly to small municipalities in that they have their own tax collectors, boards of directors, trash collection, etc. The Town helps Secret Lake with street lighting, signs, road striping, catch basin cleaning, and some hydro-raking of the lake. Avon Water Company has given a figure of $1.2 million to install town water and the Town Engineer believes it would cost approximately $800,000 to do curbing and road drainage. Town Manager
Schenck stated the Town could finance the projects for the Secret Lake Association if their residents vote in favor of the projects. The Town would recover its portion of the cost. Mr. Gugliotti asked how the Town could help the lake associations and not have to aid condominium associations in the same way. Mr. Schenck answered that lake associations were established by a special act of the legislature in 1928 and 1951 and that the act states the Town may contribute to lake associations. Answering Mrs. Durdan's question about lake association residents paying taxes, Mr. Schenck stated that they use the Town's grand list and that the association fees are tax deductible. If Secret Lake votes in favor of the water and roads project, the cost will total $2 million and it will be a bond issue if ready by May; they may not be ready until fall. Mr. Speich and Mr. Gugliotti voiced opinions that it may be tough for Town residents to approve paying for road
improvements on roads not owned by the Town. Mr. Hooper suggested that the roads, which are substandard to Town roads, could be viewed as association "driveways" and not full roads.
The Avon Library is planning an expansion which would cost between $5 million and $6 million. Mr. Schenck pointed out that while the Avon High School project has been going on, other entities have put off their projects and now are ready to start them.~ He feels it might be advisable to have one referendum rather than several smaller ones. Chairman Harrison stated he would talk with the Town Council about referendums and their timing. Mr. Monts feels that an overview of the various projects should be given during the public hearings.
The debt service goes up each year to a peak year.~ In 2007/08 it will be at 5.2 million. There has not been much debt service for the Town; most of it has been for education. The Board of Education may be able to submit their budget for the next year with a 6.9% increase.
Mr. Harrison thanked Town Manager Schenck and Assistant to the Town Manager Robinson for their reports and information on the budget developments.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
06/07-09 - Supplemental Appropriation: $6,030 Neighborhood Assistance Act Grant: Police Department In-Car Video System
As the Neighborhood Assistance Act Grant process was successful, the Town received a donation of $6,030 from Chase Enterprises to fund an In-Car Video System for the Police Department. The Town Council recommended that the Board of Finance amend the FY 06/07 Budget.
On a motion made by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Gugliotti, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the recommendation of the Town Council and
hereby amends the FY 06/07 Budget by increasing Revenues General Fund, Other Local Revenues, Donations from Private Sources, Account #01-0360-43651 in the amount of $6,030 and increasing:~ Appropriations General Fund, Patrol Services, Other Equipment, Account #01-2107-53319 in the amount of $6,030 for the purpose of recording Neighborhood Assistance Act donations to purchase an eyewitness in-car video system.
Messrs. Harrison, Speich, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
Regarding the above donation from Chase Enterprises, Board of Finance members agreed that the Town is grateful to David Chase and Chase Enterprises for his generosity to the Town of Avon.
The audit report is scheduled to be ready next month. The Board of Finance will need to select an auditor for next year.
On Saturday, February 10, 2007, the Town Council will be having a Special Meeting for a Budget Work Session starting at 8:00 a.m. in the Selectmen's Chamber, Town Hall. Board of Finance members may opt to attend.
The 2007-08 Budget should be ready to forward to the Board of Finance by late March.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
IX. ADJOURN
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Hooper, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance adjourn at 8:45 p.m.
Messrs. Harrison, Speich, Gugliotti, Monts, Hooper, and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Susan Burdsall, Clerk
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