BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
April 23, 2007
I. CALL 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, Jim Speich, Bill Hooper, and Tom Gugliotti. Mike Monts was absent.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Bill Hooper.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE
David Goldscholl, 57 Old Kings Road, “I wanted to thank you guys for the great work on the budget sessions, and I know how hard it is. I really think you controlled the concept and the process as good as you possibly could. If you no one else tells you that, I understand all the ebbs and flows that come with it. It’s very difficult and I think the result is exemplary in terms of cost control. Until we get to the other things brought up relative to what the town conscience is and God only knows what that will bring it’s as good as you possibly could do. So I thank you, on behalf of Avon citizens, for responsible spending. I think you spent responsibly.”
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING: March 26, 2007
Page 4, IX. Adjourn: Delete Mr. Monts as voting in favor of adjournment as he was absent from the meeting.
Page 2, V. Old Business, Paragraph 2, Line 6: “The Town Council set a target increase…” should read “The Board of Finance set a target increase…”
On a motion made by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mrs. Bratton, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the minutes of the March 26th meeting as amended.
Messrs. Gugliotti, Harrison, Hooper, and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor. Mr. Speich abstained.
V. OLD BUSINESS
05/06-24 – Town Hall Buildings 5 and 6 Renovations and Additions:
Approve Resolution for Town Meeting
The motion to approve the Resolution initially was put aside to wait for the results of the Town Council’s vote on a similar resolution during their meeting being held concurrently in another room. After other business on the Board of Finance agenda was completed, the members decided to vote on the resolution.
On a motion made by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mrs. Bratton, it was voted, contingent on the Town Council’s approval of a similar resolution:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Avon appropriate $2,360,000 for costs related to renovations, additions and improvements to Buildings 5 and 6 at the Avon Town Hall campus. The project is contemplated to include reconfiguration and remodeling of the existing building space; building exterior improvements; improvements and renovations to address handicapped access, fire safety, building, health and other code compliance requirements including hazardous materials abatement, elevator installations and sprinkler installation; energy efficiency improvements including window replacement, insulation installation and HVAC systems improvements; plumbing and electrical systems improvements; construction of
building links between
Buildings 5 and 6 and between Buildings 6 and 7; roof, gutter and downspout improvements; and related building improvements, site improvements and appurtenances. The project is contemplated to be undertaken substantially as set out in conceptual drawings dated January 15, 2007 prepared by Arbonies King Vlock, Architects; the scope and particulars of the project to be determined by the Town Council.
FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Avon issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $2,360,000 to finance the appropriation, the amount of bonds or notes authorized to be issued to be reduced by the amount of grants, if any, received by the Town for the project.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Speich and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
06/07-16 – Supplemental Appropriation: $10,329.05 DUI Holiday
Enforcement Grant
The Town Council recommended that the Board of Finance approved a supplemental appropriation for the DUI Holiday Enforcement program which was enacted last fall and that the grant money be appropriated back to the police overtime account.
On a motion made by Mr. Speich, seconded by Mrs. Durdan, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby amends the FY 06/07 Budget by increasing Revenues, General Fund, Intergovernmental, Holiday DUI Enforcement, Account # 01-0330-43371 in the amount of $10, 329.05 and increasing Appropriations, General Fund, Patrol Services, Other Equipment, Account # 01-2107-51015 in the amount of $10,329.05 for the purpose of funding Police overtime for the DUI Enforcement.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Speich and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
a. $600,000 General Obligation Serial Note Sale
The Town opened bids for the $600,000 M.H. Rhodes General Obligation Note Sale at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17. Of the six banks that showed interest initially, only two bid with the winning bid by Simsbury Bank and Trust Company at a rate of 3.60.
b. Reaction to the Budget Hearing and Workshop
Chairman Harrison asked if members had received any feedback on the Budget Hearing and/or the Workshop session. Mrs. Bratton asked about the email system in relation to the Board of Finance. Peg Colligan stated that email from the Town of Avon website goes to info@town.avon.ct.us and is retrieved by the Town Manager’s office personnel. The consensus was that it would be preferable for email to individual Board members to go directly to them rather than relying on and creating extra tasks for the Town Manager’s office. Mrs. Colligan stated she would look into the possible ways to change the email. Resident Linda Merlin had emailed Mr. Harrison regarding the errors in the Hartford Courant story by Katie Malone. The story just after the workshop neglected to say that the vote was unanimous. Mr. Harrison also pointed out that of the $394,000 figure the Board of Education has been asked to reduce their budget by, $74,000 is not actually a reduction. Generally, there was not a lot of reaction to the
Public Hearing on April 9th or to the Budget Workshop on April 10th.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS - None
IX. ADJOURN
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Speich, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Speich and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Susan Burdsall, Clerk
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