BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
November 26, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Harrison called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Countryside Park building.~ Members present:~ Margaret Bratton, Catherine Durdan, Tom Gugliotti, Tom Harrison, Bill Hooper, Jim Speich and Mike Monts.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Cathy Durdan.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE – None
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
October 22, 2007 Minutes
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mrs. Bratton, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the minutes of October 22, 2007.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Speich, and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor. Messrs. Hooper and Monts abstained due to absence from the October 22nd meeting.
V. OLD BUSINESS
06/07-21 Review and Discussion: FY 08/09 Budget
Mr. Harrison stated that it was time to discuss the setting or not of spending increase targets for the Town and Board of Education budgets. To set a target or not, and, if so, how much, will be voted on at the December 17th meeting.
Mr. Gugliotti felt this would be a year to go without making a recommendation of a percentage increase. He feels it might be time “to take off the training wheels” and see what increase requests come to the Board. He also stated that there are pent up challenges being faced by the Town and by the Board of Education. If the requests are unreasonable, the Board will know to go back to setting targets.
Mr. Hooper felt it would be fine to continue to set a target.
Mr. Speich stated that he sees a lot of need out there and is in favor of setting a target that would be a little higher than the past few years in light of things like the Avon High School coming on line. He is concerned also about “repressing” the Capital Improvement Budget.
Mrs. Durdan was not supportive of opening up the budget requests. She reminded the Board that the 1.25% growth in the Grand List and the $450,000 operating increase for the Board of Education would cause an increase in the mill rate. A higher target might have to be set for the Board of Education.
Mrs. Bratton is concerned about the revaluation coming up in 2010. Normally, she would prefer the target increases be the same for both the Town and the Board of Education, but this year it may be necessary to have more flexibility. The Board of Education has had a lot to deal with because of the negotiations with the teachers, the opening of the remodeled high school and the upcoming revaluation.
In answer to a request from Mr. Hooper, Ms. Colligan will put together figures on student enrollment growth and the number of teachers and administrators added over the last 5-8 years.
It was noted that the negotiations with the teachers had gone to arbitration. Both sides made their last best offer and a decision is due by December 5.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
07/08-04 Auditor Selections FY 07/08 and FY 08/09
Director of Finance Peg Colligan has been satisfied with the work done by Blum Shapiro. While the appointment does not take place until February or March, she recommends extending their contract for two years. The pricing would be $56,300 for Year 4 and $58,300 for Year 5.
On a motion by Mrs. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Gugliotti, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance accept Ms. Colligan’s recommendation to extend for two years the contract with Blum Shapiro.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Monts, Hooper and Speich and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
07/08-05 Supplemental Appropriation: $6,562 Replacement Fisher
Meadows Irrigation Pump
Glen Marston, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that the supply pipe was exposed during drought conditions and the pump motor burned out and, therefore, the need for the replacement irrigation pump at Fisher Meadows. Revenue from property use goes into a Fisher Meadow Fund and the amount needed to replace the pump is available.
On a motion by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mrs. Durdan, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $6,562.00 from Fisher Meadow Maintenance Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance, Account #12-0390-43913 and Transfer Out from Fisher Meadow Maintenance Fund, Other Financing Uses, Interfund Transfer-Out, Account #12-8700-58000 and Transfer In to General Fund, Parks. Materials – Other, Account #01-5201-52239 and General Fund, Other Financing Sources, Interfund Operating Transfers In, Account #01-0390-43918 in the amount of $6,562.00 for the purpose of replacing the 30 HP Pump Motor & Pump End for the irrigation system at Fisher Meadows.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Monts, Hooper and Speich and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
07/08-06 Supplemental Appropriation: $20,000 Preliminary Design
Verville Road Sewer Installation
Bud Usich spoke on behalf of the WPCA (Water Pollution Control Authority) explaining that the figure requested is a “not to exceed” cost for soil borings for about 20-24 homeowners. The money would be recaptured in the assessments later. Town Engineer Tom Daukus is working on the plan which includes road improvements.
On a motion by Mrs. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Speich, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $20,000 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, Verville Road Sewer, Account #02-4829-53385 and Capital Projects Fund (Facilities & Equipment), Other Financing Sources, Interfund Operating Transfers-In Account #02-0390-43918 in the amount of $20,000 for the purpose of funding soil borings and an engineering survey for the Verville Road Sewer.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Monts, Hooper and Speich and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
07/08-07 Supplemental Appropriation: $18,000 Purchase of Fully Equipped New/Used Police Tahoe
Chief of Police Mark Rinaldo and Public Works Fleet Manager Alex Trujillo requested funds to purchase a 2007 Tahoe vehicle available at Whelen Engineering. The cost is normally $36,000 but this one is available for $24,000 and was a research and development vehicle for Whelen Engineering. It is fully equipped, negating the need for additional monies to equip the vehicle with lights, etc. Chief Rinaldo stated that with the purchase of this vehicle, he would request only 2 vehicles rather than 3 in the next budget. The Police Department has been able to find $6,000 in the present budget to put toward the purchase.
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mrs. Bratton, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby appropriates a sum not to exceed $18,000 from General Fund, Other Financing Sources, Undesignated Fund Balance, Account #01-0390-43913, to General Fund, Patrol Services, Vehicles, Account #01-2107-53311 and transfer of appropriation of $6,000 from General Fund, Patrol Services, Parts and Repairs, Account #01-2107-52204 to General Fund, Patrol Services, Vehicles, Account #01-2107-53311, for a combined total of $24,000 for the purpose of purchasing a 2007 Tahoe for the Police Department.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Monts, Hooper and Speich and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS – None
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None
IX. ADJOURN
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mrs. Bratton, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance adjourn at 8:30 p.m.
Messrs. Gugliotti, Harrison, and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest:~ Susan Burdsall, Clerk
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