BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
October 26, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Harrison called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Chambers at the Avon Town Hall. Members present: Margaret Bratton, Catherine Durdan, William Hooper, Thomas Gugliotti, James Spiech and Brett Eisenlohr.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Eisenlohr.
III. COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS: September 3, 2009
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Hooper, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the minutes of September 3, 2009 as written.
Messrs. Harrison, Hooper, Spiech, Eisenlohr, Gugliotti and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
V. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
09/10-08 Supplemental Appropriation: Public Safety Answering Point,
Dispatch Training, $1,578.02
On a motion by Ms. Durdan, seconded by Mr. Eisenlohr, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby amends the FY 09/10 Budget by increasing:
REVENUES
General Fund, Intergovernmental, Miscellaneous State Grant Receipts, Account #01-0330-43410 in the amount of $1,578.02 and increasing:
APPROPRIATIONS
General Fund, Communications, Professional Development (Dispatch Training), Account #01-2301-52155 in the amount of $1,578.02 for the purpose of funding Public Safety Answering Point, Dispatch Training.
Messrs. Harrison, Hooper, Spiech, Eisenlohr, Gugliotti and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
09/10-09 Review and Discussion: Selection of Independent Auditor -
FY 09/10 Audit
Ms. Colligan, Director of Finance, stated that the Town of Avon started with BlumShapiro in 1982 and was with them for 12 years. The Town then hired another company and stayed with them for 10 years, although they hired BlumShapiro back in 2005 until the present time. She stated that there is not a rule for mandatory rotation, although the Town should stay with the same accountant for a minimum of 5 years because it does add to their efficiency.
Ms. Colligan stated that the Town can request an extension of BlumShapiro’s agreement, or the Town could go out with an RFP. She stated that sending out an RFP would take several months in order to issue the RFP and to set up a review committee.
Ms. Colligan recommended that the Board approve two 1-year extensions with BlumShapiro. She stated that the Town may get a better price if the firm knows that there will be a second term. Chairman Harrison questioned if this could be granted without going out for an RFP. Ms. Robinson stated that an RFP would not be necessary.
On a motion by Chairman Harrison, seconded by Ms. Durdan, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance authorize the negotiations for a one-year extension of the auditing contract with BlumShapiro.
Messrs. Harrison, Hooper, Spiech, Eisenlohr, Gugliotti and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
09/10-10 Approve Board of Finance 2010 Meeting Schedule
Mr. Gugliotti questioned if any of the dates on the schedule were in conflict with any holidays. Ms. Robinson stated that there were no conflicts.
On a motion by Mr. Spiech, seconded by Mr. Hooper, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the Board of Finance 2010 Meeting Schedule.
Messrs. Harrison, Hooper, Spiech, Eisenlohr, Gugliotti and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS/TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Schenck stated that Brandon Robertson will be the new Town Manager effective January 4, 2010.
Mr. Schenck stated that the Library referendum passed; Ms. Robinson is currently working with the Building Committee. There will be a revised charge at the Town Council meeting on November 5th in order to charge them to complete the construction project.
Mr. Schenck stated that he has sent a letter to the Avon Water Company regarding their increase, which will impact the Town’s budget by $86,000. He stated that he has not gotten a response back as of yet. Mr. Gugliotti questioned what their justification was for the rate increase. Mr. Schenck stated that because people have reduced their consumption, the water company is not getting the revenue that was anticipated, so they are asking for a rate increase. He stated that that if the rate increase is approved by the State, he will be asking that the water company phase them in. Mr. Gugliotti questioned what the percentage of the rate increase was. Mr. Schenck stated that the increase is 16.58%.
Ms. Durdan questioned if the Board of Education received their stimulus funds yet. Ms. Colligan stated that they have not received the funding yet. She stated that the ECS allocation may come sooner.
Chairman Harrison questioned if the Town Council took any action on the cell phone tower issue. Mr. Schenck stated that the Town Council does not have the final say; the State Citing Council has authorized the tower to be installed by AT&T at the church, although the church is not finding the tower location desirable. He stated that these discussions are currently moving forward. He stated that the church can refuse to sign the agreement, although they are trying to work on a compromise to make the tower further away from the rectory.
Chairman Harrison stated that a Town resident has raised a question regarding the voters being mislead because of how one of the questions on the referendum was stated. There is supposed to be a $1 million State grant and another $500,000 will hopefully be raised by the Friend of the Library. This resident stated that if either the State grant or the $500,000 is not raised, the project will need to be scaled back, which means that the pictures the voters relied on, will be a fraud. Chairman Harrison questioned if the project would not move forward if the Town does not receive the $1.5 million. Mr. Schenck stated that the scope of the project may need to be modified if the money is not received, although not to the extent that the project will be illegal to move forward.
Mr. Gugliotti congratulated Ms. Colligan for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the current fiscal year from the Government Finance Officers Association. Mr. Schenck stated that this is the 28th year that the Town has received this award. Chairman Harrison stated that the award was well deserved.
Mr. Schenck stated that there will be a development of 103 residential units in Avon Park South. This will help offset a $50,000 shortfall in building fees. Regarding tax collection, the number of partial payments has increased. The number of foreclosures has not risen.
Mr. Schenck stated that the interest on investments may have a shortfall this year. He stated that everything is constantly being monitored. On the expense side, there are no real issues, although snow plowing and sand and salt is always a concern. He stated that the salt bids came in less than budgeted. The Town is currently building a new salt shed in order to keep an adequate amount of salt.
The Board discussed several parcels in Town including Avon Park North, Avon Park South and Climax Road.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no need to go into Executive Session.
IX. ADJOURN
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Eisenlohr, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
Messrs. Harrison, Spiech, Hooper, Eisenlohr, Gugliotti and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Alison Sturgeon, Clerk
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