BOARD OF FINANCE
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012, 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Thomas Harrison called the Board of Finance meeting to order at 7:04 PM at the Avon Free Public Library. Members present: Chairman Thomas Harrison, Vice Chairman/Secretary Thomas Gugliotti, Margaret Bratton, Catherine Durdan, Dean Hamilton, James Speich and Brian Stoll. There was the presence of a quorum.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Brian Stoll.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Stokesbury, liaison for the Avon Board of Ed, stated that the Superintendent has started the budget process. He has given the board a very high level review at their last meeting. The budget represents a 2.78% increase. Copies are available for all members at the end of this meeting. The Board of Ed also made their presentation to the Town Council on Capital Budget requests.
Mr. Harrison asked if this Board were to adopt the total budget, what is the gross dollar amount estimate. Mr. Stokesbury stated it would roughly be $52,000,000, an increase of $1,900,000 over the current year.
The budget includes a proposal for full day kindergarten. This has not been vetted by the board yet to determine if it is in line with policy goals, affordable, or if the town has the necessary space available.
Mr. Gugliotti asked if there were State monies available to offset costs of the expanded program. Mr. Stokesbury restated that it is very early, however although there are no direct State monies, other funds that the Town receives from the State could be used to supplement the costs.
Ms. Bratton asked if the program is implemented, would a half day program be presented as an option to parents. Mr. Stokesbury stated that Mr. Mala foresees a half day kindergarten option during the initial transition, but again, no determination has yet been made. Ms. Bratton asked if it still unacceptable to have young children in the High School as part of an early childhood education program for High School students. Mr. Stokesbury stated that Mr. Mala is very interested in expanding the curriculum and providing very high core academic standards, and all options are reviewed.
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS: October 22, 2012
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Ms. Durdan, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approves the minutes.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hamilton, Speich, Stoll and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
V. OLD BUSINESS
12/13-03 Review and Discussion: FY 13/14 Budget Process
Mr. Harrison stated that he has been working with Ms. Colligan to create the chart Mr. Stoll had suggested at the September meeting. The difficulty they are encountering is partly due to time constraints as Ms. Colligan is busy preparing the year end financials, and secondly in the large number of possible variables. Parameters of the potential document were discussed
Mr. Harrison stated that instead of the Excel worksheet that was used previously, he thought the Board wanted a snapshot with certain assumptions. He stated that the Board was presented with numbers from Harry DerAsadourian and Steve Kushner on Grand List growth for the next 5 years during Mr. Robertson’s presentation in September. The average was a projected growth of .75%. Mr. Stoll stated that he was would be comfortable using .50%, .75% and 1.0% as the growth variables. He also offered to help prepare the document. Mr. Gugliotti asked and it was confirmed that the projections provided by Mr. DerAsadourian included numbers attributable to the Ensign-Bickford project. Mr. Harrison stated the second set of variables is the non-property tax revenue and suggested the board use the current budget
year assumptions. The third set of variables affects spending. The unified budget in the current year is 78 million. The proposed increase is 2.2 million to the total budget. He wants to minimize work required by Ms. Colligan by limiting the variables. Mr. Gugliotti stated that the more it is discussed, the more he is becoming skeptical of the value of the proposed document. Mr. Harrison concurred.
Mr. Stoll felt it is very valuable to provide the projection information to the other major boards as early as possible in their budget process. Ms. Durdan felt it was not the responsibility of this board to provide guidance during the creations of the budgets. Mr. Gugliotti said moving to preempt the budgets is in opposition of what is mandated by the town Charter. Mr. Harrison asked Mr. Robertson to make sure the September slide presentation was provided to both the Town Council and the Board of Education. Ms. Bratton was in favor of providing some information to the other Boards similar to that proposed by Mr. Stoll. Mr. Stokesbury stated that the Board of Ed is aware of current economic constraints, but felt that more information is always better than less.
12/13-06 Approve Board of Finance 2013 Meeting Schedule
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Ms. Bratton, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approves the 2013 Meeting Schedule.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hamilton, Speich, Stoll and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
12/13-07 Huckleberry Hill Water Project, Supplemental Appropriation, $182,300
Mr. Robertson indicated that this is a request regarding payment in lieu of paving from the water company. He stated that typically when a utility tears up a road, they are then responsible for repairing it. What the Town is proposing is that the water company pay to the town the same dollar amount they would spend to repair the road. The Town would then use those monies at the Town’s municipal rates to be able to resurface more footage that could be done by the Water Company. Many board members commented that it seemed like a good deal for the town. Mr. Robertson added that a similar arrangement is contemplated with Sunlight Construction for Springbrook.
On a motion by Ms. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance hereby amends the FY 12/13 Budget by increasing:
REVENUES
CIFA, Intergovernmental – CWC Pymnt In Lieu HH Water Project, Account #02-0360-43659 in the amount of $182,300.00
and increasing
APPROPRIATIONS
Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), Town CIP- Facil/Road Overlay, Road Overlay, Account #02-4831-53003, in the amount of $182,300.00, for the purpose of the Huckleberry Hill Water Project and the re-paving of disturbed sections of pavement on Huckleberry Hill Road.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hamilton, Speich, Stoll and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
VII. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
- Monthly Financial Report Summary
Ms. Colligan commented that this report is through September 30th. Looking at the revenue side, collected Property Tax & Assessments are in line with projections. It is slightly ahead of where we were at this time last year. Lis Pendens are about double of last year. Charges for services are higher than expected due to the Board of Ed appropriations. Intergovernmental is not expected to show much activity until the first quarter of the fiscal year. On the expense side, there are no major variances in the General Fund to report. There will be no FEMA claims from Storm Sandy. Funds for overtime and the shelter will be absorbed through the current budget.
Mr. Harrison asked if Ms. Colligan had an opinion on if the year-end audits would be finishing in the black. She stated that she talked to Mr. Robertson about filing for a 30 day extension, but did expect the audits to be in the black. Mr. Robertson stated that the extension is necessary due to both a change in personnel and the addition of new finance software.
Mr. Robertson stated he attended a meeting of CCM (Connecticut Conference of Municipalities), a lobbying organization. A presentation was made by Brendan Sharkey highlighting what he thought would happen in the upcoming legislative session.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Gugliotti made copies of the report from CABE and handed it out to Board members and others that were interested.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Real Estate / Land Acquisition
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Ms. Durdan, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance go into executive session at 8:11 pm.
Messrs. Harrison, Stoll, Gugliotti, Hamilton, Speich and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
At 8:31 pm the Board concluded the session.
X. ADJOURN
On a motion by Mr. Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Stoll, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.
Messrs. Harrison, Stoll, Gugliotti, Hamilton, Speich and Mmes. Durdan and Bratton voted in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Mary Marinello, Clerk
| 
