TOWN OF COLCHESTER
BOARD OF FINANCE – REGULAR MEETING
TOWN HALL
127 NORWICH AVENUE
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 – 7:00 p.m.
Minutes
Members Present: Chairman Hayn, John Ringo, Rob Tarlov, Rob Esteve, Mike Caplet
Members Absent: Cathy Pompei
Others Present: Maggie Cosgrove, CFO; Gregg LePage, Treasurer; Rosemary Coyle, BOS; Gregg Schuster, First Selectman; Ron Goldstein, BOE Chairman; Jay Cohen, Jim Ford, BOS; Glenn Morron
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hayn called the meeting to order at 7: 00 p.m.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
2.1 March 17, 2010 Regular Meeting: J. Ringo motioned to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2010 meetings amending item 12 to show there was none and remove where it says none under item 13, seconded by R. Esteve. All members voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
4. CITIZENS COMMENTS: None
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
5.1 Finance Department: The budget presentation will need to be clear on the re-classification of the 1.9 million dollars previously from the ECS grant.
5.2 Tax Collector: None
6. FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT:
6.1 Selectman’s Agenda:
6.1.1 Transfer Requests: None
6.1.2 First Selectman’s Update: FEMA was in Colchester today assessing the damage from the floods.
Colchester did not suffer a large amount of damage but the classification of a disaster area will be done by county. Other areas of New London County were severely damaged.
7. CORRESPONDENCE: None
8. LIAISON REPORT:
Ron Goldstein:
BOE – A budget meeting was held today. There are more scheduled with groups such as the PTO. The most critical information to get out to the public is the chart giving the actual cost of a tax increase based on the value of your home.
The track project is on schedule and a contract has been signed with the construction company. Chairman Hayn asked how long the track is expected to last and if there is a maintenance plan. Mr. Goldstein said that the surface should last 7-10 years. The cost to replace it would be $100,000.
Mike Caplet:
Park & Rec – The track is scheduled to begin on May 10th. The Dog Park is scheduled to open July 18th. An Eagle Scout will be replacing signs at Ruby Cohen. The Commission is still working on their strategic plan. Cody Camp Field is scheduled to open late spring or early summer.
Rob Tarlov:
Public Works- The RFQ list for the STEEP grant is down to only one. Negotiations with the company will begin soon. The Prospect Hill pump station pumped for four days during the heavy rain showing that it is not functioning correctly.
R. Tarlov volunteered to be the Economic Development Commission liaison.
Gregg LePage:
Treasurer- The Short Term Investment Fund (STIF) was reviewed. Companies have contacted the Town in regards to ways to earn more interest. The Treasurer will be meeting with these companies. A pie chart and breakdown of the bank service fees from January 9, 2009 – December 31, 2009 were distributed and reviewed. Mr. LePage and Ms. Cosgrove will be meeting with David Weber of People’s Bank next week to discuss the service fees. The Board was pleased to receive this type of report and would like to see it more often.
9. OLD BUSINESS
9.1 Discussion and Possible Action on Tractor/Mower: A reverse auction was held for the mower. D.H. Marvin of Colchester was able to supply the mower at the lowest price, not to exceed $42,650. If the mower is not delivered by the time it is needed for the mowing season they will make arrangements for the Town to use a piece of their in stock equipment. In order to use this piece of equipment for plowing snow a $5,700 attachment will be needed. This can be ordered at a later time.
J. Ringo motioned to purchase the mower from D.H. Marvin for a cost not to exceed $42,650 with the
money being taken from the equipment reserve account, seconded by M. Caplet. All members present
voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
10. NEW BUSINESS:
10.1 Discussion of Police Cruisers: There have been two new cruisers sitting at the Town garage for almost two months waiting for lights to be installed. Approximately 20 hours is needed to wire one of the cars professionally. Scranton is currently the vendor that installs the lights. First Selectman Schuster believes it is time to start looking at a new vendor as well as in the future all cars should go out to bid to be delivered ready to use. HFQ out of Hartford can install the lights at a cost of $3,400. Originally $24,000 was approved for the purchase of each cruiser but this did not include the cost of any additional items that needed to be wired in . The Police currently have $7,000 that has been sitting in an account since 2003 for radio equipment. J. Ringo motioned to move the $7,000 into the Police equipment reserve account, closing out the other account, and have the lights
installed for a cost not to exceed $3,400, seconded by R. Esteve. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
11. ADJOURNMENT: M. Caplet motioned to adjourn, seconded by J. Ringo. All members present voted in
favor. Chairman Hayn adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Dawn LePage, Clerk
| 