TOWN OF COLCHESTER
BOARD OF FINANCE – REGULAR MEETING
TOWN HALL
127 NORWICH AVENUE
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 – 7:00 p.m.
Minutes
Members Present: Chairman Hayn, John Ringo, Cathy Pompei, Rob Tarlov, Rob Esteve
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Maggie Cosgrove, CFO; Gregg LePage, Treasurer; First Selectman Gregg Schuster; Rosemary Coyle, BOS; Ron Goldstein, BOE Chairman; Tricia Coblenz, Tax Collector
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hayn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
2.1 January 6, 2010 Regular Meeting: C. Pompei motioned to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2010,
seconded by R. Tarlov. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
3. CITIZENS COMMENTS: None
4. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: J. Ringo motioned to add Item 5.2 Tax Collector and Item 9.2 Discussion of
Board Vacancy, seconded by R. Tarlov. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
5.1 Finance Department: M. Cosgrove submitted reports on Revenue and Expenditures through
December 31, 2009.
5.2 Tax Collector: T. Coblenz provided the Board with reports on delinquent tax collections. Collections continue
to go well.
6. FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT:
6.1 Selectman’s Agenda:
6.1.1 Transfer Requests: None
6.1.2 First Selectman’s Update:
• Update on Old Firehouse Renovation project :
o There is a $5,400 architect bill for additional design fees. The bill cannot be paid for out of the grant. A contract for this amount was signed by previous administration without approval from the Board of Selectman or Board of Finance. First Selectman Schuster said it appears that the architect acted in good faith and had every reason to believe the contract had been approved by the BOS and BOF.
o Various ways to fund the $5,400 was discussed.
o R. Goldstein commented that if the $5,400 is part of the original approved contract amount, then the amount would have been previously authorized.
• Union negotiations will begin soon.
• The new structure of the Probate Court is almost resolved. The cost to Colchester will be approximately the same under the new regionalization.
• Nancy Wyman is estimating a $32,000,000 deficit.
7. CORRESPONDENCE: None
8. LIAISON REPORT:
Rob Tarlov -
Sewer and Water: Is working on the budget.
Library: The new Director will be on the BOF agenda in February to discuss the new server. A library employee has given notice.
Rob Esteve –
BOE: Superintendent Loiselle gave the State of the School Address. The CMT grades look favorable. The pupil expenditure is approximately $1,000,000 below comparable districts. Grants continue to be applied for and assist financially in any aspect such as Race to the Top. The Town is $1.7 million below the DERG.
Ron Goldstein added to the BOE report that the Magnet School has decided to increase tuition mid year. The District has refused to pay the increase.
9. OLD BUSINESS
9.1 Action to reduce Fiscal Year 2009-2010 BOE budget and ECS revenues by $1,932,716 in
accordance with PA-1: C. Pompei motioned to reduce the Board of Education appropriation for the 2009-2010 in the amount $1,932,716, the amount equal to the funds that will be received by the BOE directly from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, and reduce the estimated revenue from the ECS grant in the same amount in accordance with public act 09-1, seconded by R. Esteve. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
9.2 Discussion of Board vacancy: Currently two applications have been received. Interviews will be held during
the next regularly scheduled BOF meeting.
10. NEW BUSINESS
10.1 Discussion and Recommendations based on members training session by Glenn Klocko: R. Tarlov, C. Pompei, and R. Esteve attended training by Glenn Klocko on recommended budget procedures. Chairman Hayn believes most of the suggested procedures are used yearly in the budget process. C. Pompei will track the budget process to assure that the recommended procedures are followed.
11. ADJOURNMENT: J. Ringo motioned to adjourn, seconded by R. Tarlov. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
Chairman Hayn adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
Dawn LePage, Clerk
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