EAST WINDSOR BOARD OF FINANCE
EAST WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2005
Chairman Catino called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room. Present: Board of Finance Members Paul Catino, Bill Dove, Ed Farrell, Gil Hayes, Jack Mannette, Denise Sabotka. Also present: First Selectman Linda Roberts, Treasurer Mary Szabo and Recording Secretary Linda Nolan.
I. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
The Board, by consensus, appointed Jack Mannette to full Board status for tonight’s meeting, replacing Albert Floyd.
The Board of Finance appointed Dale Nelson as an alternate to the Board of Finance.
II. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
Discussion of Budget; Ad Hoc Facilities Study Committee; Request for Added Appropriation
Upon motion by Mr. Mannette, seconded by Mr. Hayes, it was unanimously
VOTED: To accept the added agenda items.
III. PREVIOUS MINUTES
Mr. Dove moved, and Mr. Farrell seconded, a
MOTION: To approve the minutes of January 19, 2005.
Voting for the motion: Dove, Farrell, Haynes Mannette, Sabotka.
Abstaining: Catino
The motion passed.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Invoice #304449 from Penny, Botticello, O’Brien and Higgins
Distributed
V. PUBLIC INPUT
Betsy Burns informed the Board that, later in the year, she would be requesting a $2,500 appropriation for the human services department.
VI. TREASURER’S REPORT
Ms. Szabo reported a current cash position of $8,711,879 and Contingency Fund balance of $221,098. She said the known exposure is $104,404, which does not include clerical salary increases. She also presented anticipated state grants. She reported that the town would receive $37,549 less than anticipated.
Budget books should be distributed to Board of Finance members on February 23. Mr. Hayes said he would not be at the February 23rd meeting.
The Board discussed the rate that departments are spending their budgets. Mr. Catino said that departments must manage their budgets, adding that there could be a point this year when requests for added appropriations will not be considered. Discussion followed concerning what would happen when the Contingency Fund is expended. The next step would be to go to a town meeting to request using money from the fund balance, which is something no one would want to do.
The Board, by consensus, agreed that they would send a memo to all boards and departments making them aware that the Board of Finance would take a very dim view of requests for added appropriation.
Mr. Catino added that it is imperative that departments manage their budgets.
Discussion was held concerning coordination of fire, police and ambulance departments with regard to emergency calls.
Upon motion by Mr. Mannette, seconded by Ms. Sabotka, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the treasurer’s report.
VII. COMMITTEE/CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
None
VIII. LAWSUITS AND POTENTIAL LIABILITY
None
IX. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUESTS FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
A. Request for $18,000 Added Appropriation for Volunteer Fire Incentive Program
Discussion was held concerning the firefighter’s incentive and that the Board had supported it in this year’s budget.
Upon motion by Mr. Mannette, seconded by Mr. Dove, it was unanimously
VOTED: To table this item until the Board has a chance to meet with representatives from the fire department and its incentive fund.
B. Request for $75,000 Added Appropriation for the Insurance Line
Ms. Roberts reported that she anticipates a shortfall in the heart and hypertension account.
Upon motion by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Mannette, it was unanimously
VOTED: To recommend to town meeting $87,600 added appropriation to the Heart and Hypertension Line (1-01-3573-45-210-000-0), to be taken from Contingency Fund.
C. Request $3,200 Added Appropriation for the Payment of the 2003 Annual
Town Report
The Board, by consensus, approved the $3,200 added appropriation to the Printing Line (1-01-1070-5-550-000-0) to pay Adkins Printing, to be taken from Contingency Fund.
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. Police Department Building Project
Ms. Roberts reported that the Building Committee had approved the plans and that bids for the project close on March 31. The roof has been completed and the human services area is done.
Ms. Roberts handed out copies of the police contract and said she would review it with the Board at a future meeting.
XI. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Roberts presented the governor’s proposed budget impact on East Windsor. She stated that East Windsor would not get less than what is reported here.
Election of officers is not required until next year.
The Pension Board is scheduled to meet on February 23. The Fire Departments and Ambulance Association budget presentations will be postponed to March 23.
The Board received the Board of Education’s proposed 2005-2006 budget. Mr. Mannette said that he is in the process of analyzing the school board’s budget and union contracts. The Finance Board expects the Board of Education to present a scenario of 95% of the 2004-2005 budget and how that would affect programs. They also want to see copies of union, transportation, lease, contracts, etc.
Mr. Farrell volunteered to serve on the new Town Facilities Study Ad Hoc Committee.
Ms. Sabotka will submit the Board’s 2005 meeting schedule to the town clerk.
The meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Nolan
Recording Secretary
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