EAST WINDSOR BOARD OF FINANCE
EAST WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT
MINUTES OF March 19, 2008
Ms. Farmer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m in room the Town Hall Conference Room.
Present: Board of Finance Members Jason Bowsza, Marie DeSousa, Noreen Farmer, JoAnn Kubick, Robert Little, Jack Mannette, Kathy Pippin, First Selectman Menard, Selectmen Nelson and Farrell and Treasurer Mary Szabo.
I. Appointment of Alternates
None
II. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Regular Minutes of February 20, 2008
Mr. Little said he was at the meeting.
Upon motion by Ms. DeSousa, seconded by Ms. Kubick, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the minutes as amended.
B. Minutes of Budget Workshop of February 27, 2008
Upon motion by Ms. DeSousa, seconded by Ms. Kubick, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the minutes of February 27, 2008.
C. Upon motion by Ms. Kubick, seconded by Mr. Mannette, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the minutes of February 27, 2008.
III. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Revised Budget Schedule
A new version was distributed.
B. Legal Bills
Distributed
C. Conveyance Tax Correspondence
Memo distributed for information
D. Thank you from the Superintendent of Schools
Distributed
E. Annual Audited Financial Report - Broad Brook Fire Department
Goes with their budget presentation.
IV. TREASURER'S REPORT
Mary Szabo reported on the financial status of the town. The Town's cash position is at $11,236,506. The tax collector has collected $21,474,625.36. The Town received $496,443 in special education money from the state.
Ms. Szabo will e-mail her treasurer's report to Ms. Farmer.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Annual Budget Appropriations, Added Appropriations and Transfers
Ms. Farmer has a concern about departments waiting until June to make internal transfers and ask for added appropriations. This is a topic for discussion at a future meeting. Policy and procedure that refers to all departments must be established. This conversation will continue at the next meeting. Ms. Menard and Ms. Farmer presented letters regarding getting budgeting procedures implemented.
Ms. Farmer said that any appropriation that needs to be transferred for anything other than what it was meant for must be approved by the Board of Finance.
Ms. Farmer commented that the charter is flawed.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. 2007 Grand List
The grand list has reached $1.067 billion, an increase of almost 36.5%
Ms. Madore reported that there are many reval appeals. The appeals could be done by the end of April or there could be an extension.
Ms. Farmer said she had heard that there were petitions being passed around to negate the reval. She said that as they get closer to having a budget, they might want to have a conversation about a phase in.
B. Board of Finance E-mail
Ms. Farmer has asked the IT department to make e-mail addresses through the Town for Board members. These addresses are for town business only.
C. High school Boiler Project Update
Superintendent of Schools Tim Howes explained that the work bid came in with $256.87 to spare. He said we should bear in mind that $256 won't cover all expenses that could come up.
The Board, by consensus, agreed to budget $3,000 to $4,000 for incidentals over the $256.87.
The work will begin after school is out.
D. Budget Presentations
a. Broad Brook Library
Beverly Perkosky requested $13,500, $1,500 more than the current year.
b. Warehouse Point Library
Vincent Bologna and Elyse Spielberg requested $242,908, $14,945 over the current budget. They are asking for a part-time person, $8,000 for maintenance of the building, money to increase collection development, carpeting and air handlers.
c. Cemetery Association
Craig Arnold and Dan Burnham presented their request for $30,000, the same as the current year. A lengthy discussion followed concerning a large cash balance. The Board would like a copy of the by-laws.
d. Broad Brook Fire Department
Gerald Bancroft, James Bancroft, and Steve Long presented a budget request for $239,525, an increase of $39,575.
e. Visiting Nurse Association
Claire Badstubner came in with a request that is less than the current budget.
f. Historical Commission
Barbara Smiegel requested $4,500. There are numerous grants available, but they cannot be applied for without specifications. She said that the commission paid $1,000 toward a contract for a consultant to develop specs in June 2007.
Ms. Farmer stated that a commission should not make a commitment of town funds without it going through the Board of Selectmen.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Ms. DeSousa, it was unanimously
VOTED: To adjourn at 11:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Nolan
Recording Secretary
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