EAST WINDSOR BOARD OF FINANCE
EAST WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT
REVISED MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 16, 2008
Chairwoman DeSousa called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.
Present: Chairwoman DeSousa and Members Bowsza, Kubick, Little, Mannette,
and alternate Pippin, Town Treasurer Szabo, First Selectwoman Menard. Absent: Member Floyd
I. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Upon motion by Mr. Bowsza, seconded by Ms. Kubick, it was unanimously
VOTED: To appoint Ms. Pippin as a full voting member of the Board for the meeting.
II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
III. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Public Hearing of June 16, 2008
Ms. Kubick moved, and Mr. Bowsza seconded, a
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of June 16, 2008.
Voting for the motion: Bowsza, Kubick, Little, Pippin.
Abstaining: Mannette
The motion passed.
B. Special Meeting of June 16, 2008
Ms. Kubick moved, and Mr. Bowsza seconded, a
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of June 16, 2008.
Voting for the motion: Bowsza, Kubick, Little, Pippin.
Abstaining: Mannette
The motion passed.
C. Regular Meeting of June 18, 2008
Mr. Bowsza moved, and Ms. Kubick seconded, a
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 18, 2008.
Voting for the motion: Bowsza, Kubick, Little, Pippin.
Abstaining: Mannette
The motion passed.
D. Special Meeting of June 24, 2008
Ms. Kubick moved, and Mr. Bowsza seconded, a
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of June 24, 2008.
Voting for the motion: Bowsza, Kubick, Little, Pippin.
Abstaining: Mannette
The motion passed.
E. Special Meeting of June 30, 2008
Upon motion by Mr. Bowsza, seconded by Ms. Pippin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of June 30, 2008.
OUT OF ORDER
Upon motion by Ms. Kubick, seconded by Mr. Bowsza, it was unanimously
VOTED: To go out of order to take up Agenda Item IV.J., John F. McKenna, Town Counsel, 7/10/08 Reply
Chairwoman DeSousa had e-mailed the letter to all Board members for their review before the meeting. The letter was in reply to a letter from Mr. Little and Mr. Mannette. Atty. McKenna was present to discuss his opinion concerning the number of budget referendum that could be held and action taken by the Board of Finance to set the 2008-2009 budget at a special meeting on June 30, 2008. Atty. McKenna stated that the Town Charter only allows two referendums. The Charter states that if a budget is not adopted by June 20, the Board of Selectmen, with the approval of the Board of Finance, will make a rate bill upon the last completed list for the amount necessary to pay the current expenses of the Town. Atty. McKenna also observed the Charter and the State Statutes, as interpreted by the Connecticut Supreme Court,
vest broad authority in the Boards of Selectmen, with the Board of Finance approval, to set tax rates for their towns when the defeat of a town budget has created a vacuum. In his opinion, the June 30th meeting that established and approved the 2008-2009 budget was proper and binding.
Mr. Mannette expressed his disagreement with the attorney's opinion. He stated that he felt that the Board bypassed the taxpayers in the budget approval process.
Ms. DeSousa commented that anything she and the majority of the Board did was with the legal opinion in hand and in the best interest of the Town.
RETURN TO AGENDA
IV. A. Legal Bill
Presented
B. Memo, 7/1/08, Brien Ward
Presented
C. E-mail, 7/2/08, Laurie Slate
Presented
D. E-mail, 7/9/08, Laura Hanson
Presented
E. Sixth Annual New England Public Finance Conference
Ms. DeSousa informed the Board of the conference, adding that there is no money in the budget for conferences.
F. State Board of Education - Sheff v. O'Neill Stipulation Funding
Presented. This will be on the next agenda for discussion by the Board.
Board members were asked to bring the memo.
G. Bob Little/Jack Mannette Letter, 7/7/08
Presented
H. Response to the 7/7/08 Letter by Marie DeSousa
Presented
I. Bob Little/Jack Mannette Letter, 7/9/08
Presented
V. TREASURER'S REPORT
Town Treasurer Mary Szabo reported a current cash balance of $4,716,600, saying that the Town is in a good financial position. She also reported that the Town will be finishing the year with a surplus on the revenue side.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Broad Brook Fire Department Audit Questions
Ms. DeSousa said she would try to get copies of financial records and readable check on the audit issue.
Upon motion by Mr. Bowsza, seconded by Ms. Kubick, it was unanimously
VOTED: To table this item to the next meeting.
B. Appoint a Member/Member Rotation to the Charter Revision Committee
Ms. Kubick volunteered to attend the October, November and December meetings. Ms. Pippin will sit in the audience of the July 24th meeting. Ms. DeSousa will attend the August meeting. The Charter Revision Committee meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. This item will be on the next agenda.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Property Revaluation Appeals - Superior Court
Ms. DeSousa presented ten appeals for the Board to peruse.
B. Recommendations from the Board of Selectmen
1. To Consider and Act upon any Requests from the July 15, 2008
Board of Selectmen's Meeting - High School Boiler Replacement
Project and Warehouse Point Fire Department Engine
Upon motion by Mr. Bowsza, seconded by Ms. Pippin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To transfer $3,500 from the CNR Undesignated Account 1-08-55-1025-7-799-06580 to the High School Boiler Replacement Account 1-42-55-9800-7-799-0222.
Ms. DeSousa will request a copy of the Fire Department's PowerPoint presentation presented at the Board of Selectmen's meeting. Once she receives it, she will send it to all Board members. This item will be on next month's agenda for discussion by the Board.
C. Discussion regarding Forwarding a List of Suggestions for Improvement that Arose from the Budget Process, i.e.,
Necessary Policies and Procedures to be Put in Place Governing Mileage Reimbursement, Comp. Time, etc.
Ms. DeSousa listed other recommendations to be discussed such as Supplies, Travel, Conferences, etc. She asked Board members and Ms. Szabo to e-mail her with suggestions by the end of the month. Ms. DeSousa also brought up pot holes at the annex, snow removal, sick time accrual, immunizations for fire department, registrars. This will be on next month's agenda.
D. Assignment of the Annual Report Processing
Ms. DeSousa said that she would send a letter to the First Selectman asking that the annual report be assigned to her office. The Board of Finance will offer its assistance.
Ms. DeSousa thanked Mary Szabo for her years of service to the Town of East Windsor. Ms. Szabo is retiring at the end of the month.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Bowsza, seconded by Ms. Kubick, it was
unanimously
VOTED: To adjourn at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Nolan
Recording Secretary
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