The Board of Finance held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 23, 2004 in the meeting room at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman John Kortze called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Harrison Waterbury, Michael Portnoy, Peter Giarratano (8:10), ABSENT: Joseph Kearney
ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Tim Northrop (Trust for Public Lands), one member of public
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None present
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Mr. Gaston, the minutes of the 9/13/04 meeting were unanimously carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
FIRST SELECTMAN REPORT: First Selectman Rosenthal reported that the Town has received approval of the $500,000 S.T.E.A.P. Grant for the Technology Park. This will cover the 05/06 line item in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Transfer
Mr. Gaston moved to transfer FROM Account 01100-1073 Town Hall Salary Adjustment $38,320.00 TO Various Salary Accounts $38,320.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
This transfer covers annual salary increases for department heads and other non-union personnel, retroactive to 7/1/04.
Resolution Appropriating $290,000 for Architectural/Engineering for HVAC System at Hawley Elementary School
Mr. Gaston moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $290,000 For Architectural And Engineering Services For The Planning and Design Of Renovations To The HVAC System At Hawley Elementary School And Authorizing The Issuance Of $290,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and to waive the reading of the full resolution, a copy of which is attached hereto. Motion seconded and carried by roll call vote: 4 YES (Kortze, Gaston, Waterbury, Portnoy) Mr. Giarratano had not yet arrived.
Resolution Appropriating $4,150,000 For Renovations to HVAC System at Head o’Meadow Elementary School
Mr. Gaston moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $4,150,000 For Renovations To The HVAC System at Head o’Meadow Elementary School And Authorizing The Issuance Of $4,150,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and to waive the reading of the full resolution, a copy of which is attached hereto. Motion seconded and carried by roll call vote: 4 YES (Kortze, Gaston, Waterbury, Portnoy) Mr. Giarratano had not yet arrived.
Resolution Appropriating $320,000 For Purchase of a Fire Pumper Truck
Mr. Gaston moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $320,000 For The Purchase Of A Class A Fire Pumper Truck And Authorizing The Issuance Of $320,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and to waive the reading of the full resolution, a copy of which is attached hereto. Motion seconded and carried by roll call vote: 4 YES (Kortze, Gaston, Waterbury, Portnoy) Mr. Giarratano had not yet arrived.
Workshop – Trust for Public Lands
Mr. Tim Northrop of the Trust for Public Lands distributed copies of a Fiscal Impact Analysis of Development he had prepared using a property in Monroe as an example. This shows the cost of community services as it relates to open space acquisition. There was a general discussion and consensus that this type of calculation is the best way to approach the purchase of open space from a financial point of view.
Chairman Kortze suggested having a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council to discuss future open space acquisition. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that we are currently negotiating with two property owners which he would be willing to discuss but not in open session.
Mr. Gaston moved to enter executive session to discuss possible land purchases and to invite Mr. Northrop and clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 8:25 p.m. and returned to open session at 8:45 p.m. Board members thanked Mr. Northrop for his presentation this evening.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
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