The Board of Finance held a regular meeting on Thursday, July 27, 2006 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, Michael Portnoy, John Torok
ABSENT: Joseph Kearney, Harrison Waterbury
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, one member of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: None noted
COMMUNICATIONS: None noted
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Mr. Torok, the minutes of the 6/12/06 meeting were unanimously accepted.
FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: None
FIRST SELECTMAN REPORT: First Selectman Rosenthal was not present (vacation).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
CT Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility
Mr. Michael Guarco, Chairman of the Board of Finance in Granby was present on behalf of the Consortium. He gave an overview of how this group came about and what they are trying to achieve, which is primarily to give back to municipalities the ability to manage key elements in the municipal budgets.
Mr. Gaston moved to adopt the Resolution in Support of the Consortium Group as attached to the minutes of this meeting. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Transfer
Mr. Portnoy moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $206,680.00 TO Account 01310-1003 Police Payroll $188,429.00 AND TO Account 01550-1004 Parks & Rec Maintainers Payroll $18,251.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Year-End Transfers
Board of Finance members received a list of the municipal year-end transfers. Chairman Kortze asked if there were any questions and there were none.
Regarding the Board of Education year-end transfers, Chairman Kortze advised that he has sent two letters to the Board of Education Chairman asking to be able to discuss the high school expansion and the year-end transfers. As a result, the Board of Finance members have been invited to attend the August 15 meeting of the Board of Education. Chairman Kortze will be out of town on that date but has prepared a list of questions. He urged other members to attend if they are able. Mr. Kortze still feels that at some point, there should be some kind of public discussion of the year-end transfers.
Capital Improvement Plan – Board of Education
Chairman Kortze advised that this was put on the agenda in order to hear from the members what information they would like to have as we go into the CIP process.
Mr. Portnoy stated that he would like to see the analysis used to come up with the projected student population for the high school. Mr. Torok feels this Board should have a presentation by Mr. Bothwell and possibly someone from the state who is involved with projections. He feels this is important when considering something with the magnitude of funds the town is being asked to expend. Mr. Gaston would like to have a presentation by the architect; hear from someone representing the study committee; and Board of Education members to discuss the overall CIP. Mr. Spragg feels that the Hawley School HVAC project needs more detailed back-up information. There is currently nothing in the CIP but a lump sum. These items will be sent to the Board
of Education Chairman with a request for presentation at a Board of Finance meeting, possibly the second meeting in August or in September.
Resolution – Triple Combination Fire Pumper Truck
Mr. Gaston moved to waive the full reading of the Resolution as all members were in receipt of the Resolution prior to this meeting. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Mr. Gaston moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $460,000 For The Purchase Of A Triple Combination Fire Pumper Truck And Authorizing The Issuance Of $460,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”, a copu of which is attached hereto, and to recommend to the Legislative Council for consideration and action. Motion seconded and carried upon roll call vote – YES (Kortze, Gaston, Torok, Portnoy) – No (none)
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Jan Andras
Attachment 1: Resolution in Support of the Consortium Group (hard copy only)
Attachment 2: Resolution for Bonding (hard copy only)
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