The Board of Finance held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 24, 2007 in the meeting room at Town Hall South, Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman John Kortze called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Michael Portnoy, Harrison Waterbury, Joseph Kearney
ABSENT: John Torok
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg
VOTER PARTICIPATION: None present
COMMUNICATIONS: Chairman Kortze thanked Mr. Gaston for his e-mail response to an e-mail sent out by WeCan member Gary Davis. Mr. Gaston pointed out that WeCan is essentially asking the Legislative Council to remove the debt service for the Town Hall bonding where the bonds have already been sold. That would mean the Town would default on its Bond obligations, which could have serious financial consequences.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Will be taken up at next meeting
FIRST SELECTMAN REPORT: Not present
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT: No report
NEW BUSINESS
Transfer: Mr. Portnoy moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $18,000 to Account 01180-1005 Referenda $18,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
This transfer covers the second and third budget referenda ($9,000 each). There will be another transfer required for the upcoming fourth referendum.
OLD BUSINESS
Resolution – High School Addition/Expansion
Chairman Kortze explained that there is some concern about approving a bonding resolution before we have an approved annual budget. He talked with the First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, Legislative Council Chairman Will Rodgers and Schools Business Manager Ron Bienkowski. There is no time constraint on approving this tonight except to try to get it done before school recesses for the summer and people are out of town when it goes to a vote.
Mr. Gaston moved to waive the full reading of and to adopt the following - RESOLVED: That the resolution entitled “Resolution Providing For A Special Appropriation In The Amount Of $2,750,000 For Architectural And Engineering Services For The Design Of Additions And Renovations At Newtown High School And Authorizing The Issuance Of $2,750,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”, a copy of which is attached hereto, is hereby adopted and recommended to the Legislative Council for consideration and action, said special appropriation was requested in a letter dated April 11, 2007 from Evan Pitkoff, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools in accordance with Chapter 6,
Section 6-30 (a) & (b) of the Town Charter, a copy of which is attached hereto. Motion seconded.
Mr. Gaston feels that this project needs to move forward. There was a lengthy discussion. Mr. Kearney feels that we are approving funds for an architect to design an expansion and we still do not know what the project will be or how many students it is being designed to accommodate. There was a lengthy discussion and debate.
Mr. Gaston moved to call for the question. Motion seconded and failed (3 NO – 2 YES). Discussion continued. It was noted that no member of the Board of Education or school leadership was present to answer some of the questions that were being raised.
RESOLUTION WAS DECLARED PASSED BY ROLL CALL VOTE: 4 YES (Gaston, Kortze, Waterbury, Portnoy) – 1 NO (Kearney)
Mr. Gaston moved the following resolution: In the spirit of moving forward on the Architectural and Engineering Services for Design of the Additions and Renovations at Newtown High School, after significant discussions, our decision to approve the resolution is contingent upon: 1) the project having a scaleable design; 2) on-going review and conversation with the Board of Finance, Board of Education and architects; 3) any building to be consistent with the upcoming 2007 enrollment projects of the state or consultants. Motion seconded.
Discussion continued. Mr. Portnoy moved to call for the question. Motion seconded and carried (3 YES – 2 NO). There was no more discussion. RESOLUTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
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