The Board of Finance held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 in the Planning & Zoning Committee 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, Joseph Kearney, Harrison Waterbury
ABSENT: Michael Portnoy, John Torok
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Board of Education members David Nanavaty and Anna Wiedemann, three members of public
VOTER PARTICIPATION: None noted
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Mr. Gaston, the minutes of the 10/25/07 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
FIRST SELECTMAN REPORT: Not present
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT: Mr. Spragg distributed copies of the chart he was requested to prepare by Mr. Kearney showing a 4.5% increase in the budget. Mr. Spragg does not believe we can use a 4.5% increase. There is a 4.9% increase in teacher salaries and the debt service for the high school is possibly $20 million in the first year. It is not realistic to plan on a 4.5% increase. Mr. Kearney stated that he had asked for this in order to illustrate where the town could be going. He thanked Mr. Spragg for preparing the chart.
NEW BUSINESS
Transfer
Mr. Gaston moved to transfer from Account 01100-1073 Town Hall Salary Adjustments $43,986 TO Various Salary Accounts $43,986. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Capital Improvement Plan
A letter was received from Schools Business Manager Ron Bienkowski stating that the Board of Education has scheduled further discussion of the Middle School projects for their meeting tomorrow evening. Board of Education member David Nanavaty stated that they had discussed the fact that the middle school projects is out about 4-5 years. They have requested information from the architect on what is involved regarding possible duplicity of costs. We have 4-5 years to seriously look at this and get better numbers for planning. He advised that the three middle school projects together comes to $45 million. Chairman Kortze stated that it appears the roof and HVAC looked to be included in the $34 million project from the architect. Mr. Nanavaty stated that the Board will clear that up during
their next meeting.
Chairman Kortze asked the other Board of Finance members if it is appropriate to send a letter to the newly elected people outlining were we are and what we doing regarding the CIP. He will also need to send a letter to the Legislative Council because the Board of Finance will not be meeting the deadline of 11/27 to submit the CIP to them. Other members agreed that Mr. Kortze should send the letters.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
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