The Board of Finance held a special meeting on Monday, March 3, 2008 in the Middle School Auditorium, Queen, Newtown, CT. Chairman John Kortze called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston (7:45), Martin Gersten, Joseph Kearney, Michael Portnoy, Harrison Waterbury.
ALSO PRESENT: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Robinson, Assistant Superintendent Linda Gejda, High School principal Chip Dumais, Schools Director of Business Ron Bienkowski, Schools Director of Transportation Tony DiLonardo, Schools Director of Grounds and Maintenance Gino Faiella, Members of the Board of Education, Legislative Council, Parks & Recreation Commission, Director of Parks & Recreation Barbara Kasbarian, Police Chief Michael Kehoe, Director of Public Works Fred Hurley, approximately ten members of public, one member of press.
FOLLOWING ARE THE MOTIONS FROM THE MEETING. MINUTES TO FOLLOW.
Town Proposed Budget for FY 2008-2009.
Mr. Portnoy moved to increase the Board of Education revenue by $121,797. Second by Mr. Gaston. Mr. Bienkowski advised that this money relates to this fiscal year and will go to the audited surplus for the following year. Mr. Portnoy withdrew his motion.
Mr. Portnoy moved to decrease the Building Revenue in the Board of Selectmen’s budget from $500,000 to $400,000 for a net decrease of $100,000. Second by Mr. Gersten and unanimously carried.
Mr. Portnoy moved to increase Revenue in Collections by $172,000. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried. This increases the collection rate from 98.8% to 99%.
Mr. Portnoy moved to increase Capital and Non-Recurring by $257,000. Second by Mr. Kearney and unanimously carried.
Mr. Portnoy moved to increase the Board of Selectmen Debt Service by $13,912. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried. Mr. Kortze noted that it is not necessary for the Board of Finance to change the Capital Improvement Plan, that if the Legislative Council changes the CIP it will come back to the Board of Finance.
Mr. Portnoy moved to reduce the Board of Education budget by $900,000. Second by Mr. Waterbury. Motion unanimously carried by roll call vote. YES 6 (Gersten, Kearney, Waterbury, Portnoy, Gaston, Kortze.)
Mr. Portnoy moved to increase the budget of the Women’s Center of Danbury by $1,500.00. Second by Mr. Gersten and unanimously carried.
Mr. Portnoy moved to reduce the Board of Selectmen’s budget by $600,000 over and above the debt service, reduction to include any items except for debt service other than the adjustment already made of $13,912 . Second by Mr. Waterbury and unanimously carried by voice vote.
Mr. Waterbury moved the Board of Selectmen’s budget at $39,443,400. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried.
Mr. Waterbury moved the Board of Education budget at $66,031,444. Second by Mr. Kearney and unanimously carried.
Mr. Waterbury moved the total budget at $105,474,444. Second by Mr. Portnoy and unanimously carried.
Mr. Waterbury moved the Board of Selectmen’s revenue at $12,030,459. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried.
Mr. Waterbury moved the Board of Education revenue at $4,667,129, Second by Mr. Gersten and unanimously carried.
Mr. Waterbury moved the total to be raised by taxation at $88,776,856. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried.
Mr. Waterbury moved the total at $105,474,444. Second by Mr. Portnoy and unanimously carried.
Mr. Kortze moved that the Financial Director be authorized to make any necessary mathematical corrections in revenue and capital and report back to the Board of Finance. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried.
The recommended mill rate is 23.2 mills.
Mr. Kortze moved the following Resolution to the Legislative Council: That we, the members of the Board of Finance, recommend to the Legislative Council that the Town of Newtown should combine the High School referendum and the budget referendum to be held on the same day. Second by Mr. Gaston and unanimously carried.
Town Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2008-2009 through 2012-2013.
Mr. Gaston moved to approve the Capital Improvement Plan as presented to the Legislative Council with the following changes: Engine #441 for Sandy Hook to be moved from 2008/2009 to 2009/2010, Animal Shelter move from 2010-2011 to 2008/2009, and increasing the Debt Service in 2008-2009 by $13,912.00 for the Park & Recreation/Senior Center. Second by Mr. Kortze and unanimously carried.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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