The Board of Finance held a regular meeting on Monday, April 13, 2009 in the meeting room at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman John Kortze called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Michael Portnoy, Martin Gersten and Harry Waterbury.
ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Joseph Borst, Finance Director Robert Tait, one member of the public and one member of the press.
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Terrence Ford, 45 Toddy Hill Road, Sandy Hook stated he recently resigned from the Clean Energy Task Force and works for a company that sells commercial electricity and is concerned the town is overpaying Constellation Energy. The contract is due to expire in December 2009 and the Bee reported the Board of Education has renewed their contract for an additional year. He believes the contract should be looked at. Six months ago Mr. Ford did a personal audit and found the kilowatt usage was low knowing the schools, the police department and the water treatment facility generate more. He found an additional 1.2 million kilowatts within the town, amounting to $80,000 not being allocated. This needs to be stayed on top of and there has to be focus on energy use and
natural gas. The contract needs to be understood.
Mr. Kortze noted the electricity is something that needs to be understood, stating there were questions during the budget process and it was explained that the town wasn’t getting credits that it had previously gotten, resulting in increases.
Mr. Borst asked Mr. Ford if the Board of Education has signed the contract. Mr. Ford noted that he was told it had been signed. He will be happy to consult or educate on energy.
Bob Tait stated that the Town and the Board of Education have separate contracts.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Kortze read a letter to Mr. Borst from Dr. Janet Robinson (Att. A) regarding the Board of Educations support of the Town investigating the feasibility of acquiring property at 27 Church Hill Road next to Hawley Elementary School.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINTUES: Upon motion of Mr. Gaston, the meeting minutes of 2/9, 2/25, 3/4, 3/5, 3/11 and 3/12/2009 were unanimously accepted as presented.
FIRST SELECTMAN REPORT: First Selectman Borst reported that the Town received a $100,500 grant for the emergency operating center at Fairfield Hills. $634,997 has been assigned to Newtown for the economic stimulus for repaving of Castle Hill, Castle Meadow and Queen Street. There is $212,000 in LoCIP funds, $202,000 was received this year.
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT: none noted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none noted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
Transfers:
Mr. Gersten moved the transfer of $27,000 from Contingency (01570-2000) to the Town Hall Board of Managers fund (01890-0000). Mr. Gaston seconded. Mr. Borst reported this is for the HVAC system for the theater at the Edmond Town Hall. This will enable the theater to be cooled or heated without having to cool or heat the entire building. All in favor.
Mr. Gaston moved the transfer of $48,000 from Payroll (01500 1003) to Winter Overtime (01510 1003). Mr. Gersten seconded. All in favor.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: none noted.
ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
_____________________________
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
Att A: Dr. J. Robinson 4/8/09 letter, 27 Church Hill Road
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