North Stonington Board of Finance
Regular Meeting Minutes
7:30 PM Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Town Senior Citizens Center
North Stonington, CT 06359
1.
Call to Order Chairman M. Donahue called the meeting to order at 7:43
PM. Vice Chair L.
Southwick, Secretary T. Oswald, G. Herbert, and E. Pavlovics were
present. E. Bresette
was absent.
2.
Public Comments and Questions N Mullane spoke about some items he has
brought to the BoF for discussion tonight.
3.
Selected Departments The EDC and the P&Z spoke with the BoF about how
the
three Town groups could work more concretely and effectively
representing the
interests of the Town in regard to attracting and securing new business
development
in the Town.
A.
Economic Development Commission - Five members of the EDC attended
in response to the BOF's invitation to the Commission: Chairman Brad
Currier,
Vice Chair Brent Woodward, Secretary Linda Pershaec, Robert Boissevain
and
Marilyn Mackay. Chairman Currier presented a summary of EDC activities
of
the past year, discussed the Commission's interface with the
Southeastern
Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) organization, and spoke to
planned
initiatives in accordance with the proposed 2009/10 budget. Commission
members also explained the role of EDC with respect to corporate "site
finders," the development of a business retention program, the
challenges in
attracting businesses to town, the status of current businesses and the
lessons
learned from recent proposed projects which did not materialize. A
planned
business directory for the town was also discussed. One point emphasized
is
that to more effectively promote EDC there is a need for paid
professional staff
assistance - volunteer support, just from an available hours
perspective, is not
sufficient. The EDC budget was discussed.
B.
Planning & Zoning Commission - Five members of the P&ZC attended in
response to the BOF's invitation to the Commission: Chairman G. Russell
Stewart, Vice Chair Louis Steinbrecher, Secretary Vilma Gregoropoulos,
Elaine
Boissevain, and Alternate Ann Brown. Chairman Stewart summarized the
Commission's recent activities during the zoning moratorium and the
progress
achieved with repairing the regulations. Members discussed the
Commission's
relationship with EDC and the role of zoning regulations in development.
The
status and updating of the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development
was
reviewed. While an update will be accomplished this year and presented
at a
public hearing, a full revision to the Plan is scheduled following the
completion
of the Federal census in 2010, to permit consideration of the most
updated
demographic data. The P&Z budget was discussed.
North Stonington, Board of Finance, Regular Meeting Minutes of 8 April
2009
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North Stonington Board of Finance
Regular Meeting Minutes
7:30 PM Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Town Senior Citizens Center
North Stonington, CT 06359
4. BOS: Budget Proposal Follow-up
a.
Walking Floor Trailer Responding to T. Oswald's request, N. Mullane
presented his responses concerning alternatives to spending $70,000 for
an
entirely new walking floor trailer.
i.
T. Oswald has been working closely with Mullane to explore
alternatives to avoid that cost at this economically very difficult
time.
ii.
Oswald found floors are the typical wearing component of walking
floor trailers and that their replacement typically costs about
$10,000.
iii.
Mullane feels the trailer in question is too far gone and that the floor
cannot be reasonably replaced. He will document the damage with
pictures and obtain an appraisal of the viability of a floor
replacement.
iv.
Oswald will seek another independent appraisal of the condition of
the trailer and alternative repair possibilities.
v.
Oswald is researching other ways to save the $70K such as getting a
roll-off service to deal with the 200 cubic yard capacity the Transfer
Station commonly needs to serve the needs of Townspeople over the
weekends.
b.
Responding to E. Pavlovics inquiry, N. Mullane agrees to provide the BoF
with
the Permanent School Planning and Building Committee's (PSB&BC) proposed
project list.
c.
Mullane advised that the Fire Dept may be able to avoid replacing Engine
#2
as it is due according to the Capital Plan for FY 2010/2011. The Dept is
currently researching of how they might re-hab the existing unit
somewhat
instead of replacing it.
5.
Management Reports/Board of Finance as Audit Committee/GASB 45 OPEB.
a.
Moody's Review Dennis Dix assisted First Selectman N. Mullane and Town
Treasurer R. Rhoor as they were telephonically interviewed by Moody's
regarding the Town's bond rating and what the Town's bonding needs will
be
over time. We are currently rated A3. We may possibly hear from them
concerning the Town's new rating in as soon as 2 weeks.
6.
2009/10 Budget Preparation Schedule
a.
Saturday Hours Feedback On a thumbnail, the feedback of the 7 people at
the last Saturday outreach session was 5 to 2 for not raising taxes at
all. The
BoF is gratified to see townspeople coming out to say how they feel and
to get
more information about the budget.
North Stonington, Board of Finance, Regular Meeting Minutes of 8 April
2009
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North Stonington Board of Finance
Regular Meeting Minutes
7:30 PM Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Town Senior Citizens Center
North Stonington, CT 06359
b.
Schedule Revision Due to various unusual complications in this year's
budget
process, the BoF is adjusting the the calendar of events accordingly:
15 April Regular Meeting, Projected 6/30/09 Surplus.
22 April Regular Meeting to release Budget.
29 April Regular Meeting
4 May Budget Hearing Special Meeting, 7:00 PM at Elementary School
6 May Budget Review
13 May Final Budget Review
18 May Town Meeting, 7:00 PM at Elementary School
20 May Regular Meeting
27 May Setting of Mill Rate (assuming referendum can be held by May 26)
7.
2009/10 Budget/Budget Spreadsheet
a.
Revision A - Appropriations Committee Projected Revenues Deferred due
to the hour.
b.
Webpage/Survey Deferred due to the hour.
8.
Town Report (June 30, 2008) Deferred due to the hour.
9.
Previous Minutes The minutes need some input that will be collected over
the next week.
The issue was deferred until next meeting. G. Herbert motioned the BoF
accept the
minutes of the 04-01-09 BoF meeting as amended. L. Southwick seconded,
the
motion passed 4-0-1 with T. Oswald abstaining as he was present only
telephonically.
10.
Correspondence
a.
North Stonington Ambulance Association normal quarterly report citing
overtime issues due to lack of volunteer staffing support.
11.
Future Agenda Items Identification None
12.
Adjournment L. Southwick moved to adjourn and G. Herbert seconded. The
motion
carried 5-0-0 and the meeting adjourned at 12:15 AM. The next BOF
meeting will be held at
7:30 PM Wednesday, 15 April, 2009 in the New Town Hall.
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas J. Oswald
Secretary, Board of Finance
North Stonington, Board of Finance, Regular Meeting Minutes of 8 April
2009
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