North Stonington Board of Finance
Meeting Minutes
of
Wednesday August 15, 2012
New Town Hall
North Stonington, CT
- Call to Order: Chairman Dan Spring called the meeting to order at 7:34 P.M.~
Brent Woodward, Emile Pavolvics, Mustapha Ratib and Peter Nimirowski were present.
2. Public Comments and Questions: Public comments are as follows:
- Mike Urgo presented the Board his ideas for conducting the next public forum that will discuss the upcoming budget referendum. The Board was receptive to his ideas and will take action as appropriate.
- As a follow up on Joe Gross, who had provided the Board (via Nick Mullane) on August 8, 2012 with a copy of Second 7-344 (Appropriations. Laying of Taxes) that required municipalities with populations was over 5,000 to publish the budget in a local newspaper, it was noted that a Town ordinance requiring hard copies in numbers equaling 10 percent of the voting population superseded this requirement.
- Budget 2012-2013 Review/Survey; Calendar: Initial responses from the SurveyMonkey questions were reviewed by the Board. A total of 253 responses had been received as of August 15, 2012. The closing date is August 24, 2012, at which time the data will be reviewed and processed. Emile Pavolvics felt strongly that setting a firm date for the next (fourth) budget referendum was premature and suggested that a better plan of action was to let the process run its course. The Board was not adverse to this approach.
First Selectmen Nick Mullane offered a discussion on the unreserved fund balance which did not agree with the Board’s. Dan Spring recommended the advice of a qualified third party to clarify the issue.
4. Procedures Report: Town hall financial procedures that were reviewed by Mustapha Ratib and found to need revision will be available for final review of comment incorporation during the week of August 19, 2012.
- BOS: Nick Mullane reported that the Town Hall will be closed on Monday the 20th of August to accommodate heavy machinery needed to off load and install the Main Street bridge support arches.
A Town meeting could be held as early as November 2012 to advise the public of the construction/cost status of the Boombridge Road bridge replacement project.
Peter Nimirowski left the meeting at 9:40 PM.
6. BOE; Discovery Audit: Discovery audit negotiations are ongoing. Dan Spring reminded the Board that the new school Superintendent, Peter Nero, had invited Board members to a continental breakfast in the gymatorium on August 27, 2012 at 7:30 AM with remarks to follow.
7. Tax Reports: Tax revenues are being received in the Town hall as expected.
8. Future Strategies: The time frame for the public to submit the SurveyMonkey questioner is August 24, 2012. After adequate time for review, a public forum is suggested.
9. Previous Minutes:
Dan Spring moved to approve the minutes of August 8, 2012 as written. The motion was seconded by Mustapha Ratib and passed 4-0-0.
10. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Dan Spring to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mustapha Ratib and passed 4-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Brent Woodward
Secretary, Board of Finance
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