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DRAFT
North Stonington Board of Finance
Meeting Minutes Wednesday February 19, 2014
Wheeler High School Media Room
North Stonington, CT
Approx. @7:30pm post Tri Parte
- Call to Order: Chairman Dan Spring called the meeting to order at 7:25pm. Members present were Tim Main, Charlie Steinhart, Emile Pavlovics and Mustapha Ratib (@ 9:10pm).
- Public Comments and Questions: Mr. Joe Gross presented a version of an appropriation request form that he felt would be helpful in facilitating such requests. He also noted that it would standardize requests for easier record keeping. He was advised that his suggestion would be reviewed.
Mr. Mike Urgo, representing ICONS, made the BOF aware that submission deadline was March 7th for the next quarterly newsletter.
Mr. Brent Woodward gave a status on submissions for the Annual Report. He requested that a follow up notice be sent for those participants who have not rendered their reports. He suggested a suspense date of March 15th.
- EMS/Fire Complex Update: Deferred, Mr. Mark Perkins was not present.
- Assessor: Mr. Darryl DelGrosso, Town Assessor, apprised the BOF of the Grand List for 2013. It represented $527,972,111.00 which was up 0.6% over the Grand List of 2012. The Grand List had not been subject to any appeals as yet. The Board of Assessment Appeals is to convene in March.
A discussion followed addressing the potential growth of the Grand List which from an economic development perspective was being held back by the lack of sewer development. The Assessor also suggested that zoning regulations have historically been a hindrance.
- BOS: First Selectman Nick Mulane gave a brief update on capital projects to include Boombridge Bridge, parking lot walls, and Fire Engine Refurbishment. The Hewitt Dam estimates were being amended to be higher than planned. Some relief from the State, as offered by Senator Andy Maynard, may be forthcoming.
A discussion of capital projects financing was supported by a draft proposal demonstrating amortization over a three year period. Questions emerged as to the potential integration of the 2013-2014 capital projects financing with that for the proposed EMS/Fire Complex. It was suggested a meeting with Bond Counsel be arranged to develop specific possibilities. It was noted that the capital projects financing needs to be in place prior to the end of the fiscal year to refurbish the General Fund.
- BOS & BOE monthly reports: Review of the BOE reports took place. The BOS reports were not presented. A demand was made that the reports needed to be timely and in a form requested by the BOF.
- Tax Collector Monthly Reports: Review of the current report was deferred.
- Future Strategies: The auditing services of Sandra E. Welwood LLC for the fiscal year 2014-2015 was presented for approval in the amount of $20,750.00. This expense is budgeted at $15,000.00 for General Government and $5,750.00 for Board of Education. The motion to approve was made by Dan Spring and seconded by Charlie Steinhart. The motion passed 4-1-0. The engagement letter will be executed by the First Selectman and reported to OPM.
The Budget preparation schedule will be developed with the first meeting scheduled for March 5, 2014.
- Previous Minutes: The minutes of the BOF meeting of December 18.2013 were presented and reviewed. The motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by M. Ratib and seconded by Charlie Steinhart. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Pavlovics abstained).
The minutes of the BOF meeting of January 8, 2014 were presented and reviewed. The motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by E. Pavlovics and seconded by T. Main. The motion passed 5-0-0.
It is noted that the review of these draft minutes had been delayed by multiple cancellations of scheduled meetings due to weather.
- Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by D. Spring and seconded by C. Steinhart. The motion passed 5-0-0 at 10:55pm.
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