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North Stonington Board of Finance
Meeting Minutes
of
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
New Town Hall
North Stonington, CT
1. Call to Order: Chairman Dan Spring called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. Brent Woodward, Charlie Steinhart, Emile Pavolvics, Tim Main and Mustapha Ratib were present.
2. Public Comments and Questions: No questions or comments.
3. BOE: School Building Project Referendum, Review: The May 5, 2014 school expansion project referendum resulted in the Town voters clearly being in opposition to the project. Approximately 60 percent of the 1,151 votes cast were opposed (No; 694, Yes; 457). A summary of potential reasons for the disapproval are as follows:
• The cost, equitable to a five mill increase, was more than people wanted to shoulder.
• The expansion seemed to focus more on athletic benefits; the Town having three gymnasiums, than educational benefits.
• The project was not well advertised. First Selectmen Nick Mullane felt a Town hearing and/or survey might have been beneficial.
Subsequent action on a go forward basis is the responsibility of the BOE.
4. BOS; Project Updates, Transfer Request: Mark Perkins, Chairman of the EMS/Firehouse project briefed the Board on the current status of the project. Cost drivers putting the project over budget include running a water line to the new site, site preparations (moving dirt around) and escalating construction costs. Efforts to offset the $1.1M increase include the possibility of a STEAP grant, State support and a reduction in the overall size of the building. Mark Perkins will address these issues with the Board again in 30 days.
Dan Spring moved to transfer $3,650 from line item B11.04 (Attorney) to line item B11.05 (Contracted Consulting Services) in support of Town Zoning regulation modifications. The motion was seconded by Mustapha Ratib and carried 6-0-0.
5. BOS and BOE: Budget Prep for FY 2014/2015: Final amendments to the FY 2014/2015 budget were crafted including an increase of $5,500 to the First Selectman’s salary. This and other changes reflect a mill rate increase to the taxpayer.
Emile Pavolvics moved to recommend that the FY2014/2015 budget be brought to a Town hearing for disclosure to the residents. The motion was seconded by Charlie Steinhart and passed 6-0-0.
The hearing was scheduled for 7:00 PM on May 14, 2014 at the Elementary School multi-purpose room.
6. BOS and BOE Monthly Reports: Deferred.
7. BOF: Elections; Future Strategies; Calendar; Fiscal Policies Alternatives:
Dan Spring moved to recommend that Tim Main be seated as the BOF Vice Chairman. Emile Pavolvics seconded the motion, which passed 6-0-0.
Dan Spring moved to recommend that Brent Woodward be seated as the BOF Secretary. Emile Pavolvics seconded the motion, which passed 6-0-0.
8. Previous Minutes: Dan Spring moved to approve the minutes of April 30, 2014 as presented. The motion was seconded by Charlie Steinhart and carried 6-0-0.
9. Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Dan Spring. The motion was seconded by Tim Main and carried 6-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
\ BBW \
Brent B. Woodward
Secretary, Board of Finance
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