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North Stonington Board of Finance
Approved Meeting Minutes
of
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
New Town Hall
North Stonington, CT
1. Call to Order: Secretary Brent Woodward called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM. Charlie Steinhart, Emile Pavolvics, Tim Main and Mustapha Ratib were present. Chairman Dan Spring joined the meeting at 7:45.
2. Public Comments and Questions: Numerous questions were raised regarding the position bond council had taken relative to funding the school expansion project. Dan Spring noted that bond council had no negative issues but did prefer a 20-year payment schedule.
3. BOS: Fiscal Year End; Delinquent Tax Collection-Suspense, Monthly Report: The Board was provided the Profit and Loss statement through the end of May 2014. With a month remaining in the fiscal year, First Selectmen Nick Mullane anticipated an undisclosed return of budget to the general fund. He also noted the BOS were working on a revised tax collection policy including the suspense list which should be complete by July 1, 2014.
4. BOF; Review Town Meeting Proposed Budget; School Building Project Resolution: The proposed FY 2014/2015 Government and Education budgets, which were the subject of the June 2, 2014 Town meeting, will be brought to the Town voters during a referendum scheduled for June 9, 2014.
Subsequent to a lengthy discussion between the Board, members of the BOE, Superintendent of Schools, BOS and residents regarding the revised school building project, Dan Spring moved the following:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of North Stonington appropriate $40,520,000 for costs with respect to the design, construction, equipping, and furnishing of additions and renovations to Wheeler Middle and High School and North Stonington Elementary School; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $40,520,000 to finance the appropriation.
Improvements to the Wheeler Middle and High School are contemplated to include: (1) an approximately 12,058 square feet addition to accommodate the music program including: a band room and a chorus/orchestra room, storage; a gymnasium including storage, concession, locker rooms, public toilets, and a lobby/circulation space; a science addition with science laboratory classrooms, lab preparatory and storage rooms, a graphics, CADD and computer lab; and an addition for the kitchen and cafeteria; (2) improvements within the existing building including: fully renovated classrooms and science laboratories; updating of language laboratory and classrooms; integration of the art and technology program in a fully renovated space; renovation of all classrooms; renovations, and improvements at the media center and special education programs;
renovations associated with the nurse/hea1th clinic, administrative and guidance offices; and expansion and renovation of the cafeteria and kitchen; (3) various building systems improvements including: replacement of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protections systems and infrastructure; security and communication systems upgrades; energy conservation improvements including exterior wall, door, window, and roof replacement or updates; central air conditioning system installation throughout the building; and installation of an emergency generator and alternative energy systems; (4) various code and ADA compliance improvements and renovations; (5) various site improvements including: separation of the bus/parent/student/parking and circulation; and (6) related improvements and work.
Improvements to the North Stonington Elementary School are contemplated to include: (1) an approximately 8,642 square feet addition to accommodate the music program including a band room that will be located on the stage, a gymnasium including storage, offices, public toilets, and a lobby/circulation space; (2) improvements within the existing building including: fully renovated classrooms and handicapped accessible toilets in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms; relocation of the art, music and technology program in a fully renovated space; relocation renovations and improvements of the media center and special education programs; renovations associated with the nurse/hea1th clinic, administrative and guidance offices; and expansion and renovation of the cafeteria and kitchen; (3) various building systems improvements
including: replacement of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protections systems and infrastructure; security and communication systems upgrades; energy conservation improvements including exterior wall, door, window, and roof replacement or updates; central air conditioning system installation throughout the building; and installation of an emergency generator and alternative energy systems; (4) various code and ADA compliance improvements and renovations; (5) various site improvements including separation of the bus/parent/student/parking and circulation; accessibility to all site facilities; pavement resurfacing; physical education and athletic fields; and building access improvements; updating the site utility and drainage infrastructure; and (6) related improvements and work.
The appropriation may be spent for design, construction, acquisition and installation costs, site improvements, infrastructure improvements, equipment, furnishings, materials, architectural, engineering, consultant, and other professional fees including legal fees, administrative costs, including costs related to the application for and acceptance of grants, the payment of net temporary interest and other financing costs and other expenses related to the project or its financing. The Building Committee, for the School Project -- Wheeler Middle and High School and North Stonington Elementary School established by the Town Council for the project shall determine the final scope and particulars of the project. Said Building Committee may reduce or modify the scope of the project if funds are not sufficient to complete the entire project, and
the appropriation may be spent on the project as so reduced or modified. The Town anticipates applying for and receiving a grant from the State Department of Education to defray in part eligible costs of the project.
The motion was seconded by Mustapha Ratib and passed 5-1-0. Charlie Steinhart was opposed.
5. Tax Collector: Monthly Report, BOE: Monthly Report: The tax collectors report of April 30, 2014 was reviewed. Uncollected taxes of $304,313.67, which is 98 percent of the anticipated, shows an improvement over the same period in the previous year of one percentage point.
No report from the BOE was received.
6. Future Strategies; Calendar; Fiscal Policies, Alternates: Previously Dan Spring had circulated copies of “Model Financial Policies Handbook” published by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns dated 2010 for review by the Board in consideration of implementing something similar for the Town. Future action will be taken.
In an effort to ensure that BOF meetings are attended by a quorum, the idea of adding two alternates was discussed. To this end, Dan Spring moved to recommend that the BOS take required action to add two alternates to the BOF. The motion was seconded by Charlie Steinhart and passed 6-0-0.
7. Previous Minutes: Dan Spring moved to approve the minutes of May 21, 2014 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mustapha Ratib and carried 5-0-1. Charlie Steinhart abstained.
8. Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Dan Spring. The motion was seconded by Charlie Steinhart and carried 6-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
\ BBW \
Brent B. Woodward
Secretary, Board of Finance
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