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 TOWN OF OLD
SAYBROOK Board of Finance |
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741 |
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. PASHBESHAUKE PAVILION 133 COLLEGE ST. EXT. |
I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman, Carl Fortuna, called the February 17, 2009 regular meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:30 p.m.
Attendant Members Absent Members
Carl Fortuna, Chairman Lee Sparaco
George Whelen, Vice Chairman
David LaMay
Glenis G. Caouette
John O’Brien
Robert Finch
IN ATTENDANCE:
Michael Pace, First Selectman
Velma Thomas, Selectman
Robert Fish, Treasurer
Barry E. Maynard, Tax Collector
Sarah Becker, Town Clerk
Michael Spera, Deputy Chief
Joseph Onofrio, Superintendent of Schools
Julie Pendleton, Director of Finance & Operations
Brad Thorpe, Co-Chair, Budget & Fiscal Committee BOE
Clark Maxson, Fire Chief
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: There were questions and comments from the public regarding the Mill Rate; budget; and windows at the Goodwin School.
MINUTES: Mr. Fortuna asked for a motion on the minutes of the January 20, 2009 meeting.
Motion: To approve the minutes of January 20, 2009 as presented.
Moved: D. LaMay Second: J. O’Brien
Discussion: None Approved: C. Fortuna; G. Caouette; D. LaMay; R. Finch; G. Whelen; J. O’Brien; 6-0-0 |
Board of Finance
February 17, 2009 Minutes
Page Two
DISCUSSION OF ’09 – ’10 BUDGET: FIRE DEPARTMENT; TOWN DEPARTMENTS: Fire Chief Clark Maxson gave a presentation on the needs of the rescue/fire boat for the department. The objective of the presentation was to show the need for a new fire boat and to request the Board of Finance to approve the use of the insurance claim money for the new boat. The current fire boat capsized in March, 2008 in a violent storm with very strong winds. The fire department salvaged whatever equipment they could and then sold the boat for $6,000.00. The amount of the insurance claim received was $177,000.00. Chief Maxson reported that their Federal Grant was denied. He noted that the calls on the river were of a critical nature such as crashes and fires. Spill control and hazmat response is also performed with the fire boat.
Mr. Maxson noted that the boat had to be NFPA certified and the appropriate electric controls were needed to navigate safely. He reported that NFPA standards pretty much dictate where you buy the boat. Mr. Maxson reported that they asked for 4 bids and for various reasons, only 1 company was able to respond. He noted the following upgrades from the current boat: Size of wheelhouse to treat patients; 750 gallons per minute (pump); and 4 cycle engines.
Mr. Maxson reported that delivery time would be 3 months. He reported that they were currently borrowing a boat from Mr. Manafort at Island Cove Marina.
Mr. Fish explained how the boat could be paid for. He reported that a loan from the bank of $240K would be at 4% interest. His proposal was to borrow the money from the Capital Outlay Sinking fund to be paid back over 3 years at approximately $80K per year.
Several questions followed by the BOF such as transportation costs; storage; extra equipment; salvaged equipment.
Mr. Maxson was asked what the future needs were of the fire department. He reported that Engine #2 is the oldest pumper and will need to be replaced in approximately 5 years. Mr. Fortuna thanked Chief Maxson for his slide presentation.
At this time, Chairman Fortuna asked Mr. Bonin, Director of Public Works to make his presentation. Mr. Bonin reported that the responsibilities of Public Works were for the town roads, sidewalks, grounds, fields, and town owned buildings. He noted that his crew had experience in concrete finishing and forming, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, roofing, backhoe, loader, bulldozers and excavators. Mr. Bonin noted that his job as director in addition to preparing the budget, assign daily work and working with selectman to prioritize jobs, he must be familiarized with EPA, DEP, OSHA, Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Coastal Wetlands and Health.
Mr. Bonin discussed the following:
· Machine and Truck Maintenance;
Board of Finance
February 17, 2009
Page Three
· Tree work;
· Tub Grinder;
· Fall leaves;
· Fall Equipment Maintenance;
· Winterizing Parks;
· Work with Parades in Town;
· Winter duties; Spring & Summer duties;
· Street Sweeping; Catch Basins;
· Respond to emergencies of Police Department;
· Work with Zoning; Harbor Commission; Garden Club; Chamber of Commerce; Youth & Family Services; and Tree Committee
Mr. Bonin noted that they were over budget on sand and salt about $35K. Mr. Fortuna thanked Mr. Bonin for his presentation.
BOARD OF ED REPORT: Superintendent Onofrio discussed the Board’s responsibility to look at the current economic situation. He noted how proud he was of Old Saybrook schools and the 2 awards they received from Connecticut Magazine and US News and World Report.
Ms. Pendleton reported that the BOE will come in at 3.94%. She noted that the BOE was very conscious of the current economic times. She noted that the budget and fiscal sub-committee reduced the budget by $280K. They also looked at reducing hours in some areas. She reported that they will be cutting out 1 bus as the school will survey the parents to see who will commit to transporting their children to school. Ms. Pendleton noted that there were no retirements at this point. She reported that all utilities were locked in for ’09 -’10. Chairman Fortuna thanked the Budget & Fiscal Committee for their hard work.
SELECTMAN’S REPORT: Mr. Pace reported that he would have the budget ready for the Board of Finance on March 1st. He noted that he expected the ’09-’10 budget to come in less than this year’s budget. At this time, Selectman Pace presented a Pro-forma Debt Service Model. The purpose of the debt model was to show how the Town can refinance some current debt service and take on the KHCAC debt and Goodwin School windows project without incurring overall debt service. Mr. Fish discussed the 2001 bond issues and 2003 bond issues and the Main Street School. Mr. Fish reported that the roll over of bonds for notes on KHCAC will happen in July, 2009.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Fish presented his report. He noted that as of two days into February, 2009, 97.5% of taxes were collected. He reported that the back taxes are at almost 100%. Mr. Fish reported slippage in local fees but predicted a wash by June 30, 2009. Mr. Fish discussed and answered questions on the projected general fund revenues for the year ending June 30, 2010.
Board of Finance
February 17, 2009
Page Four
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN: Chairman Fortuna reported that the first of 2 Public Hearings on the budget will be March 17th, 2009, at the Middle School at 7:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT: A comment was made that the Town should look into a 4 day work week as well as a 4 day school week.
At this time Mr. Fortuna thanked everyone and asked for a motion to adjourn.
Motion: To adjourn at 9:10 p.m.
Moved: R. Finch Second: J. O’Brien
Discussion: None
Approved: C. Fortuna; G. Whelen; R. Finch; G. Caouette; D. LaMay; J. O’Brien 6-0-0 |
Respectfully Submitted,
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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