302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741 BOARD OF FINANCE MINUTES REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 7:00 P.M. First Floor Conference Room Town Hall |
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BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay, Chairman Greg Gernhardt
Brad Thorpe, V. Chairman
Tom Stevenson
John O’Brien
Barry O’Nell
Breck Lindley
In Attendance
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
Bob Fish, Treasurer
Jan Perruccio, Superintendent
Julie Pendleton, Director of Finance and Facilities Management
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Chris Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Mr. LaMay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. LaMay led in the pledge.
III. MINUTES 7/7/15; 9/1/15
A motion to approve the minutes of July 7, 2015 was made by Ms. Lindley, seconded by Mr. O’Brien. Motion passed.
A motion to approve the minutes of September 1, 2015 was made by Mr. O’Nell, seconded by Mr. Stevenson; Discussion: Mr. O’Brien wanted the minutes to reflect that he inquired of the Chairman the following: 1. - Does the BOE have the right to transfer budgeted money from them to another town government department as the P.D. tried in submitting a bill for Police services without BOF approval? 2. Does any administration have the right~unilaterally to transfer budgeted funds from one department to another without BOF approval? ~ {Same question for department transfer of funds from one department to another.} 3. Can any department spend money on items that are not budgeted
without BOF approval regardless of the amount involved? Motion passed.
IV. BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
Ms. Pendleton reported the following:
- Final coat being applied on track;
- Turf field complete;
- Window project done at Goodwin School;
- Book cases being installed;
- Roof getting final touches around exterior;
- With regard to 15-16 budget: BOE in process of looking at first quarter projections;
Ms. Perruccio invited everyone to the turf field ribbon cutting ceremony on September 24th at 1:30.
V. SEA LEVEL RISE AD HOC COMMITTEE PRESENTATION
This committee’s mission is to provide recommended policies and actions for the Town to adapt to and mitigate against the effects of climate change and the impacts of sea level rise on Old Saybrook in the near – and long term. The committee presented a power point presentation about sea level rise and climate change. They presented and discussed the following:
- What has the rate of sea level rise been historically;
- Why do we need to worry about sea level rise;
- What are the projections for sea level rise;
- Why would you use the most conservative estimate;
- Is it just sea level rise that we need to worry about;
- Were Irene and Sandy one-time events;
The committee talked about increasing our awareness of sea level rise and climate change and encouraged people to host an information session with friends and neighbors. A complete power point presentation can be obtained from the Land Use Department. Also you can go to the town website and under town initiatives there is a link to “Sea Level Rise.” The committee answered questions from the board.
Mr. LaMay thanked the committee for their presentation.
VI. SELECTMAN REPORT
Selectman Fortuna reported on the following:
- RFP for new accounting software; consultant reviewing bids;
- Y&FS oil furnace converted to gas; will get appropriation for monies to the BOF;
- 2 major repairs in town office building; gutters and leak in land use department; expect to be $25K; 3 bids;
- During inspection of HVAC, it was found that we need a new system;
- 10 critical trees to be cut down;
- 5 year plan from Eversource regarding LED street lights;
- Parks & Recreation income from mini golf: $175K; Harvey Beach $46K; Beach passes: 37K;
- Settled 13 new assessment appeals;
- Historic district commission presentation 9/22 at 7:00 p.m. at the pavilion;
- Health Insurance – town trying to give employees good healthcare coverage at a good cost;
Selectman Fortuna asked Treasurer Fish for comments. Mr. Fish had handed out a report to the BOF noting that general fund statements of revenues and expenditures, actual versus budget, for the town for the year ended June 30, 2015, were for informational purposes only. He noted in his hand out that the complete general purpose financial statement and related notes, as required by governmental auditing standards, are being prepared by Mahoney Sabol as a part of their annual financial audit of the town. The complete audit report will be available for public review in the office of the OS Town Clerk and on the town’s website at www.oldsaybrookct.org. Mr. O’Nell inquired about KHCAC overage. Mr. Fortuna reported that the overage was heating and air conditioning.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT –
There was an inquiry about the HVAC in the town building and Police Department. It was noted that the PD is remedied now at the installer’s expense and no additional cost to the town.
There was an inquiry to change the way the budget is designed and change the method by which the costs are presented so that they are more transparent.
VIII. CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:
Mr. LaMay thanked everyone and noted to the board if they would like to have department heads in over the next two meetings to let him know.
These minutes are recorded in their entirety on CD in the Town Clerk’s Office.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Thorpe and seconded by Mr. O’Brien at 8:47 p.m.
Submitted:
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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