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
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Mr. LaMay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. LaMay led in the pledge.
III. MINUTES 9/15/15
A motion to approve the minutes of September 15, 2015 was made by Mr. Thorpe, seconded by Mr. O’Brien. Motion passed.
IV. TREASURER REPORT
Mr. Fish noted that the general government expenditures appear high because of early requirements but as a percentage of the total budget, they are lower than last year. He reported that bonded indebtedness payments also look high at this time of the year because many of our bond payments have been deliberately scheduled for July and August. Mr. Fish reported that tax collections are running ahead of last year, in which we finished with a revenue surplus. Revenue from the State of CT is low relative to the budget early in the year. He noted that Local revenues continue to be strong and activity is normal.
V. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT
a. General Fund Balance Policy
After a brief discussion, the board agreed to table this item. Mr. Fortuna noted that he would have our bond representative run a pro-forma calculation of AA2 vs A1 rating and get it to the board.
VI. SELECTMAN REPORT
Selectman Fortuna reported on the following:
- Unable to settle Dispatchers contract; same union represents P.D. If board wanted to discuss, would do in executive session;
- New accounting system will be a purchase order system;
- Boiler System at Town Hall; received 5 bids: low bid to repair is $6,700.00; All State Construction in Farmington won bid;
- Rejected all bids that came in for Y&FS for oil furnace to be converted to gas;
- Front door at Town Hall is done;
- BigY and Kohls tax appeal is scheduled for 10/7;
- CVS tax appeal settled in court;
At this time, Mr. O’Nell noted that he wanted to see the legal bills;
- Reported briefly on Historic Resources Presentation;
- Talked briefly about Power Station;
- Mariner’s Way: EDC is working on a presentation for November;
- Looking at BAR (Brownfield Assessment Revitalization) grant for Mariner’s Way;
If grant monies are received, EDC and Town Planner would target the use;
- Will be asking for $24,999 for removal of trees recommended by Tree Warden;
- Town meeting will be last Monday in November.
At this time Mr. LaMay made a motion to add discussion of trees to the agenda, seconded by Mr. Thorpe and it was so VOTED unanimously.
VII. TREES DISCUSSION
Mr. Fortuna reported that there were several trees in town and many in Indian Town that were either diseased or dangerous and in need of being cut down. After a short discussion the following motion was made:
A motion made by Mr. Thorpe to add $24,999 to the Tree Warden’s budget and recommend to Board of Selectmen an appropriation of $24,999 for necessary removal of trees was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and it was so VOTED unanimously.
Mr. Fortuna noted that this money would come from the unappropriated fund balance.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT –
There was an inquiry about town crew equipment. Also it was asked if the board was going to address overtime for Police Chief. Mr. LaMay noted that the police chief was not being paid overtime.
At this time Mr. LaMay made a motion to add Executive Session to the agenda, seconded by Ms. Lindley and it was so VOTED unanimously.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Mr. LaMay to go into Executive Session to discuss a labor issue at 8:37 p.m., seconded by Ms. Lindley and was so VOTED unanimously.
The board came out of executive session at 8:48 p.m.
X. CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:
The Chairman, on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, invited Board of Finance members to attend the Walkthrough Presentations of the completed Old Saybrook Public Schools' Building Projects, at Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School and Old Saybrook High School, on Saturday October 17, beginning at 10:30am, at the Old Saybrook High School, and encouraged everyone to attend.
These minutes are recorded in their entirety on CD in the Town Clerk’s Office.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Thorpe and seconded by Mr. O’Brien at 8:51 p.m.
Submitted: Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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