November 2, 2005
The Board of Finance held a regular meeting on this date at the Police Department meeting room. Members present were Glenn Frishman, Chairman; John O’Brien, Acting Secretary; Bryan Bentz and Kevin Burns. Dudley Wheeler and Andrew Rines were absent. Maryanna Stevens, Director of Finance and Marsha Standish, Tax Assessor were also present.
Mr. Frishman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Appointment of Assessor
Mr. Frishman welcomed Mrs. Standish and voiced the Boards appreciation for her great efforts and exemplary service. Mr. Burns made a motion to reappoint Mrs. Standish as Town of Stonington Tax Assessor. Mr. O’Brien seconded and voting was unanimous. Mr. Frishman asked Mrs. Standish how the legal actions were proceeding. Mrs. Standish replied that there are about 64 appeals still out, she added that some of these are multiple appeals and most are for Masons Island. They briefly discussed the next revaluation in 2007 and possible procedural changes based on proposed legislations.
Supplemental Appropriation
Request from First Selectman Bill Brown for a $4000.00 appropriation for tree trimming and installation of Christmas lights in downtown Pawcatuck. Mr. Bentz made a motion to approve the appropriation of $4000.00 for the trimming of trees and installation of Christmas lights in downtown Pawcatuck to be charged to account #10151-80224. Mr. O’Brien seconded and voting was unanimous.
Director of Finance
There was nothing to report.
Previous Minutes
Mr. O’Brien made a motion to approve the minutes of the October meeting as presented. Mr. Burns seconded and voting was unanimous.
Correspondence
Letter from Ed Hart, resident regarding the CT. Education Cost Sharing Grants. Mr. Hart referred to an article in the New London Day from 9/19/2005 that read ‘East Lyme gets triple the aid per student that Stonington gets’. Mr. Hart has asked that the Board of Finance join with him in requesting that the Board of Selectmen form a Task Force to study the ECS grants program. Mr. O’Brien made a motion that the Board of Finance send a letter of support for an ECS task force to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Burns seconded and voting was unanimous.
Subcommittee reports
Mr. O’Brien stated that the Open House was held at the High School on Homecoming weekend.
Mr. Burns asked about the status of the emergency lighting. Mr. O’Brien replied that they were told the lights were guaranteed for 5 years and that design changes were definitely necessary. All members agreed that having the building lit at all hours is not necessary.
Mr. Burns questioned the purchase of vehicles for Town Hall and where this was indicated in the 2005-2006 budget. Mrs. Stevens informed Mr. Burns that this was listed as a CIP item under General/Town Buildings-Lease Municipal vehicles. Mrs. Stevens added that this was a much more cost effective plan.
Mr. Burns also questioned the hiring of a Part time Sanitarian. His understanding was that one full time sanitarian was to replace the previous two part time positions. Mr. Frishman stated that he would speak with George Sylvestre, Director of Administrative Services.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Burns made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bentz seconded and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew W. Rines
Secretary
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