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Minutes 01/19/2010 Approved
MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
JANUARY 19, 2010
A   REGULAR  MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the Main Room of the Senior Center on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.
Present were Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Board of Finance members Laurene Pesce, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, James Zeller and Wendy Traub, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, Deputy Fire Chief Brunoli and Comptroller Alice Proulx. Board of Finance Member Daniel Farley was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
MINUTES #18
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Zeller, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held December 30, 2009.  Mr. Bushka abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #22
On a motion by Mr. Bushka, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
PLOW TRUCK #58
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Bushka, the Board voted unanimously to authorize $133,000 to purchase a Plow Truck from Marola Motors Sales Inc. pending City Council approval. Mrs. Pesce questioned having only one bid received. Mayor Bingham explained this bid was for a pre-built truck and there weren't many available. Mrs. Traub asked about the trucks that are down, whether they are in for repair or need to be replaced.  Mr. Bushka pointed out the $23,000 customer allowance credit on the quote. Mr. Zeller questioned the parts to be applied at a later date.

ADD TO AGENDA #228
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.

AUDIO EQUIPMENT #244
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the Board voted unanimously to authorize expenditure of up to $8000 from contingency, to be repaid from LOCIP funds, for the purchase of new FTR 5.3 Reporter and Mixer from sole-source vendor BBI Technologies of Milford, CT for the new City Council Chambers, pending City Council approval and acceptance of this as a Capital Improvement Project. City Clerk Quartiero explained how this purchase will be funded. Mrs. Pesce said it should be compatible with television broadcasting.  Mayor Bingham suggested reducing the number of microphones. Mrs. Traub agreed that television capability should be considered. Mr. Zeller summarized that this is a system that's needed, meets the criteria and is coming in at a fair price.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & BOARD MEMBERS #966
On a motion by Mr. Zeller, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Finance. Mrs. Pesce said the City's insurance should be looked at. Mayor Bingham said there is a bid going out for a health care consultant, and the information should be ready in about six weeks. Mr. Scoville asked about the audit report. Ms. Proulx said they are still working on it, and have received an extension since the budget came in so late. Mrs. Traub met with the new Superintendent of Schools, and discussed the health insurance budget deficit with him. She reported that they are going to try to find economies within the budget to try to cover it, and, if they cannot, would the Board of Finance consider deferring the balance to next year's budget? Mrs. Traub spoke about ways to reduce the cost of self-insurance with wellness plans or making co-pays higher.  Mayor Bingham added that the Board of Education will be involved in the insurance cost reduction process.  
ADJOURNMENT #1380
On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mr. Zeller, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:46 p.m.
ATTEST:  JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC                                                                                                             CITY CLERK                                                                                                                  

Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC .
Asst. City Clerk           k