MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
November 20, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday,
November 20, 2012.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Board of Finance members Bill Lamoin, Laurene Pesce, Thomas Scoville, Frank Rubino, and Brian Paganini. Police Chief Michael Maniago, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, Tax Collector Robert Crovo and Comptroller Alice Proulx were also present. Board of Finance member Mark Bushka was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mr. Paganini, seconded by Mr. Rubino, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 16, 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Mr. Rubino, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
TAX COLLECTOR REPORT
Mr. Crovo offered to answer any questions the Board might have.
Mrs. Pesce asked how the electronic technology is progressing. Mr. Crovo said everything is going very well. Two major credit cards are accepted, he said, and the only glitch is that the sewer use fee cannot be collected online because it is not a tax and the sewer use information cannot be posted online. Mr. Crovo said no one complains about the 3.5% fee for credit card transactions, as far as he knows.
Mayor Bingham said he has used the website himself and it has all the necessary information.
Mr. Crovo noted that he continues to make payments on time, and takes care of his financial obligation. He said a year ago he was nervous about the 'tidal wave' of delinquencies, but they've worked really hard and are okay now.
Mayor Bingham asked for an update on the Tax Sale list. Mr. Crovo replied that approximately a year ago he notified the top two hundred delinquents, which resulted in approximately 75 properties destined for a tax sale. This list was reduced to about 27 properties either paid off or sold in three different tax sales.
Mr. Crovo review the tax sale procedure starting with the identification of properties he thinks are in trouble, using a formula to determine that. Next, two notices of tax sale are sent by regular mail, followed by a third notice sent by certified mail. When no arrangements or payments are made, the matter is given to a tax sale specialist, which in turn incurs more fees for the taxpayer. Sometimes the taxpayer is sent a letter from the tax sale specialist which creates payments. Once a tax sale is held, if the property is sold, the owner still has six months to redeem his property but he loses the right to make payment arrangements with the Tax Collector. Also, once the sale occurs, the buyer now has an interest in the property by law, so there is no longer an opportunity to make
payment-plan deals.
Mr. Crovo said he is currently reviewing delinquent properties again, with a deadline of December 1st.
He added that the system is sound, and has been going on since 1874. Mr. Crovo said that Torrington will go on to collect their 100% (tax payment) for the next 2 ½ years. He said he will return in May, and invited the Board to visit his office if they have any questions.
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT VEHICLE
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Paganini, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the initiation of the bid process and potential additional expenditure for one 4x4 utility plow truck with lift gate for the Traffic Department, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on November 13, 2012 and pending City Council approval on November 19, 2012.
Mr. Rubino asked for clarification that the over expenditure would come from the Traffic account. Mayor Bingham said the $14,000 in additional costs beyond what was budgeted for in the Vehicle Replacement account has been found. Chief Maniago said it is coming out of the Capital account for both the Traffic and the Parking line items.
Mr. Lamoin said he agrees with the need for the truck but is wondering why it has to be a plow truck. Chief Maniago replied that they are responsible for plowing the Police Department parking lot, South Central Parking Lot by the Library, and City Hall Parking Lot
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF BOARD OF FINANCE
On a motion by Mr. Paganini, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Finance.
Mr. Scoville asked about last budget season's decision to refrain from filling positions for the first part of the budget year, and how that was working out. Ms. Proulx said the majority of the savings came from the Fire Department. Mayor Bingham said he also held back on replacing a Street Department employee.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Rubino, seconded by Mr. Scoville, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:16 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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