BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT 06279
BUDGET MEETING
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Members Present: Members Absent:
Kathy Blessing, Chairwoman
Ken Schoppmann, Vice-Chair
Ann Marie Brown
Matt DiNallo (arrived at 7:15)
Mark Jones
Elizabeth Marco (arrived 7:05)
Dawn Semmelrock - Alternate
Chopeta Lyons – Alternate
Also Present: Selectmen Eldredge & Palmer; Library Board Members; John Sahi & Greg Blessing, Rec Commission; Carlie Cohen, WY&FS, Members of the Public.
Chairwoman Blessing called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Ann Marie Brown motioned to seat Chopeta Lyons for Elizabeth Marco and to seat Dawn Semmelrock for Matt DiNallo. Mark Jones seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the Budget Meeting minutes of February 21, 2008 was made by Mark Jones. Chopeta Lyons seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
PRESENT TO SPEAK - None
NEW BUSINESS
Selectmen’s Budget: First Selectman Eldredge presented the proposed FY 2008-2009 Selectman’s budget. The proposed budget of $2,980,068 represents an increase of $57,285 over the FY 2007-2008 budget. $34,000 increase for Public Works is due to rising fuel cost. To compensate for the cost increase the Board of Selectmen has elected not to fund the Time and Material line of the budget. Discussion followed.
The Board members questioned the “list” that the Time and Material line was suppose to take care of. Selectman Eldredge suggested having hiring inmates to take care of the unskilled labor items from the list.
Board of Finance -2- February 28, 2008
Lynn Nichol’s explained for the Board what the Time and Material line of the budget was spent on last year. It was the decision of the Selectmen to spend the money on a project not on the “list”. She told the Board the hiring inmates to do the work would take a skilled crewmember away from his work to supervise them. The purpose of the Time and Material line was to hire sub-contractors to do the work that we do not have the machinery for and to get the work done in a shorter period of time.
Anne Marie Brown suggested that maybe another full-time employee is needed. Chairwoman Blessing said that this budget should be reconsidered considering this years budget is already over spent.
Library Board: Janice Boltseridge presented the budget. The total request is for $101,607, a $36.00 decrease from last years approved amount. The public’s use of the library continues to grow. An important part of the services the library provides are those of community programming. They will be funded by
the library’s own investment. Discussion followed.
Elizabeth Marco stated that there are many issues from people who want programs. Members of the Public were present to voice their concerns on what is needed at the library. The members of the Library Board replied that they need to come to a Library Board meeting and they would be glad to address their needs.
Rec. Commission: Greg Blessing and John Sahi presented the budget. The total request is for $31,310, an increase of $2,148 or 7.4% over last years approved amount. The main part of the increase is due to wages.
Greg Blessing requested funds to be used for the River Road ball field to put in dugouts, benches and a center field fence. This is so the ball field can be used for regulation little league play.
Ken Schoppmann motioned to appropriate an additional 10,000 from the General Fund Surplus to the Capital Project – River Road Ball Field. Elizabeth Marco seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
WY&FSS: The total request is for $40,790, which is a 3.2% increase over last years approved amount. The Senior Program is requesting $20,219, which is a 5.2% increase over last years approved amount. Carlie Cohen, WYF&SS Program Manager was present to answer the Boards questions.
Dog Fund: The total request is for $16,054, a 2.2% or $466 increase over last years approved amount. The increase is due to a salary increase.
Board of Finance -2- February 28, 2008
OLD BUSINESS – Budget Discussion
The Board members decided to add the CIP Budget to the next meeting. The will also further discuss the Board of Selectman and Board of Education Budgets.
CORRESPONDENCE – none
GOOD & WELFARE – none
The next budget meeting will be with the Elected Officials & Commission’s Budget on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm. in the usual meeting place.
ADJOURMENT
Motion to adjourn at 10:37 was made by Elizabeth Marco, Ann Marie Brown seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
BOF Secretary
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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