BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT 06279
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Members Present: Members Absent:
Kathy Blessing, Chairwoman Dawn Semmelrock - Alternate
Ken Schoppmann, Vice-Chair
Ann Marie Brown
Mark Jones
Elizabeth Marco (arrived 7:10)
Jim Poole
Chopeta Lyons – Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Annemarie Poole, Treasurer; David Harding, Superintendent; School Administrators; Board of Education Members and many concerned parents.
Chairwoman Blessing called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Ken Schoppmann motioned to seat Chopeta Lyons for Ann Marie Brown. Mark Jones seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Ann Marie arrived at 7:05.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the Budget Meeting minutes of January 15, 2009 was made by Ken Schoppmann with the following amendment. Ann Marie Brown seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Correction to Annemarie Poole’s name
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Budget Request – Board of Education
NEW BUSINESS
Superintendent David Harding explained to the audience the budget process that led up to this presentation. He then presented the Board of Education’s 2009-2010 request. The request is for $7,669,716.00, which represents a .99% increase over the current year’s budget. The budget includes a reduction of 2.1 certified full-time employees and the elimination of the 4th and 5th grade after-school clubs and ropes. Board of Finance -2-
February 5, 2009
The members of the audience were then allowed to ask questions. Many of the parents that were present voiced their concern that the budget included loosing the ropes program, along with the Spanish teacher position.
Then the members of the Board took turns commenting and asking questions. Chairwoman Blessing then called for a motion.
Mark Jones motioned to accept the Board of Education Budget as presented. Elizabeth Marko seconded. Chairwoman Blessing asked for a discussion, no one had a comment. Poll was taken: Yes – Marko, Jones, No – Schoppmann, Brown, Poole, motion failed.
Jim Poole motioned that the budget be sent back to the BOE for a 0% increase over the 2008 budget of $7,594,202. Ken Schoppmann seconded. Chairwoman Blessing called for a discussion, no one had a comment. Vote was taken: Yes – Schoppmann, Brown, Poole, No- Jones, Marko, and Blessing – motion failed.
Chairwoman Blessing told Superintendent Harding that she will be talking with him during the week.
Chairwoman Blessing asked if there was anyone from the Board that would like to serve on the Center School Water Committee Board. There were no takers so she will continue to serve.
OLD BUSINESS –
Annemarie Poole presented the Board with an updated revenues and treasurers’ report. The tax collection rate is good. She then answered questions from the Board.
Chairwoman Blessing had spoken to Bruce Silva from Region #19. They are looking at a 2% increase. Liz Peczuh from the Region #19 Board said that at there next meeting they asked what a 1% or 0% increase would look like. Ken Schoppmann informed the Board that we are looking at a 1 mil increase because of the number of students that we are sending this year.
CORRESPONDENCE – none
GOOD & WELFARE – none
The next budget meeting will be with Public Safety and the CIP on Thursday, February 12, 2008 at 7:00 pm. in the Old Senior Center located in the upper level of the Town Hall Building.
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
BOF Secretary
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