BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT 06279
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Members Present: Members Absent:
Kathy Blessing, Chairwoman Dawn Semmelrock - Alternate
Ken Schoppmann, Vice-Chair
Ann Marie Brown
Mark Jones
Elizabeth Marco (arrived 7:15)
Jim Poole
Chopeta Lyons – Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Annemarie Poole, Treasurer; David Harding, Superintendent; Mark Makuch, BOE Chairman; Dick Palmer, Fire Marshal; Selectmen Charette & Palmer; Tyler Millix, Fire Chief Willington #1; Michael Makuch, Fire Chief Willington Hill FD; Members of both Fire Depts.: Teri Gareau, Rec. Dir.; Lynn Nichols, Public Works; John Patton, CIP Chairman.
Chairwoman Blessing called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Mark Jones motioned to seat Chopeta Lyons for Elizabeth Marco. Jim Poole seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the Budget Meeting minutes of February 5, 2009 was made by Jim Poole with the following amendment. Ken Schoppmann seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Correction to Elizabeth Marco’s name.
Addition to Also Present: Selectman Palmer and Mark Makuch, Chairman BOE.
PRESENT TO SPEAK - no one
NEW BUSINESS
BOE 0% budget increase discussion –
Superintendent Harding informed the Board that the Board of Education met and agreed to revise their budget to $7,594,202, which is a 0% increase from last years budget. He also informed the Board that it is the consensus of the Board of Education that funds will be returned this year of approximately $150,000. Discussion followed.
Jim Poole motioned that the Board of Finance approves the Board of Education budget as presented with a 0% increase over the 2008/2009 budget of $7,594,202 for the 2009/2010 Budget. Ken Schoppmann seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Board of Finance -2- February 12, 2009
Fire Marshal Budget –
Dick Palmer, Fire Marshall present the Board with his 2009/2010 FY Budget request. It calls for $22,878 which is a decrease of $747 or -3.2% from last years budgeted amount.
He also informed the Board that due to changes with staff there will be a surplus in this year’s budget of $1,350.
Willington Hill Budget –
Mike Makuch, Fire Chief presented the Board with their 2009/2010 budget request. It calls for $107,862 which is a decrease of $38 or -.04% from last years budgeted amount. Discussion followed.
Chief Makuch informed the Board that they will watch for savings this year.
Willington #1 Budget –
Tyler Millix, Fire Chief presented the Board with their 2009/2010 budget request. It calls for $116,200 which is a 0% increase over last years budgeted amount. He informed the Board that they pursue as many grants as possible to save the Town money. Discussion followed.
Ambulance Budget –
Tyler Millix, Fire Chief, presented the budget request. It calls for $298,900 which is a $28,700 or 10.6% increase over last years budgeted amount. The reason for the increase is for a full time employee to cover the night shift on the ambulance. He then suggested to the Board a funding option from the Emergency Service Account. The account was created to support capital expenditures. Due to the call volume increase this fund has grown. By funding this thru this account it will not impact the tax payers or the bottom line of the municipal budget. Discussion
followed.
Chief Millix asked the Board if the Town Accounting Dept could take over doing the payroll. It would save the Town $1,600 a year in fees. Chairwoman Blessing stated that we would visit this another time and would keep it in mind.
He informed the Board that the WFD #1 passed a resolution at their regular meeting that they will only purchase items that are crucial and scrutinize any purchases in an effort to curb spending.
Emergency Management Director –
Stu Cobb, Emergency Management Director, presented the Board with his budget request. It calls for $6,000 which is a 0% increase over last years budgeted amount. He will continue to apply for all grants available to him.
CIP 2010-2014–
Chairman Patton presented the Board with their 2010-2014 Plan. As directed by the Board of Finance, net capital expenditures are reduced by 35% in FY2010 and another in FY 2011. There are no projects funded from the General Fund nor is there any money to be put into the capital reserve fund for the next two years. Discussion followed. Chairwoman Blessing informed Chairman Patton that the Boards recommendation was only for the next fiscal year, not for the following year.
Board of Finance -3- February 12, 2009
WFD #1 – Roof Project
Chief Millix updated the Board on the roof for the North Station. They have a quote of $36,000 to 40,000 to repair it or $90,000 to replace it. They have submitted to the state as a shovel ready project the $90,000 to replace the roof. He would like a Town meeting called to appropriate the funds to repair it if the other does not come through. Discussion followed. This will be added to next weeks agenda.
CIP –
Chairman Patton asked for direction to return to the CIP Board with.
Ken Schoppmann motioned that we return the plan to CIP to advise then to maintain the plan at $420,160 for the 09/10 FY and revive the number for the out years to be more in line with normal practice. Mark Jones seconded. All were in favor, Jim Poole abstained, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS –
Treasurer Annemarie Poole informed the Board that the Tax Revenues are at 96.6% and the ECS Grant was received on January 30th. The last payment comes on April 30th. She also gave out copies of the Region 19 budget proposal. They are looking for a 1.9% budget increase. The Town of Willington’s enrollment increases by 9.4%. Discussion followed.
CORRESPONDENCE – none
GOOD & WELFARE – none
The next budget meeting will be with General Government on Thursday, February 19, 2008 at 7:00 pm. in our regular meeting place in the lower level of the Town Hall Building.
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
BOF Secretary
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