BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT 06279
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Members Present: Members Absent:
Kathy Blessing, Chairwoman Dawn Semmelrock - Alternate
Ken Schoppmann, Vice-Chair Mark Jones
Ann Marie Brown 9arrived 8:07)
Elizabeth Marco (arrived 7:35)
Jim Poole
Chopeta Lyons – Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Selectmen Eldredge, Charette & Palmer; Tyler Millix, Fire Chief Willington #1; Teri Gareau, Rec. Dir.; Lynn Nichols, Public Works.
Chairwoman Blessing called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Ken Schoppmann motioned to seat Chopeta Lyons for Mark Jones. Jim Poole seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the Budget Meeting minutes of February 12, 2009 was made by Chopeta Lyons with the following amendment. Ken Schoppmann seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Page 2, last line should read: The Town of Willington’s share increases by 9.4%.
PRESENT TO SPEAK -
Ralph Tulis was present to inform the Board that his 40-year income has come to a halt. His salary has been slashed by two thirds. He is asking that his taxes not go up because he cannot afford it.
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Presentation – General Government
Selectman Eldredge read the letter that had been presented to the Board with the Selectman’s Budget. The proposed budget of $2,791,567 represents a decrease of $198,895 or 6.7% less than the current budget. He then reviewed the Budget line items with the Board. Reduced spending the departments, reduced funding in fund transfers and capital expenditures has been offset by increase departmental costs leaving the net budget reduction of $198,895. Discussion followed.
Lisa Marco arrived at 7:35.
Board of Finance -2- February 19, 2009
As the budget was reviewed the Board asked questions and made suggestion where lines might be decreased and/or looked at again. Chairwoman Blessing appreciated the good work that the Selectmen did with their budget. She asked them to go back and look hard at all the lines.
Anne Marie Brown arrived at 8:07.
The Board advised the Selectmen to approach the Union for concessions and to save as much as possible this year.
OLD BUSINESS –
WFD #1 Roof Project Motion
Donna Latincsics present the Board with a memo with suggested wording for the WFD #1 Roof Project. Discussion followed. It was decided to table this discussion until we have information on how much we will be getting from the stimulus package.
Treasurer’s Report
Annemarie Poole left a memo for the Board with an update. Details on the Federal Economic Package will be coming over the next weeks or month. We are waiting on the effect of the stimulus packing on funding for the ECS grant. There will be no report next week.
General Budget Discussion – tabled do to the lateness of the meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE – none
GOOD & WELFARE – none
The next budget meeting will be with the Special Revenue Funds on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm. in our regular meeting place in the lower level of the Town Hall Building.
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
BOF Secretary
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