BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT 06279
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Members Present: Members Absent:
Ken Schoppmann, Chairman Elizabeth Marco
Ann Marie Brown, Vice-Chair Elizabeth Treiber - Alternate
Alan Ference, Secretary
Peter Latincsics
Robert Wiecenski
Annemarie Poole – Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Christina Mailhos, 1st Selectman; Richard Palmer, Fire Marshal; Tyler Millix, Fire Chief Willington #1; Stu Cobb, Emergency Services Director; members of the Willington Fire Departments.
Chairman Ken Schoppmann called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Robert Wiecenski motioned to seat Annemarie Poole for Elizabeth Marco, Ken Schoppmann seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2013 Special Meeting was made by Ken Schoppmann, Alan Ference seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
PRESENT TO SPEAK –
First Selectman Mailhos updated the Board about the Selectman Meeting concerning the Fire Department’s consolidation. There is a good start with conversations with the Fire Departments. There are two ways this could happen; it could be voluntary or the Town could vote to make it happen. She distributed a sheet with consolidation options to the Board. She added that the Board of Selectman met at 6:00 this evening and approved the CIP request. She asked that the CIP request be added to next week’s meeting with the Board of Selectman’s request because of changes that were made. Chairman Schoppmann asked that she give the Board some highlights on what was approved when we get to the CIP section on our agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Transfers
Donna Latincsics introduced Kim Kowalyshyn, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission to the Board and presented a transfer request needed to cover the new Business Directory.
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Alan Ference motioned to move $682.00 from line item #0831 Employee Insurances to line item #0175 Economic Development Commission, Robert Wiecenski seconded. Discussion followed. Kim Kowalyshyn told the Board that she tried to cover the costs with advertisers and a different bulk mailing permit. The Board agreed that they did a wonderful job. All were in favor, motion carried.
Public Safety Budget Presentations
Fire Marshall
Dick Palmer presented his budget request. The request is for $22,430 which is an increase of 2.8% or $607.00 over last year’s request. The change is due to an increase in mileage expenses. Discussion followed.
Emergency Preparedness
Kelly Trueb presented the C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) budget request. The request is for $2,200. This is a new line item this year. She explained that part of the $2,200 includes $900.00 for CPR Training which she is hoping will be cover by grants. The money from the grant will go into the Emergency Preparedness Fund when and if it is received. Discussion followed that included the management of this fund, FEMA money, keeping a fund balance of $4,000, creation of signs and fliers.
Emergency Management Director
Stu Cobb presented his budget request. The request if for $6,200 which is a decrease of 11.4% or $800 from last year’s request. The decrease is due to some of the expenses for internet being transferred to the Willington #1 budget because grant money no longer covers that expense.
Willington Fire Dept. #1
Fire Chief Tyler Millix presented his budget request. The request is for $120,600 which represents a decrease of $1,300 or 1.1% from last year’s budget request. The following topics were discussed:
- Protective Clothing - $2,000 per person for pants & jacket
- No influx of new members
- Workers comp
- Insurance
Ambulance
Fire Chief Millix presented the Budget. The request if for $345,600 which is an increase of $20,100 or 6.2% over last year’s request. The Ambulance Budget is consists only of payroll and employee costs. The increase includes Health and Workers Compensation insurances.
Board of Finance -3- February 14, 2013
Chief Millix also spoke about the sustainability of the Emergency Services Fund. Revenues are stable and they keep looking at ways to mitigate expenses and turn more money in. Chairman Schoppmann stated that the fund is unsustainable if we continue to use $28,900 for operating expenses. The alternative would be to slow down the purchase of equipment to keep it more sustainable. The fund will go to a near zero balance in about five years with the items on the CIP and the recent purchase of a fire truck for Willington Hill.
Willington Hill Fire Dept
No representative from Willington Hill Fire Dept attended the meeting to present the budget request. The budget request is for $108,190 which represents a $1,496 or 1.4% increase over last year’s request. Questions were asked concerning the hall rental and the Ruby money. Kelly Trueb answered what questions she could.
Capital Improvement Plan
Selectman Mailhos summarized the plan that was accepted at the Selectman’s meeting earlier this evening. As stated at the beginning of the meeting she would like to make the formal presentation at next week’s meeting in which the Selectmen’s budget will be presented. She touched on the following:
- CIP is a 5 year plan
- Most of things need to go to Town meeting
- Matching projects with funding sources
- This years request for GF spending on capital is for $522,073
- Items that will effect the General Fund
Chairman Schoppmann spoke as a member of the CIP Board. This current year we are funding for about $430,000 of Capital. This included the bond for the Library and any leases on Public Works vehicles and miscellaneous projects. It is separate from the Emergency Service Fund that pays for a fire truck and an ambulance. There is $9,000,000 in projects on the plan. By only funding it with $400,000 a year nothing is getting done. The Capital reserve fund is hovering around $200,000 and there’s not enough for emergencies. Steep Grants are not factored in. He spoke about the sweeper project going forward. We will go over this again at next weeks meeting.
OLD BUSINESS - none
CORRESPONDENCE – none
GOOD & WELFARE - none
Chairman Schoppmann asked for a volunteer from the Board of Finance for the Performance Contracting Energy Savings Committee. Selectman Mailhos talked about what they are doing. Chairman Schoppmann said that he would do it if no one else volunteers.
Board of Finance -4- February 14, 2013
Chairman Schoppmann gave an update on EO Smith – Region 19 Budget. Right now we are sitting at a $375,000 favorable. The upcoming meetings at the Media Center will be held on 2/26 at 7:00 - Budget Review, 3/12 & 3/19 at 7:00 - Budget Review and 3/26 at 7:30 - Public Hearing.
Looking out, based on this budget we are looking at $375,000 favorable this year, $162,000 unfavorable next year, $124,000 unfavorable the following year and $216,000 favorable in 2016/2017.
Chairman Schoppmann asked Selectman Mailhos if she has gotten any feedback from the Fire Departments on the consolidation. She said that they are going to meeting with each department and talk with them at their meetings. Chairman Schoppmann suggested that they ask each department if they were running the whole Town what equipment would you need?
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary
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