BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT ~06279
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Members Present: Members Absent:
Jim Bulick, Chairman Peter Tanaka
John Patton, Vice Chair Geoff Prusak – Alternate
Elizabeth Treiber
Robert Wiecenski
Barry Wallett
Annemarie Poole - Alternate
Also Present: Christina Mailhos, 1st Selectman; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Dave Harding, Superintendent; Members of the public
Chairman Bulick called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M
SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Elizabeth Treiber motioned to seat Annemarie Poole for Peter Tanaka, Robert Wiecenski seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Annemarie Poole motioned to approve the Budget meeting minutes from March 3, 2016, Elizabeth Treiber seconded. All were in favor, motion carried. Robert Wiecenski abstained.
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Michelle Shine, 85 Potter School Road, asked the Board to add positions back to the BoE budget. She voiced her concern that nothing was added back.
Board of Finance -2- March 10, 2016
NEW BUSINESS
BOE Budget
Superintendent Harding presented the Board with the new Board of Education budget request. He said that there was a lot of discussion between the Board. They went back to the original budget. They now know of a retirement and has the number for the insurance. The new budget request is for $8,055,669 which is an increase of $222,544 or 2.8%. He also stated that people don't understand the whole process. The Board of Education must work within what the Board of Finance says. The BOF gave guidance to the BOE that their budget increase should be under 3%, given our declining enrollment and per pupil cost. The BOE (with the Superintendent) then determines the details how to achieve that budget.
Chairman Bulick expressed our gratitude to Superintendent Harding and the Board of Education for their hard work and difficult decisions that were made.
Old Town Hall Electrical and Restoration Project
First Selectman Mailhos described to the Board the work to be done at the Old Town Hall. They have gone out to bid and found the $6,000 will be needed for the electrical, $1,000 need for repairs to walls after electrical is done. $6,500 is needed for restoration work in the vestibule. For a total of $6,500. Discussion followed. John Patton asked that wiring for a new sound system be added to the project of which the cost would be covered by his wife and himself.
Annemarie Poole motioned that the Board of Finance recommends that the Board of Selectmen call a Town Meeting to appropriate $13,500 from the Capital Projects Fund - LoCIP 02-2016 OTH Electrical for the purpose of electrical and restoration work at the Old Town Hall to be reimbursed by the State of Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program. Jim Bulick seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Capital Improvement Plan
Jim Bulick motioned to approved the CIP as presented, Elizabeth Treiber seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Budget Discussions
Chairman Bulick said we need to take a harder look at the expense side.
They discussed the Planning & Zoning assistant position. It was suggested that we look at a high caliber position. Another clerk will not solve the problem. Chain of command is nonexistent. Not funding the position is recommend at this time. They would like to meet with the three boards and the Board of Selectmen as a coordinated effort to review the operation so this helps with customer service. The BOF will clarify what we are looking for in a letter to the 3 boards (P&Z, ZBA, IWW).
Board of Finance -3- March 10, 2016
WYFSS - it was agreed that the position be funded from their fund balance.
The Board asked that a new summary be put together with the Zoning assistant position and the WYFSS assistant position be removed and the fund balance contribution be changes to $210,000.
First Selectman stated that we are doing well with the snow budget this year. She should have a better idea next week of where they stand with the numbers.
OLD BUSINESS
Gun Range Update
Selectman Mailhos informed the Board that things are going in the right direction. Voluntown, Griswold and Canterbury have been added to the list of possible locations. Don't know when we will be released. She passed out a summary of the current expenses to the Board.
CORESPONDENCE - none
GOOD & WELFARE - none
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary
| 
