BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT ~06279
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Members Present: Members Absent:
Jim Bulick, Chairman
John Patton, Vice Chair
Robert Wiecenski
Barry Wallett
Peter Tanaka
Elizabeth Treiber
Annemarie Poole - Alternate
Geoff Prusak – Alternate
Also Present: Christina Mailhos, First Selectman; Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Interim Superintendent Dr. Jacoby; Joe Piatek, Sr. Center Rep.
Chairman Bulick called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES - not needed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Peter Tanaka motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of August 18, 2016 as amended. John Patton seconded. All were in favor, motion carried. Elizabeth Treiber and Annemarie Poole abstained.
Amendment - Barry Wallett seconded the approval of minutes. Under Old Town Hall Electrical and Restoration and Public Works Garage Renovations, Barry Wallet was the motioned.
Elizabeth Treiber motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of September 15, 2016. Peter Tanaka seconded. Discussion was held. Barry Wallett wanted what he said at the meeting clarified. Elizabeth Treiber and Peter Tanaka agreed to amend the minutes with Barry Wallett's words added under Mansfield Willington Cooperative Agreement. All were in favor, motion carried.
Amendment - The Board of Education has committed educational malpractice. It makes no sense to end negotiations with Mansfield, a town that has 20 points better proficiency rating than our town in both math and English, on the SBAL tests.
To stop negotiations before we have any pricing or logistics doesn't help our students or our townspeople. It is self-serving.
There is a lack of leadership in the Board of Education to the detriment of our Town.
Board of Finance -2- October 20, 2016
PRESENT TO SPEAK
First Selectwoman Mailhos was present to bring up two items:
She first requested that the Board of Finance add an agenda item to a future meeting agenda to discuss ideas on how to plan for and mitigate the effects of the crumbling foundation issue on the grand list.~ She has already asked the Business Manager to check with the auditors to see what our options would be around creating a special fund that we can put money into during favorable years such as this year, and draw upon in the future to backfill holes in the grand list due to property reassessment loses.~ The reason to do this would be to avoid a major tax increase in 2, 3 or perhaps 5 years or major cuts to programs and services, which she feels are important to preserve.
The board argued 2 points: 1) Establishing a fund was unnecessary as we were already using the general fund balance to manage this risk and smooth out the tax increase impact to the townspeople and 2) the board will aggressively address any revenue shortfall using all available options to us (everything is on the table for consideration).
The second item was to let the Board of Finance know that the Board of Selectmen are planning a site walk next week with the Historical Society to look at a piece of land for sale by the Historical Society.~ The Selectmen think the town should consider purchasing the property to build a parking lot for overflow parking at the library, as well as for events that happen on the Town Green and also to create a safe way to walk from the Town Green to the library.~ The Board of Finance and public are all invited to attend the site walk.~ Anyone interested should look for public notices warning the site walk.~
NEW BUSINESS
Interim Superintendent Dr, Jacoby
Dr. Jacoby expressed to the Board her pleasure to be here and how everyone has been supportive. She informed the Board that she has an entry plan:
- Getting to know Willington's strengths and challenges. She has done 35 Superintendent searches.
- Looking at finances and looking for other resources.
- Student achievement
She said that Willington has a strong administrative team. She is working on the budget calendar. She's looking at fix costs. She thanked the Board for inviting her.
Senior Center Van Chair Lift Repair
Joseph Piatek presented the Board with the request to fix/replace the van chair lift. They originally got a quote of $1,800 to get it fixed, but found the lift capacity to be inadequate. The lift needs to be replaced for a cost of $8,500. Discussion followed exploring various options (Dial-A-Ride, WYFSS, other agencies).
John Patton motioned to transfer $6,500 to #03-3056 Senior Van from #01-0831 Employee Insurances. Barry Wallett seconded. Peter Tanaka abstained, all others were in favor, motion carried.
Board of Finance -3- October 20, 2016
Christmas Party - sent back to the Selectmen to resolve. The Board would like to see the Selectmen manage their budget as they saw fit. They have a good history of responsible management.
OLD BUSINESS
POCD
Chairman Bulick reminded the Board members to fill out the survey.
Annual Report
Down to just 4 departments that haven't submitted their reports. Chairman Bulick will send out reminders.
CORRESPONDENCE
Email from the Library Director, Britney Jensen concerning the need to add the Insurance Placeholder back into their budget.
GOOD & WELFARE - none
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary
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