BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT ~06279
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Members Present: Members Absent:
Jim Bulick, Chairman John Patton, Vice Chair
Barry Wallett Peter Tanaka
Geoff Prusak Robert Wiecenski
Mary Bowen – Alternate Annemarie Poole – Alternate
Also Present: Christina Mailhos, 1st selectman; Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer Jacqueline Jacoby, Interim Superintendent; Phil Stevens, Principal; Board of Education Members; Michael Sorano , Architect & Partner, Friar Associates; members of the public.
Chairman Jim Bulick called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
Seating of Alternates
Geoff Prusak motioned to seat Mary Bowen for John Patton, Barry Wallett seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Approval of Minutes – minutes tabled till October Regular Meeting
Present to Speak
CT Representative Sam Belsito on the State Budget and the fiscal situation going forward (when he arrives)
New Business
Willington Public School Facilities Study.
Superintendent Jacoby presented the Board with the School Facilities Study performed by Friar. They study results includes 6 options. Superintendent Jacoby and Michael Sorano, the architect from Friar Associates, presented the options and answered questions.
Superintendent Jacoby explained that options 1-3 maintains two schools but adds capital improvements.
Option #1 – Capital improvements only for Center & Hall.
Total Project Cost = $17,291,242
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $13,901,279
Board of Finance -2- September 21, 2017
Option #2 – Renovate as new, Center & Hall.
Total Project Cost = $45,197,367
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $27,507,740
Option #3 – Replace each school on existing sites.
Total Project Cost = $40,847,554
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $19,644.405
Options 4-6 consolidate to one school
Option #4a – Consolidate to one PreK-8 school, Center School renovate as new, addition, and
close Hall School.
Total Project Cost = $32,256,501
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $14,064,643
Option #4b – Consolidate to one PreK-8 school, Hall School renovate as new, close Center
School.
Total Project Cost = $34,321,092
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $15,762,300
Option #5 – Replace Center School on site and add central office for Superintendent.
Total Project Cost = $38,395,784
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $18,773,180
Option #6 – PreK-5 at Center with renovation and addition, grades 6-8 sent out of district.
Total Project Cost = $19,667,376
Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $8,052,753
Superintendent Jacoby said in her experience that it’s costly in the long term to renovate. The school is the center of the community. The benefit will be that property values will increase and operating costs will go down.
No decisions have been made yet. There will be a work shop on October 10th. They are looking for more feedback before the Board of Education makes a recommendation.
7:30 pm - CT Representative Sam Belsito joined the meeting
He gave the Board an update on the State Budget. He informed the Board that the State is in dire straits. He said that the State needs to change the way things are done. He advised that we wait a little while before proceeding with making changes to the schools to see what happens. The next 2 years will be ok should the bipartisan budget pass, but watch out for the 3rd year with funding being cut drastically.
Selectman Mailhos asked if the governor doesn’t veto the budget can it be changed. Rep. Belsito said that the Governor can either veto it, approve it, or do nothing and it will be approved automatically.
Sarah Peck, Ruby Road, asked about the cut for UConn. We are looking at what things can be cut. Rep. Belsito said that the State is broke. Chairman Bulick said that he didn’t want this to be a Town Hall meeting on the budget and would like to focus the discussion on the more direct impact to Willington.
Board of Finance -3- September 21, 2017
Rep Belsito said that going forward we need to be careful and prepare during these two years to hold down cost. There is no indication that our economy will improve in this State.
Mike Makuch, Clover Springs Dr, said that we should focus on UConn because it does affect Willington residents.
Sarah Smith, Eldredge Road, asked when we talk about the cost of education to look at future overall cost.
Board of Education is returning $138,018 from their 2016-2017 budget to the Town of Willington.
Chairman Bulick thanked them for returning the unused funds.
Board of Education is requesting $20,000 be transferred to the non-lapsing fund for education contingencies.
Superintendent Jacoby explained the fund to the Board and people who didn’t know what it is. The non-lapsing fund was to handle non-recurring unanticipated expenses. It was a tool recently created to get around the Minimum Budgeted Requirement (MBR) formula, since the money was already appropriated to education. She asked that we consider a transfer of $20,000 to the fund from the $138,018 being returned to the town.
Mary Bowen motioned to transfer $20,000 from the approved fiscal year 2016-17 BOE budget appropriation to the non-lapsing education fund for future BOE non-recurring or unanticipated expenditure funding needs. Geoff Prusak seconded. Barry Wallett voted no, Geoff Prusak, Mary Bowen and Jim Bulick voted yes, motion carried.
Board of Education’s proposal for reductions in spending (should this be required).
Superintendent Jacoby said the following options are being considered by the Board of Education:
- Frozen a professional position
- Delayed programs
- 1/2 custodial position not filled
- 1 bus run eliminated
- Furlough day – $25,000
- Looking down the road – 1.4 mil = 23 staff
- Multi-age classes
- Minimal savings with utilities for 1 day
Selectmen’s proposal for reductions in spending (should this be required).
Selectman Mailhos offered the following possibilities if needed:
- Frozen discretionary funds
- Reduced paving plan for a savings of $200,000
- Reduced Town Hall hours – closing 1 or 2 hours a day
- Charging fees for transfer station use
- Increase building fees
Board of Finance -4- September 21, 2017
She also added that the building official is in demand – people are waiting 2 or 3 weeks. Because of the additional need. She asked that funds be transferred from the Employee Insurances to cover the needed hours.
Mary Bowen motioned to add Building Official to the agenda for discussion and possible motion. Jim Bulick seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Discussion followed.
Mary Bowen motioned to transfer $4,800 from #0831 Employee Insurances to #0241 Building Official. Geoff Prusak seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Old Business
Annual Report for Fiscal Year July 2016 through June 2017 is due September 30 reminder is being sent out.
Policy Regarding Year End Encumbrances (waiting feedback from our auditor) – tabled to the October meeting when more members are present.
Cost Review: 5-Areas for review to see if we can realize any cost savings – discussion tabled for next meeting.
Fire / Ambulance – Peter / Barry
Education –Barry / Annemarie / Jim
General Government – Geoff / Jim
Public Works – John / Bob
Transfer Station – John / Peter
WEA Teacher Negotiations – meeting 5:00 pm Friday in mediation
Correspondence
- Letter from Superintendent regarding returning surplus funds and transfer to the non-lapsing fund.
- Letter from Superintendent regarding facilities study.
- Letter from Superintendent acknowledging our request to freeze discretionary spending and make plans should we not have a State Budget passed in October.
- Letter from Selectman Mailhos acknowledging our request to freeze discretionary spending and make plans should we not have a State Budget passed in October. She also requested we invite our State Representatives to the September 21 meeting.
- Letter from Willington FD #1 President Ronald Gantick inviting BOF members to their Board of Directors meeting.
- Letter from Ralph Tulis offering thoughtful and constructive criticism of our minutes.
- Letter dated August 19, 2017 to the Selectmen, Superintendent, and Board of Education requesting a freeze in discretionary spending and request for immediate reductions in spending.
Board of Finance -5- September 21, 2017
GOOD & WELFARE - none
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary
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