BOARD OF FINANCE
JANUARY 14, 2009
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Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Robert Brinton Jr., Stephen Squinto
Guests: Brian Laubstein
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin called for approval of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion of approval was moved by Chairman Brunwin and seconded by Brinton Jr. The vote was called. There were three votes to approve as presented with Squinto abstaining because of his absence from the previous meeting.
VISITORS
Brian Laubstein was present requesting specific information about the Board of Education’s budget, and questioning the Board of Education’s ability to transfer money from one line item in their budget to another. Board members did not have answers to his questions, indicating that the proper explanation would have to come from the Board of Education.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Brunwin announced that she has received about 75% of the Annual Reports due from Boards and Commissions for the printing of the Annual Report for fiscal year 2007-08.
Budget request notices have been sent out. All budgets must be submitted by January 31, 2009.
Chairman Brunwin will meet with the Assessor to determine Grand List total. The Assessor indicated to Chairman Brunwin that the Grand List overall has increased due to the Power Line upgrades and re-valuation.
Ovations Benefits has indicated that health insurance premiums could increase by 16-20%.
Amity salary negotiations are completed and the rate of increase for this year will be 3.5%. There is an 11.5% increase over the four year life of the contract. Dr. Brady has indicated that the 2009-10 fiscal year budget is just about complete.
The individual responsible for the $100,000 theft from the student activity funds at Amity Regional has been arrested. This theft is covered by insurance. The district should receive the reimbursement check soon.
A draft of the 2007-08 Town audit was received by Chairman Brunwin via email at 3:30 p.m. today. This did not allow adequate time to make copies for Board of Finance members for this meeting.
A special meeting of the Board of Finance will be called for January 26, 2009 to accept the final Audit for 2007-08.
FIRST SELECTWOMAN DERRYLYN GORSKI
First Selectwoman Gorski reported that she has sent to the State of Connecticut a list of shovel ready projects to get on the list for possible grants per the request of the Governor.
The Senior Housing project is progressing. Test holes have been dug to see if the ground is suitable for septic systems.
The Town has hired a constable for part time work. He is presently a full time Hamden police officer, so training will not be necessary. In the near future it will be necessary to get a car for the constable to use.
BUDGET REVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2008-09
It was noted by Board members that Interest on the General Fund will probably be only half of what the Board had estimated.
Board members requested moving the expenditures for the Pine Brook Crossing repair to the Capital account. It was noted that the reimbursement of $5,000 for asphalt used at Hinman Station, from the Bethany Fire Department was credited to Road Materials. The actual expense had come from the Major Road Account. This adjustment will be made. The Board requested that the Highway Foreman Alan Green come in with a revised budget for the balance of this fiscal year for each account.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:50 p.m. after a motion was moved by Brinton Jr. and seconded by Huyser. The vote taken was unanimious.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
