BOARD OF FINANCE
FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Chip Spear, Stephen Squinto, John Grabowski, Robert Brinton Jr.
Visitors: Tim Connellan, First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Chairman moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 12, 2010. Huyser seconded the motion. There was no modification made to the minutes of this meeting. The vote was called. The vote taken was unanimous.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Tim Connellan was present to give the Board of Finance members an update on a special education change within his budget. One student has been sent out of district with a residential placement. This placement will greatly affect the cost of Special Education for the remainder of the year. Tim indicated that the Board of Education budget for fiscal year 2010-11 will be submitted with a 2.43% increase above the budget for 2009-10. The medical insurance premium will increase by 24.5%, if the Board of Education remains with Connecticare. At this time they are waiting bids from other carriers to see if their rates are lower.
Following Tim Connellan’s presentation at this meeting, John Grabowski the Board of Finance’s representative to the Elementary Board of Education, gave a report on the meeting of that Board he had attended. There were no significant issues to report.
BUDGET 2010-11 – CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Brunwin reports that after talking with the Assessor about the Grand List, she finds that Real Estate shows no increase over last year. Personal Property is down by 7%. Motor vehicle showed no increase. Overall the Grand List is down .2%. Tax Collections appear to be coming in for this year at a normal rate. The Tax Collector has received $36,719 in delinquent taxes in the month of January. The Town Treasurer predicts that General Fund interest for this fiscal year will be $85,000. He is suggesting that the Board of Finance budget $95,000 for General Fund interest in fiscal year 2010-11. Early reports regarding State Grants indicate that there should be no drastic cuts.
Chairman Brunwin attended the Amity Finance Committee meeting. The Amity budget for fiscal year 2010-11 is up by 2% over last year. As this increase is not a significant increase to Bethany there is no significant concern for the 2010-11 budget, however Chairman Brunwin was concerned about reports of large increases for the following two year’s projections. Following discussion the Board of Finance members agreed we should wait and be concerned if it happens. Alternative measures could then be taken if necessary.
REPORT OF THE FIRST SELECTMAN
First Selectwoman Gorski reported that the town is in the process of Union negotiations with the Highway Department.
The bid has just gone out for Curbside Pickup. Bids are due February 19, 2010.
First Selectwoman Gorski has met with the commander from Troop I regarding assignment of troopers to the town. The commander has agreed that only local troopers from Troop I will do local patrol when the Resident Trooper is not available, at the same rate of pay as the Resident Trooper. For traffic control a trooper will be taken from the list at the Central Office to do duty in town.
Throughout the town there are several trees that need to come down because of their rotted condition and the danger that they could cause if they fell. Alan Green has gotten an estimate of $10,000 for a company to come in and drop the trees. The Highway Department would then clean up the debris from them. The trees in question have been tagged by the Tree Warden and Alan Green.
BUDGET REPORT REVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2009-10
The Board members reviewed the budget report for fiscal year 2009-10. No trouble areas were noted at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:45 p.m. after a motion was moved by Huyser and seconded by Grabowski. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
