BOARD OF FINANCE
FEBRUARY 8, 2011
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Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Chip Spear, Stephen Squinto, John Grabowski, Robert Brinton Jr., First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski
Visitors: Kathleen Schurman
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 11, 2011. The motion of approval was moved by Chip Spear and seconded by Sally Huyser. Robert Brinton Jr. moved to amend the minutes by adding that the Board moved into executive session to discuss District Animal Control. The amended minutes were then approved on a unanimous vote.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT – John Grabowski
The Bethany Community School will receive a Jobs Grant for $50,000 from the Federal Government. John was told that the money could possibly be spent to buy computers.
CHAIRMANS REPORT
BOND DISCLOSURE
Chairman Brunwin reported that she is completing the Bond Disclosure reports as required.
Elementary School
Chairman Brunwin met with Tim Connellan recently to discuss the Elementary School budget. Tim had indicated that the Federal Jobs Grant to be received from the Federal Government would be $58,000. Tim implied that the money received would help offset some of the increases in the budget for 2011-12. At this time Tim indicated that the budget increase would be 2.88%. The Board of Education will make their presentation to the Board of Finance on March 1, 2011.
AUDIT
Chairman Brunwin moved to accept the June 30, 2010 audit. Robert Brinton Jr. indicated that he would not vote to accept the audit as he had not seen a copy of the final audit. All Board members agreed with Robert Brinton Jr. as they had not received a copy of the final audit. The motion was withdrawn. Approval of the audit will be placed on the agenda of the next Board of Finance meeting.
ANNUAL REPORT
Chairman Brunwin has requested that each department head submit an annual report.
AMITY REGIONAL BUDGET
The Amity Regional budget was first set with a 1.56% increase. This was reducing the Contingency Fund to $100,000. The Amity Financial Committee felt that with the present year’s snow budget history they would increase the Contingency Fund to $150,000 as budgeted in the present year. This change would then affect the percentage of increase.
GRAND LIST
Chairman Brunwin has spoken with the Assessor about the Grand List. Mario indicated that the Grand List has increased .3% or $1,900,000. There was a slight decline in Personal Property.
FIRST SELECTMEN’S REPORT
First Selectwoman Gorski reported that the Snow and Ice budget with the most recent delivery of Ice B Gone is $32,000 over budget. The Highway Department had to purchase a new plow for $8,400. This expenditure was charged to the Repairs and Supplies budget.
First Selectwoman Gorski requested that the Board of Finance make the transfers from the Reserve for Negotiations line item, to increase each departments salary account for the salary increases as approved for this year’s budget. It will also be necessary to adjust the F.I.C.A. and Medicare line item.
FINANCIAL REPORT REVIEW
The Board reviewed the Financial Reports for January 2011. At this time it appears that there will be a shortfall in the Interest on General Fund account.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 7:40 p.m. after a motion was moved by Chip Spear and seconded by Stephen Squinto. The vote taken was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
