Monday, March 12, 2012

BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 6, 2012
Page 1 of 2

Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Chip Spear, Robert Brinton Jr., Aileen Magda
First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski

Guests: Sarah Shepherd, Patricia Martin, James Foley, Debra Demander, Elizabeth Scott, Buff Bachenheimer, John Pellicano, Alan Green, Audrey Eisenstadt
Chairman Brunwin called the March 6, 2012 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 of approval for the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion of approval was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by Sally Huyser. Chairman Brunwin corrected the spelling of Mary Sofair’s name. Robert Brinton Jr. wanted the question he had asked of the school superintendent “to provide the number of out of district students to the Board of Finance” added to the minutes. The amended minutes were then accepted on a unanimous vote of the Board of Finance.

LIBRARY
The Bethany Library presented their budget to the Board of Finance. Spokesman for the group was James Foley. James explained that the present librarian has resigned because the job of the librarian provides no retirement plan. Since grant money and endowment interest is are less in recent years, the Clark Memorial Library is compelled to rely more and more on the principal of the endowment fund to meet expenses. Many improvements are needed to bring the Clark Memorial Library up to the standards maintained by area small towns. The Board of Finance will review their budget and see if some sort of increase could be made available to them after all the budgets are in.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The Highway Department budget was presented by Alan Green. Alan explained the need for increasing Contracted Services to complete tree work from storm damage. He is requesting additional personnel for the Highway Department. Green explained that he is requesting one full time additional employee for the road crew and a clerical person for twenty hours a week for the office. He outlined road work and drainage that he wishes to accomplish during fiscal year 2012-13. The Board reviewed with Alan his Capital Expenditure requests for a dump truck and highway foreman’s pickup truck. Alan explained that he would like to refurbish the body of the 2000 Freightliner dump truck as it is quite rusted. He will do this only with Board permission if his budget is under expended this fiscal year.

FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Board reviewed with Alan Green the budget of the Fire Department. The budget as submitted has an increase of $30,000 over last year. The department is requesting $25,000 extra for a person to do clerical work at the fire house. They also increased the budget for building maintenance. Future improvements and changes needed to the communication system were discussed. This would be a Capital Expenditure request within the next two years.




FIRE MARSHAL
In the absence of the Fire Marshal, First Selectwoman Gorski explained increases to the budget of the Fire Marshal. The Code Red System contract cost had been shared with the Board of Education the past two years. The Board of Education will no longer participate in the program. The Town will assume the total cost of the program for emergency calls and public announcements.

RESIDENT TROOPER
First Selectwoman Gorski explained changes to the budget of the Resident Trooper. Changes were made within the budget from line to line, however there will be no increase to the overall budget.

TOWN HALL CAPITAL REQUESTS
First Selectwoman Gorski to date has made no Capital Expenditure requests, however she is looking into roof replacement for the kitchen and foyer on the Town Hall, as both need replacing in the near future. An architect is evaluating the kitchen and foyer roofs as they relates to the gym roof , which was already approved for replacement last fiscal year.

BUDGET COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Board members felt that careful consideration should be given to the Clark Memorial Library and its basic needs. The Town of Bethany would not like to assume full operation of the library, and closing it would have a negative effect on the town and property values.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 9:25 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Chip Spear. The vote taken was unanimous.


Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance

Friday, March 2, 2012

Bethany Conservation Commission
February 9, 2012
The meeting was called to order at 8:12 by Bruce Loomis. Also in attendance were Lisa Tavolacci and Cathy Rives.
Cathy moved to accept the minutes and Bruce seconded with the recommendation that the date be corrected to January 12, 2012. The minutes were accepted as corrected.
The minutes of the January 23rd Inland Wetlands meeting were discussed with regards to the Woodward property. The Conservation Commission won't be affected too much. The minutes of a special meeting held on January 30 were not available.
The minutes of the Planning & Zoning meeting were discussed. They have approved the necessary applications for a gas station to be built on Sargent Drive. A new owner has made an application for a feed/tack/power equipment business at 770 Amity Road (site of the old 'Seymour Lumber' business). Application for "The Hitching Post" has been made but not yet approved.
Bruce shared information about a five day accreditation course for land care professionals, hosted by the New England Organic Farming Association. He also shared a call for nominations for environmental champions by The Aquarian Water Company. Nominations must be made by May 1st.
The subject of Earth Day celebrations and having a table present was brought up. Due to lack of staff, we will not have one this year.
The committee went into Executive Session at 8:27 to discuss possible nominations for the Conservationist of the Year. The committee left Executive Session at 8:30.
Bruce moved to adjourn, Lisa seconded and the motion passed unanimously and the Commission adjourned at 8:32.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Rives
Secretary pro-tempore
BOARD OF FINANCE
FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Page 1 of 2Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Robert Brinton Jr., John Grabowski, Aileen Magda
Visitors: First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Kathleen Schurman, Alan Green
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:07 p.m. The meeting was held in the conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the previous meeting of January 10, 2012. The motion of approval was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by Sally Huyser. Chairman Brunwin moved to amend the minutes under the heading Town Counsel as follows: Aileen Magda moved a motion that the Board of Finance close the books by voting to approve budget transfers from under-expended accounts to the Contingency Fund and then to transfer from the Contingency Fund to balance all over-expended accounts.
Chip Spear seconded the motion. The vote was called. The vote was five (5) in favor of the motion and one (1) against that of Robert Brinton Jr.
Chairman Brunwin moved to amend the minutes as follows: Chairman Brunwin opened discussion regarding budget preparation for fiscal year 2012-13. No salary increases will be made for each salary account at this time.

The amended minutes were then accepted on a unanimous vote.

VISITORS
Alan Green was present to discuss with the Board of Finance an invoice of $4,800 for roof repair at the Highway Garage. The roof was recently replaced on the office portion of the Town Garage using the Capital Expenditure appropriation. It was hoped at that time that this would take care of an existing leak, however it did not. A section of the siding had to be removed and the leak located and repaired. It was the consensus of the Board members that this expenditure should have been approved before the work was done. Since it was not then the expenditure will be paid from Garage Expense. If this account is overspent at a later date it will be addressed at that time.

BOARD OF EDUCATION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
John Grabowski reports that the Elementary School budget is just about complete. At this time the increase could be as high as 4%. They will present their budget to the Board of Finance at the special meeting of February 28, 2012.

APPROVAL OF AUDIT
Final copies of the Audit for fiscal year 2010-11 have been received by Board members. Following a brief discussion Sally Huyser mover to approve the audit for fiscal year 2010-11 as prepared by Marian & Company LLC. John Grabowski seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.


BUDGET 2012-13
The State of Connecticut has released its first report on grants to municipalities. The mid budget figures show a decrease in the ECS Grant of $11,403 to Bethany. All other grants remain the same as the previous year at this time. The Grand List for Bethany shows an increase of $60,000. This increase is due primarily to motor vehicle sales.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Brunwin reports that Amity’s surplus of $344,000 will not be set aside for roof repair as previously indicated. The money will however be kept to do other needed repairs rather than being returned to the towns. The Board has decided to bond the roof replacement of the main building which is estimated to cost over $1,000,000. The Board is looking into self funding of the medical insurance since the claims are about 70% of the present premium.

FIRST SELECTWOMAN GORSKI
First Selectwoman Gorski distributed a letter from David Forman, Tax Collector regarding his request to increase the hours of the assistant tax collector from twelve hours a week to twenty-four hours per week. Forman feels that the present twelve hour week is not enough hours to retain and train an employee. First Selectwoman Gorski indicated that perhaps if there was not enough work in the tax office throughout the year than that person could be trained in other areas.

UPGRADING OF FINANCIAL SYSTEM
The Board of Selectmen voted to waive the bidding process and hire O’Neil Associates and Consulting LLC to modify account numbers and set up a complete set of books for the accounting system. They hope to have the process completed by April 10, 2012.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:07 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by John Grabowski. The vote taken was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Page 1 of 1Attendance: First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Steven Thornquist

Visitors: Attorney Kevin McSherry, Kathleen Schurman

First Selectwoman Gorski called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:45 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. Accounts Payable and payroll checks were signed as the first order of business. All present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Selectman Shea moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of January23, 2012. First Selectwoman Gorski seconded the motion. The vote was called. The vote taken was unanimous.

TAX REFUNDS
First Selectwoman Gorski moved to refund to Adam Bakhtiar the sum of $198.36, to Corelogic the sum of $2,943.08, to Corelogic the sum of $5,981.55, to John and Patricia Ryan the sum of $11.00, to Norma Kriz the sum of $3.96, to Richard or Nancy Connitto the sum of $1,000, to Susan Vanarsdale the sum of $127.11, to John and Sylvia Kolb the sum of
$100.00 and to Timothy Haag the sum of $3.00 all for overpayment of taxes. Selectman Shea seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

APPOINTMENT TO CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Selectman Shea moved the appointment of Ronald Doba as a member of the Conservation Commission. Selectman Thornquist seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

ANIMAL WASTE BAGS
Best Friends Kennel has offered to supply to Veterans Memorial Park and to the Dog Park animal waste bags that would have their name imprinted on them for free. After a brief discussion Selectman Shea moved the motion to allow Best Friends Kennel to supply Veterans Memorial Park and the Dog Park with animal waste bags. First Selectwoman Gorski seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

WAIVE BIDDING PROCESS FOR ACCOUNTING SERVICES
The Board of Finance is recommending that the Board of Selectmen waive the bidding process and hire O’Neil Associates and Consulting LLC to modify account numbers and set up a complete set of books for the accounting system. Following discussion Selectman Thornquist moved to waive the bidding process for the hiring of an accounting firm and accept the quote of O’Neil Associates LLC. Selectman Shea seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:05 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Thornquist and seconded by Selectman Shea. The vote taken was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

June G. Riley
Secretary, Board of Selectmen