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