BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 27, 2012
Page 1 of 4
Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Chip Spear, Sally Huyser, Aileen Magda, John Grabowski, Robert Brinton Jr., First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski
Visitors: Art Slicer, Bruce Loomis, Brian Fournier
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of the meeting of March 20, 2012 was tabled due to a computer problem which did not allow printing or sending of the minutes to Board of Finance members.
CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Brunwin received notification from the State of Connecticut that approval has been given for municipal employees to join with State of Connecticut employees in purchasing health insurance as a large group.
Chairman Brunwin was notified by David Forman, Tax Collector that a tax foreclosure had taken place on March 24, 2012. When complete this foreclosure and legal fees will net the Town of Bethany $77,000 possibly before the end of this fiscal year.
VFW LANDSCAPE VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK
Arthur Slicer gave a presentation to the Board of Finance, showing the landscape design proposed for the War Monument at Veterans Memorial Park by the VFW. The VFW is requesting $10,000 in a Capital Expenditure request for materials for this work. They are requesting that machine labor for this project be completed by the Bethany Highway Department
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The Conservation Commission is requesting that the Town appropriate $100,000 for Land Acquisition for fiscal year 2012-13. Bruce Loomis spokesman for the Conservation Commission emphasized the importance of a health Land Acquisition Fund if grants come available to purchase open space. The Board will discuss his request.
BUDGET 2012-13
Chairman Brunwin began with the Revenue section of the budget. State revenues remain approximately the same as last year however the expenditure side of the budget is higher due primarily to budgets where fuel costs are included. At this time the expenditure side of the budget exceeds the revenue side by approximately $400,000. Unless additional revenue is found or expenses reduced the mil rate will increase .7 mils.
Capital Expenditure requests were discussed. It was the consensus of the Board that the dump truck request by the Highway Department should be put off until next year. The request for a new mason dump truck for the Highway Forman was also deferred to another year. Following further discussion Robert Brinton Jr. moved a motion to approve all Capital Expenditures as requested under fiscal year 2012-13 with the exception of the dump and mason trucks requested by the Highway Forman. John Grabowski seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.
The Board began review of the expenditure side of the budget. Salaries for all departments have not yet been added to each budget. Percentage of increase was discussed, however no decision was reached.
The following budgets were approved as follows:
Selectmen approved except for salary adjustment
Veterans Park discussion of salary for life guards added to this budget – no decision made until meeting with Park and Recreation Commission
Registrar of Voters approved except for salary adjustment
Board of Finance approved
Audit approved
Assessor approved except for salary adjustment
Board of Assessment
Appeals approved
Tax Collector discussion regarding additional hours for Assistant Tax Collector requested vote taken to add hours 2 yes votes 4 no votes
discussion regarding creation of new position Assistant Tax Collector/Highway Secretary. Robert Brinton Jr. commented that Assistant Tax Collector position was not enough hours to be watchful for the honesty of the Tax Collector, therefore served no purpose vote taken 3 yes votes 3 no votes will revisit at next meeting
Town Treasurer approved
Judge of Probate approved
Town Clerk approved except for salary adjustment
Land Use approved except for salary adjustment
Town Hall approved except for salary adjustment
ZBA approved except for salary adjustment
Economic Development approved
Conservation Commission approved
Cost approved
Regional Growth Partnership approved
COG approved
Fire Department Gas & Diesel not approved
Fire Dept Fuel approved
Bd of Education Gas & Diesel approved
CCM approved
Fire Department not approved
CMed approved
Fire Marshal approved
Dog Damage approved
Police/Constables approved
District Animal Control not approved
Fire Hydrant approved
Highway Contracted Services moved to cut part time clerical request, moved to cut request for one additional highway employee, moved to add $15,000 to Contracted Services for part time summer help
Major Road approved $300,000 for bond payment
Snow & Ice approved
Road Materials approval tabled to next meeting
Garage Expense approval tabled to next meeting
Repairs & Supplies approved
Street Lights approved
Contracted Services approved
Road Signs approved
Consulting Engineer approved
Solid Waste approved
Vital Statistics approved
Summer League need more information
Domestic Violence approved
Team approved
Regional Mental Health approved
QVHD approved
EMS Council approved
Human Services approved
Airport approved
Cemeteries approved
Contingency approved
Tax Refund approved
Library approved
Unemployment approved
Youth Services approved
Capital Expenditures approval tabled
General Insurance approved
Employee’s Medical approved
Town Employee’s Investment not approved until payroll is complete
Fire Department Pension approved
Regional High School approved
Elementary School concerns expressed regarding budget cut. Motion moved by Aileen Magda to keep budget flat in light that once budget is increased it cannot be reduced in the future and in light of dropping enrollment. Motion seconded by Sally Huyser. Discussion followed with various suggestions made to reduce or increase only where necessary such as any line item with fuel in it. The motion was tabled by a motion moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Chip Spear. The vote taken was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 10:00 p.m. after a motion was moved by Chip Spear and seconded by John
Grabowski. The vote taken was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
