Board of Finance
October 23, 2012
Page 1 of 2
Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Chip Spear, John Grabowski, Aileen Magda, Robert Brinton Jr.
First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of September 11, 2012. The motion was moved by Chip Spear and seconded by Chairman Brunwin. There were no changes to the minutes. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.
Chairman Brunwin called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the special meeting of October 5, 2012. The motion was moved by Aileen Magda and seconded by Chip Spear. There were no changes to the minutes. The vote was called. There were 5 yes votes and 1 abstention that of John Grabowski as he was absent from that meeting.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Brunwin reports that as of October 1, 2012 the enrollment at Amity for Bethany students is lower than the previous year. Enrollment is at 19.8% or .8% lower than last year. It had been estimated that the surplus for fiscal year 2012-13 could be $175,000, however because of changes in State grants this number has now been reduced to $119,000 at this time. A portion of the surplus for fiscal year 2011-12 will be used to purchase the black box theater and the balance will then be returned to the towns.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
There is no surplus in the budget of the Bethany Board of Education for fiscal year 2011-12. The anticipated surplus had to pay unexpected expenses for a Special Education student.
The replacement hired to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Betty Quinn has resigned. Betty has been called back until another replacement can hired and trained.
FIRST SELECTWOMAN’S REPORT
Tax Collector David Forman has informed First Selectwoman Gorski that a foreclosure is in progress for a trailer in Garden Homes Mobile Park. When complete the town will receive the proceeds of the sale for back taxes.
The auditors have finished their field work for the 2011-12 audit. The pre-audit figures show that there is a significant surplus.
An open discussion took place regarding the hiring of Michael Batista, as an employee, to come in each month to do regular bank reconciliation and any other necessary financial advisory work throughout the year. The Selectmen’s budget for fiscal year 2012-13 already has a $6,000 allotment for such work.
First Selectwoman Gorski reports that a meeting date of December 5, 2012 has been set for all the First Selectmen of Orange, Woodbridge and Bethany and school officials to discuss the hiring of an RFP Consultant for the Amity School system. This meeting will discuss the hiring of such an individual who would do an expanded study of the benefits if any of regionalization of the BOW school system.
First Selectwoman Gorski reported that the Union Contract between the employees of the Highway Department and the Town of Bethany has been signed. The employees will receive a 3% salary increase in fiscal year 2012-13 and a 2% increase each year for the following two years.
The University of New Haven office relocation study for Bethany Town Hall will begin soon. The study is being conducted by students from the engineering studies department.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:00 p.m. after a motion was moved by John Grabowski and seconded by Aileen Magda. The vote taken was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
