BOARD OF FINANCE
APRIL 2, 2013
Page 1 of 3
Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Chip Spear, Robert Brinton Jr., Aileen Magda, John Grabowski, First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski
Visitors: John Barile, members of the Clark Memorial Library Board, Bethany Elementary School staff and parents, Alan Green
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:05 pm. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin called for approval of the minutes of the meeting of March 26, 2013. The motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Aileen Magda. The minutes were then amended by Robert Brinton Jr. to read the entire Selectmen’s budget was not approved. The line item for accountant was approved. The minutes were then accepted on a unanimous vote
BUDGET 2013-14
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES SCHOOL
John Barile, Superintendent of Bethany Elementary School, discussed with the Board of Finance members Capital Expenditure requests for the school. The school ‘s request for furniture was discussed. Photos of the furniture presently in use were shown. John explained the three quotations he had received for security cameras and the two types that are available for both outside and inside surveillance cameras. He indicated that if the school maintenance staff were to run the wiring the cost could be reduced. This would also apply to the wireless infrastructure for the computers. He also shared information regarding its installation and costs related to its installation. Quotations for both the wireless connect and the cameras were shared with Board members. The cleaning of the duct work in the rotunda was also discussed.
SCHOOL BUDGET
Chairman Brunwin asked if there were any more questions regarding the Board of Education’s operating budget. Aileen Magda asked if there were any reductions Superintendent Barile could recommend for the Board of Education’s budget. Superintendent Barile indicated that it was the Board of Education’s budget and that any changes would require a vote of that Board.
TOWN HALL
First Selectwoman Gorski explained that the request for the roof replacement on the north side of Town Hall had been submitted as a Capital Expenditure for fiscal year 2013-14, however in looking over the situation Rod White felt that the request could be put off for one more year because the leak had been repaired and First Selectwoman Gorski requested it be officially withdrawn. The replacement cost is $75,000. A discussion followed whether to replace the roof in fiscal year 2013-14 or to withdraw it. The Chairman then called a vote on recommending this expenditure. There were two no votes that of Chairman Brunwin and Chip Spear. There were three yes votes that of John Grabowski, Aileen Magda and Robert Brinton Jr. There was one abstention that of Sally Huyser. The request for the replacement of the kitchen/foyer roof passed. The Board then voted to approve the requests for foyer/kitchen roof replacement $120,000, gym ceiling $20,000, safety lighting gym ceiling $10,000 and fire alarm replacement for $15,00, BCS furniture replacement for $10,000, BCS security cameras $22,000, BCS wireless infrastructure $15,500 and cleaning of the BCS rotunda ducting $7,000.
REVALUATION
The Board approved $35,000 for the second year for the revaluation appropriation on a unanimous vote.
LIBRARY
Members of the Bethany Library Board were present to discuss the budget request of the Library. The on line consortium with Biblimotion was discussed in detail. Board members feel if the Library is to serve the community better this system of getting books on line is very important. The Capital Expenditure request for drainage repair and building repair caused by the storm water was discussed. Alan Green indicated that some of that request could be reduced by the Town crew doing the drainage work. The only request would then be for the building repair. Following discussion the Board of Finance voted unanimously to recommend a Capital Expenditure of $10,000 for this repair.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
The Board discussed the rate of increase for the salary accounts for budget fiscal year 2013-14. Chairman Brunwin indicated that she felt that 3% was a fair increase in this economy. In checking with other indicators this seemed fair. Robert Brinton Jr. and Aileen Magda questioned the amount of the increase. Board members questioned the dollar increase a 3% increase would make to this budget. Chairman Brunwin indicated the impact of a ½ % increase in salaries would be approximately $7,000. The vote was called. The vote was six yes votes for a 3% increase.
The Board voted to approve and recommend to the Budget Hearing the Selectmen’s section of the budget for a total of $211,556 (Aileen Magda and Robert Brinton Jr. objected to the Bethany Bulletin expenditure and voted no), the Town Hall Computers for a total of $37,597, Veterans Memorial Park at $44,533, Registrar of voters $13,580, Board of Finance $2,629, Town Audit $28,840, Assessor $75,706, Board of Assessment Appeals $500, Tax Collector $76,887, Town Treasurer $3,559, Town Counsel Retainer $37,200, Town Counsel Legal $25,000, Claims & Judgment $1, Town Clerk $143,166, Land Use $189,588, Operation Town Hall $175,743, Zoning Board of Appeals $3,461, Economic Development $500, Judge of Probate $1,000, Conservation $500, Cost $825, Regional Growth Partnership $1669, COG $1,785, Fire Department Gas & Diesel $11,110, Board of Education Gas & Diesel $36,000, CCM $3,272.
The Board voted to approve and recommend to the Budget Hearing the Public Safety portion of the budget as follows: Fire Protection & Equipment $212,550, CMed $15,371, Fire Marshal/Emergency Management $60,000, Police Constables $199,009, Dog Damage $1, District Animal Control $43,000, Fire Hydrant $2,500.
The Board voted to approve and recommend to the Budget Hearing the Public Works budget as follows: Road Foreman & Labor $429,525, Major Road Resurfacing/Debt Service $300,000, Snow & Ice $195,000, Road Materials $100,000, Garage Expense $51,700, Repairs & Supplies $128,555, Street Lights $12,500, Contracted Services $28,000, Road Signs $8,000, Consulting Engineer $10,000.
The Board voted to approve and recommend to the Budget Hearing the Health portion of the budget as follows: Solid Waste $390,266, Vital Statistics $100, Bethany Summer League $3,500, Park & Recreation $235,366, Domestic Violence $500, Team $5,000, Regional Mental Health $276, QVHD $29,214, EMS Council $488.
The Human Services section of the budget was approved for recommendation to the Budget Hearing at $92,251 (there were 5 yes votes and 1 no votes that of Robert Brinton Jr. who objected to spending for the Bethany Seniority.
The Community Services section of the budget was recommended to the Budget Hearing as follows: Airport $1,400, Care of Cemeteries $8,000, Contingency Fund $50,000, Capital Reserve $550,000, Youth Services $13,631. The Library was recommended at $172,000.
Fixed Charges were recommended as follows for the Budget Hearing. Payroll Taxes $108,291, General Insurance $220,500, Employees Medical $482,632, Town Employees Investment $108,475, Fire Department Retirement $40,000, Debt Service $694,824.
Regional High School budget is listed on the budget at $8,714,313.
The Board recommends to the Budget Hearing a budget of $6,559,417 for the Bethany Elementary School. A vote was called there were 5 yes votes to recommend and 1 no vote, that of Robert Brinton Jr.
The overall increase for this recommended budget is $2.9%. It is the recommendation of the Board that $200,000 to be taken from the General Fund to further reduce the mill rate for next year to 29.16. The vote on total budgeted expenditures of $21,444,264 was 5 yes votes and 1 no vote, that of Robert Brinton Jr.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 10:00 pm 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
