Monday, August 25, 2014


BOARD OF FINANCE

AUGUST 12, 2014

Page 1 of 2

DRAFT

 

Attendance:  Chairman John Grabowski, Sharon Huxley, Robert Brinton Jr., John Ford, IV, Chip Spear

 

Visitors:  Raymond Pantalone, First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski

 

Chairman John Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:12 pm.  The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski attended the Amity Financial Committee meeting on Monday.  John reported that Amity should have a surplus of $800,000.  Some of the surplus will probably be taken to offset the deficit in the OPEB Trust.  At this time there is a deficit of approximately $160,000 in the health insurance fund.  Aetna did a study regarding next year.  They estimate that there could be a shortfall of $350,000 by the end of next year.  If this is true, the money should be added to the health insurance budget from the surplus.  The Committee felt that $20,000 should be reserved for auditing alignment.  The facilities manager reports that there are problems with the cooling tower.  This matter will need further study.  At this time there was no estimate for cost of repair.  The Committee discussed bringing natural gas into the Orange Junior High School.  This would be a big savings to the fuel account, however it would not be complete during this fiscal year.  The parking lot at Amity High School is in need of work.  There are a lot of pot holes in several areas. 

 

EMERALD ASH BORER DISEASE

Raymond Pantalone was present to explain to the Board of Finance members the damage the emerald ash borer is doing to the ash trees in Bethany.  He is requesting funds to inoculate the ash trees along the Bethany roadside.  The emerald ash borer will destroy the trees and they will have to be taken down.  The ash tree becomes very brittle when they die and this will cause a real hazard.  He estimates the treatment will cost $150 per tree.  This will have to be done each year for the next five years.  Following discussion Sharon Huxley moved to take $5,000 out of Contingency to start this program.  If more is needed an additional request will have to be made.  Chip Spear seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

 

CMED

First Selectwoman Gorski gave Board of Finance members an update regarding CMed.  The 911 calls for Bethany will be answered by CMed until January 1, 2015.  By that date Bethany will have to have in place an emergency service to handle the 911 calls.  There are several options to look into.  First Selectwoman Gorski requested up to $5,000 to hire a consultant to look into these options from an independent perspective.  Following discussion Sharon Huxley moved to taken up to $5,000 from the Contingency Fund to do this study and give a recommendation.  Chip Spear seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:05 pm after a motion was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by Chip Spear.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance

ORDINANCE REVIEW & CHARTER STUDY COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

 

PRESENT: Paul Manger, Peter Simon, Carol Goldberg, Bob Brinton

 

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 07/15/14 MEETING

The minutes had not been typed yet.  Sal Amadeo will complete and forward to members and file with the Town Clerk.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

None

 

VISITORS

Nancy McCarthy

 

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE ON RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

Several revisions to the revised draft dated 07/27/14 were discussed and approved:

 

12-1(a)             Delete the last sentence: “The word “shall” is always mandatory and not merely directory.”

 

20-7(a)             Add “Commission” after “Conservation”.

 

54-2                 Delete Judge of Probate and Justices of the Peace from the list of officials to be removed from the Town Officers’ Committee Meeting list.

 

A motion to adopt the draft recommendations dated 07/27/14, with the revisions approved at this meeting, was made by Paul Manger and seconded by Peter Simon.  The vote was 3 yes and 1 no (Carol Goldberg).  The motion passed.  The adopted recommendations will be sent to the Board of Selectmen.

 

SCHEDULE FUTURE MEETINGS

No future meetings are scheduled at this time.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert H. Brinton, Jr.

Acting Secretary

Monday, August 18, 2014


 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

JULY 24, 2014

Town Budget

 

            First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski called the Special Town Meeting to order at 7:16 p.m.  There were approximately 30 in attendance.  The meeting began with the First Selectwoman asking everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

            First Selectwoman Gorski asked for nominations from the floor for a Moderator.  There was a motion made by Jean Swanson, duly seconded to nominate Bill Blake.  There were no further nominations.  Moderator Blake welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

 

Item (1) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $72,053 for the second of three payments of a lease purchase for a dump truck by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department.

 

There was a motion made and duly seconded to adopt the resolution.

 

John Paul Garcia, 190 Fairwood Rd - wanted to clarify what is to be acted on.  He stated that the resolutions should be accurate and that what is being read still does not match what was sent out.

 

There was no further discussion.  Unanimous.  Approved.

 

Item (2) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $65,683 for the third of three payments of a lease purchase for a 5 yard dump truck  by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department.

 

There was a motion made by John Paul Garcia, duly seconded by Melissa Spear to adopt the resolution. No discussion.  The Moderator called the motion.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

 Item (3) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $46,678 for the third of three payments of a lease purchase for a back hoe by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department.

 

There was a motion made by Kristine Sullivan, duly seconded by Sharon Huxley to adopt the resolution. No discussion.  The Moderator called the motion called.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Item (4) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $20,000  by the Board of Selectmen for a fence and gate across the field and roadway in the rear of Bethany Town Hall.

 

There was a motion made by A. Magda, duly seconded M. Spear to adopt the resolution.

 

Garcia – where will the fence be put?  Resident Trooper Dave Merriam stated that the fence is to protect the field where there is an active playground.  It will start at back of town hall and run up to where the superintendent parks.  There will be a gate – 6’x6’ wood with access - closed during the day.  The Fire Dept. will have a key.  It will be gated up to the annex.  Homeland Security had concerns about safety.  Garcia – who will maintain it? – the town.

 

Allene Kelly, 208 Schaffer Rd – there are two large appropriations that we won’t have next year.  I propose that we table this until next year.  Kathleen Ross agreed.  If it is tabled it would have to be brought up at a S.T.M. or next Annual Town Meeting.

 

Sheila Wade, 150 Litchfield Tpke – If the town has decided to do this and it is a number one priority by Homeland Security why are we hesitating to do it?

 

Garcia – why not do something more secure?

 

Janet Finneran, 648 Carrington Rd – we are looking at the safety of the children but I agree with John Paul that it should be more secure.

 

A motion made, duly seconded to table.  Overwhelming nays. Not tabled.

 

Mary Shurtleff, 34 Virginia Rail  Dr – asked about design of the fence.  Merriam – it is a security fence that will block access to the school.  Chain link is overkill and not aesthetic.

 

Chip Spear, 38 Johnson Rd – Bd. of Finance – to clarify, the security is from cars going onto the lawn.

 

Kelley – I think we should defeat this and wait until next year.

 

There was no further discussion.  The Moderator called the resolution.  Unanimous approval.  Approved.

 

Item (5) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $10,000 for new doors and hardware at the Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.

 

There was a motion made by Garcia, duly seconded by Finneran to adopt the resolution.

 

No discussion.  Overwhelming yeas. Approved.

 

Item (6) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $20,000 for the replacement of Annex III lighting and new ceiling at Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.

 

Withdrawn.  First Selectwoman Gorski stated that there was money left in the school budget so rather than use as a capitol item it was withdrawn by Superintendent Barile.

 

Item (7) on call - RESOLVED:  that  the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $10,000 for the replacement of playscape at the Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.

 

There was a motion made by Garcia, duly seconded by Pua Ford to adopt the resolution.

 

Kelley – felt it is not necessary – doesn’t get much use.  There are games that can be played at no expense and can teach team sports.

 

Spear – Playscape is used many times during the evenings and weekends when school is not in session. 

 

There was no further discussion.  Overwhelming yeas. Approved

 

Item (8) on call –  RESOLVED: that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $10,000 for the second of two payments of a lease purchase for the replacement of school furniture for the Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.

 

The motion was duly called and seconded.  No discussion.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Item (9) on call – RESOLVED:   that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $22,000 for the second of three payments of a lease purchase for security cameras for the Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.

 

The motion was duly made and seconded.  No discussion.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

 Item (10) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $15,500 for the second of three payments of a lease purchase for wireless infrastructure at the Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.

 

The motion was duly made and seconded.  No discussion.  The Moderator called the motion.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Item (11) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $25,000 for rebuilding of pump on engine 81 by the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.

 

A motion was made by Aileen Magda, duly seconded by Don Shea to call the motion.  No comments.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Item (12) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $11,000 for the purchase of a thermo imaging camera by the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.

 

A motion was made and duly seconded to adopt the resolution.

 

Patsy Winer, 7 Carrington Rd – explain the function of the camera. 

 

Melissa Spear, 30 Amity Rd – can we share a camera with Woodbridge?

 

Merriam – pretty much all departments have them.  It searches for body heat to find victims.   You can’t really share because of the urgency when needed.

 

Sharon Huxley, 340 Old Mill Rd – Bd. of Finance – we were told that it is actually a reconditioned camera. 

 

There were no further comments.  The Moderator called the motion.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Item (13) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $10,000 for a website for the Town of Bethany by the Board of Selectmen.

 

A motion was made and duly seconded to move the resolution to a vote.

 

First Selectwoman Gorski stated that we need a new website. 

 

Finneran – will there be maintenance cost?  Yes.

 

Why necessary?  Gorski – current website was developed in 2005.  Each department will be able to post their own updated information.

 

There were no further comments.  The Moderator called the motion.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Item (14) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $25,000 to the Land Acquisition Fund by the Board of Selectmen.

 

Barrie Collins, 339 Brookwood Rd – Three-quarters of the budget is education and can’t do much about it. Putting money in the Land Acquisition Fund is a way to control how our town is developed.  There are large parcels of land totally unprotected.  We need money in Land Acquisition each year for when the opportunity arises.

 

Bruce Loomis, 11 Sabrina Dr – Conservation Comm ChrBarrie covered the importance of this very well.  Due to budgetary concerns the Land Acquisition Fund has suffered.  This is money invested in yourself and your town.

 

Jean Swanson, 352 Amity Rd – people talk about staying rural but then don’t vote for the money to be put in.

 

A motion was made and duly seconded to adopt the resolution.

 

There was no further discussion.  The Moderator called the motion.  Unanimous.  Approved.

 

Item (15) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Code of the Town of Bethany is hereby amended by revising Article I 9 (”Zoning-Related Applications”) of Chapter 129 as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.   LAND USE-RELATED APPLICATIONS

§ 129-1.           Fee schedule established.

 

Pursuant to Section 8-1c of the Connecticut General Statutes, the following schedule of fees

shall pertain to the processing of applications by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, and the Zoning Enforcement Officer; and such fees shall be paid at the time the application is filed:

 

Tabled -(Fees for outside consultants* as specified on the adopted fee schedule are to be assessed and administered as follows:

 

The Commission by majority vote may elect to retain outside, specialized consultants with expertise not possessed by its regular staff or consultants.  It may also retain such outside consultants in the case of a clear conflict of interest.

 

The Commission may select up to three consultants and ask them for proposals for projected costs for such items as reviewing and commenting on the application, preparing reports, attending public meetings and making presentations as needed with regard to a specific application.

 

The Commission will then vote to select the consultant based on the information submitted to it and the fit of the outside consultant’s skill with the tasks contained in the application.

 

Upon notification of being retained, the outside consultant shall then prepare and sign a letter of agreement with the Town of Bethany for the specified services.

 

1)      The applicant shall provide the fee in full to the Town in advance of any review work on the application.

2)      The outside consultant will then perform the services as contained in the agreement at the rate and for the amount specified in the agreement.

3)      The Commission may deny any application for which a fee or fees are due, as being incomplete. 

4)      Any part of the submitted fee which is not used in performance of the tasks as outlined in the letter of agreement shall be returned to the applicant within 30 days of the Commission’s action on the application.  The only exception is for the possibility of litigation which may require the outside consultant to spend more time and resources than as had been stated in the letter of agreement.

*Outside consultants are those specialized consultants who are not on the normal staff and normal consultant retainers.)

 

( ) The preceding section in bold parentheses and italics has been TABLED.

 

A.    Zoning permit for zoning approval of construction:

1.      Residence or residential property:

a.       New construction:

          (1)By ZEO: One hundred twenty five dollars ($125)

           (2) By Commission: One hundred fifty dollars ($150)

b.      Addition:

(1)   By ZEO: Seventy five dollars ($75)

(2)    by Commission One hundred dollars ($100)

c.       Modification to existing, valid permit:

(1)   By ZEO: Fifty dollars ($50)

(2)   By Commission: One hundred dollars  ($100)

d.      Site Plan Review:

(1)   By ZEO: One hundred seventy five dollars ($175)

(2)   By Commission: Two hundred dollars  ($200)

 

2.      Business or business property:

a.       New construction:

(1)   By ZEO: Two hundred twenty five dollars ($225)

(2)    By Commission:  Two hundred fifty dollars ($250)

 

b.      Addition:

(1)   By ZEO: One hundred twenty five dollars ($125)

(2)   By Commission:  One hundred fifty dollars ($150)

c.       Modification to existing, valid permit:

(1)   By ZEO: One hundred twenty five dollars ($125)

(2)   By Commission: One hundred fifty dollars ($150)

d.      Site Plan Review:

(1)    By ZEO: Three hundred twenty five ($325)

(2)    By Commission: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

e.       Change of use:

(1)   By ZEO: One hundred twenty five dollars ($125)

(2)   By Commission: One hundred fifty dollars ($150) 

 

B.     Special Exception permit, with required public hearing: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

 

C.     Subdivision:

1.      Per lot fee for subdivision without public hearing:  Three hundred dollars ($300)

2.      Per lot fee for subdivision or re-subdivision with public hearing: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

3.      Special Exception rear lot; application fee, with public hearing: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

4.      Per lot fee for special exception rear lot: One hundred fifty dollars ($150)

5.      New road review fee, per 100 feet or any portion thereof: One hundred dollars ($100)

 

D.    Zoning change:

1.      Text change (each): Five hundred fifty dollars: ($550)

2.      Map change (each): Five hundred seventy five dollars: ($575)

 

E.     Home occupation, professional office, or roadside stand permit: Seventy five dollars ($75)

F.      Certificate of Zoning Compliance:

1.      Residential: Fifty dollars ($50)

2.      Business: Seventy five dollars ($75)

 

G.    Sign Permit: Fifty dollars ($50)

H.    Temporary sign or other permit: Fifty dollars($50)

I.       Hearing petition: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

 

J.       Earth removal:

1.      Administrative permit: Three hundred dollars ($300)

2.      Special Exception permit with  public hearing: Five hundred fifty dollars ($550)

K.    Flood Hazard Area permit: Two hundred fifty dollars ($250)

L.     Hearing fee, if not included above: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

M.   Zoning Board of Appeals applications  with public hearing: Three hundred fifty dollars ($350)

 

N.    Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission applications

(NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS DOCUMENT)

 

State of Connecticut Land Use Application Fee shall be in addition to the above stated fees. This fee shall be applied as required by the Connecticut General Statutes.

 

A motion was made by Garcia and duly seconded to adopt the resolution.

 

Michael Kaloyanides, 150 Litchfield Tpke – why are fees increasing? 

 

Kristine Sullivan, 783 Amity Rd - IWC – consultants are a big part of it.  Kaloyanides -Could this increase burden the applicants?  Sullivan - Trying to avoid the taxpayer from paying for the expert. If you go to court the commission should have an expert at their disposal. It allows the commission to have the ability to accept a reasonable fee.  I don’t agree with paying when application is filed.  In my opinion this is not workable within the time a commission has to work on it.  It is flawed and should not be adopted.

 

The Moderator stated that it does not look like a fee would be collected for an expert at time application is filed but later on in the process.

 

Garcia – regarding what Kris has said.  Idea is sound but it needs to be looked at closer.  Applicant needs to know that fee is to be supplied up front.  Item 4 - only exception is for possibility of litigation…  If applicant is going to court the money could be used to litigate against the applicant.  It behooves the town to do this but needs to be done up front before any work is done or if not done application deemed incomplete and money returned. 

 

Huxley – very concerned about process – actually never says when the applicant is going to pay; it only says the commission’s standard fees have to be paid.  Strongly suggest having the consultant’s fee paid for by the applicant but concerned about process. This process will not fit into the State statutory requirements for the time allowed for an application. I recommend that the first half not be passed until fixed to make the process more clear as to when an applicant must pay.   

 

Town Counsel McSherry – very strict process that needs to be followed.  With Wetlands applicants stay to the process or go to DEEP – they have a consultant but it generally does not hold up the applicant.  With Planning & Zoning if consultant holds up the process, commission could be faced with voting down an application that may have jeopardies attached to it in the courtroom.  If consultants fee not quite right, judge could find an argument.

 

Garcia – we should pre-qualify four or five consultants. McSherry – Planning &  Zoning Regulations are not helpful  for consulting issues. I recommend tabling the first section (Article I - through consultant retainers) up to A.  Zoning permit for approval of construction….

 

Sullivan – first paragraph needs to stay in.

 

Finneran – made a motion to amend and table first half and pass second half.

 

Motion to table first proposal.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Motion to divide the question.  Overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

 

Moderator - How to divide?  Keep in Article I – consultant retainers.)  Portions of the land use related applications revisions.

 

Motion made and seconded to approve the revisions.

 

Sullivan – putting a lot of extra cost on the average taxpayer.  I think Zoning permit fees, specifically by ZEO are too high. 

 

Overwhelming yeas.  #15 as divided passes.  Approved.

 

The Moderator then addressed the portion not considered.  Beginning with Fees for outside consultants and ending with …through consultant retainers.

 

Sullivan - hand back to commission for reconsideration of how it is phrased.

 

No one present from Planning & Zoning to comment. 

 

Garcia – can the commission amend it? McSherry - No - must go to STM.  For now if a consultant is needed, the Bd. of Selectmen must approve it.

 

Selectman Gorski stated that other items will be coming up for town meeting in the next few months and this can be added to the agenda.

 

The Moderator called the motion.  Unanimous to table the portion in parentheses and italics.  Approved.

 

There were no further comments.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Nancy A. McCarthy, CMC

                                                                                                Town Clerk

 

8:35p.m.

 

 

 

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

TOWN BUDGET

JUNE 16, 2014

 

      The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski began the meeting by having everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.  There were approximately 55 in attendance.  First Selectwoman Gorski called for nominations from the floor for a Moderator.  A motion to nominate Steven Thornquist was made by Barrie Collins, duly seconded by Mary Shurtleff.  There were no other nominations.

 

Item (1) on call – RESOLVED:  that the report and revised recommendations of the Board of Finance upon the budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 amounting to $22,346,004 will be adjourned to a referendum vote to be held on June 23, 2014.

 

      Moderator Thornquist read Resolution (1) on the call and stated that the meeting will be adjourned to a referendum vote on June 23, 2014.  There can be discussion but no changes can be made.  He then introduced the Board of Finance Chairman, John Grabowski.  The Chairman discussed the changes to the budget.  A summary of the changes is attached to the minutes.  Total budget revisions amount to $666,435.

 

Aileen Magda, Selectwoman – 28 Deerfield La - LOCIP went up quite a bit. First Selectwoman Gorski stated that if not applied for in year allotted to us then it can be applied for the following year.

 

Richard Barnes, 534 Bethmour Rd - why a change in building permits?  Grabowski stated that additional revenue came in after budget and because of changes going forward.

 

Fran Doba, Ass’t Tax Collector – 980 Amity Rd - explain LOCIP.  Every town by population gets an allotted amount each year and we try to spend it in the year it is alloted but we don’t have to.  Rather than apply for it this past fiscal year we held off and will apply for it this coming year.

 

Randy Raddatz, 22 Bethridge Rd – then effectively the reduction of resurfacing is going to be offset by  LOCIP? Will the $94,000 in LOCIP go into roads and essentially there will be $500,000 still in roads?  First Selectwoman Gorski – no it will go into the $400,000 that we are spending.

 

Alan Towbin, 77 Oak Ridge Rd -What will happen to roads that are not getting resurfaced?  Grabowski -Highway Foreman will do what he can with the budgeted amount and chip seal to be as effective as he can be.

 

Grabowski stated that the mil rate from the original budget has been reduced by 9/10ths of a percent.

 

Barrie Collins, 339 Brooks Rd – removing money from Land Acquisition was very unwise.  Bethany only has so much available land.  We need to be proactive.  An instance is Bethany Farms – all those roads must be maintained.  Grabowski stated that the Town would definitely take it into account.  As a Board we have to make tough decisions.  That’s not to say that more cannot be put into the fund going forward.  This is a tough year.  We will have significant savings at Amity with the reduction in students in the coming years.

 

Patsy Winer, 7 Carrington Rd – I endorse what Barrie is saying but know that the numbers cannot change this year.  The Moderator stated that the Board will take these concerns into account.

 

Russ von Beren, 134 Wooding Hill Rd – You have $500,000 in Land Acquisition, and approximately $1,200,000 in the General Fund.  Some of the General Fund can be used for Land Acquisition.  I don’t recall when the reserve has ever been used.

 

Steuart Morgenstern, 17 Old Fairwood Rd – thanked the Board for making the cuts even though it was not easy.  What will we do next year with another big increase at Amity?  I feel we should have a referendum every year.  If not a referendum, then a cap on increases every year – 1 or 2% so that the referendum is not voted down.  Thirdly, let’s not spend the money that we will save at Amity in the future – could have a reduction in taxes and give something back to the taxpayer.  BCS seems very top heavy – could do with a lot less administrators.  I would vote to go to referendum each year.

 

Shawn Uscilla – BVFD - 20 Tawney Dr – Where in the Statute does it say the Bd. of Ed. budget cannot be cut?  The town requires a minimum of $12,800 per student.  What is the reduction to the Board of Ed. budget?  The amount budgeted currently puts it at almost $16,000 per student this year.  We talk about Land Acquisition but don’t supply basic infrastructure to the town for the highway and fire departments.  Garcia – I’m not prepared to comment but the numbers are somewhat erroneous. Come to a meeting and we will answer your questions the way they should be answered.  Grabowski – Bd. needs to work with the numbers they are given.  Thornquist -   comments can be made but it is up to the Bd. of Ed.  It is an independently run board.  I understand your concerns but they should be brought to the Bd. of Ed. for comment.

 

Sally Huyser – Bd. of Finance member - 123 Northrop Rd - when the board met, we didn’t know why the budget failed – was it BCS, was it the highway department?

 

Chip Spear – Bd. of Finance member - 38 Johnson Rd – we as a board cannot alter the Bd. of Ed budget.  We have reduced it to the amount we are reasonably capable of doing.  If it needs to be changed it must be changed by the Board.  There is nothing that can be done now.  Any changes would have to be for next year.

 

Bruce Loomis –Conservation Chrm - 11 Sabrina Dr - I thank the Bd. of Finance for its hard work.. Any time a referendum is held it should be done with an exit poll.  My opinion is that those who voted it down are not well versed on the process. They don’t attend the meeting.  We can’t impact the Bd. of Ed. budget.  If we remove the schools the amount for the town is $5,000,000 or so.  The town operates on a shoe string budget. 

 

Liz Smith, 355 Downs Rd – Why was the Community garden cut from budget?  Grabowski – it could be looked at in the future.  The town would be supporting a handful of individuals.  This is a tough budget year and it could not be done. 

 

Magda – We have administrators leaving the Community School.  How much could we cut back on salaries going forward?  Can the positions be eliminated?  Grabowski - $30,000 is the most we can cut back.  It’s based on the number of students.  Huyser - Once the budget is passed the money stays in their budget.  Their budget could be reduced but the money can still be spent within the school.

 

Doba – when people vote at referendum, they have minimal information; they see the bottom line without knowing the details.  An exit poll is not scientific; everyone is not polled.  Grabowsi – whether to have a referendum or not should be taken up at a Selectmen’s meeting.

 

Von Beren – We need a system so that people can hear everyone who is speaking.  I advocate a referendum.  I think the Board did an excellent job in reducing the budget.

 

John Paul Garcia – Bd. of Ed. Member - 190 Fairwood Rd – should go to referendum to get more people to vote.  Things have changed in the last 30 years.  People don’t come to the meetings but it’s a disservice to say the people who are voting are uninformed.

 

Magda – Cost of first referendum - $2,943.25.  Cost of second, 2,209.25 for a total cost of $5152.50 (approximate).

 

Matthew Kichar, 638 Bethmour – thanked the board.  We should be entitled to the breakdown in the Bd. of Ed budget, salaries, etc.  Also agree to an exit poll.  Thank you for helping the seniors, as well.

 

Pua Ford – Registrar of Voters - 8 Valley Road – there were 276 voters for Amity referendum.  It’s always the first week of May! There should be more residents out to vote.

 

Dave Forman – Tax Collector - 329 Downs Rd – mixed feelings on referendum every year.  Town meeting is emblematic of a tradition going back (town government of and by the people).  I would like to see more people participate.  I would also like to see more people voting to understand what they are voting on.  I saw how frustrated the Board was with reducing the budget and not knowing what was really being voted down.  I would like to see the Town Meetings continue as our legislative body.

 

Shirley Goblirsch, 159 Fairwood Rd - We should ask the townspeople which way they would like to do it.

 

Allene Kelly, 208 Schaffer Rd – I taught for many years. Before the final budget the Bd. of Finance always gave the Bd. of Ed. an ultimatum. No more than 1% increase or 2% decrease in numbers.  I’ve noticed that the number of people who come to the A.T.M. is in inverse proportion to newcomers to town. People do not realize the power we have in government by participating in the town meetings.  We lose our government when we don’t participate. 

 

Kathleen Schurman, 755 Litchfield Tpke – we have no news coverage in this town so how can we spread the news to come out and vote? 

 

Raddatz  - what we could do (Bd. of Ed) is give back the $120,000 if an administrator is leaving, if an annex is closing.  My father was very disappointed that he could not come to the meetings to vote because he was physically not able to – therefore he could not vote.  I am thankful there was a referendum so I could vote (by absentee) when I was unable to come in person. 

 

Mary Shurtleff, 34 Virginia Rail Dr – suggested investing in technology - website, emails and automated phone calls as ways to get information to the townspeople.  I would also like to echo the concerns of those who are in favor of Land Acquisition.

 

Magda – I agree with technology as a means to get the word out.  The town meeting will always be here.   The budget was printed in the last Bethany Bulletin.  There should be no excuse for people not knowing. At the A.T.M. there were so many typographical errors.  Also, what the Moderator reads should be the same as what is  given at the meeting.  

 

Eric McDonald, 151 Bethmour Rd - Want people involved but don’t appreciate outcome of referendum.  Want to keep the Town rural but pushed for Green Haven; complain about Amity budget but we will be paying for those moving in (Green Haven).

 

Garcia made a motion to adjourn the meeting to referendum.  Unanimous approval. 

 

There were no further comments.  The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

                                                                              Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                              Nancy A. McCarthy, CMC

                                                                              Town Clerk