BOARD OF FINANCE

SPECIAL MEETING

MARCH 31, 2015         

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DRAFT

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

Visitors:  Jamie Stirling, Selectwoman Aileen Magda, Donald Shea

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the previous meeting of March 17, 2015.  The motion of approval was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by Sally Huyser.  The minutes were modified by Robert Brinton Jr regarding the addition of the appraisal fees for the Carrington Preserve.  Sharon Huxley’s names was removed from the attendance as she was not present at the meeting.  The amended minute were then accepted on a vote of five yes and one abstention that of Sharon Huxley because of her absence from that meeting.

 

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE PRESENTATION

Chip Spear gave a power point presentation to the Board of Finance on the progress of the Long Range Planning Committee.  He showed various slides of how changes in the Elementary School, Amity Regional and Town budget change and impact the mill rate. 

BUDGET 2015-16

The Board opened discussion on the expenditures for the 2015-16 Budget.  Sharon Huxley questioned where the accountant has been?  Should we be looking for another accountant?

The Board discussed the extra help the Fire Marshal had requested.  They would like Rod White to come the next meeting to discuss his request in more detail.

  The Board discussed the Book Restoration account for the Town Clerk.  They would like to reduce that budget to $1.

The Land Use Consultant/Planner’s salary was increased to $13,200 for the year.  The addition of a fee for the re-writing of the Planning and Zoning Regulations was discussed.  It was determined that the fee for this service would be a Capital Expenditure item.

The oil tank removal for the Town Hall was discussed.  The cost for removal was estimated at $35,000.  New oil tanks will be put in the basement.

The budget for Ice and Snow was discussed.  Since this is usually a line item that goes over budget each year, the Board recommended leaving the budget at $200,000 for this line item.

The Board discussed taking $600,000 out of the General Fund and transfer it to the Capital Expenditure account for big road work such as Schaffer and Bethmour Roads.    

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 9:05 after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by John Ford IV. 

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance