BOARD OF FINANCE
APRIL 7, 2009
Page 1 of 3

Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Richard Van Horn, Eric Gallant, Stephen Squinto, Robert Brinton Jr., Sally Huyser, First Selectwoman Gorski

Chairman Brunwin called the special meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 8:10 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

BUDGET 2009-1
REVENUES
Board members began reviewing line by line the draft of the revenue projection for fiscal year 2009-10. Following review and comments by Board of Finance members regarding State of Connecticut revenue to be received, Huyser moved to accept the revenue budget as projected as of April 1, 2009 exclusive of the mill rate. Brinton Jr. seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

EXPENDITURES
Tax Collector
Board members began reviewing line by line the draft of the expenditure side of the budget. The first budget to be questioned was that of the Tax Collector. Brinton Jr. questioned adding an employee as assistant to the Tax Collector, in this budget climate, was not necessary despite comments from the auditors.

Land Use
This budget had a slight increase due to added cost for storm water testing..

Regional Growth Partnership
First Selectwoman Gorski would like to see this appropriation restored to the budget.

Police/Constables
First Selectwoman Gorski announced that the final decision from the State of Connecticut on cost to the towns for a resident trooper had been reduced back to 70% of cost rather that the 85% previously indicated for fiscal year 2009-10. This would reduce the cost for the Resident Trooper from $119,733 to $98,603.

Youth Services
The Youth Services budget was increased by 10% due to the request for a policeman at the Teen Center. Following discussion Squinto moved to reduce this line item by $1,000. Van Horn seconded the motion. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.

Medical Insurance
The Bethany Community School teachers have accepted the offer of Connecticare as health insurance carrier for fiscal year 2009-10. This will save the Town budget $33,000 as the premium is less than that of Health Net. Following discussion Squinto moved to take $20,000 of this saving and increase the line item for Ice and Snow. Gallant seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.


Board of Education
Chairman Brunwin suggested leaving the budget of Bethany Community School at a 0% budget. Brunwin felt it created a good relationship between the Boards. Perhaps if there is a surplus next year it will be returned to the Town. Board members expressed their opinion on this concept. Van Horn then moved a motion to reduce the budget of Bethany Community School by $50,000. No second was given to the motion.

Registrar of Voters
Discussion was opened regarding the budget of the Registrar of Voters. Since there will be no election this November it was suggested that the budget be reduced by $2,000. Chairman Brunwin moved to reduce the budget of the Registrar of Voters by $2,000. Huyser seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

Tax Collector
Brinton Jr. moved to take $10,875, the salary for the part time assistant to the Tax Collector out of the budget. There was no second to this motion.

Regional Growth Partnership
Van Horn moved to re-instate the budget for Regional Growth Partnership to the budget. Squinto seconded the motion. The vote was called. There were four yes votes to restore and two no votes that of Gallant and Brinton Jr.

Fire Marshal
The budget of the Fire Marshal was discussed. Brinton Jr. moved to keep the salary of the Fire Marshal the same as last year. Squinto seconded the motion. The vote was called. The vote was four to keep the salary as requested and two votes that of Van Horn and Squinto to reduce the budget.

Facilities Manager
Van Horn moved to eliminate the position of Facilities Manager for 10 hours a week from the budget. Brinton Jr. seconded the motion. The vote was called. There were two votes to eliminate the position that of Van Horn and Brinton Jr. There were four votes to keep the position in the budget.

Board of Education
Van Horn again moved to reduce the budget of Bethany Community School $50,000. Brinton Jr. seconded the motion. The vote was tabled until after the discussion of Capital Expenditures was completed.

Capital Expenditures
Chairman Brunwin explained the possibility of a lease purchase agreement to combine the cost of the purchase of the dump truck for the Highway Department and the breathing apparatus for the Fire Department into one lease agreement. By purchasing the breathing apparatus all at once a savings of $27,747 would be recognized. This savings would cover the cost of finance. All Board members agreed with this concept.

Finalize Expenditures
Squinto moved to take $50,000 from the General Fund to balance the budget. Brinton Jr. seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Squinto amended his motion to read, take up to $50,000 from the General Fund to balance budget to keep mill rate at 27 mills. Brinton Jr. seconded the amended motion. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.

Van Horn withdrew his previous motion regarding the reduction of $50,000 to the Bethany Community School budget.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 10:40 p.m. after a motion was moved by Van Horn and seconded by Huyser. The vote taken was unanimous.


Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance