BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 23, 2010
Page 1 of 2Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Chip Spear, Robert Brinton Jr., First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski
Visitors: David Foreman
Chairman Brunwin called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin moved a motion of approval for the minutes of the special meeting of March 16, 2010. Robert Brinton Jr. seconded her motion. He then moved to amend the minutes regarding reduction of budget for the Board of Education to read the Board of Finance feels that a $100,000 reduction is realistic. The amended minutes were then accepted on a unanimous vote of the members present.
TAX COLLECTOR
David Foreman was present to discuss with the Board of Finance his Process Suspense Report. David has a list of automobiles with delinquent taxes owed to the Town by Choice Auto Rental and ABC Leasing LLC. Both companies owned by the same person have gone out of business. David would like the Board of Finance to accept this suspense list totaling $28,566.85 to be removed from the available tax collections. Following discussion Sally Huyser moved to accept the suspense list of the Tax Collector. Chip Spear seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous
David is again asking the Board of Finance to give him permission to write off debit balances under $5.00 and credit balances $2.00 and under. Discussion followed. Since this item was not on the agenda the decision was tabled until the next meeting.
BUDGET 2010-11
Since Stephen Squinto was absent from the meeting he sent a communication to Chairman Brunwin suggesting that the Board of Finance take a second look at the budget request of the Library and to also discuss administrative costs for the Elementary School. Chairman Brunwin met with Superintendent Connellan about reductions to their budget. There was no indication from him what cuts could be made. The Board of Finance determined at this meeting that a reduction of $75,000 could be made as there is the possibility of the retirement of an administrator who would not be replaced for $54,000, and some possible savings in health insurance.
The Solid Waste budget may still need some adjustments as First Selectwoman Gorski is still negotiating disposal fees for recyclables .
The Library budget was discussed. Board members determined that a cut should be made to this budget. The recommended budget was reduced to $101,000 a cut of $8,235.
Chip Spear had met with Alan Green regarding the sign replacement program. In going over formulas from the book given to Chip by Alan, he estimates that total replacement of all road signs will cost $52,000. The amount submitted by Alan for next year’s budget , to replace signs over a six year period seems correct to Chip.
It was determined at this time that the collection rate for taxes could be set at 99%. If $100,000 was to be transferred from the General Fund, and small modifications in other budgets, the mill rate calculation could be approximately 27.52 mills with a 1.9% increase in budget over this fiscal year. The General Fund balance would remain at 12.1% of expenditures which is within a desirable range. The balance of the Capital Reserve Fund is however extremely low.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 9:15 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Chip Spear. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
