BOARD OF FINANCE
MARCH 19, 2013
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Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Chip Spear, John Grabowski, Robert Brinton Jr., Sally Huyser, Aileen Magda
Visitors: John Barile, Superintendent of Bethany Community School, 25 parents of Bethany Elementary School children, Members of Bethany Board of Education
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUDGET
John Barile, Superintendent of Bethany Community School along with members of the Board of Education were present at this meeting. Superintendent Barile give a power point presentation of the budget for Bethany Elementary School. John explained to the Board of Finance and parents present, the developing programs the school has adopted for in house training for special education students. It is now believed that to do more in house training is better for the special education child. There are a few students that must be out sourced. John explained cuts that had been made in staffing to keep the percentage of increase down while keeping quality of education at the same level. The proposed budget is 2.99% or $190,626 more than last year. Following the presentation, John and Board of Education members accepted questions and comments from those present.
There is a shortfall in the Board of Education budget for fiscal year 2012-13 due to unexpected Special Education costs. At this time the Board estimates the shortfall to be $82,000 because of three new students that have been placed in Special Education since approval of the budget last year. Since there is not enough money in the Contingency Fund, the balance of the deficit would have to be taken out of the General Fund. This would probably require a special town meeting for approval.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MARCH 5, 2013
Chairman Brunwin called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of March 5, 2013. The motion was moved by Aileen Magda and seconded by Robert Brinton Jr. Aileen moved to amend the minutes by saying that the Bethany Bulletin is public news not for opinionate articles. The minutes were then accepted on a unanimous vote.
MARCH 12, 2013
Chairman Brunwin called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 12, 2013. The motion of approval was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by John Grabowski . The vote was called. There were 5 yes votes. Sally Huyser abstained as she had only attended a short portion of the meeting.
BUDGET 2013-14
The Board of Finance began a review of the following line items:
Solid Waste
First Selectwoman Gorski has negotiated a two year freeze on the cost of Curbside pickup with Trash Master. The cost of disposal is slightly less per ton for next fiscal year.
Human Services
A portion of the printing for the Bethany Bulletin will be in the Human Services budget.
Town Hall Computers
There is a proposal to purchase 10 new computers in the Town Hall Computer budget. The replacement cost would be $13,000.
Each line item in the General Government and Health portion of the budget was reviewed. There were no significant increases noted.
Without making significant cuts to the entire budget it appears that the mill rate could increase about one mill or a 3% increase overall. More review will be given to the entire budget at the next meeting set for March 26, 2013.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 10:00 pm after a motion was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by John Grabowski. The vote taken was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
