BOARD OF FINANCE

JANUARY 10, 2017

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APPROVED

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

Visitors:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Francis Doba

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:11 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of December 13, 2016.  The motion of approval was moved by Robert Brinton Jr. and seconded by John Ford IV.  There were no changes to the minutes of this meeting.  The vote was called.  The vote of approval without change was unanimous.

AMEND MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 2016 MEETING

According to Bond Counsel the minutes of the November 15, 2016 meeting of the Board of Finance had to be amended.  Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to amend the minutes of that meeting.

A motion was moved by Melissa Spear and seconded by Sally Huyser to amend the minutes of the meeting of November 15, 2016 at the January 11, 2017, by adding the following resolution that was on the November 15, 2016 agenda, and was voted and approved at that meeting, but omitted from the minutes:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Finance recommends to the Town Meeting that the Town of Bethany appropriate $1,625,000 for costs related to removal and upgrade of the public safety radio communications system for the Bethany Volunteer Fire Association and the Bethany Department of Public Works and related improvements and repairs which may include but are not limited to 4 antennas, 3 base stations, equipment shelters, radios and pagers and for costs related to the financing of the project.  The appropriation may be spent for design, construction, acquisition and installation costs, equipment, materials, engineering fees and other consultant fees, grant application and management costs, legal fees, net interest on borrowings and other financing costs, and other expenses related to the project or it’s financing.  A portion of the appropriation shall be applied to reimburse not in excess of $5,000 of expenditures from the Capital and Nonrecurring Fund for the preparation of Request for Proposals and selection of the vendor for the project funded by a transfer from the Contingency Fund, as approved by the Board of Finance on January 12, 2016.  The Board of Selectmen shall be authorized to determine the scope and the particulars of the project, and to reduce or modify the scope of the project as necessary or desirable; and the entire appropriation may be expended on the project as so reduced or modified.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Finance recommends to the Town Meeting that the Town authorize the issuance of $1,625,000 bonds, notes and temporary notes to finance the appropriation.

The vote was called on this addition to amend the minutes of this meeting of November 15, 2016.  The vote taken was 5 yes votes and 1 abstention that of Chairman Grabowski as he was absent from the meeting.

First Selectwoman Gorski asked to amend under Selectmen’s Report that the Assistant Tax Collector had completed her certification. “We should have a policy to address salaries of people completing certification in place”.  Chairman Grabowski called the vote.  The vote taken was 5 yes and 1 abstention that of Chairman Grabowski as he was absent from the meeting.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski gave a report on the Amity Finance Committee meeting.  The Amity budget increase has not changed since the last Board of Finance meeting of 2.86%.  Each town will soon receive a check for their portion of last year’s surplus.  Amity will retain $195,000 and put it in Contingency for the repair of the Bethany Junior High School air handler. 

Chairman Grabowski would like all department budgets to be submitted to First Selectwoman Gorski by January 20, 2017.  He will make up a schedule for special meetings with each department being assigned a date to come to a Board meeting if necessary.  He would like to see a five year replacement schedule for equipment from both the Fire Department and the Highway Department submitted. 

The date for the Budget Hearing was tentatively set for the third Monday in April. 

FIRST SELECTWOMAN’S REPORT

First Selectwoman Gorski reported that she had a meeting with the Arborist from Eversource regarding tree trimming in Bethany.  Their plan is to trim seventy-two miles of power lines, beginning within the next two weeks. 

REVIEW OF BUDGET REPORT

Board members reviewed the expenditure report submitted by Tom Broesler, Finance Director.  The Board questioned why the Road Materials account is overspent by $50,000.  Tom was not present to answer any questions regarding the report. 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:04 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Melissa Spear.  The vote taken was unanimous.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                           

                                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance