BOARD OF FINANCE

JULY 11, 2017

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DRAFT

Attendance:  Chairman John Grabowski, John Ford IV, Sharon Huxley, Melissa Spear, Katie Erickson, Sally Huyser

Visitors:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Fran Doba, Thomas Broesler

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:08 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 

APPRIOVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 13, 2017.  The motion of approval was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by John Ford IV.  Sharon Huxley moved to amend the minutes as follows:  (Sharon Huxley wanted corrections sent out with email as part of the minutes).  The minutes were then approved as amended on a vote of 4 yes votes and 2 abstentions that of Melissa Spear who was not in attendance and Katie Erickson who was not on the Board of Finance at the time of this meeting. 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski reported that the Amity Finance Committee had not held a meeting since his last report.  He had watched the meeting of the Board of Education on television.   At that meeting they were discussing keeping the surplus for future projects such as putting artificial turf on the football field.  Open discussion with the Board of Finance members followed regarding the pros and cons of the artificial turf. 

SELECTMEN’S REPORT

 First Selectwoman Gorski has received a letter notifying her that the Bethany Board of Education has started salary negotiations.  The process will begin July 20, 2017.  The Board of Education welcomes Board of Finance members to sit in on these sessions with no voting power.  Melissa Spear volunteered to represent the Bethany Board of Finance.  Sally Huyser moved a motion to officially appoint Melissa Spear to attend the salary negotiation Bethany Board of Education meetings.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.   

First Selectwoman Gorski spoke to the Board regarding the upcoming Special Town Meeting set for July 27, 2017.  The purpose of the meeting is to appoint a member to the Amity Board of Education to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of William Blake.  There will be an appointment made to fill the vacancy of the late Sandra Breslin as Bethany’s representative to South Central Regional Policy Board.

Modifications to ordinance regarding members terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals will be on the call.

Replacement of roof on Lakeview Lodge will be on the agenda.  The Board of Finance discussed the cost of repair.  The original repair cost was not to exceed $30,000 with money for the repair to have come from LoCip money and expenditure approved at the May 16, 2016 Town Meeting.  Following a discussion a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Sharon Huxley to increase the repair cost to not exceed $50,000 for roof replacement on Lakeview Lodge.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

Increase bid limit for waiving of bids will be on the agenda.  Following discussion Melissa Spear moved to increase the limit that the Town can waive the bidding process from $5,000 to $20,000.  Katie Erickson seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

Fines, penalties and enforcement for use of Veterans Memorial Park, for non-residents, if they don’t have a Town of Bethany sticker, or have not purchased a season pass for non-residents will be on the agenda.

First Selectwoman Gorski reported to the Board of Finance about the complaints she is receiving from residents regarding the new traffic signs put up by the Connecticut DOT.  The State was to have had a meeting with Alan Green and First Selectwoman Gorski before the signs were put up regarding placement.  The signs were issued thru the Federal Government to the State of Connecticut thru a Highway Safety grant.  If the Town were to remove them the liability would be on the Town if anything happened.

INTERNAL CONTROL ISSUES

Sharon Huxley felt that the Board of Finance issue regarding Internal Control as suggested by the auditors was not being addressed.  She requested that Internal Control be put on every agenda.

The Board requested that Tom Broesler bring to the next meeting a list of accounts so that the Board could move to close any account that was no longer needed. 

ADD APPOINTMENT OF BOARD OF FINANCE CHAIRMAN TO THE AGENDA

Melissa Spear moved to add APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN to the agenda of this meeting.  The motion was seconded by Sally Huyser.  The vote taken was unanimous.

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD OF FINANCE CHAIRMAN

Sally Huyser moved to appoint John Grabowski as the Chairman of the Board of Finance.  John Ford IV seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

OTHER

Tom Broesler explained the process for renewal of the Bond Anticipation Notes for the Town. 

Chairman Grabowski requested that Alan Green come to the next meeting of the Board of Finance to explain how he is financing the over-expenditures for the salt shed.  He cannot take the over-expenditures from his operating budget as that money was approved for road work by the Town Meetings. 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:50 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by John Ford IV.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance