BOARD OF FINANCE

SPECIAL MEETING

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

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DRAFT

Attendance:  Chairman John Grabowski, John Ford IV, Sharon Huxley, Sally Huyser

Visitors:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Thomas Broesler, Tim Neiderman, Jennifer Turner, Katheryn Silvester, John Pellicano, Alan Green, Selectman Clark Hurlburt, Francis Doba, Johnathan Hirchoff, Richard Cogill, Robert McSherry, Melissa Canham-Clyne

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:12 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectman’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 February 20, 2018.  The motion of approval was moved by John Ford IV.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  There were no changes made to the minutes.  The vote was called.  The vote taken was three yes votes and one abstention that of Sally Huyser.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

There was no Chairman’s Report as there had been no Amity Finance Meeting since his last report.

FIRST SELECTWOMAN’S REPORT

First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski reports that she had been in Hartford today at the Public Hearing held in the Legislative Office Building testifying regarding Bill 51.67.  Under this bill the elementary schools can only put into a non-lapsing fund 1% of surplus for Capital projects while Regional School systems are not limited.  For example because Amity is a Regional System they are not held to the same standards. Without public authorization they can put their surplus into a fund and spend the surplus without returning it to the towns.

CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Katheryn Sylvester, member of the Clark Memorial Library Board gave a formal introduction to the Board of Finance for the Library budget and introduced members of the Library Board present at this meeting. Melisa Canham-Clyne then spoke of the activities and programs and extended hours they are open.  She spoke of the money received as a result of the grant writer they had for a year.  Melisa spoke of the creative ways they are trying to set up fund raisers.  Overall they are asking for an increase in their budget of $22,000 over last year. 

BETHANY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Robert McSherry addressed the Board of Finance regarding the Bethany Fire Department budget and Capital Expenditure requests.  The operating budget request is $2,000 more than last year.  They are requesting $17,000 for a cardiac compression tool.  They would like a utility body pickup for $85,000 and a new engine pumper for $895,000 as their Capital Expenditures.

Robert gave the Board of Finance an update on progress with the installation of the Radio System.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT BUDGET

Alan Green outlined some of the Highway Department’s operation.  The budget request is $6.7 % over last year.  The department is making a request for a new pay loader as their only Capital Expenditure request this year.  The Board requested that Alan get together with Tom Broesler to work up a list of roads to repair over the next five years and the cost of reconstruction, since Alan feels that the Town is falling behind with road repair and perhaps bonding should be considered.  They would like this information for the next meeting.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Trooper Merriam is still waiting for numbers from the State regarding the percentage of total salary for the Resident Trooper to be paid by each town.  It is not known what other costs may still be accessed by the State. 

SOLID WASTE BIDS

The bids for curbside pickup and recycling will be opened next week. 

BUDGET

The Board of Finance is requesting that Tom Broesler have all the numbers finalized on a spread sheet so that they can begin to put the budget together for their special meeting March 6, 2018. 

TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT

Fran Doba presented the monthly report of the Tax Collector to the Board of Finance.  She explained why the amount for tax refunds was so high.  She explained that it was due to the pre-tax pay situation with the Federal Government deductions for next year. 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 9:05 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