BOARD OF FINANCE

SPECIAL MEETING

MAY 29, 2018

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DRAFT

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

Visitors:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Fran Doba, Tom Broesler, Rod White

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:10 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 to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 24, 2018.  The motion was moved by John Ford IV and seconded by Sharon Huxley.  There were no changes to the minutes of this meeting.  The Chairman called the vote.  The vote was four (4) yes votes and one (1) abstention that of Katie Erickson as she was absent from that meeting.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski attended the recent Amity Finance Committee Meeting.  Chairman Grabowski reported that no temporary superintendent has yet to be hired.

 The State Legislator has passed a bill stating that 2% of surplus can be retained by the Board of Education. The Board of Education will also retain $500,000 of the $2,500,000 surplus for the self insured medical insurance fund.  Another portion of the surplus will be used for repair of the air handlers.  A Town Meeting type vote, possibly in September at a Board of Education Meeting, to put the balance in a non-lapsing fund for the future will take place.    The date to be announced. 

SETTING OF MILL RATE

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to set the mill rate for the 2018-19 fiscal year.  The motion was moved by Sharon Huxley to set the mill rate at 36.9 mills.  The motion was seconded by John Ford IV.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Tom Broesler, Finance Director contacted auditing firms for proposals for the audit of 2017-18, however the only firm responding was the company of  Michaud Accavallo Woodbridge & Cusano, LLC .    Following discussion Melissa Spear moved a motion to recommend the accounting firm of Michaud Accavallo Woodbridge & Cusano, LLC under section 12-1 of the ordinances of the Town of Bethany providing no other qualified bids come in. 

SELECTMEN’S REPORT

First Selectwoman Gorski gave the Board of Finance a report on storm damage and the steps that are being taken in the clean-up effort.  She received a quote for chipping of the brush that has been accumulating at the old Recycling Center from residential cleanup.  The Town approved this area for brush drop-off by residents.  First Selectwoman Gorski requested that the Board of Finance authorize $20,000 from the Contingency Fund for this emergency work.  Following discussion a motion was moved by Sharon Huxley and seconded by Melissa Spear to transfer up to $20,000 from the Contingency Fund pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Sec.28-1 (2) (4) iii and section 28-8 which grants executive officers the power to do this, the money to be transferred to the Department of Public Works budget from the Contingency Fund.  The vote taken was unanimous.

PARK AND RECREATION ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S SALARY

The Board of Finance discussed the salary increase of Anthony Cofrancesco, Assistant Director as mentioned at a previous meeting.  A motion was moved by Katie Erickson to increase the salary of Anthony Cofrancesco effective February 1, 2018 by $3.00 per hour with funds being taken from the Contingency Fund for fiscal year 2017-18, and transfer it to the Park & Recreation salary account.  Funds should also be move from the Contingency Fund for fiscal year 2018-19 in the amount of $6,000, to the Park & Recreation salary account for his salary increase for fiscal year 2018-19.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

BETHANY COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION

For fiscal year 2017-18 the Bethany Community School Board of Education anticipates a surplus of up to $66,549.  Since they have been notified that a new special needs student will be attending the school next fiscal year, the Board of Education is requesting that this surplus be retained for next fiscal year to cover this extra cost.  Following discussion Katie Erickson moved a motion that the Bethany Board of Finance allow the Bethany Community School Board of Education to encumber the expected surplus to be applied towards the extra anticipated Special Education costs not budgeted for FY 2018-19.  This encumbrance is valid for this request only.  Melissa Spear seconded the motion.  The vote was called.  The vote was unanimous.

SUSPENSE LIST

Fran Doba, Tax Collector requested that the Board of Finance approve and sign the Suspense List totaling $15,583.27 for the 2013 Grand List per State Statute 12-165.   The motion was moved by Sharon Huxley and seconded by Katie Erickson.  The vote taken was unanimous.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 7:55 p.m. after a motion was moved by John Ford IV and seconded by Melissa Spear.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance