BOARD OF FINANCE

JUNE 11, 2019

Page 1 of 3

DRAFT

Attendance:  Chairman John Grabowski, Sharon Huxley, Katie Erickson, Sally Huyser joined the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

Visitor:  First Selectman Elect Paula CoFrancesco, John Paul Garcia, Lars Demander, Chris Pittenger, Fred Bartolini, Edward Maher, Angelo Amato, Coleen Murray, Brandy Spargo

The meeting was unofficially called to order at 7:19 p.m. by Chairman Grabowski.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  The meeting was officially called to order at 7:50 p.m. when Sally Huyser arrived at the meeting to make a quorum. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 2, 2019.  The motion was moved by Sharon Huxley and seconded by Sally Huyser.  The minutes were amended by Chairman Grabowski regarding the surplus amount for Amity.  The vote was called.  The vote taken was three yes votes and one abstention that of Sally Huyser.

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 22, 2019.  The motion was moved by Katie Erickson and seconded by Sharon Huxley.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The minutes were then approved on a vote of three yes and one abstention that of Sally Huyser. 

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 30, 2019.  The motion was moved by Katie Erickson and seconded by Sharon Huxley.  The minutes were amended by Sharon Huxley under Budget 2019-20.  .  The vote was called.  The vote taken was three yes votes and one abstention that of Sally Huyser.

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to approve the minutes of May 9, 2019.  The Board tabled approval until a question regarding Betsy Thornquist’s status could be clarified.

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion to approve the minutes of May 20, 2019.  The motion of approval was moved by Katie Erickson and seconded by Sharon Huxley.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The vote was called.  The vote taken was three yes votes and one abstention that of Sally Huyser.

 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski reported that the Amity surplus of $1,502,297 has been reduced to $1,100,000.  The Amity Board of Education approved using $409,259 of the surplus for a security system.   

FIRST SELECTWOMAN’S REPORT

First Selectwoman Gorski reported to the Board of Finance, results on the water testing for the well contamination of three homes on Knollwood Road.  After curbing was installed on Knollwood Road a second test was taken.  There was no improvement from the first test taken.  First Selectwoman Gorski is getting prices on the digging of new wells and casing.  First Selectwoman Gorski felt it was better to address the issue than to wait until litigation was brought on the Town because of this contamination. 

FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Sheila Lane, Finance Director distributed Revenue and Expenditure Reports.  The reports with one month left in the fiscal year indicates that 89% of the budget has been expended.   

Sheila indicated to the Board that she would be talking to a Financial Advisor regarding the Firemen’s pension plan. 

BOARD OF EDUCATION SURPLUS- BETHANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Chris Pittenger spoke to the Board of Finance regarding a $121,000 surplus in the Board of Education budget for fiscal year 2018-19.  The Board of Education is requesting that this surplus be put into the Capital Fund for the renovation of Annex #2.  The Board of Finance questioned cost to make this Annex functional.  Chris indicated that approximately $325,000 would be needed to renovate the building, suitable for storage area and possible office space for the Superintendent’s Office.  This would include costs for removal of PCB’s.  Sally Huyser and Katie Erickson were not in favor of this idea.  They felt that before monies were spent it should go before a Town Meeting to get the consensus of the Town.  John Garcia, member of the Board of Education and an engineer, told the Board of Finance that the PCB’s would have to be removed if the building was demolished.  The cost for removal would be $100,000.  He felt that the building was still structurally sound.  Following further discussion Sally Huyser moved to accept the approximate $121,000 surplus from the Board of Education, to be deposited into the Capital Expenditure Fund earmarked for Annex #2 renovations pending legal approval.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

ACCEPTANCE OF SUSPENSE LIST FOR TAX COLLECTOR

Fran Doba, Tax Collector presented the suspense list for approval to the Board of Finance.  After a review Sharon Huxley moved a motion to accept the suspense list as presented by Fran Doba, Tax Collector.  Katie Erickson seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

HARVEST FESTIVAL LINE ITEM

Park and Recreation Commission has requested a line item to be created for the Harvest Festival for expenditures and revenue.   Since money is often left after the Festival they would like it to be held over for the next year.  They did not want the money returned to the General Fund.  Sharon Huxley moved a motion to create an account for the Park & Recreation Harvest Fest where bills would be paid and revenues would be credited.  Katie Erickson seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

CLOSE SMALL ACCOUNTS

Katie Erickson moved a motion to close the Playhouse and Farmers Market accounts and to return the money to the General Fund.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

CENTER FIRE HOUSE WATER TREATMENT

Rod White has requested a water treatment system for the Center Fire House.  The cost will be $4,500 for this system.  Sally Huyser moved the motion to take $4,500 from the Contingency Fund to pay for a water treatment system for Center Fire House per the recommendation of Rod White.  The motion was seconded by Sharon Huxley.  The vote taken was unanimous.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:55 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sharon Huxley and seconded by Sally Huyser.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted

                                                               

                                                                                                June G. Riley, Clerk Board of Finance