DRAFT

Attendance:  John Grabowski, Sharon Huxley, John Ford, Katie Erickson, Sally Huyser

Absent: Lars Demander

Visitors:  First Selectman, Paula Cofrancesco

Chairman John Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:09 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 November 12, 2019.  The motion of approval was moved by John Ford and seconded by Sharon Huxley.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The vote taken – Approval - Unanimous.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski reported that he had attended an Amity of Board of Finance meeting the night before.  Amity’s initial budget number was 7.17% or $3,551,237 over the current 2019-2020 budget. After working through their numbers they are currently down to 4.84%.  The Representatives on the Board from all three towns expressed that Amity should continue to work at reducing that number further.  One reason for the current reduction is that Amity is pushing off some of the Debt Service amount to the next budget (2021-2022).  Amity is also looking to put a full-time Resource Officer in each of the Middle Schools.  That could potentially increase the 2020-2021 budget by approximately $200,000.  Amity plans to present their 2020-2021 budget to the Town in February 2020.  Amity’s current surplus is $406,145.00.

FIRST SELECTMAN’s REPORT

First Selectman Cofrancesco updated that the initial road paving project is complete.  Some final striping is being done.  Town is waiting for final report from BETA.  Once that is received, it will be reviewed, looking initially at the remaining eight roads on the initial list of the roads presented in the spring.  There are some other roads that may also require work.  The condition of the roads and the extent of work that needs to be done will be a determining factor in how many get done.

 First Selectman Cofrancesco updated that the project to replace three wells on Knollwood Drive was complete.  Bills for the wells came in at what was proposed or under.  There was some discussion on the reimbursement to Dorothy Dierhoff on the repairs she incurred to make her water potable while waiting for well replacement.  She had extensive damage to her pump and pipes.  First Selectman Cofrancesco indicated that Dorothy provided documentation covering her expenses (just over $4,300.00).  Sharon Huxley made a motion to approve the reimbursement to Ms. Dierhoff up to $4,500.00.  The motion was seconded by John Ford.  Vote taken – Approved – Unanimous.

FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORTS – Sheila Lane absent – No reports

A.      MONTHLY ENDING REPORT FOR FY 2019-20

ADDRESS CONTROL ISSUES

Katie Erickson expressed concern in getting controls in place.  It will help to know what responsibilities go with certain positions.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will work on getting a draft of an organizational chart in place.  Now that we have the module and representative for Human Resources available from Paychex, that should help us in this area.

OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING - NONE

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:15 p.m. after a motion was moved by Salley Huyser and seconded by John Ford.  The vote taken was unanimous.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                       

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                Paula Cofrancesco

                                                                                                First Selectman

 

  

BOARD OF FINANCE

DECEMBER 10, 2019

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