GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 26, 2009
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Allan D. Walker called the meeting to order at 7L30 P.M.
AT TENDANCE: Allan D. Walker, Scott Tillmann, James Korner, John D. Garvey, Donald
Pardon, Ned Bixler and alternates Wilrose Duquette and Dexter Kinsella. Also present First Selectman Robert Valentine.
SEATING OF ALTERNATE: MOTION MADE BY James Korner seconded by Scott Tillmann to seat alternate Wilrose Duquette as a regular member, no discussion, SO VOTED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Donald Pardon to approve the minutes of the July 22. 2009 Meeting. Noted for correction, Page 2, Para. 3, second sentence add (d) to the word close. Page 2, Para. 4, change the word installed to read (completed) and delete Fiscal Office. Page 2, last para. correct the word pre-trail to read pre-trial. Page 3, Para. 2, change the word maximum to read (minimum). There were no other corrections noted. The Minutes were approved as amended. Ned Bixler arrived at 7:35.
BUDGET /FINANCIAL REPORTES FOR PERIOD ENDING 7/31/2009: The Tax Collectors report showed good collections with a tax collection rate of 49.76% vs budgeted taxes to be collected. A MOTION WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Ned Bixler to accept the Tax Collectors Report. No discussion, SO VOTED. It was noted by the First Selectman that the Tax Collector Launa Goslee continues to do a good job.
BUDGET REPORT FROM FISCAL OFFICE: First Selectman Robert Valentine reported that said
report shows Revenue and Expenditures to be normal for the first month into the Fiscal Year. It was noted that interest income earned on investments was not recorded for this report due to the fact that Town Treasurer James Bernard is working to get Town Funds into CD’s that will generate better interest income on the Town Funds. Quarterly statements on Town Investments will be used for future reporting of Interest & Dividend Income. The Town Treasurer is currently working with The First National Bank of Litchfield on Investment an Program being offered by the FNB Bank. The Chip Seal Road Project is completed and came in under budget due to the fact that not as many miles were done this year and the third year of competitive bidding has been beneficial to the Town. The project came in at approximately
$36,763.00 under budget. There were no other comments under the Budget Report. Allan Walker noted his appreciation to Debbie Franklin for the good job she does: in preparing said budget report. Robert Valentine reported that there continues to be a lag in the receipt of State Grant Monies. It is not affecting the Town Finances at this time and should not as long as they eventually come in.
CONTINGENCY ADJUSTMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING 6/30/2009: Presented to the Finance Board for consideration were the Contingency Adjustment for 6/30/2009. A MOTION WAS
GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES 8/26/2009 MTG.
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MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Ned Bixler to transfer from the Contingency Fund to the Cemeteries Budget the amount of $902.55. No discussion, SO VOTED.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Donald Pardon to transfer from the Contingency Fund to the Planning & Zoning Budget the amount of $21.85. No discussion, SO VOTED.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler, seconded by John D. Garvey to transfer from the Contingency Fund to Town Office building the amount of $3,150.04. No discussion, SO VOTED.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by James Korner to transfer from the Contingency Fund to Region 6 Budget the amount of $2.00. No discussion, SO VOTED.
TOTAL CONTINGENCY ADJUSTMENTS FOR 6/30/2009 - $4,076.44
Under comments on the contingency fund transfers, Robert Valentine noted that the $2.00 for Region 6 was just a rounding off figure. Credit was again given to all departments for all their diligent and efforts to work within their budgets.
REPORT FROM THE FIRST SELECTMAN: Fuel Consortium – The Town did not use as must fuel as estimated last year. Noted was the difficulty in trying to re-coupe the unused heating fuel oil at the locked in price last year. Review of the Consortium agreement with East River Energy by the Selectmen showed that the agreement is not with East River Energy but with the Consortium. The agreement with the Consortium will allow the Town to purchase fuel at a locked in price of $1.91 a gallon.
TYLER LAKE DAM: The DEP permit is expected to be completed this week and it is still hoped that the work can be done this year, especially to be able to go out to bid on the project. Noted was the $400,000.00 STEEP Grant and the $10.000.00 budgeted by the Board of Finance for various items under the dam project.
CHIP SEAL PROJECT: Again noted was that the Public Works Chip Seal Project is completed with a remaining balance of $36,763 in the Chip Seal Budget.
TOWN HILL ROAD PROJECT: Said project which was started in the fall of 2008 is now completed. Public Works will be working on the Griswold/Sandy Beach Road off of Route 4 which is a right of way for the Town to get into the Tyler Lake Dam site.
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ENERGENCY EFFICENCY GRANT: Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act the Town has $34,000.00 which is earmarked for the Town to apply for. The application cut off period has been moved September. Some prices have been received for Federal lighting at Public Works and the Firehouse for sensor lighting where appropriate. Should the prices come in over grant dollar amount, Robert Valentine noted that he would be talking with Mr. Axelrod of the CL&P to see what incentive programs they have available.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Dollars, the Town is also in line for $159,000.00 for Rural Road Connector Project. The Town has two such roads, East Street North and Milton Road. The Town is currently working with the First Selectman of Norfolk relative to East Street North which connects with 272 in Norfolk. They will be working with CONN.DOT on a joint project under the Rural Road Connector Project. It is not expected that the work would be done until next year and in the interim, the Town would be doing upgrade to several areas on East Street North that need work. The Grant Dollars for both Goshen & Norfork will be used on the East Street North/Route 272 project.
WEST HYERDALE DRIVE ROAD PROBLEM: Robert Valentine informed the Board of the shifting and sliding problem of the road on W. Hyerdale Drive/Bentley Circle area. The movement of the road has been monitored for the past year Engineer. Engineers have done borings to determine what is causing the sliding and sinking of the road. Robert Valentine wanted the Board to be informed that depending on Engineering test results, there is a potential for major
expensive road repair.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR FIRE TRUCK: Said Proposals were opened on Tuesday with the following proposals coming in – KME Fire Apparatus, $452,496.00. Firematic/Pierce Fire Apparatus – Payment schedule offered, 100% $485,974.86, 75%, 490,702.72. 50% $494,830.58. 25% $502,204.29. New England Fire Equipment Apparatus Corp - $418,000.00. Yankee Fire & Rescue, Inc. $459,975.00. It was noted that the quotes received are RFP’s and the Fire Company needs to review and make certain of what is included in each proposal.
UPSTAIRS REZONING FOR AIR CONDITIONING: The rezoning work has been completed. Said project came in at $2,945.00. Future consideration would be giving to having rezoning work done on the down stairs.
2008/2009 FISCAL AUDIT: A major portion of the Audit Work has been completed. Preliminary numbers show a year- end positive number of $340,000.00. It is not believed at this time that the Auditor has made any changes to the bottom line numbers. It was again noted that figure says a lot about for all Boards, Commissions and Staff for a job well done. The Fund Balance would remain at approximately 14%.
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CORRESPONDENCE: Received from the Torrington Area Health was their annual report for July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 relative to services provided by Torrington Area Health District and the number of people served within the District.
CAPITAL & NON RECURRING REPORT 2009-2010: A copy of said CNR Report dated 8/26/2009 was presented to all Board members. Robert Valentine noted that he found the Town to be in good shape overall. There are no red flags on any items at this time. Robert Valentine noted that if for some reason the Fire Co. comes in under the $500,000. Budget amount for the new fire truck that consideration be given be the Board to appropriate any remaining dollars for other needed fire apparatus.
Discussed briefly were the Public Works Trucks. Robert Valentine reported on the considerable amount of work done on Public Works Truck #4. The cost of which came in at approximately $2,000.00.
There was no other business proper to come before said meeting. MOTION TO ADJOURN MADE BY James Korner seconded by Scott Tillmann, the meeting adjourned at 8:08 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
Joan M. Lang, Clerk
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