GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES – 3/ 24/2010 MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Allan D. Walker called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ATTENDANCE: Allan D. Walker, Scott Tillmann, James Korner, Donald Pardon, Ned Bixler and alternates Wilrose Duquette and Dexter Kinsella. Excused absence, John D. Garvey. Also present First Selectman Robert Valentine, Republican American reported James McKenna and Library Board members Catherine Nygren and Patrick Reilley.
SEATING OF ALTERNATE: A MOTION WAS MADE BY Scott Tillmann seconded by James Korner to seat alternate Wilrose Duquette as a regular member. No discussion, SO VOTED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the February 24, 2010 meeting were presented for approval. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Scott Tillmann seconded by James Korner to approve the minutes of said meeting. Noted for correction, Page one, Para. four, correct the spelling of the name of Ned Bixler. Page one, Para. eight, correct the word (tract) to read (track). Page one, Para. nine, the date of the Town meeting was March 22, not March 27th as noted in the minutes. Page 5, Para. 4, amend the wording a Request for Qualifications to read a Request for Proposal. Page 6, Para. 2, amend the minutes to read Chairman of the Litchfield Board of Finance, not the Board of Education. There were no further corrections or amendments noted. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS
CORRECTED. Donald Pardon and James Korner abstained from voting.
Dexter Kinsella arrived at 7:35 P.M. and A MOTION WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Wilrose Duquette to seat Dexter Kinsella as a regular member.
FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR PERIOD ENDING 2/28/2010: Presented for Board review was the Tax Collectors Report for period ending 2/28/2010. Said report showed that current collections are running close to collections for the same period in 2009. There were no further comments on the Tax Collectors report and the Chairman asked that the minutes note receipt of said 2/28/2010 Tax Collectors report.
FISCAL OFFICE BUDGET REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2010: Robert Valentine reported that current Town Budget Activity continues to be going well. As previously reported the Computer Support Line Item expense is over budget due to continued computer hardware problems. Due to Computer down time which interrupts the scheduled office work Robert Valentine reported that a new computer has been purchased which will be put into operation as a back up. Robert Valentine will be working with Fiscal Office Consultant Debbie Frankline on a Year-End Budget Estimate Report the first draft of which will be presented to the April 28th Board of Finance Meeting and will be updated on a monthly basis until the end of the current fiscal year.
Board Member Ned Bixler arrived at 7:38 P.M. and alternate Dexter Kinsella was unseated as a regular member.
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Discussed briefly was the cost of Computer Support Services and noted under the discussion was computer anti-virus protection and the fact that the Computer used by the Board of Registrars is connected to the Secretary of State Software and not part of the Town Computer network.
REPORT FROM FIRST SELECTMAN: Town Aid Road Dollars - Notification has been received that the State Bond Commission has approve the distribution of the Town Aid Road Funds and would soon be received by the Town. Tyler Lake Dam Project - Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Tyler Lake Dam Construction Project have gone out. Required permits for the project are all in place and the Town is working out some procedural items with the DEP with the start of the dam construction project scheduled for just after Labor Day. The return date for the RFQ’s is April 13th and the Town will meet with the engineer on the 14th to review the RFQ’s and go out to bid shortly thereafter. It is hoped that a dollar amount for the project will be known during the 2010/2011 Budget preparation
process. East Street North Project – Approval of the spending of the grant dollars for the East Street North Project was granted at a recent Town Meeting and the Town will be going out to bid on project on March 31st. Digitizing of Town Parcel Maps – Working with the Assessors Office, a Request for Proposal (RFP) has gone out for the digitizing of the Town Parcel Maps. Utilization of the $10,000.00 Incentive Housing Grant dollars will be used for the project. The cost of said project could come in over the $10,000.00. It was noted however that the Assessors Office has $1,500.00 for mapping expense that can be appropriated toward the project. If the cost for the project comes in over the appropriated amount the Selectmen will come back to the Finance Board for consideration of appropriation of any additional funds needed to cover the expense. Public Works Roller Compacting equipment - In the past, the Town on an annual
basis has rented a Roller Compactor to compact the dirt during the grading of the Town dirt roads. In looking at cost savings for Public Works projects consideration is being given to the use of Town Aid Road dollars to purchase a used compactor, with the hope that said purchase can be done in conjunction with another Municipality. The 2010/2011 proposed Public Works Budget will be presented to the Finance Board at the April Meeting. It was noted that recent review of the expenditures to date for equipment repair and maintenance overall is currently within budget. Public Works continues to be made to look at ways to cut costs. Discussed briefly was the replacement of the Public Works F550 truck. There were no further items reported under the First Selectman’s Report.
BOARD REVIEW OF 2010/2011 PROPOSED BUDGETS: DEPT. 21-LIBRARY BUDGET: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $127,444.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget $127,428.00, an overall decrease of ($16.00). The major decreases were ($3,000.00) for Books, ($1,250.00) for Other Media ($750.00) for Videos and ($100.00) each for water cooler and postage. The increases were $2,477.00 for Library Director, $2,507.00 for Library Staff Wages and $100.00 each for Equipment repair and Mileage Reimbursement. Said budget was reviewed by the Finance Board
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with Chairman Allan Walker commending the Library Board for a job well done in again presenting a no increase budget. Robert Valentine also noted the excellent job of the Library Board in putting their budget together and giving detailed information for all line items. Robert Valentine also cautioned the Board of Finance that cuts that are being made to curtail spending cannot go on forever, eventually budgets will have to go in the other direction. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Wilrose Duquette seconded by Ned Bixler to receive the proposed 2010/2011 Library budget in the amount of $127,428.00. Under further discussion it was noted that all budgets that include salaries are being received with the salary increases factored in. Salary increases are based on the guidelines under the Paul Andrews study and individual employee
performance evaluation. There was no further discussion on the motion, SO VOTED. Catherine Nygren and Patrick Reilly left the meeting at 7:56 P.M.
DEPT 31 – BOARD OF ASSESSSORS: Current 2009/1010 Budget $58,260.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget $58,047.00 a decrease of ($213.00). A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by Wilrose Duquette to receive said proposed 2010/2011budget in the amount of $58,047.00. There was no discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 10 – BOARD OF FINANCE: Current 2009/2010 budget, $15,125.00. Proposed, 2010/2011 Budget $16,650.00, an increase of $1,525.00. The major increase is $1,350.00 for annual audit fees. It was noted that it was the only budget to date showing an increase. Questioned was the $15,350.00 budgeted for annual audit fees. The Annual Audit Fee number could change as it is believed that under the Auditor’s engagement letter the fee quoted was $14,000.00, the same as 6/30/2009. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Wilrose Duquette seconded by James Korner to receive said budget in the amount of $16,650.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 56 – CEMETERIES: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $7,720.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget
$5,980.00, a decrease of $(1,720.00). The reduction being in the cost of maintenance. It was noted that under the bid process, said cost came in lower that last year. A MOTION WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Ned Bixler to receive said budget in the amount of $5,980.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 04 – FISCAL OFFICE: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $40,625.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget $40,625.00, no change. Robert Valentine noted that under agreement with Robert E. Kingt the rate for Consultant Debbie Franklin will be held at the current fiscal year rate. The line item for Administrative wages remains flat. Salary increases in that line item will be handled through a decrease in number of hours. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Wilrose Duquette seconded by Ned Bixler to receive said budget in the amount of $40,625.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 26 – FIRE PROTECTION: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $69,900.00. Proposed 2010/2011
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Budget $70,250.00 a increase of $350.00. The increase of $600.00 for Fire Department Wages was offset by $350.00, a decrease of $(200.00) for Training and $(50.00) for Truck Repair and Maint. It was noted that bids have gone out for gasoline and heating oil and those line items could change. There was also no change in the line item for Electricity. The Town of Goshen does have the $34,000.00 Energy Efficient Grant from the State of CT and it is anticipated that energy efficient upgrades should hold the current line item. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by Wilrose Duquette to receive the proposed 2010/2911 Fire Protection budget in the amount of $70,250.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED. James Korner and Scott Tillmann abstained from voting.
INSURANCE; Current 2009/2010 Budget, $108,858.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget, $104,928.00, a decrease of ($3,930.00), the decrease being in Liability Property & Causality Ins.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by James Korner to receive said 2010/2011 proposed Insurance Budget in the amount of $104,928.00. Some of the numbers at this time are estimates and could be subject to change but they are numbers that can be held too. Any changes would be brought back to the board for consideration. There was no further discussion on the motion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 07 – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $23,458.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget, $22,578.00 a decrease of $(880.00) in Probate Court Expenses. A MOTION WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Ned Bixler to receive said budget in the amount of $22,578.00. Due to consolidation there is an increase in the Probate Expense but the increase in the number of towns covered under the consolidation will result in a reduction in the cost to the Town. A decision was also made to hold the line item for Town Counsel & Legal Fees at the current $12,000.00 level. The decision was based on the spending history under said line item. It was noted that all Revaluation Appeals
have been resolved and that $26,790.39 remains in the designated Capital line item for Atty. & Professional Services for Revaluation. Those dollars can, through a Town Meeting, be reallocated. There was no further discussion, said proposed 2010/2011 budget was received in the amount of $22,578.00, SO VOTED.
DEPT 28 –RESCUE: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $19,500.00. Proposed 2010/2011 Budget, $19,500.00, no change. A MOTION WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Wilrose Duquette to receive said proposed 2010/2011 budget in the amount of $19,500.00. There was no discussion, SO VOTED.
There were no other budgets to come before this meeting. Robert Valentine informed the Board that all remaining budget to be received by the Board would be presented at the April 28th meeting. The big variable under the Budget Process is the Employee Benefits. It is hope to have those numbers for the April Meeting. Looking at the 2010/2011 proposed budget numbers, a less that 1% increase in the overall budget is seen at this time.
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CORRESPONDENCE: None
OTHER BUSINESS: Chairman Allan Walker noted that the estimated year end numbers that were presented in a hand out at the January Meeting continue to be running as projected. As the Town moves forward under the current budget and the 2010/2011 proposed Budget process, decisions will need to be made relative what action the Board will take relative to use of Fund Balance Vs increase in taxes to off set any budget increases or loss in State Revenue.
Reduction in receipt of budgeted State Municipal Grants for the 2009/2010 is not expected for current fiscal year but in looking ahead to 2010/2011 Robert Valentine stated that cuts can be expected in State Municipal Grant dollars.
Noted was receipt of an updated Capital & Non Recurring 2009/2010 Report. Robert Valentine reported that the CNR line item for Fire Company Medical Equipment in the amount of $18.673.81 shown in the CNR report was expended out this week with the purchase of was paid out this week for stretcher for the firehouse.
Wilrose Duquette reported that he had attended the Region 6 Board of education meeting which was held in Goshen, but unfortunately, the attendance was low. Region 6 Supt. Craig Dresek gave a good presentation, explaining what Region 6 is doing in the use of the tax dollars received in a more effective fashion while still being able to present a no increase budget. Wilrose Duquette noted that he again commended them for what they are doing and their commitment Region 6.
There was no other business proper to come before said meeting A MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY James Korner seconded by Scott Tillmann. The meeting adjourned at 8:28 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
Joan M. Lang, Board Clerk
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