GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 24, 2010
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Allan D. Walker.
ATTENDANCE: Allan D. Walker, Ned Bixler, John D. Garvey, Scott Tillmann and Alternate Wilrose Duquette. Excused absence, James Korner and Alternate Dexter Kinsella. Absent Donald Pardon. Also present First Selectman Robert Valentine.
SEATING OF ALTERNATE: A MOTION WAS MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Scott Tillmann to seat Alternate Wilrose Duquette as a regular member. No discussion, SO VOTED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the January 27, 2010 meeting was presented for approval. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Wilrose Duquette and seconded by John D. Garvey to approve the minutes of said meeting. Noted under discussion on the minutes was the October 1, 2009 Grand List increase of $2,568,538.00 as shown in the fifth Para. on page 5 of the minutes. It was agreed that any reduction budget numbers recorded in the minutes should continue to be so noted by parenthesis. There was no other discussion under the minutes, THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. New Bixler abstained from voting.
BUDGET/ FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR PERIOD ENDING 1/31/2010: Noted under the Budget Report was the expense for the Town Hall Computer line item. Said line item is currently at 105.48% of budget expended and Robert Valentine noted that due to a major crash of two computers the Town is currently looking at an additional expense of $1,100.00. It was noted that overall Budget expenses continue to be on target.
TAX COLLECTORS REPORT: Said report continues to show good collection with collections being just under the collections for the same period last year. A MOTION WAS MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Scott Tillmann to accept the 1/31/2010 report from the Tax Collector. No discussion, SO VOTED.
REPORT FROM FIRST SELECTMAN: Tyler Lake Dam Project - Robert Valentine reported that the Tyler Lake Dam Permit has been received from the Army Corp of Engineers and work is being done with an Engineer to put together the request for qualifications for bidders on the project with the hope of being able to go out to bid by the end of March.
Winter Snow Removal expense remains on tract at this time as does the overall Publics Works Budget.
Date of Town Meeting – The date of March 27, 2010 has been set for a Town Meeting. On the agenda for the meeting will be the East Street North Resurfacing Project, the Energy Efficient Block Grant resolution and the application to CL&P for the differential dollars for the energy lighting upgrades. Two ordinances would also be presented to the voters of the Town, one
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being the election of Selectman and Board of Selectmen which would allow voters to vote for the entire Board. The other Ordinance would be consideration of an application for a $10,000.00 Housing Grant to the State Office of Policy & Management. Under consideration for some time has been the digitizing of the Town Parcel Maps and if the Grant dollars become available, some of those grant dollars would be designated for the cost of digitizing the maps.
It was noted that the balancing of the State budget remains at a stalemate and it is not expected that any action will be taken to balance the budget until after the Nov. elections. To date the Town has not received any Town Aide Road Funds or other grand dollars. Robert Valentine noted that the Town continues to hold the line on the majority of the Town Budgets. Work continues on the application of the CL&P Conservation Block Grant, more detailed information is required under the grant before it can be submitted. Discussed briefly was the condition of the Town roads. There was no further report from the First Selectman.
BOARD REVIEW AND RECEIPT OF 2010/2011 PROPOSED BUDGETS:
DEPT 18 – ANIMAL CONTROL FUND BUDGET: Current 2009/2010 budget $8,947.00, Proposed 2010/2011 $10,997.00, up $2,050.00, the increases being $650.00 for mileage reimbursement and $1,400.00 for Outside Services. Under discussion, Robert Valentine noted that the increases were a result of bringing those line items which had been under budget up to meet the numbers being seen in the trending of expenses for those items. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by Wilrose Duquette to receive said budget in the amount of $10,997.00. No discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 32 – BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS: Current 2009/2010 Budget, $1,400.00. Proposed 2010/2011, $1,400.00, no change. It was noted that there has not been an increase in BAA Hearings expense due to Revaluation. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by John D. Garvey to receive said budget in the amount of $1,400.00, no discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 29 – CIVIL PREPAREDNESS: Current 2009/2010 budget $8,230.00, proposed 2010/2011 budget, $7,225.00, a reduction of ($1,005.00) for Liberty Shield/Emergency Preparedness.
Liberty Shield expense reduction is based on the fact that expenses uncured under the current budget will not be needed next year and use of Federal Dollars can be used to make up some differences. A MOTION WAS MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Wilrose Duquette to receive said budget in the amount of $7,225.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 44 – CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Current 2009/2010 Budget $302.00, proposed 2010/2011 budget, $302.00. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Wilrose Duguette, seconded by New Bixler to receive said budget in the amount of #302.00. No discussion, SO VOTED.
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DEPT 51 – CONSERVATION OF HEALTH: Current 2009/2010 Budget $70,200.00, proposed 2010/2011 budget $71,563.00 an increase of $1,363.00. The increases are $1,192.00 for 911 calling, $4.00 for Northwest Mental Health and $167.00 for Torrington Area Health District.
Under discussion on the increases, Litchfield County Dispatch Budget has not been passed so the increase in 911 calling is based on current information. The LCD budget will not be completed until the end of April which could result in either an increase or decrease in that line item based on the LCD 2010/2011 Budget. Paramedic Option line item is holding its own. Northwest Mental Health line item increase is based on per capita town resident numbers. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler and seconded by John D. Garvey to receive the Conservation of Health Budget in the amount of $71,563.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 05 – BUILDING OFFICIAL: Current 2009/2010 Budget is $40,985.00, proposed 2010/2011 Budget $40,985.00, no change. Discussed briefly was the Building Official Fees revenue which is currently running 88.72 % of budgeted revenue. The variable in that line item depends on the economy. A MOTION WAS MADE BY New Bixler seconded by Scott Tillmann to receive said budget in the amount of $40,985.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 14 – ELECTIONS: Current 2009/2010 budget $19,996.00 proposed 2010/2011, $19,596.00, a decrease of ($400.00) Decreases noted ($40.00) for Legal Notice and ($600.00) for Supplies. Increases in the budget are $40.00 for Mileage reimbursement and $200.00 for Office Supplies. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Wilrose Duquette and seconded by John D. Garvey to receive said budget in the amount of $19,596.00, no further discussion, SO VOTED. Ned Bixler abstained from voting.
DEPT 01 – SELECTMEN: Current 2009/2010 Budget $116 239.00 proposed 2010/2011, $116,239.00, no change. A MOTION WAS MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Ned Bixler to receive said budget in the amount of $116,239.00. No discussion, SO VOTED.
STREET LIGHTS : Current 2009-2010 Budget $11,930.00, proposed 2010/2011 budget $11,930.00, no change. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by Wilrose Duguette to
receive said budget in the amount of $11,930.00, no discussion, SO VOTED.
DEPT 12 – TAX COLLECTOR: Current 2009/2010 budget $37,147.00, proposed 2010/2011 budget $37,147.00. No Change in the bottom line but some line item were reworked or adjusted to reflect decreases or increases in the line items within the budget. Robert Valentine noted the hard work done by the Tax Collector in presenting her budget and noted that Tax Collector Launa Goslee presents the fiscal office with a monthly detailed budget expenditures report. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler and seconded by John D. Garvey to receive said budget in the amount of $37,147.00. No further discussion, SO VOTED.
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DEPT 11 – TOWN CLERK: Current 2009/2010 budget $77,968.00, proposed 2010/2011 budget $77,931.40, a decrease of $(36.60). Decreases in various line items of $(2,501.60) vs increases of $2.465.00 left a decrease of $36.60) in the proposed 2010/2011 proposed budget. Robert Valentine explained the reasons behind the adjustment made in the Asst. Town Clerk Wages.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by John D. Garvey to receive the proposed Town Clerk Budget in the amount of $77,931.00. No discussion, SO VOTED.
Chairman Allan Walker reported that he had attended the meeting called by the First Selectman to address with the heads of the various Departments and Commissions relative to the submission of no increases budgets and trying to make the budgets work while trying to give consideration to salary increases for Town employees. No promises were made to the employees relative to salary increases but those attending the meeting were informed of the efforts being made by the Board of Finance to justify employee pay increases under a no increase budget while being faced with the prospects of increasing the mil rate. It was believed that results of that meeting showed that a cooperative effort was needed and would be made by all parties concerned in addressing the financial issues facing the Town.
Discussed briefly was the matrix being used by Paul Andrews to produce the Paul Andrews Salary Guidelines. Robert Valentine reported that the Paul Andrews Guidelines are based on a combination of information garnered from the CT Counsel of Municipalities salary surveys, the Litchfield Hills Counsel of Elected Officials salary survey, and the Northwest COG and also pools the Dept. of Labor Statistical Data in the mix. It is believed that the matrix is weighted by the Northwest corner salary surveys.
DEPT 55 – MISCELLANEOUS: Said budget had been received by the Finance Board at the January 27, 2010 Meeting with the understanding that the Litchfield Hills Counsel of Elected Officials had not set their 2010/2011 budget and there could be a change in the line item for Organization dues. Robert Valentine noted that the LHCEO had adopted their budget and that bottom line under the budget would remain the same. Noted was the fact that the State Legislature and the Governor for the most part have eliminated funding for Regional Planning Organizations which resulted in a $55,000.00 reduction for LHCEO. Robert Valentine reported that the LHCEO executive budget committee agreed to use some of its fund balance to offset the increase in dues.
There were no other proposed budgets to come before this meeting. Robert Valentine noted that all Boards and Commissions are aware of the financial issues facing the Town and all are cooperating in coming in with a zero increase budget for 2010/2011.
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BOARD OF FINANCE PROPOSED 2010/2011 BUDGET: John D. Garvey will work on putting together a proposed budget for the Board of Finance which will be presented to the March 24, 2010 BF Meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR: The matter of appointing an auditor for the audit of the 6/30/2010 Financials was again presented to the Board for consideration. Under discussion John D. Garvey again stressed his thoughts relative to the process used in the past by the Board to appoint an Auditor and stressed that in his opinion, Mike Zemaitis when working under Myers & Co and last year under his own Company was very responsive to the Finance Board in his conducting of the Town Fiscal Audit and recommended that the Board continue to use the Audit Services of Mike Zemaitis, CPA. The Board was in agreement that the philosophy of the Town is to be in compliance with GASP Auditing standards and be open and transparent with the handling of the Town financials. Further consideration was given relative to seeking other bids for the
Audit of the Town Financials. The overall consensus of the Board was to remain with Auditor Michael Zemaitis for the 6/30/2010 Fiscal Audit. A MOTION WAS MADE BY William Duquette and seconded by John D. Garvey Michael Zemaitis, CPA be retained as auditor of the Financial Records of the Town of Goshen for fiscal year ending 6/30/2010. There was no further discussion, SO VOTED.
Robert Valentine noted that he would, as stated at the January Meeting, look to other Towns to see who they are using for the audit of their financial records. It was also suggested that for future Town Audits the Board give consideration to preparing a Request for Qualifications for Audit to be used in the Audit appointment process.
CLARIFICATION OF Cost of East Street North Road Surfacing Project – The updated number received from the First Selectman for the cost of the East St. North resurfacing project is $207,500.00. A MOTION WAS MADE BY John D. Garvey seconded by Ned Bixler to recommend to a Town Meeting the appropriation of $207,500.00 for the Road project. There was no discussion on the motion, SO VOTED.
The Chairman asked the Board if they had any further comments on the handout that was presented for review at the January Meeting which gave estimated year end numbers.
It was noted that there has been relatively no change in the numbers at this time and the Fiscal Office will review those numbers in March and will provide the Board with updated year end projections. The increase in the mil rate vs the use of fund balance to offset any budget increase or loss in State Grant dollars was discussed.
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Discussed briefly was the increase in the cost of health. No actual numbers have been received to date but 20 to 25 percent increase in health cost has been projected. At this time, the 20% number has been used for budget purposes. Dealing with health care cost continues to be a major budget item concern.
Allan Walker reported that he had spoken with the Chairman of the Litchfield Board of Education relative to the suggestion of holding a joint meeting. The holding of any such meeting is on hold at this time.
There was no other business proper to come before said meeting. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Ned Bixler seconded by John D. Garvey. The meeting ADJOURNED AT 8:36 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
GOSHEN BOARD OF FINANCE
Joan M. Lang, Board Clerk
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