TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE MEETING
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 8, 2003
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Alfred Wilke, Christopher Comer, Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, and Richard O'Brien
OTHER ATTENDEES: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; John Adams, First Selectman; Mark Neumann, Board of Selectmen; Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, James C. Heminway, Board of Education Chairman, Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager
Board of Finance Chairman Guarco confirmed a quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ORGANIZATION MATTERS
ON A MOTION by Mr. Wilke to nominate Michael Guarco as Chairman of the Board of Finance, seconded by Mr. O’Brien, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0).
ON A MOTION by Mr. Wilke, to nominate Gordon Bischoff as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Finance, seconded by Mr. O’Brien, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0).
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the regular minutes of November 10, 2003 and the workshop minutes of November 24, 2003.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Bischoff, seconded by Mr. O'Brien, to approve minutes of November 10, 2003. The Board voted (5-0-1) to approve the minutes of November 10, 2003. Mr. Brady abstained.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Bischoff, seconded by Mr. Wilke, to approve minutes of November 24, 2003. Mr. O'Brien noted a few changes to the minutes as follows:
1. Under item 11 on page one, the word "perhaps" be inserted between the words "Funds" and "could" and the phrase "Intra-town Cooperative Advisory Committee approve transitions easier." added after the word "make" and delete the rest.
2. Delete on page two, the first sentences for dot points numbered three and four; and add the sentence "The Board discussed the increase to the budget for both boards in the range from 0% to 4% and 5%." Also combine dot points numbered three and four.
3. Delete on page two, dot point number seven.
Chairman Guarco MOVED approval of the November 24, 2003 minutes as corrected, seconded by Mr. Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to approve the minutes of November 24, 2003 as amended.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Town Manager Smith reported on the Budget Operations Report for November. He indicated accounts are leveling off and there are no major issues to report. Ms. Scibelli indicated that the tax collection shows the collection a little lower. She commented this might be due to motor vehicle collections which are lower this year due to revaluation. Town Manager Smith and Ms. Scibelli answered questions from the Board of Finance regarding the Cops Fast Grant, Town Clerk Fees, Short Term Investments, Rents, and rental fees from the cell tower.
Harry Traver reported on the Board of Education Financial Statement Account for November 2003. He indicated there was a shortfall in the Special Education Transportation account. The Board of Education is still waiting for a decision on a special education due process hearing.
UPDATES: UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, INTRA-TOWN COOPERATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Board of Education Chairman Heminway indicated the teachers contract has been ratified by the teachers and expects the contract to be filed with the Town Clerk shortly. He commented there was some question on wording and requested the Union to come with wording.
Mr. Wilke provided an update from the last meeting held by the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee. This Committee has created a short list of items to review for better efficiency, improvement, and productivity; not necessarily expense savings if the community would benefit more. The list is as follows:
1. Study the field maintenance issue between the town and school.
2. Study the idea of establishing one fiscal office for the town and school.
3. Study the sharing of technology between the town and school.
Mr. Wilke indicated the Committee felt that item number two was very sensitive and a large undertaking. It was suggested to take on smaller type projects that may be accomplished without using a lot of resources. Also the Committee is taking steps to obtain public input regarding matters that the public-at-large would like to see accomplished.
PLUS ONE BUDGET (2004-05) AND OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL FORECAST
Town Manager Smith and First Selectman Adams presented the Plus One Budget and The Five Year Operations and Ten Year Capital Forecast. Both highlighted the increases needed for the town budget to meet the contracts and services that the public has come to expect. Some of the services mentioned were snow and ice removal for the roads, roadside grass maintenance, parks, CMED obligation, insurance, solid waste and recycling, and legislative mandates. First Selectman Adams indicated the budget is higher because a lot of items are out of the control of the town. Town Manager Smith indicated that the fringe benefit budget amount is an uncertain increase number and would be revisited once more information became available. Town Manager Smith and First Selectman Adams answered questions by the Board of Finance
regarding reduction of services, bridge programs, trash removal, and center bypass project.
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, presented the Board of Education Plus One Budget by giving an overview. The overview reported that the Board of Education is providing the same level of services as the FY04 budget. It includes no new programs or services and does not restore programs cut in recent years. She highlighted some of the assumptions such as enrollment increase, inflation increase, retirements, health benefits, transportation, salaries, SPED (volatile accounts adjusted for trend), utilities, and Vo-Ag tuition. The increase is due largely to higher enrollment and projected increases in special education costs, electricity, and nursing services.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS
A discussion was held regarding the arrival of the 2003 Audit and when the auditors will be able to present their findings to the Board of Finance. The auditors have not been able to finish the audit because they are waiting for a report from the town’s actuary. It is anticipated that the auditors will be present at the Board of Finance meeting in January.
It was noted that large capital submissions are due on December 19, 2003 to the Capital Priority Program Advisory Committee.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Board of Finance is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Department Community Room.
ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Chris Comer, seconded by Richard O'Brien, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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