TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE MEETING
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2004
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, Chris Comer, Frederick Moffa, OD; and Al Wilke
OTHER ATTENDEES: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools; Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager and Cal Heminway, BOE Chairman
Board of Finance Chairman Guarco confirmed a quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Chairman Guarco reordered the agenda items.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the regular minutes of July 12, 2004. On a MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted 5-0-1 to approve minutes of July 12, 2004. Mr. Moffa abstained.
The Board reviewed the discussion minutes of September 13, 2004. Mr. Wilke noted a correction on page two, second paragraph, second line, insert the word "how" between the words "see and others". On a MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted 3-0-3 to approve discussion minutes of September 13, 2004, as amended. Messrs. Bischoff, Moffa, and Comer abstained.
The Board reviewed the special minutes of September 27, 2004. On a MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted 5-0-1 to approve the special minutes of September 27, 2004. Mr. Brady abstained.
STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS
Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager, highlighted the October Statement of Accounts.
Total budget was ($36,000) unfavorable
Fuel showed ($65,000) unfavorable
Special Education showed ($11,000) unfavorable
Partial offsets come from the Electricity (CL&P refund - $25,000) and Custodial & Maintenance Salaries (delay in hire - $18,000) accounts.
Mr. Traver stated on the revenue side under regular tuition from other towns, $27,000 less will be received from what was anticipated. Three fewer students are attending school here in Granby. He indicated the ECS Grant total forecast is $50,000 over what the town Revenue Budget denotes. Mr. Traver responded to questions raised by the Board regarding fuel, electricity, and tuition from other towns.
Town Manager Smith reviewed the September Budget Operations Report. The tax collections are even with last year's data for September. Local revenues are doing well, showing Town Clerk fees as being aggressive. The Planning and Zoning and Building Permits are moving ahead as expected. On the expenditure side, Mr. Smith indicated the town, from the Contingency account, would pay a portion for legal fees from the Schlicht lawsuit and later request a transfer to make final payment by the end of the year. He explained events that have taken place requiring the town to pay approximately $21,000 in legal representation fees. Mr. Smith indicated the fuel and snowplow accounts will be watched for the next few months. The town will be receiving a reimbursement from CL&P in the amount of
$11,000 as a result to meet requirements of the audit that took place recently on CL&P. This amount will be deposited in General Revenues. Mr. Smith responded to questions raised by the Board regarding dispatch services and he will look further regarding the police billings and who they are.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT
Mr. Smith explained the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program would be used for upgrading police photography equipment. The Police Department is seeking to transition from film to digital imaging. It was noted the state now allows digital photography as evidence in court cases. This grant is 100 percent reimbursable.
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Frederick Moffa, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to approve an appropriation request of $4,000 from General Fund Balance to the Police Grants Fund for payment of upgrading police photography.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRATION FOR ACTUARIAL VALUATION OF RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS REPORT
Mr. Smith explained the request for this report would identify any exposure the town and Board of Education may have. Also, after the report is available, a suggestion to establish a trust fund will be requested. This report and fund establishment will meet the Government Accounting Standards Board requirements for #43 and #45. A discussion ensued regarding whether fringe benefit or the contingency fund could be used to fund this request rather than General Fund.
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Chris Comer, the Board voted 4-2-0 to appropriate an amount of $6,000 from General Fund Balance to the General Fund - Fringe Benefits for payment of an actuarial report for retiree medical benefit exposures. Mr. Wilke and Mr. Bischoff voted nay.
REPORT OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE SILVER STREET BRIDGE REPAIRS
Mr. Smith gave details for placing the Silver Street Bridge repairs on hold for six months. From a meeting with the state, the Department of Transportation indicated our grant request to have the bridge included into the state or federal bridge program may be accelerated. Mr. Smith answered questions from the Board regarding the bid proposal for the east wing wall and if any money was spent for the bridge repairs. Mr. Smith indicated there are no safety issues regarding postponing the repairs for Silver Street Bridge.
CAPITAL PROGRAM PRIORITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPPAC)
· Member Representative (BOF)
Mr. Brady and Mr. Moffa will discuss among themselves who will represent the Board of Finance on CPPAC and report back to the Board.
· Review of Latest CPPAC Model LT 2004-9
Mr. Bischoff reviewed the LT 2004-9 model to the Board. Highlights from his review are:
1. Page #1 illustrates town revenues. Line #4 ($ increase of grand list), Line #11(Intergovernmental Revenues), Line #14 (G.F. Bal. (surplus) Use) and Line #15 (CNEF Use) are of special interest to take note.
2. Page #2 and #3 shows the expenditures and mill rate calculations. Line #23 (Board of Sel. budget guideline figure) and #38 (Total Debt Service) are special considerations to take note. Line #48 (Board of Ed. Budget guideline figure) and #72 (Note) should also be reviewed.
3. No new projects are entered in this model.
CPPAC creates different versions of the model. These different versions places projects in the model for consideration and shows how budgets may appear for the future forecasts depicting the mill rate percent increase for each year.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN PLUS ONE BUDGET (2005-06)
The Board reviewed the memo. Mr. Smith answered questions and noted staffing needs as a serious situation for the town. Also to note was that no items were prioritize and the words "First Group" should have be deleted because there is no second group for consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 9:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
The Board voted to go into executive session at 9:08 p.m.
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, Chris Comer, Frederick Moffa, OD; Al Wilke, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools; and Cal Heminway, BOE Chairman
The Board had a discussion on collective bargaining. Cal. Heminway and Gwen Van Dorp left at 9.45 p.m. Further discussion took place until 9.50 p.m.
The Board of Finance reconvened. On a MOTION made by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Chris Comer, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9.53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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