TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2005
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Christopher Comer, Francis Brady, Al Wilke, and Frederick Moffa, OD
OTHER ATTENDEES: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; John E. Adams, First Selectman; Barbarajean Scibelli, Finance Officer; Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools; Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager, and Cal Heminway, BOE Chairman
Board of Finance Chairman Guarco called the meeting to order at 10:00 p.m.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the regular minutes of February 14, 2005. ON A MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Christopher Comer, the Board voted (5-0-1) to approve minutes of February 14, 2005 as presented. Mr. Wilke abstained.
The Board reviewed the special minutes of March 28, 2005. ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to approve special minutes of March 28, 2005 as presented.
CONSIDERATION OF 2005-2006 BUDGET TO BE PRESENTED AT ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Chairman Guarco asked Board members to give their comments about the Public Hearing. The hearing had less than 75 people in attendance. There were several positive and a few negative comments made at the public hearing. The consensus of the Board was that although the increase was higher than they would like, it was fiscally sound to proceed with the budget as presented. It was noted that this is the third year in our five year commitment of increasing taxes no more than 5.9% because of school capital projects and operation needs. We have been well below that number and it was felt that a steady increase was better than a large spike.
The Board held a discussion on the presentations made at the Public Hearing and what changes needed to be made for presentation at the Annual Town Meeting.
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Gordon Bischoff, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to forward the budget as presented at the April 11th Public Hearing $33,908,806 which results in a 4.5% tax increase for consideration by the public at the Annual Town Meeting on April 25, 2005.
STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS
Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager, highlighted the March Statement of Accounts. A major change in the report was a decrease of approximately $40,000 in the special education account because a duplicate Purchase Order was discovered. The tuition from other towns has been billed out.
Barbarajean Scibelli, Finance Officer, reviewed the February Budget Operations Report and responded to questions raised by the Board regarding police grants, building permits, and a Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) reimbursement. The current levy collection is at 100%. There are no new major changes to report. The Education Cost Sharing account payment was received and will show in the March Operations Report. Revenues from the short-term investment account will be higher than expected.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION REQUEST FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regarding the Board of Education request to purchase an additional school bus, it was indicated that the bus will not cost more than $62,800. This bus appropriation request will be handled in the same way as the previous request. This bus purchase will replace the currently engaged outside services, resulting in an approximate annual savings of $48,000. The Board of Selectmen commented favorably on the bus appropriation request from the Board of Education. The funds for this item are included in the 2005-06 capital budget.
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Frederick Moffa, OD, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to approve appropriation of up to $62,800 from the Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund balance to the Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund to purchase one school bus referenced in Harry Traver’s email dated March 31, 2005.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
A special meeting of the Board of Finance is scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2005, immediately following the Annual Town Meeting in the High School Auditorium and Monday, May 2, 2005 after the Referendum Vote, if necessary.
ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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