TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 11, 2005
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Christopher Comer, Francis Brady, and Frederick Moffa, OD
OTHER ATTENDEES: Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, James C. Heminway, Jr.,
BOE Chairman, and Benjamin L. Perron, BOE member
Board of Finance Chairman Guarco called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes of June 13, 2005. ON A MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes as presented.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, highlighted the May Statement of Accounts. A major change in the report was from the result of special education cases needing additional money, which is being offset by the SPED Excess Cost Grant. The regular education, electricity, and student activities show favorable money projections. She indicated the communications account is down in spending because they are utilizing their website for distribution of newsletters and advertisements are less. The Board of Education will be returning $15,918 to the town’s General Fund.
Gwen Van Dorp mentioned that a workers’ compensation lawsuit was found favorable for the Board of Education. She answered questions by the Board of Finance regarding placing a lien on property to secure payment due and the uses of money for the pay for participation program.
CONSIDERATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION REQUEST
A discussion ensued regarding the appropriation request of $36,915 for the Special Education Excess Cost and State Agency Placement grant. It was noted the appropriation for such purposes is automatic by law and this money is earmarked for special education only. For paper trail purposes, the Board of Selectmen has commented favorably upon this request and the Board of Finance has been asked to take action on this request.
ON A MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $36,915 from General Fund Balance to the Board of Education according to the memo dated July 11, 2005 to the Board of Finance.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Gwen Van Dorp started a discussion regarding setting up a new account to handle severance expenses. She indicated the Board of Education is anticipating a large volume for persons retiring in the next several years. The Board of Education would like to add money in advance to an account for these anticipated retirees in hopes to reduce the spikes in severance expenses at the time the retirements take place. The Board discussed some of the possible legalities, the advantages of such an account, the way it would be handled at the time of budget preparation and hearings, the request procedure for adding money to the account, and a termination “sunset” date being placed on the fund. Chairman Guarco requested the Board of Education to supply an updated flow chart showing the fund estimates on a fiscal year
basis. He also stated the Board of Selectmen are the authorizing board to set up such a fund. He suggested that Gwen Van Dorp and himself write a letter to the Board of Selectmen for their consideration and action.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
There will be no regular meeting in August. The next regular meeting will be on September 12, 2005 at 7:30 p.m., at the Police Department Community Room. A discussion was held regarding a special meeting of the Board of Finance and Board of Education on August 24, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. regarding negotiation discussions.
ADJOURNEMENT
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Frederick Moffa, OD, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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