TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 19, 2006
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, Frederick Moffa, OD; and Al Wilke
OTHER ATTENDEES: John Adams, First Selectman; William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools; James C. Heminway, Jr., BOE Chairman; Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager
Board of Finance Chairman Guarco called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes of May 8, 2006. 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
Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager, highlighted the May Statement of Accounts. The total expenditure budget shows a favorable amount of approximately $15,000. He commented that the comparison between the April and May Statement of Accounts shows electricity and fuel being less unfavorable than anticipated in these accounts. He indicated the software account has made some purchases since the April Statement of Accounts.
Superintendent Van Dorp indicated that the tuition from other towns shows as what should be expected.
Town Manager Smith reported on May Budget Operations. He indicated the intergovernmental revenue is steady. The tax collection is strong showing 101% collected. On the local revenue side, he noted Town Clerk’s office showed excess money collected, and the short term investments as a positive. On the operating side, he reviewed areas where transfers are being requested at tonight’s meeting. From a review of the preliminary fund balance as of 6/30/06, Town Manager Smith indicated approximately $50,000 from general government operations may be returned to the general fund. General Fund Balance for year end is expected to be at 7.5%.
CONSIDERATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUEST FOR COPS SECURE OUR SCHOOLS GRANT APPLICATION
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, presented some background information concerning their request for approval of this grant submission. She indicated that the Granby Police Department and Granby Public Schools have worked together in past years in submission of a grant similar to this one. After review of the grant, the BOE feels a number of important town and educational needs could be met through this program. Some of these needs are: complete the first phase of a video surveillance system in all five schools utilizing interior cameras throughout key areas and a digital video recording system in each building. Phase one includes all required hardware and peripherals for future expansion. The installation of a town owned fiber optic network would link all town emergency services (Police Department, Town
Hall, Public Works Department, Granby Ambulance Association), with all Granby public school sites. It was also indicated that this grant would assist in the upgrading of a VOIP telephone system at Kearns School through electronic resources included in this phase one grant proposal. Currently the Kearns telephone system is 15 years old.
The second phase deals with exterior cameras at all schools and additional interior cameras at the middle and high schools.
This grant requires a 50% local cash match (approximately $200,000) toward the total cost of the program and must be completed over a 24-month period. The grant submission is due June 30, 2006. It was reported there is approximately $15M statewide for this grant program.
In answer to some questions, the increments of the dollar value going to towns for this grant program are unknown, network infrastructure will be a build on component feature, and number of surveillance cameras at each school would be Kearns – 8, Kelly – 6, Wells – 6, Middle – 16, and High – 22. Most likely these cameras will be positioned in public hallways and cafeterias.
Mr. Bischoff expressed support of the security aspect of this grant but showed some concern whether this grant is being considered because of the opportunity or a real need. BOE Chairman Heminway commented the network infrastructure has been on the books as a request for several years. Mr. Wilke and Dr. Moffa indicated their support of this grant. Mr. Brady expressed concern for the grant in many areas, some of which were unknown miscellaneous expenses for maintenance, digital and electronic updates, and types of surveillance in schools.
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Frederick Moffa, OD; the Board voted (4-0-1) supporting application for the grant entitled COPS Secure Our Schools with expectation that the town approved and authorized the match in an amount up to $200,000 and the grant application is successful. Mr. Brady abstained.
CONSIDERATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION REQUEST
A discussion was held regarding the appropriation request of $50,086 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 Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $50,086 from General Fund Balance to the Board of Education.
CONSIDERATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2006 TRANSFER OF ACCOUNTS
Town Manager Smith provided the Board with a request for fiscal year transfer of accounts for a total amount of $100,000 as described in the table below. He commented because of the unfortunate circumstances of the police department’s inability to be fully staffed, the transfers will be taken from Police Operations and Services. The police vacancies come from officers leaving the department.
ON A MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the transfers as listed in a memo dated 6/19/06 from Town Manager Smith and as follows:
Transfer From |
Transfer To |
Comment |
Police Operations and Services |
$16,000 |
Communications and Dispatch |
$16,000 |
Part-time/over-time needs |
Police Operations and Services |
$4,000 |
Dog Fund |
$4,000 |
Operation increases |
Police Operations and Services |
$35,000 |
Equipment Maintenance |
$35,000 |
Gasoline, diesel, and equipment parts |
Police Operations and Services |
$45,000 |
Building Maintenance and Town Grounds |
$45,000 |
Heating fuel and electricity |
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CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION FOR SENIOR CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION GRANT
A discussion was held regarding the appropriation amount of $26,998 for the senior citizen transportation grant. It was determined that the full amount of this grant was approximately $53,996 and that the 50% local match will be met by the budget for Senior Van Services. No additional cash allocation would be required. The $26,998 is needed as a pass through only and the town’s share is already incorporated in the budget.
ON A MOTION by Frederick Moffa, OD, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $26,998 from General Fund Balance to the Senior Activities Fund – Van Services as outlined in the memo dated June 19, 2006 from Town Manager Smith.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT
The Board reviewed the memo from Town Manager Smith dated June 19, 2006 describing application and appropriation of the grant. The grant would assist to purchase a new photo ID system.
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Gordon Bischoff, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $2,500 from General Fund Balance to the Police Grants Fund.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
There will be no regular meeting in July or August. The next regular meeting will be on September 11, 2006 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 28, 2006 regarding negotiation discussions.
ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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