TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 11, 2007
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Francis Brady, Frederick Moffa, OD; and Al Wilke
OTHER ATTENDEES: John Adams, First Selectman; Mark Neuman, Board of Selectman; Frank Judice, Board of Selectman; Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools; James C. Heminway, Jr., BOE Chairman; Wyman Ward, Holcomb Farm Board of Directors Member; Bill Kennedy, Holcomb Farm member; Mary Kate Lowndes, Executive Director of Holcomb Farm; Edie Duncan
A tour of Holcomb Farm began the meeting of the Board of Finance. Mary Kate Lowndes presented a slide show describing Holcomb Farms present operation and Holcomb Farm’s capital campaign. Al Wilke, President of the Board of Directors for Holcomb Farm, also presented some background history of Holcomb Farm and further detail of the capital campaign currently taking place. It was indicated that this fundraising campaign would restore and preserve the property, including an endowment for continuation of the Farm’s property preservation and arts and nature programs. The renovation portion of the project involves three major barn buildings (North Barn, Art Barn, and Loft and Main Barn) and the Farmhouse. Also in the plans, Holcomb Farm would like to reconfigure the Farm’s entrance, realign the
driveway, create adjacent “green” parking, and build an Open Air Barn. Afterwards a question and answer period was held. Some of the highlights were:
· Be sure to take into account all buildings on the property. There are two smaller barns on the property; however, these barns look as if to be beyond preservation.
· The sprinkler system for the Loft located in the Main Barn would be part of the project.
· The operations budget for Holcomb Farm is approximately $400,000 annually.
· A suggestion to build a green structure for possible storage to be shared by Holcomb Farm and the Town of Granby may be considered in the future, keeping in mind this property has high visible environmental status.
The tour ended at 8:15 p.m. Dr. Moffa excused himself from the meeting because of a previous commitment. Board of Finance Chairman Guarco called the business portion of the special meeting to order at 8:16 p.m. and noted no quorum.
MINUTES
No action was taken regarding the minutes. The minutes will be taken up at the next meeting.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, reported on the May Statement of Accounts although unavailable for distribution at this meeting. Superintendent Van Dorp indicated the statement shows no unexpected reporting changes. However, she commented the utility accounts expended more than compared to April Statement of Accounts.
The Board of Education took steps to add 1.0 FTE (full-time employee) certified teacher position to the FY08 staffing to address class size concerns in grade 4 and a budget transfer of $51,633 from Health Benefits to Certified Staff assists this concern.
The Budget Operations May 2007 report for the Town of Granby was distributed.
UPDATE OF STATE BUDGET
A discussion was held regarding the update of the State budget. The Board of Finance commented that the established mill rate for Fiscal Year 2007-08 remains the same as stated in their motion on April 23, 2007.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
There will be no regular meeting in July or August. The next regular meeting will be on September 10, 2007 at 7:30 p.m., at the Police Department Community Room.
ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (3-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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