TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, and Al Wilke
OTHER ATTENDEES: Barbarajean C. Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; and Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager
Michael Guarco, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:15 p.m.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the special meeting minutes of October 15, 2007. ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes as presented.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Harry Traver distributed the official student enrollment count per the request of the Board from a previous meeting.
He reported on the Statement of Accounts dated October 31, 2007. Mr. Traver commented he is looking to purchase the second half of fuel for this FY 2008 hoping it levels off from the recent spike. The electricity account is running at budget. The revenues are reporting the same as last month. The transportation account shows an unfavorable forecast, however, once the fuel cost is in place, the transportation account will be adjusted accordingly. Some questions and answers about budget transfers were reiterated from the Board’s special meeting minutes of October 15, 2007.
The Board commented high-energy costs may affect the outcome of the upcoming proposed town budget since the Board is looking at the mill rate for next year’s budget already. It was noted that the current Superintendent of Schools, Gwen Van Dorp, is working with the new Superintendent of Schools regarding the Plus One Budget and other matters. The transition will be effective in June 2008. Mr. Traver indicated there might not be a large return of money from this fiscal year’s budget.
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION REQUEST
Harry Traver answered some questions about how the money is spent from the Education Quality and Diversity (EQ&D) Fund and typically what are the expenditures. Mr. Traver distributed additional documents (Quality & Diversity Budget Memo dated 10-12-07 and the proposed FY 08 budget), which further explained the fund and its expenditures. The account is for education related quality and diversity activity only. It was also stated that the appropriation request was brought to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance for authorization to spend as required by the fund set up. As background, additional funds had become available from the state and the Board of Education wished to take advantage of the funds to complete their whiteboard project earlier than anticipated. Mr. Traver reported that there would
still be a healthy balance in this fund at year-end. This project was slated for completion using Board of Education’s capital funds for next fiscal year.
The Board of Finance questioned the set up of the appropriation form (from EQ&D to EQ&D) but once additional documentation was provided, the request was clarified.
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted (3-1-0) to approve the appropriation in accordance with the memo dated 10-12-07 in the amount of $52,550 from the Education Quality and Diversity Fund to the Education Quality and Diversity Fund. Mr. Bischoff opposed and commented that he felt this request was too early in the year for spending purposes.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Chairman Guarco indicated the Audit would probably not be ready for the Board’s next meeting. It will make for a busy January agenda because of preliminary budget guideline discussion. Barbarajean Scibelli provided highlights of the Budget Operations report for October 2007. She indicated that tax collections are on target. Other revenues and expenditures are also on track at this time. The short-term investment interest rate has dropped a little and building permit activity has declined similar to last year. Mrs. Scibelli commented that fuel oil, gas, and electricity accounts are being watched because prices are up and the winter storm season is approaching.
A discussion was held about the revaluation letters going out to residents. The Board of Finance would like a synthetic grand list available for preparation of budget review rather than later in the budget season.
APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR THE HARTFORD FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC GIVING GRANT (SENIOR AND YOUTH INITIATVE GRANT PROGRAM)
It was noted this was the second year of a three-year Hartford Foundation for Public Giving grant. It was also mentioned that the rest of the funding is already in the budget through other grants and funds and that the fourth year would be when the budget would completely pick up this initiative if possible, otherwise it would be discontinued. Mr. Wilke indicated that it would be difficult to drop the activity once the public is accustomed to the service.
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Gordon Bischoff, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation in the amount of $40,000 from the General Fund to the Senior Center Initiative Fund.
PLUS-ONE BUDGET (2008-09)
This matter was tabled for discussion until the next meeting.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting will be on December 10, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Police Department Community Room. The tentative agenda for this meeting is Plus-One Budget and board structure.
ADJOURNEMENT
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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