TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Al Wilke, and Frederick Moffa, O.D.
OTHER ATTENDEES: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; KerryAnn Kielbasa, Director of Human Services; Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools; Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager
The meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order by Chairman Michael Guarco at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Guarco commented that Francis Brady called and indicated his work schedule would not allow him to attend if the meeting night (2nd Monday of the Month) wasn’t changed. The fourth Monday of the month probably would work. Chairman Guarco asked the Board to think about changing their meeting date to assist Mr. Brady’s business conflict.
Chairman Guarco reordered the agenda for this evening’s meeting to assist others with prior commitments. The agenda changed to discuss Business Items 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION REQUEST TO PURCHASE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OF THE DAVIS FARM WITH THE STATE
Town Manager Smith gave an overview of the recent actions taken by the Board of Selectmen and Planning and Zoning Commission to purchase development rights to the Davis Farm. He reported the Board of Selectmen approved the purchase and the appropriation request in the amount of $120,000 at their September 2, 2008 meeting.
As background information, a final appraisal has been approved by the state and the sales price has been established at $500,000. Granby’s share amounts to $120,000. The State Department of Agriculture will provide the balance. The Granby Land Trust has graciously agreed to donate $25,000 towards the purchase. Mr. Smith indicated the town has $24,000 available in its Open Space Fund to support the purchase, leaving an amount of $71,000 to be paid for from the town’s General Fund Balance.
Town Manager Smith commented this is the first time for the town to purchase development rights for a farm. The Davis Farm contains approximately 65 acres, a portion of which is wetlands. When asked what development rights meant, Town Manager Smith answered that the farm must stay as a farm. No other development can occur. The farm may shift from a dairy farm to a horse, corn, or hay farm. The Department of Agriculture is the overseer of this property. The Town of Cromwell just purchased development rights for a farm. It was the last farm in town. The Hilltop Farm in Suffield may have been purchased in the same way.
On a MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation based on the September 2, 2008 memo in the amount of $96,000 from General Fund Balance to the Open Space/Property Improvement Fund and appropriate the amount of $24,000 from and to the Open Space/Property Improvement Fund for a total of $120,000; conditioned upon the State of Connecticut contributing the amount of $380,000 and the Granby Land Trust contributing $25,000 for the purchase of development rights of the Davis Farm.
As a final comment, Mr. Wilke stated he was surprised to see the town spend money where we have no authorization on development. Others commented whether we would have any recourse actions if the farm becomes a blight issue. Town Manager Smith answered we would have the state regulations and town ordinances, but farms have more of leeway on what is considered “blight” than residential properties.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR INSURANCE CLAIM MONEY TO THE COPS GRANT PROGRAM
Town Manager Smith reported that the appropriation request was for additional cost paid by us and reimbursed by the bondholder in amount of $59,693.40. Since this amount exceeded the original appropriation, an additional appropriation is necessary for bookkeeping purposes. This additional cost to the project was due to the low bidder for the fiber cable installation filing bankruptcy.
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 $59,693.40 from the COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools Grant Fund to the COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools Grant Fund.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT
Town Manager Smith stated KerryAnn Kielbasa would report on the transportation grant and the senior van replacement. Mr. Smith excused himself from the meeting due to a prior commitment.
Mrs. Kielbasa indicated the Granby Senior Van Services has expanded to include additional transportation for senior center programs, trips and events, and community activities, as well as services that include transportation for medical appointments for seniors and disabled persons under the age of 60. Mrs. Kielbasa stated that this grant is matched by 50% from the current 2008-09 budget for senior van services. She commented that the Department of Public Works provides in-kind services and the senior fund provides payment for fuel, which is also used as part of the matching grant requirement. The expanded services included 6,100 more miles traveled and a total of 1,400 more trips made for fiscal year 2008. Trips this year for the same time period have surpassed last year.
On a MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Frederick Moffa, OD, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation based on the August 4, 2008 memo in the amount of $40,497 from General Fund Balance to the Senior Activities Fund – Van Services.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR SENIOR VAN VEHICLE REPLACEMENT
KerryAnn Kielbasa applied and the Senior Center is the recipient of an award from the State Department of Transportation in the amount of $40,000 for the purchase of a new senior van. The grant comes to us via a very competitive application process. A 20% local match is required, which through the efforts of Mrs. Kielbasa has been met by local gifts in the amount of $10,000. She worked with the Granby Community Fund and the Lions Club.
Mrs. Kielbasa indicated this appropriation request will have no effect on the budget. There are two vans in operation right now. However, one of the vans is a 1998 model year that is limited to traveling around surrounding towns because of its age. When asked if there were any special features, she commented that the van specifications will include the easy step in and step off of van.
On a MOTION by Frederick Moffa, OD, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation based on the August 4, 2008 memo in the amount of $50,000 from General Fund Balance to the Senior Activities Fund – Van Services.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes of June 9, 2008.
On a MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Gordon Bischoff, the Board voted (3-0-1) to approve the minutes of June 9, 2008. Dr. Moffa abstained.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
The Board of Education Statement of Accounts – May 31, 2008 with proposed transfers was distributed to the Board.
Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager, commented the Board of Education Financial Statement Account - June 30, 2008 has not been presented to the Board of Education. Mr. Traver mentioned approximately $23,000 is the ending balance for fiscal year 2008. He stated that the school has researched purchasing heating oil at a price of $3.30 a gallon.
Mrs. Scibelli indicated that June (unaudited), July, and August Town Budget Operations Reports were provided to them for their review. She indicated the General Government return at year end is approximately $110,000. The July and August reports show local revenues and expenditures are doing well for the beginning of the fiscal year. The final grant payment was received for the high school construction project. Expenditures are currently on target, however the winter conditions may cause some budget concerns.
The Board congratulated Mrs. Scibelli for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the second consecutive year. The Board then discussed the joint purchase of a finance software package between the school and town. It was mentioned that the software program would work off of one server but with two data packages that can be linked together at times to allow the town access to necessary information. Another joint venture is the sharing of the telephone system.
The Board discussed the pros and cons of the financial aspect for the finance software package. More research will be conducted to determine the best payment plan to choose (a lease program or to pay in full up front). Savings will be realized either way with the purchase of this software package.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Board commented they were looking to find out the reporting status of the three special committees formed last year to address the storage building and bath house at Salmon Brook Park, the need of fields and related facilities for school and town programs, and storage room for the school and Public Works Department along with a wash bay for the town due to a mandated regulation.
A discussion was held about recruiting an observer from the Board of Finance for the Board of Education administration contract negotiations. Chairman Guarco will handle this via E-mail with the Finance Board.
The next meeting of the Board of Finance falls on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, because of the legal holiday on Monday, October 13th. However, based on earlier discussion this evening about meeting dates, the fourth Monday (October 27th) may be the meeting date.
ADJOURNMENT
On a MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Frederick Moffa, OD, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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