TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
MEETING MINUTES
December 22, 2008
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, B. Scott Kuhnly, Frederick Moffa, O.D., and Al Wilke
OTHER ATTENDEES: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; Cal Heminway, Board of Education Chairman; Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools; and Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager;
The meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order by Chairman Michael Guarco at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes of November 24, 2008.
ON A MOTION by F. Brady, seconded by A. Wilke, the Board voted (5-0-1) to approve the minutes of November 24, 2008 as presented. S. Kuhnly abstained.
BUDGET OPERATIONS REPORT
Town Manager Smith reported that collections are stable at this time. Revenues are higher this year in Prior Years Taxes. The Education Cost Sharing money came in at the end of October, but is not reflected in this report. Line #375 reflects receiving a grant of $35,000 from the Hartford Foundation. M. Guarco questioned where the money for tuition to other towns is held. H. Traver responded that the money goes to the Board of Education office then they give it to the town. Expenditures look good. As of the November report there had been no storms yet. The ice storm in early December expensed approximately $5,000. M. Guarco questioned the revenues on line #375 regarding a legal settlement. This was tied to the Kelly Lane School project asbestos removal.
BOE FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Harry Traver reported that a favorable balance shows. Fuel costs and electrical heat lines are good. The schools and central offices are keeping their heat at 69°. The BOE has expressed their willingness to support a playground at Kearns School. An amount of $36,000 is needed to finish this project and the Board has agreed to find the money. At the high school, some improvements for ADA compliance are necessary. This will be costed out over the next couple of months. Motion sensors, at a cost of $12,800, have been installed at the Middle School. Rental fees of $80,000 are paid annually from a church group that uses the high school. They are now in discussion regarding continuing (or not) to rent this space.
2009-10 PLUS ONE BUDGET
Cal Heminway spoke, starting with large cap items. Right now they are conceptually placeholders, but by May or June of 2009, proposals will be ready. The idea of a field house and maintenance building will be looked into further. Small cap items, which are leases for buses and technology, are listed. Mr. Addley, Superintendent of Schools, stated that they started working on the budget early, trying to find efficiencies. They are trying to find ways to provide the same services at a lesser cost. The BOE Plus One Budget, as it sits now, has a 4.8% increase, which will be taken up by special education and program enhancement. Position and program increases are at the high school in the science and language areas. In- school suspension is state mandated. The BOE will try to be creative in
this area, in an effort to make it most cost efficient. As a safety issue, a crossing guard at the high school entrance is being addressed. This seems to be a combination of a safety and traffic control issue. The nurse, who is contracted with the FV-VNA, has had her hours cut back.
It was determined that even though the number of students might decline, it doesn’t make for a decline in the budget numbers. Staff size might be a place to make cuts, as the numbers of students declines. C. Heminway stated that even though the overall number of students might show a reduction, it doesn’t mean a teacher’s position could be removed because the numbers are an overall count from grades K–12.
The cost of some of the new equipment was questioned. The cost is projected high because the equipment is all industrial. In answer to a question regarding buses, H. Traver explained that the BOE has a computer program that provides the necessary information as to how many students can be placed on a bus route.
Mr. Brady spoke, saying that he would like to see the BOE budget be reduced during this difficult economic time.
Mr. Heminway asked the Board to keep in mind that there probably wouldn’t be enough resources available to stay at a 2% increase, and continue to make progress within the education system. He would like to continue to move forward without loosing ground with improvements in education. With encouragement from the BOE and the town, maybe district employees could look at ways to cut costs.
CABE is actively looking for ways to reduce costs. Reevaluating prevailing wages and wage freezes will be looked at also.
Mr. Smith responded to a question regarding the number of unemployed Granby residents, saying that although the numbers are up, it doesn’t appear there is a high number of unemployed in Granby.
Statistics were sought regarding tax payments of those who are unemployed. Do these payments become delinquent while people are out of a job, but caught up once they are gainfully employed again? Mr. Smith stated there doesn’t seem to be a noticeable impact to the town in this regard. When times are tough, the commercial businesses also have trouble paying taxes.
There may be an effect to Granby regarding state aid this upcoming Fiscal Year. Chairman Guarco asked the Board members what they’ve heard from friends and neighbors regarding the budget. Overall, they all agreed that they haven’t heard much about the budget, but there is a lot of talk regarding the economy in general.
BUDGET GUIDELINES DISCUSSION
Chairman Guarco stated this discussion is a continuance from the November meeting, and feels the Board should set the operating budgets at 2% for the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education.
ON A MOTION by G. Bischoff, seconded by F. Brady, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to approve the Board of Finance asking that the tentative guideline from both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education be at 2%.
A. Wilke would like to see a contingency plan to come in at a 0% increase.
C. Heminway commented he wouldn’t want to see flat numbers unless we absolutely have to. The BOE is now at 4.8% and will work down from there. They don’t want to present two budgets. As an observation, Chairman Guarco said that change in Special Education offsets revenues. The net effect of that should be looked at.
Following Mr. Heminway’s comments, Mr. Wilke withdrew his suggestion.
Regarding CRRA, as of January 1, 2009 the rates will be $10/ton less. The settlement check we have received is on hold pending an appeal. This is not reflected in general fund balance.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Three Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The next regular meeting of the Board of Finance is scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2009. February’s meeting should be held earlier in the month in an effort to be considerate to the other Boards regarding budget information. Tuesday, February 10, 2009 is the date decided on for the February meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by F. Brady, seconded by A. Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Christian
Acting Recording Secretary
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