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TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
MARCH 29, 2010
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Francis Brady, Robert Clark, Frederick Moffa, OD; and Al Wilke
Also present: Board of Selectmen: John E. Adams, First Selectman; Sally King, Vice-Chairman; Ronald F. Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, and Mark Neumann; William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; Roger Hernsdorf, Town Treasurer; Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; Board of Education: Chairman Cal Heminway, Matthew Wutka, Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools; and Harry Traver, Business Manager
Chairman Guarco confirmed a quorum and called the special meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Chairman Guarco stated for the public attending that budget presentations would be heard from the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education and a decision would be made to send the budgets to public hearing as presented or not.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of February 9, 2010.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Wilke, the Board voted (4-0-1) to approve the minutes of February 9, 2010 as presented. Mr. Brady abstained.
2010-2011 Budgets from the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen
First Selectman Adams presented the Board of Selectmen's budget. He commented the budget met the guideline of a 0% increase.
First Selectman Adams stated that to meet the guideline the Department of Public Works eliminated one position (-$50,276) and Library Services was significantly decreased in part-time personnel (-$63,189).~ He then discussed the municipal budget by departments showing the increases and decreases in each department. The increases from Administration non-labor items, included workers compensation, health benefits, pension contribution, FICA, and Probate for a total of $70,763. On the labor side of Administration the increase is in settlement reserves for $68,000. He indicated there was staff reorganization in Personal and Property Protection. Grant fall off in Social Services and Senior Citizen Activities resulted in an increase
in the amount of $8,500. Other decreases in the budget were from solid waste (-$40,000) and library books (-$5,000). It was indicated the recycling program that started last year has been successful.
First Selectman Adams mentioned with the decrease in Library Services part-time personnel, the library business hours will be decreased by approximately 20 hours and that letters have been received indicating the public did not want to see cuts made to the library. He also indicated with the elimination of a position in Public Works that some roads or projects may have to be placed on hold and there may be more overtime possibly.
Proposed FY 2011 Budget |
Dollars |
Operations |
$8,761,920 |
Capital Equipment/Improvement |
$765,000 |
Economic Development Funds |
$10,000 |
Debt |
$4,036,212 |
TOTAL |
$13,573,132 |
Board of Education Chairman Cal Heminway presented their zero increase budget. A video clip was played describing America’s and other countries’ position for the future. The video clip showed statements like: “Did you know …”, “You are 1 in a Million in China”, 1 in 4 workers have been with their current employer for less than a year”, “The #1 Ranked Country in Broadband Internet Penetration is Bermuda”, “….in order to solve problems we don’t even know our problems yet…”, “So What Does It All Mean?”.
Mr. Heminway spoke about the economic climate, the district’s vision and mission, and the Board of Education’s budget goals. The goals are 1) support the mission, vision, values, and performance goals of the district; 2) develop a budget that is responsive to the economic climate and the guideline set by the Board of Finance, and 3) maintain levels of personnel, programs, infrastructure, and service.
On one of the slides “What Makes Up the $26,667,594 Budget?” was presented as follows:
Reg. Educ. Salaries & Benefits |
$17,552,254 |
65.8% |
Utilities |
$955,391 |
3.6% |
Buses |
$785,426 |
2.9% |
Bldg. Maintenance, Legal & Misc. |
$596,513 |
2.2% |
Supplies, Purchases Services, & Student Activities |
$2,196,616 |
8.2% |
Other Spec. Educ. Costs |
$1,112,429 |
4.2% |
Spec. Educ. Salaries & Benefits |
$3,468,965 |
13.0% |
Some other highlights from the slides were:
Elimination of a bus route (-$37,811)
Elimination of a custodial services (1.0 FTE position not filled in FY 10)
Personnel Teachers (-1.0 FTE) Full-time employee
Added Nursing Services ($19,000)
Software – Maintenance/license contracts & upgrades ($24,216)
Quality & Diversity Fund Appropriation request of $365,060
Budget Summary –
Proposed operating budget $26,667,594
Small Capital $525,000
Quality & Diversity $365,060
Total $27,557,654
Chairman Guarco observed the Selectmen budget workshops and commented the workshops made good progress, thoroughly going through material, and keeping the operation budget at zero percent. Dr. Moffa reported the Board of Education workshops also covered the materials thoroughly.
Chairman Guarco discussed the budget worksheet for FY 2011 that included $250,000 from the Use of CNEF account. The proposed mill rate increase is 1.1%
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted to approve the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education’s budgets as presented and to forward for public hearing scheduled April 12, 2010. A discussion ensued to include $250,000 in revenues and expenditures from the Use of CNEF for the FY 2010-2011 Budget. Al Wilke MOTIONED for approval of the amendment to include $250,000 from the Use of CNEF account, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve and forward the FY 2010-2011 town budget.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION FOR SENTION CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION GRANT
A discussion was held regarding the appropriation amount of $26,998 for the senior citizen transportation grant FY 2010. It was mentioned that demand for services continues to rise. The van service provided over 7,950 trips to 188 unduplicated riders during fiscal year 2009. The grant requires a 50% local match that is met by the budget for Senior Van Services. No additional cash allocation would be required.
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, 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.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
Town Manager Smith discussed some of the past history of Bushy Hill Orchard. During the past year, the town has been working with the State of Connecticut and the Granby Land Trust to purchase development rights of the Bushy Hill Orchard. Purchase of these development rights will retain this land permanently for agriculture use. The Bushy Hill Orchard contains about 70 acres of land. Once the development rights are purchased, the land cannot be developed.
On March 15th, the Board of Selectmen approved one half of the local share for the purchase of these development rights, which is $80,000. The Granby Land Trust has committed $80,000 for the remainder of the local share. The State will provide the balance amount of $294,369, for a total purchase price of $454,369.
The town was recently advised that a closing might take place within a month. While a portion of the funds requested ($55,000) is recommended to be paid for from the town’s general fund, it is anticipated that this amount will be returned to the town’s general fund with the proceeds from the sale of the former Granby Public Library to the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association.
ON A MOTION by Francis Brady, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $55,000 from General Fund Balance and $25,000 from Open Space / Property Improvement Fund to the Open Space / Property Improvement Fund for a total spending of $80,000.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Guarco announced that a public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for April 12, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. A Special Meeting of the Board of Finance will be held on April 12, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. or immediately following the public hearing on the 2010-11 proposed town budget.
Chairman Guarco announced the following for the cable tv audience:
- April 12, 2010 at 7 p.m. is the public hearing for the annual budget. This hearing will be held at the High School Auditorium.
- April 26, 2010 at 7 p.m. is the town meeting for the annual budget. This meeting will be held at the High School Auditorium.
ON A MOTION by Al Wilke, seconded by Francis Brady, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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