BOARD OF FINANCE
Minutes of the
March 8, 2016 REGULAR Meeting
Chairman Paul Harrington called the REGULAR meeting of March 8, 2016, to order at 6:30 P.M.
Board Members Present: Paul Harrington, Chairman
Cornelius O’Leary
Michael Ciarcia
Malcolm Hamilton
Dennis Gragnolati
David Weigert
Norman Boucher
Stephan Brown, Jr.
Board Members Absent: None
Also in Attendance: Amanda Moore, Assistant Finance Director
Sarah Maffiolini, Youth Services Director
Tracy Rasmussen, Chair, Youth Services Advisory Board
Elizabeth Duffy, Assessor
J. Christopher Kervick, First Selectman
Michelle Hill, Selectman
Peter Lambert, Public Works
James Pearce, Public Works
ADDED AGENDA ITEMS:
There were none.
PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING BOF MATTERS ONLY:
There was none.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Chairman Harrington stated we received notice today that our bond rating has remained at Aa1.
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Chairman Harrington stated that he received an email from the Town Attorney stating he will have an opinion on 805C of the Town Charter, in about a week. Currently, there are plans for him to attend the meeting of March 22, 2016.
Chairman Harrington then stated he received a letter from the Peter Juszczynski, Tax Collector, regarding prior year tax refunds, which the Board approved on 2/29/16. The letter stated there will be an overage in account # 800-0592, but he would like to wait until year-end since he may have savings in other accounts to cover the overage.
Chairman Harrington stated that Gerald Paradis from BlumShapiro is unable to attend the meeting on March 9, 2016, but will try to make the meeting on March 16, 2016, to discuss the Fraud Risk Assessment.
BUDGET PRESENTATIONS:
B. Youth Services
Sarah Maffiolini, Director of Youth Services and Tracy Rasmussen, Chair of the Youth Services Advisory Board, were present.
Ms. Maffiolini began by giving a brief summary regarding addiction. She stated that earlier today she attended the North Central Addiction Task Force meeting. She also reviewed the programs with the Board. She then reviewed the grants with the Board.
Students Sonia, Joseph, Jovani, and Justin spoke on the programs available to them and what they have gained from participating in the programs.
Tracy Rasmussen stated the Youth Services Director position was vacant for a long period of time before Sarah, and she has been doing a great job with fund raising, keeping and adding programs, and getting our name recognition back to where it should be.
Michael Ciarcia questioned if the programs will remain the same or if any will be added or deleted. Ms. Maffiolini stated she performs an evaluation after programming to gauge attendance and satisfaction. She stated the programs that are successful remain.
First Selectman Kervick stated he would like to address the director salary issue with the Board. He began by stating the salary of the Youth Services Director is grossly underfunded. He stated her salary is approximately $10,000 lower than the low range of similar towns. He stated the position has changed from when it first started.
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He stated this is a professional position. He then stated that Sarah is a true professional and we cannot afford to lose her. He stated we need to think about adjusting the salary for the position.
Paul Harrington questioned the grant for the part time worker. Ms. Maffiolini stated the grant was for $4,653, and it is a two-year Enhancement Grant from the Connecticut Department of Education.
Chairman Harrington asked the Board for further questions. There were none. Chairman Harrington thanked all for attending.
A. Revenues
Elizabeth Duffy, Assessor, was present for discussion regarding the Grand List.
Ms. Duffy began by stating there are no members on the Board of Assessors. Ms. Duffy reviewed the spreadsheets, which she distributed to the Board.
Michael Ciarcia questioned if the $217 million is a good number, and if there are any adjustments to be made, and why such an increase. Ms. Duffy stated that 1,030 vehicles have been added. She also stated she is now using average retail and the complete body to assess the vehicles. She then stated she is recommending a $41 million adjustment.
After brief further discussion, Chairman Harrington asked Ms. Duffy if she was comfortable with $1,206,347,711 as a total grand list. Ms. Duffy stated she is comfortable with that number. Chairman Harrington then asked the Board if they are comfortable with that figure. The Board agreed on that figure.
TRANSFER/ADDED FUNDING REQUESTS:
A. Additional Funding Requested by the Assessor, in the amount of $4,545.70, from Contingency, Acct # 142-0276, to Salary and Wages-PT/Stipend, Acct # 118-284, for additional time for a part-time hourly employee.
Michael Ciarcia asked why the additional time is needed. Chairman Harrington stated the Board needs an explanation of what this $4,545.70 will get you. Chairman Harrington stated the transfer line items need to be adjusted. The Board agreed to discuss at the meeting of March 15, and Ms. Duffy will attend.
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BUDGET PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED:
D. Public Works (Additional Information Requested by Board)
Peter Lambert and James Pearce, from the Department of Public Works were present.
First Selectman Kervick stated Mr. Lambert and Mr. Pearce are present if the Board has any questions regarding the salaries.
Chairman Harrington stated that last week the Board received a revised work sheet and the Board worked through the numbers and is comfortable with the salary request of $903,265.
Chairman Harrington thanked Mr. Lambert and Mr. Pearce for attending this evening.
C. Board of Selectman
First Selectman Kervick and Michelle Hill, Selectman, were present.
First Selectman Kervick began by stating they are submitting a 0.17% decreased budget. He stated that any of the line items that reflect an increase have to do with union employees and contract increases.
First Selectman Kervick stated that $2,000.00 was removed from Acct # 632-1324, News Letter Postage. He then stated under the Finance Department, Education and Training has been increased by $500.00. He then stated there are no changes under Town Counsel or Human Resources. He stated there are two increases under Information Technology. The Board questioned the increases, and First Selectman Kervick stated he would review with Ms. Cabral again.
First Selectman Kervick stated there are savings on the telecommunications costs due to switching the phone system, for which a grant was received. He then stated under Town Office Building, there was an increase for Sonitrol alarm testing. He then stated under the Building Official there was an increase for the copier. There was a brief discussion regarding salaries and positions in the Building Official’s Office. There was also a brief discussion regarding grants.
First Selectman Kervick stated the Town Engineer has remained the same and there was a slight increase for Animal Control. He then stated there was one increase for
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the Safety Complex for telecommunications, due to the radios and the dead spots in town. The increase is for telephone lines. He then stated Emergency Management remained the same. He then stated there was an increase for street lighting.
First Selectman Kervick stated he had informed the Board at a previous meeting that the town was overbilled for trash collection. He stated a letter was sent to All American Waste with a breakdown of each invoice. He stated for thirteen months we have overpaid a total of $29,739.81. He stated the error has to do with the way they are billing the condominiums. He stated the number of units are incorrect.
First Selectman Kervick stated he will look into the questions the Board had regarding the Building Department and report back to the Board.
First Selectman Kervick updated the Board regarding the attorney stipends. He then updated the Board regarding Main Street.
DISCUSS AND ACT ON PRESENTED BUDGETS:
The Board tabled action on the presented budgets.
TRANSFER/ADDED FUNDING REQUESTS:
B. Transfer requested for the Board of Finance printing and binding of the Annual Reports. A bill was received from Colonial Printers in the amount of $1,575.00.
Dennis Gragnolati made a motion to approve the appropriate transfer in the amount of $1,575.00 for the printing and binding of the annual reports. Cornelius O’Leary seconded the motion. All were in favor. The vote was 6-0, and the motion was approved.
PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING BOF MATTERS ONLY:
There was none.
CHAIRMAN’S INPUT:
There was none.
A motion was made by Dennis Gragnolati, seconded by Cornelius O’Leary, to adjourn. The vote was unanimous and the meeting stood adjourned at 10:10 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. Kuchta, Recording Secretary