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Board of Finance Minutes

BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
Meeting date: 
Thursday, February 16, 2017

Members Present:                               

  • Jim Bulick, Chairman                            
  • John Patton, Vice Chair                         
  • Robert Wiecenski
  • Barry Wallett
  • Peter Tanaka
  • Elizabeth Treiber
  • Geoff Prusak – Alternate

Members Absent:

Annemarie Poole - Alternate

Also Present: Kim Kowalyshyn, & John Blessington, Selectmen; Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Jacqueline Jacoby, Interim Superintendent; Phil Stevens, Principal; Board of Education Members, Members of the Public.

Chairman Jim Bulick called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.

SEATING OF ALTERNATES – none needed

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Barry Wallett motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of January 19, 2017.  Elizabeth Treiber seconded.  All were in favor, motion carried.  Jim Bulick abstained.

PRESENT TO SPEAK – no one

NEW BUSINESS
Governor’s Budget Impact on Willington

The Governor’s initial budget has Willington’s contribution toward the teacher’s retirement (TRB system) as $613,739. Discussion was held. Donna will follow up with our auditors regarding the proper way to account for this contribution. State revenue sources were also discussed. Since we will not have final budget numbers from the State until late May/June, discussion was held on how to best manage the uncertainty. Discussion concluded with a request to follow up with the Region 19 Board of Education regarding Willington’s portion of the budget.

Board of Education Budget Presentation

Interim Superintendent Jacqueline Jacoby presented the budget request.  The request is for $8,176,510, which is a 1.5% increase or $120,841 over last year’s request.  They used a zero based budgeting process, and formatted the budget into primarily 10 programs of work and secondarily as objects to get a better look at how the money was being spent. As a result, they were able to build a budget 1% below inflation. Detailed discussion followed, including what was learned in the process. Chairman Bulick and the Board of Finance members said it was clear that the Superintendent and the Board of Education worked hard on this budget and thanked them for their efforts.

OLD BUSINESS

Annual Report

The last couple of reports have been received and a proof should be ready shortly.

Joint Discussion P&Z, IWW, ZBA, BOF

Minutes have been distributed for approval.

Crumbling Foundation Risk Management – no discussion

CORRESPONDENCE

  • Letter from Tish Ignatowicz (Impact Analysis of State Revenue & New Pension Liability)
  • Letter from Christine Mailhos (Letter Regarding Governor’s Budget)
  • Letter from Christine Mailhos (Letter Regarding Contract Negotiations)
  • Letter from Christine Mailhos (CRCOG Response Letter to Gov Malloy re Foundations)
  • Letter from Christine Mailhos (CCM Letter Regarding Partnership Panel)
  • Letter from Christine Mailhos (CRCOG Letter Regarding School Aid)
  • Letter from Annemarie Poole (upcoming planned absences)
  • Annual Report Finance Department

GOOD & WELFARE

Chairman Bulick thanked Vice Chairman Patton for running the Board meetings in his absence.

Chairman Bulick asked for a volunteer to represent the Board at the Union Negotiations held Friday afternoons.  John Patton volunteered.

ADJOURMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
 

Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary