Board of Finance Minutes

Members Present:                                                

• Jim Bulick, Chairman                                           
• Barry Wallett                                                   
• Geoff Prusak                                                    
• Mary Bowen – Alternate        

Members Absent:

• John Patton, Vice Chair
• Peter Tanaka
• Robert Wiecenski
• Annemarie Poole – Alternate

Also Present: Christina Mailhos, 1st selectman; Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer Jacqueline Jacoby, Interim Superintendent; Phil Stevens, Principal; Board of Education Members; Michael Sorano , Architect & Partner, Friar Associates; members of the public.

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

Seating of Alternates

Geoff Prusak motioned to seat Mary Bowen for John Patton, Barry Wallett seconded.  All were in favor, motion carried.

Approval of Minutes – minutes tabled till October Regular Meeting

Present to Speak

CT Representative Sam Belsito on the State Budget and the fiscal situation going forward (when he arrives)

New Business  

Willington Public School Facilities Study.

Superintendent Jacoby presented the Board with the School Facilities Study performed by Friar.  They study results includes 6 options.  Superintendent Jacoby and Michael Sorano, the architect from Friar Associates, presented the options and answered questions.

Superintendent Jacoby explained that options 1-3 maintains two schools but adds capital improvements.

        Option #1 – Capital improvements only for Center & Hall.  

                        Total Project Cost = $17,291,242

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $13,901,279

Option #2 – Renovate as new, Center & Hall.  

Total Project Cost = $45,197,367

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $27,507,740

        Option #3 – Replace each school on existing sites.

                        Total Project Cost = $40,847,554  

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $19,644.405

Options 4-6 consolidate to one school

        Option #4a – Consolidate to one PreK-8 school, Center School renovate as new, addition, and close Hall School.  

Total Project Cost = $32,256,501

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $14,064,643

        Option #4b – Consolidate to one PreK-8 school, Hall School renovate as new, close Center School.  

Total Project Cost = $34,321,092

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $15,762,300

        Option #5 – Replace Center School on site and add central office for Superintendent.  

                        Total Project Cost = $38,395,784

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $18,773,180

        Option #6 – PreK-5 at Center with renovation and addition, grades 6-8 sent out of district.

                        Total Project Cost = $19,667,376

Total Cost to Town (after application of state share) = $8,052,753

Superintendent Jacoby said in her experience that it’s costly in the long term to renovate.  The school is the center of the community.  The benefit will be that property values will increase and operating costs will go down.

No decisions have been made yet.  There will be a work shop on October 10th.  They are looking for more feedback before the Board of Education makes a recommendation.

7:30 pm - CT Representative Sam Belsito joined the meeting

He gave the Board an update on the State Budget.  He informed the Board that the State is in dire straits.  He said that the State needs to change the way things are done.  He advised that we wait a little while before proceeding with making changes to the schools to see what happens.  The next 2 years will be ok should the bipartisan budget pass, but watch out for the 3rd year with funding being cut drastically.  

Selectman Mailhos asked if the governor doesn’t veto the budget can it be changed.  Rep. Belsito said that the Governor can either veto it, approve it, or do nothing and it will be approved automatically.

Sarah Peck, Ruby Road, asked about the cut for UConn.  We are looking at what things can be cut.  Rep. Belsito said that the State is broke.  Chairman Bulick said that he didn’t want this to be a Town Hall meeting on the budget and would like to focus the discussion on the more direct impact to Willington. 
 

Rep Belsito said that going forward we need to be careful and prepare during these two years to hold down cost.  There is no indication that our economy will improve in this State.

Mike Makuch, Clover Springs Dr, said that we should focus on UConn because it does affect Willington residents.

Sarah Smith, Eldredge Road, asked when we talk about the cost of education to look at future overall cost.

Board of Education is returning $138,018 from their 2016-2017 budget to the Town of Willington.

Chairman Bulick thanked them for returning the unused funds.

Board of Education is requesting $20,000 be transferred to the non-lapsing fund for education contingencies.

Superintendent Jacoby explained the fund to the Board and people who didn’t know what it is.  The non-lapsing fund was to handle non-recurring unanticipated expenses.  It was a tool recently created to get around the Minimum Budgeted Requirement (MBR) formula, since the money was already appropriated to education.  She asked that we consider a transfer of $20,000 to the fund from the $138,018 being returned to the town.

Mary Bowen motioned to transfer $20,000 from the approved fiscal year 2016-17 BOE budget appropriation to the non-lapsing education fund for future BOE non-recurring or unanticipated expenditure funding needs.  Geoff Prusak seconded.  Barry Wallett voted no, Geoff Prusak, Mary Bowen and Jim Bulick voted yes, motion carried.

Board of Education’s proposal for reductions in spending (should this be required).

Superintendent Jacoby said the following options are being considered by the Board of Education:

• Frozen a professional position
• Delayed programs
• 1/2 custodial position not filled
• 1 bus run eliminated
• Furlough day – $25,000
• Looking down the road – 1.4 mil = 23 staff
• Multi-age classes
• Minimal savings with utilities for 1 day
• Selectmen’s proposal for reductions in spending (should this be required).
• Selectman Mailhos offered the following possibilities if needed:
• Frozen discretionary funds
• Reduced paving plan for a savings of $200,000
• Reduced Town Hall hours – closing 1 or 2 hours a day
• Charging fees for transfer station use
• Increase building fees

She also added that the building official is in demand – people are waiting 2 or 3 weeks.  Because of the additional need. She asked that funds be transferred from the Employee Insurances to cover the needed hours.

Mary Bowen motioned to add Building Official to the agenda for discussion and possible motion.  Jim Bulick seconded.  All were in favor, motion carried.

Discussion followed.

Mary Bowen motioned to transfer $4,800 from #0831 Employee Insurances to #0241 Building Official.  Geoff Prusak seconded.  All were in favor, motion carried.

Old Business

Annual Report for Fiscal Year July 2016 through June 2017 is due September 30 reminder is being sent out.  

Policy Regarding Year End Encumbrances (waiting feedback from our auditor) – tabled to the October meeting when more members are present.

Cost Review: 5-Areas for review to see if we can realize any cost savings – discussion tabled for next meeting.

        Fire / Ambulance – Peter / Barry

        Education –Barry / Annemarie / Jim

        General Government – Geoff / Jim

        Public Works – John / Bob

        Transfer Station – John / Peter

        WEA Teacher Negotiations – meeting 5:00 pm Friday in mediation

Correspondence

Letter from Superintendent regarding returning surplus funds and transfer to the non-lapsing fund.

Letter from Superintendent regarding facilities study.

Letter from Superintendent acknowledging our request to freeze discretionary spending and make plans should we not have a State Budget passed in October.

Letter from Selectman Mailhos acknowledging our request to freeze discretionary spending and make plans should we not have a State Budget passed in October. She also requested we invite our State Representatives to the September 21 meeting.

Letter from Willington FD #1 President Ronald Gantick inviting BOF members to their Board of Directors meeting.

Letter from Ralph Tulis offering thoughtful and constructive criticism of our minutes.

Letter dated August 19, 2017 to the Selectmen, Superintendent, and Board of Education requesting a freeze in discretionary spending and request for immediate reductions in spending.

GOOD & WELFARE - none

ADJOURMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary