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Board of Finance Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, March 2, 2017

Members Present:                                        

  • Jim Bulick, Chairman                                    
  • Peter Tanaka                                            
  • Barry Wallett                                           
  • Annemarie Poole - Alternate                             
  • Geoff Prusak – Alternate

Members Absent:

  • John Patton, Vice Chair
  • Robert Wiecenski
  • Elizabeth Treiber

Also Present: Christina Mailhos, First Selectman; Kim Kowalyshyn, Selectman; John Blessington, Selectman; Jacqueline Jacoby, Interim Superintendent; Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Kelly Trueb, CIP Chairman; Robyn Campbell, Office Manager; Derek Dimmock, Public Work Director; Resident Randy Belair and other Members of the Public.

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

SEATING OF ALTERNATES

Peter Tanaka motioned to seat Annemarie Poole for John Patton, Barry Wallet seconded. All were in favor, motion approved.

Peter Tanaka motioned to seat Geoff Prusak for Robert Wiecenski, Barry Wallet seconded.  All were in favor, motion approved.

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Jacqueline Jacoby, Interim Superintendent, gave an update on how Region 19 and Columbia are handling the Governor’s budget.  She said both are proceeding as usual with their budget process, and although they are not ignoring, they prefer to wait to see where the Governor’s budget will end up.  It still is not clear whether an additional TRB assessment will be coming for Region 19, or if this was already factored in by the State when Willington received its TRB assessment.  The Special Education formula was discussed.  The excess cost monies have been absorbed into the special education grant allocation in the Governor’s proposed budget.  There is no excess cost separate funding sent to the district with this new formula.  The formula is complex, but essentially, the State is responsible for any costs over 4 ½ of the per pupil for the district.  The Board thanked the Superintendent for her update.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Barry Wallett motioned to approve the budget meeting minutes of February 23, 2017.  Peter Tanaka seconded.  All were in favor, Annemarie Poole and Geoff Prusak abstained. Motion carried. 

NEW BUSINESS

All presenters submitted an annual report for the July 2015 – June 2016 year when requested this past summer. Thank you!

CIP Plan

Kelly Trueb summarized the CIP plan.  This year, the on-budget impact is $533,640, down 3.7% from last year’s $554,122.  (On budget spending includes lease payments, loan or note payments, bond payments, or payments into reserve accounts.  These impact this year’s Town budget.  Off budget payments come from reserve accounts, State grants such as LOCIP or STEAP).  Donna Latincsics said on budget spending will be flat for a few years before increasing again due to bonding in the out years. She needs to clean up the plan and publish a summary.  The Board expressed its thanks to Kelly, Donna, and the CIP committee for assembling a plan that reflects today’s difficult economy.

Selectmen’s Budget

First Selectman Christina Mailhos said a zero based budget was assembled as requested by the Board of Finance (a zero based budget is a budget that holds services flat, but looks at all costs from a “clean slate” perspective).  A budget request of $3,377,743 was presented, a 2.47% increase over last year.  This budget assumes level staffing with no step or labor increases at this time as union negotiations are currently underway.  Preliminary quotes suggest insurance costs will be increasing.  Annemarie asked if the budget factored in the new phone system.  Donna clarified it did not.  Jim asked Derek for an update on his Paving vs. Chip Seal plan.  Discussion followed.  Although asphalt prices have been lower than in recent years, the Selectmen reduced the original request by $200,000.  Jim also asked Christina for an update on the joint Board of Education / Town Office Building shared maintenance service that was being considered under Dave Harding. Discussion followed.  It appears this option is not viable. Selectman Kim Kowalyshyn commented that no one is happy with this budget.  Barry Wallett expressed his concerned over comments about budget cuts.  He said there are no budget cuts in this budget.  Overall we are spending 2.47% more than last year.  He asked the Selectmen what mil rate increase they would they feel comfortable passing along to the taxpayers?  What fee increases did they see as acceptable, as many fees had not been reviewed in some time?  Discussion followed with no clear conclusions.  The Board thanked the Selectmen for their budget submission.

OLD BUSINESS

Governor’s Budget Impact to Willington - No update

Annual Report

Deb had some delay scanning in some of the reports and will have a draft available for review at the next BOF meeting.

Contract Negotiations - No update

Crumbling Foundations Risk Management

First Selectman Christina Mailhos said she would share a link of the video testimony at the State Capitol held earlier in the week on 28-February.

Joint Discussion P&Z, IWW, ZBA, and BOF - No update

CORRESPONDENCE

  • Tish Ignatowicz, 2-Mar-2017: Regarding revenue estimates for 2017-2018.
  • Jacqueline Jacoby, 2-Mar-2017: Regarding how Mansfield and Columbia are handling the TRB.
  • Jody Heon, 2-Mar-2017: Estimate of BAA reductions from upcoming real estate appeals.
  • Donna Latincsics, 1-Mar-2017: Info from CCM regarding the Governor’s proposed budget.  
  • Donna Latincsics, 1-Mar-2017: Info from Town Engineer regarding HMS underground oil tank.  
  • Jacqueline Jacoby, 27-Feb-2017: Regarding State’s position on reimbursement for CIP projects.
  • Donna Latincsics, 27-Feb-2017: Regarding additional detail of the Governor’s proposed budget.  

GOOD & WELFARE - None

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
 

Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary