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Board of Finance Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Members Present:                                

  • Jim Bulick, Chairman                           
  • John Patton, Vice Chair                 
  • Robert Wiecenski
  • Peter Tanaka                                    
  • Barry Wallett
  • Annemarie Poole, Alternate

Members Absent:

  •  Elizabeth Treiber
  • Geoff Prusak, Alternate 

Also Present: ~Christina Mailhos, 1st Selectman; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Dr. Jacqueline Jacoby, Superintendent; Members of various Boards and the Public

Chairman Jim Bulick called the Meeting to order at 7:58 P.M.

SEATING OF ALTERNATES

John Patton motioned to seat Annemarie Poole for Elizabeth Treiber, Robert Wiecenski seconded.  All were in favor, motion carried.

PRESENT TO SPEAK

Vice-Chair Patton thanked people for asking questions and making us justify what we’re doing.

Chairman Bulick is grateful for people challenging us.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve the Budget Meeting Minutes of March 23, 2017 with the following amendments was made by Peter Tanaka, John Patton seconded.  All were in favor, motion carried.

0111~ Selectmen~ $151,630~ (omitted from the minutes)

0130~ Accounting $200,307, not $200,092

0841~ Pension $61,609, not $61,309

NEW BUSINESS

Budget Discussions

Chairman Bulick asked the Board for their thoughts after the Public Hearing.

Vice-Chair Patton stated that this is a tough year for everyone.  When times were good we never increased the budget tremendously.  When times are not so good it’s not as easy to start cutting things out.  We have not been consistent in how we raise our mill rate.  We have a healthy fund balance, our finance are in good shape and we’ve been able to weather out the storms.  He’s comfortable with this budget and is going to vote for it.

Chairman Bulick is struggling with the TRB, good arguments for leaving it in there and good arguments for pulling it out.  A lot of retired people will be hurt by this increase.

Jim Bulick motioned to remove the TRB from the budget.  Peter Tanaka seconded.  The following points were discussed:

Obligation that’s going to hit us is due to the State not properly funding their pension responsibilities

Leary of gentlemen’s agreement returning excess TRB funds back to the town (hands may be tied legally), no formal discussion with Board of Education regarding the TRB

Legislators are talking about spreading out the impact of the TRB over 5 years, there is a concern regarding over estimating of the obligation since the Governor’s budget is not finalized

Moving the obligation from the BoE budget to the Town’s budget

Vote was taken, Jim Bulick & Robert Wiecenski voted yes, all others voted no, motion failed.

Peter Tanaka motioned to reduce the Board of Education budget by $613,739 to $8,126,510 and increase #861 General Government by $813,730, Annemarie Poole seconded.  Vote was taken, Peter Tanaka voted yes, all others voted no.  Motion failed.

John Patton motioned to present the budgets as presented.  Peter Tanaka seconded.  Annemarie Poole thinks that we should add more from the fund balance.  John Patton said that this is just an estimate; we can go up or down when we set the mill rate.  Vote was taken, Jim Bulick and Annemarie Poole voted no, all others were in favor, motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS - none

CORRESPONDENCE

Engagement letter from the auditors.  Christine Mailhos, Donna Latincsics and Jim Bulick signed it.

GOOD & WELFARE

John Patton told the Board that 25 years ago there was a 9% tax increase because of loss of State funds and a hike in high school tuition and it was the same argument.  Send it to the people to vote on it.

ADJOURMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Debra L. Lewis
BOF Recording Secretary