April 27, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Joseph Mooney at 7:36 p.m. Also present were Victor Cassella, Charles Shelton, Lorraine Young and Kenneth Kaminsky. Jeffrey Vailette was not present.
Also present were First Selectman Anthony ‘Unk’ DaRos, Finance Director Jim Finch and Town Clerk Marianne Kelly.
1. Approval of the amended minutes of the Board of Finance meeting from March 23, 2009.
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Ms. Young. The vote was unanimous.
2. The Board of Finance heard a presentation from Tim Hasselman and Dan Escajeda, of the Lockton Group, the Town’s insurance agent/consultant for group health benefits regarding self-insurance for the Town’s medical program.
Discussion followed.
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kaminsky.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance authorizes Jim Finch, Finance Director, to establish policies and procedures that will move the Town and Board of Education toward self-funding group health benefits.
The vote was 4-1, Ms. Young abstained.
3. The Tax Collector presented the Suspense List for the Grand List Year 2002. $135,995 is considered uncollectible and will be eliminated from the anticipated tax payments.
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kaminsky. The vote was unanimous.
4. The Board of Finance heard a request from the Commission of Elderly Services for the following transfer (FY08-09):
From: 101-4402-442.1106 Part-time Salaries ( 5,448)
To: 101-4402-442.10.00 Full-time Salaries 5,448
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Ms. Young.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance recommends to the RTM a transfer of $5,448 as requested by the Commission of Elderly Services.
The vote was unanimous.
5. The Board of Finance heard a request from the Registrar of Voters for the following transfer (FY08-09):
From: 101-4904-494.59-13 Contingency ( 3,000)
To: 101-4114-412.12-08 Registrars 3,000
Discussion followed. Mr. Cassella asked if $3,000 could be taken out of the Registrars Miscellaneous Operating Supplies and not contingency, and re-addressed at the end of the fiscal year, if necessary.
Mr. Cassella made the motion to amend the Contingency line item to the department’s Miscellaneous Operating Supplies line item, seconded by Mr. Kaminsky.
The vote was unanimous.
Amended Request:
From: 101-4112-412.61-01 Misc. Operating Supplies ( 3,000)
To: 101-4114-412.12-08 Registrars 3,000
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Ms. Young.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance recommends to the RTM a transfer of $3,000, as requested by the Registrar of Voters.
The vote was unanimous.
6. The Board of Finance heard a request from the Registrar of Voters for the following transfer (FY08-09):
From: 101-4112-412.61-01 Misc. Operating Supplies ( 3,220)
To: 101-4112-412.11-02 Salaries Certified-A.E. 3,220
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kaminsky.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance recommends to the RTM a transfer of $3,220, as requested by the Registrar of Voters.
The vote was unanimous.
7. The Board of Finance heard an update from the Board of Education and the Building Department on the status of the Walsh Intermediate School roof replacement project.
Mark Deming, Board of Education Building and Grounds Director, reported that the scope of project has changed resulting in lowering the cost of project; and a legislative remedy is being pursued with the General Assembly to allow the WIS project to be eligible for school construction grant funding with it’s non-conforming roof pitch.
No action was taken.
8. The Board of Finance heard an update on the Town’s strategy as it relates to the firehouse expansion and the potential to obtain grant funds through federal stimulus program(s).
Chief Ahern informed the Board of Finance of the federal grants programs that would provide funding that would cover partial costs of the project and expressed a need for the Town to be shovel ready to be eligible. Chairman Mooney requested more information. Chief Ahern agreed to ask the architects of the project, Silver/Petrucelli Associates, to make a presentation to the Board of Finance in the near future.
No action was taken.
9. The Board of Finance heard a request to appoint BlumShapiro as auditor for FY2008/2009.
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Ms. Young.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance appoints the accounting firm of BlumShapiro to perform the annual audit for the fiscal year ending 6/30/09.
The vote was unanimous.
10. The Board of Finance heard a request from Finance Director, Jim Finch, to discuss the next steps with regard to creating an Other Post Employment Benefit system.
Discussion followed. The Board of Finance recommended that Finance Director, Jim Finch work with Bond Counsel to draft and set up an Other Post Employment Benefit System Trust.
Mr. Cassella made the motion, seconded by Ms. Young.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance authorizes the Finance Director to work with Bond Counsel to create an Other Post Employment Benefit Trust.
The vote was unanimous.
11. Mr. Cassella made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kaminsky. The vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.
Dated this 1st day of May, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
Marianne Kelly, Clerk
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