These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
BOARD OF FINANCE
OCTOBER 16, 2001
REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at 6:00 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Chairman Paul Henault, Peter Askham, James Belfiore, Candace Fitzpatrick and Michael Wade. Also present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, Finance Director Kevin Kane, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Townsley, and other interested parties.
APPROVE MINUTES
July 24, 2001 Special Meeting
Ms. Fitzpatrick moved to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2001 Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wade and carried unanimously.
August 21, 2001 Regular Meeting
Ms. Fitzpatrick moved to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2001 Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Askham and carried unanimously.
September 12, 2001 Special Meeting
Ms. Fitzpatrick moved to approve the amended minutes of the September 12, 2001 Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Askham and carried unanimously, with Mr. Wade abstaining.
3. FINANCIAL REPORTS
Board of Education
Dr. Townsley highlighted items from his October 9, 2001 memo (Addendum I) noting that it is still early in their first quarter since it includes only about six weeks of school. He felt that the second quarter will be more meaningful. Mr. Henault queried as to the difference between actual and projected enrollment. Dr. Townsley stated that he would mail the Board of Finance members copies of Dr. Chung’s most recent report which updates the 10-year projections through 2011.
Mr. Henault asked if the figures for the actual enrollment for October 1, 2001 and the actual enrollment for last year both include Project Choice. Dr. Townsley answered in the affirmative.
Board of Selectmen
Mr. Henault referred to the October 9, 2001 memo from Mr. Kane (Addendum II). Mr. Kane noted that Police overtime is running very well this year but will probably not continue to do so. Officer Mark Critz was called to active duty, and the Police force will be short one person, thus resulting in more overtime to cover his position.
Mr. Kane also brought up another area of concern: Special Duty. He referred to Chief Ingvertsen’s memo dated October 5, 2001 (Addendum III). The members discussed the possibility of setting up a Special Revenue Fund. Mr. Askham asked if that could be done part way into the fiscal year. Mr. Kane said he will talk to the auditors about it and report back at the November or December meeting.
Mr. Henault questioned the legal fees for Meadowood. Mr. Kane answered that the $48,990 is for July bills only. No invoices for August or September have been received yet.
There was discussion on the Revenue Report. Mr. Kane expressed concern about the low interest rates and that we will be fortunate to reach the $700,000 investment income noted in his memo.
The status of Simsbury Farms expenditures vrs. revenue was discussed. Mr. Henault asked Mr. Kane to ask Gerry Toner to write up a report for the November meeting that would give the quarterlies.
Mr. Henault summarized that the two reports indicate a need to be vigilant with respect to the use of surplus as we look at the whole picture, including the self-insurance fund.
AUDITING SERVICES
Mr. Henault referred to Mr. Kane’s memo dated October 10, 2001 (Addendum IV). Mr. Kane stated that implementing GASB 34 will be a two-year project and that there are only a few firms in Connecticut that could be recommended for the job. Mr. Askham asked if Blum Shapiro would increase their price. Mr. Kane noted that they would have to do a little extra for the GASB 34, so a slight increase is probable. Mr. Wade asked whether we are obligated to put it out to bid. Mr. Kane said no, that he would recommend doing so, but the GASB 34 situation warrants an exception. Mr. Kane offered to talk with Blum Shapiro about an extension of their contract and the pricing. The Board agreed.
5. STATUS OF JUNE 30, 2001 AUDIT
Mr. Kane stated that the audit is pretty much done, but some of the numbers aren’t complete yet. He said that David Holden is working on the Board of Education Fixed Assets and that the Town’s Fixed Assets are just about done. The recent conversion to an update of Pentamation created a problem with the Fixed Assets tying out, but it will be fixed soon.
6. 2002 BUDGET PROCESS
Mr. Henault asked if there were any additional thoughts from the prior meeting’s discussion on this topic. Ms. Fitzpatrick questioned where the teacher negotiations stand and whether it will have a budget impact. Dr. Townsley answered that it will have an impact and that they went into mediation at 4:00, and he expects it to be a long process.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Henault referred to Mr. Kane’s October 10, 2001 memo regarding notice on the LOCIP funding (Addendum V). Ms. Fitzpatrick asked when the $104,022 came in. Mr. Kane answered that it was in fiscal year 2000/01.
Mr. Henault noted that they had asked for an update to be presented at this meeting as to where we might be on the claims with respect to the self-insurance fund. They were going to try to get a month-by-month handle on where the claims were because it does have an impact on Reserves. Mr. Kane said he doesn’t know where it stands at this point but that he will contact Bob Lindberg tomorrow. Mr. Henault suggested that Mr. Lindberg give Mr. Kane an update by the end of the week which Mr. Kane could then send to Mr. Henault to look over. If there are any issues with it, he could address that with the Board for a Special meeting if required. If not, it could be carried to the November Regular meeting and get a subsequent update at that time.
Mr. Henault referred to a letter from Richard Lange, Chairman of the WPCA, concerning Sewer Treatment Plant expansion funding (Addendum VI). Mr. Henault noted that Mr. Lange has moved out of Simsbury and will be resigning from the WPCA. Mr. Henault wished to make it public record that the BOF thanks Mr. Lange for all his years of hard work as Chairman and a member of the WPCA. The Board then discussed the great importance of the contents of this letter and the situation of Avon’s continuing to be a “difficult partner”. Ms. Mielert said that Avon’s Town Manager, Phil Schenck, got a letter from Simsbury’s Town attorney (which she was not copied on) and that he wants to get together with Ms. Mielert for discussion. Ms. Mielert said that if she and Mr. Schenck
have trouble negotiating anything out, she thinks that they should go to arbitration so this can be settled. Mr. Belfiore questioned whether Avon should be treated as a customer like Granby. Ms. Mielert wasn’t sure whether the BOS, the WPCA or both together would make that decision.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Askham moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 P.M. The motion was seconded by Mr. Belfiore and carried unanimously.
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Paul W. Henault, Chairman Roxanne Farrell, Clerk
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