These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office.
BOARD OF FINANCE
APRIL 10, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at 6:05 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room at the Simsbury Town Hall. The following members were present: Chairman Paul Henault, Peter Askham, Nicholas Mason, Kevin North and Michael Wade. Also present were Director of Finance Kevin Kane, Board of Education Business Manager David Holden and other interested parties.
APPROVE MINUTES
March 18, 2003 Regular Meeting
Mr. Askham moved to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2003, Regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mason and carried unanimously, with Mr. North abstaining.
ACTION ON PROPOSED 2003/04 OPERATING BUDGETS
Mr. Henault referred to the memos from Simsbury's Town Clerk and the office of Secretary of the State and to the letter from Simsbury's Town Attorney and concluded that it is clear that Simsbury must have only one budget question, with respect to the operating budgets, to be voted on at the referendum. He added that there will be a second question with respect to the capital. He noted that the BOF, however, must move to approve each budget individually.
Discussion ensued concerning the BOF approving individual budgets yet putting forward only one question, consolidating the parts, for the referendum. Mr. Mason noted the conundrum resulting if the one question is voted down. It would be unclear to the BOF as to which part of the question the public was not comfortable with. Mr. Henault and Mr. North agreed.
Mr. Henault referred to Mr. Kane's Projected Mill Rate worksheet and noted that he would like to provide a range of possible mill rates at the Town Meeting.
Mr. Wade asked when the Assessor's list will get finalized subject to appeals. Mr. Kane answered that the Board of Tax Review is meeting in April, and Mr. Gardner has asked for an extension to mid-May. He stated that they should have a good estimate at the Town Meeting of what the reductions will be.
Board of Selectmen
Mr. North moved to accept the Board of Selectmen budget of $14,302,408. The motion was seconded by Mr. Askham and carried unanimously.
Debt Retirement
Mr. Mason moved to accept the amended Debt Retirement budget of $5,040,876. The motion was seconded by Mr. Askham and carried unanimously.
Board of Education
Mr. Askham moved to accept the Board of Education budget of $47,677,153. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wade and carried unanimously.
Non-Public Schools
Mr. Wade moved to accept the Non-Public Schools budget of $359,754. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mason and carried unanimously.
Sewer Use Fund
Mr. North moved to accept the Sewer Use Fund budget of $1,274,880. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mason.
Discussion: Mr. Askham asked what percent increase this was. Mr. Kane stated that it was 4.25%.
A vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously.
Residential Rental Properties Fund
Mr. Mason moved to accept the Residential Rental Properties Fund budget of $49,800. The motion was seconded by Mr. Askham and carried unanimously.
Dog Fund
Mr. Askham moved to accept the Dog Fund budget of $74,018. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wade and carried unanimously.
Simsbury Farms / Special Programs Fund
Mr. Wade moved to accept the Simsbury Farms / Special Programs Fund budget of $1,550,322. The motion was seconded by Mr. Askham.
Discussion: Mr. Askham asked what percent increase this was. Mr. Kane stated that it was 3.94%.
A vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously.
Capital & Nonrecurring
Mr. North moved to accept the Capital & Nonrecurring budget of $954,884. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mason.
Discussion: Mr. Kane stated that he needed clarification for computer technology on the Legal Notice. He asked if the BOE is funding this year's appropriation for $30,000 or not. Mr. Mason asked where payment would come from if the BOE did not reimburse CNR. Mr. Askham answered that CNR would be decreased. Mr. Mason stated that he would like to see this in their Operating Budget, not part of CNR. Mr. North agreed. Mr. Kane explained that over the next few years there could be a negative fund balance in CNR if the BOE does not reimburse. The Board agreed to discuss this at a later date.
A vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously.
ESTIMATED 2003/04 OPERATING BUDGET REVENUES
Mr. Mason moved to accept the amended General Fund budget revenues of $5,032,912. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wade and carried unanimously.
Mr. Wade moved that the question for the referendum be as specified in Item #2 in Kevin Kane's draft "Annual Budget Meeting". The motion was seconded by Mr. North.
Mr. Askham asked Mr. Kane to calculate, one more time, the total for the budgets before voting on the last motion. Mr. Henault tabled the motion while Mr. Kane checked the figures and moved on to Other Business.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Henault stated that they are preparing the "red herring" (draft prospectus) for the bonding. He added that rating agency presentations are June 19th and that Mr. Vincent, Mr. Kane and Mr. Henault will be going.
Mr. Henault introduced a letter on the Pension Plan from the Town's actuary. He summarized that she is comfortable with her projection at the rate of return. He added that he is still planning on having a workshop around this issue. He added that it makes sense to also have a workshop in July or August that includes members of the BOE and BOS who want to attend to address this issue and anything else that comes up with respect to budgets.
Mr. Henault referred to a letter from Simsbury Little League. He stated that he had asked them to provide accounting of the funds given them by the Town last year. Their letter provided all the documentation asked for, and Mr. Henault stated that on the surface it looks acceptable. He added that he and Mr. Kane will go to them and talk over their procedures.
Mr. Henault stated that he had asked Brandon Robertson for an update on the status of the Eno Memorial Hall air conditioning project. He referred to a memo from Mr. Robertson (Addendum I). He referred also to a memo from Mr. Kane summarizing the source of funds available for the project. Mr. Mason questioned the possible use of the Eno Special Revenue Fund (proceeds from painting). Mr. Kane stated that there were discussions last year by members of both Boards about protecting the settlement money and just using the interest. He added that the Boards have to come to a consensus as to whether the principle will be used. Mr. North stated that he thinks the performance of the people who are responsible for implementing this project is woefully inadequate. He added that he
thinks it is profoundly disappointing to see that they are just now talking to the consultant.
Mr. Henault introduced a memo from Mr. Kane, "Cost of the Simsbury Meadow Park Project" (Addendum II). Mr. North stated that he had been the one who asked for this accounting. He stated that he was aware that this was to be primarily a concert venue and secondarily a recreation area. He added that he is troubled by the fact that, by the time this is done, $4.2 million of the taxpayers' money will have been expended without ever having advanced a $4.2 million project for a concert venue. He reiterated that it was never properly put before the taxpayers.
Ms. Fitzpatrick joined the meeting at 6:57 P.M.
Continuing with the Meadow Park issue, Mr. Askham recommended doing a study to see where capital has been spent over the last decade and having the three Boards discuss it. Mr. Henault agreed that a workshop on the prioritization of capital would be a good idea.
ESTIMATED 2003/04 OPERATING BUDGET REVENUES (CONT.)
Mr. Henault asked to take the motion back up from Item #4. Mr. Wade restated his motion:
Mr. Wade moved that the question represented at the referendum be as specified on Mr. Kane's draft "Town of Simsbury Annual Budget Meeting" notice, item #2, with the number being $71,284,095 for the total budgets. The motion was seconded by Mr. North and carried unanimously
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Fitzpatrick moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 P.M. The motion was seconded by Mr. North and carried unanimously.
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Paul W. Henault, Chairman Roxanne Farrell, Clerk
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