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Board of Finance - Special Meeting - 03/09/04
BOARD OF FINANCE
MARCH 9, 2004
SPECIAL MEETING ON CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Special Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at 9:00 P.M. in the Amphitheater of the Simsbury High School. The following members were present: Chairman Paul Henault, Candace Fitzpatrick, Peter Askham, Michael Wade, Kevin North and Nicholas Mason. Also present, Kevin Kane, Finance Director/Treasurer, David Holden, Business Manager, Dr. Joseph Townsley, Superintendent, and all other interested parties.
Mr. Henault said the Board could take action on the capital projects or defer to their meeting on Monday, March 15th.
Ms. Fitzpatrick asked what the number was that brought them to around 7%. Mr. Kane said the March 9th memo, page , would explain it. . Mr. Kane said the replacement of Fleet Service Equipment Storage is at least one year away.
Mr. Holden noted that the school can’t put in their grant application until funding is in place, even though the work won’t be done until 2005.
Mr. North asked if the auditorium would be a scope change or separate project. Mr. Holden said a separate project.
Ms. Fitzpatrick asked if the track and field would be done before or after the parking lot pavement. Mr. Holden said before the paving so that all of the heavy equipment and construction equipment is off the site.
Dr. Townsley said his first priority is the modular classrooms.
Mr. North said they need to discuss the projects with the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Holden said he would provide the Board of Finance with the payback figures.
Mr. North stated there is still $1,000,000 of open space money unspent. He feels the Simsbury Meadows Project should be presented as a project and not in a series of increments that ultimately could get them as high as $4,000,000 - $5,000,000. If you take those items out of the capital requests you get it down to 4.6 million dollars. Mr. Kane said it would actually be 3.9 million on the bonding part. Mr. Kane said they would have to have a special town meeting if they purchase 1% of the operating budget.
BOARD OF FINANCE SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 9, 2004
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Ms. Fitzpatrick said something has to go now. She is for Development Rights and Open Space, and knows if a project comes in with enough support, they would have to go to a Special Town Meeting.
Mr. Askham asked what improvements are proposed for Simsbury Meadows. Ms. Fitzpatrick said lighting, sidewalks, mowing the field, maintenance building and improving access to the Meadows. Mr. Henault said the Symphony has committed for a few years.
Ms. Fitzpatrick said this project has been plagued by physical constraints because a little bit has been brought forward at one time.
Mr. North said he had made a motion, at the last meeting, that they should cap the capital expenditures this year to the amount indicated as that would comply with the debt policy. It was a deferral until tonight even though it was voted on.
Ms. Fitzpatrick endorses Mr. North’s thought that this Board should communicate with the Board of Selectmen that the Development Rights and Simsbury Meadow improvements is what this Board would take off the list to make it conform. But, it is a policy decision that is left up to them. She would also suggest to the Board of Selectmen that they communicate with the Library people to phase in that project to make it work. Mr. Askham said someone from each Board should meet with the Library people to coordinate their project.
After further discussion on the projects, Mr. Henault said the Board could accept the budgets with reductions or make recommendation to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education to meet on Monday night to discuss their projects further. Mr. Henault said he feels the Board feels comfortable with the Board of Education capital projects, but the Board of Selectmen need to reduce their budget by 1.3 million dollars. If they don’t reach a consensus on what to reduce the Board of Finance will make the decision.
Mr. North made motion, Mr. Wade seconded to adjourn at 9:15 P.M. All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Radocchio, Clerk Paul Henault, Chairman
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