Simsbury, CT - Finance Minutes-Special-3/15/04

The Special Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room in the Simsbury Town Hall. The following members were present: Chairman, Paul Henault, Peter Askham, Nicholas Mason, Michael Wade, and Candace Fitzpatrick. Also present were First Selectman, Thomas Vincent, Finance Director, Kevin Kane, Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Townsley, Business Manager, David Holden, and other interested parties.

Mr. Henault said the items on the agenda are discussion and possible action on the proposed 2004-05 operating budget and action on the proposed capital projects. Ms. Fitzpatrick made motion, Mr. Mason seconded to move the proposed operating budget to the second item on the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Henault said that at the last meeting the Board had talked about the various projects with a consensus to keep as close to the 7% debt policy as possible. This would require moving some of the projects around or asking that they not be brought forward. The projects discussed were Development Rights and Open Space and Fleet Service Equipment Garage not be brought forward. The items that were to be brought forward were Water Extensions, Sewer Extensions, Rehab on Church and Elm Streets, Simsbury Meadows, and Park Improvements. Mr. Mason thought the Fleet Storage was included and the Meadows were not to be brought forward. Mr. Kane said it was either/or.

Mr. Henault said on the Board of Education Projects the Central School Slate Roof Repair, the Simsbury High School Auditorium, Computer Technology, Elementary Modulars, and Simsbury Track and Stadium Field.

Mr. Vincent said he spoke to the Board of Selectmen and as a group they firmly stand behind their proposed budget in it’s entirety. They feel all items are equally important in their six year plan. These projects were also in their six year plan presented last year.

Mr. Vincent said as they go through negotiations with potential to get development rights one of the most important parts is competing with developers who have gotten bank approval. It’s important on the Towns side that a certain amount of money is available for negotiations.

Mr. Mason asked if there was a full plan for Simsbury Meadows. Mr. Vincent said there is no real master plan, everything is being done as a separate entity and as money is approved. Mr. Vincent said some people would like to see the track and field down closer to the center of town.

Mr. Wade said the Board of Education discussed having the new track and field closer to town, but they want to access the High School facilities. If it is closer to town there would be added costs for transportation, storage, lighting, etc.

There was some discussion on the development rights and the money already approved for that. The Board also discussion the six year capital plan and said there were other large items on it in the following years. .

Ms. Fitzpatrick said they need to stick to the six year plan. All approvals become such an onerous process if it is kept. If the million dollar development rights is kept in the six year plan would it go over 8%? Mr. Kane said one year is over and one year is under. The debt service would be 7.21% in ‘06-‘07. After further discussion, Ms. Fitzpatrick said she feels they need to stick to the 04-05 plan now. Ms. Fitzpatrick said the Board of Selectmen did prepare a six year plan as asked to do.

After further discussion, Mr. Henault said action needs to be taken on these items. He said the Board of Education projects are Auditorium and Track, Computer Technology, Elementary Modulars and Central School all add up to $3.6 million.

Mr. Vincent said the Board of Selectmen are trying to work with team work. If they are granted open space money within a 30 day approval, they will take the $1 million off the table. He said the track and field should definitely have lights and the public should decide where to locate it.

After further discussion, Mr. Mason introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Ms. Fitzpatrick: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $1,000,000 for purchase of development rights and acquisition of land for open space and municipal purposes as determined by the Board of Selectmen after approval by the Board of Finance and the Planning Commission pursuant to C.G.S. Section 8-24; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was not approved by two votes for and three votes against.

Mr. Askham introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Wade: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $190,000 from fund balances in the General Fund to facilitate the construction of water main extensions, including portions of Cardinal, the Mews, the Butterchurn, Wyngate and portions of Whitcomb and Firetown Roads, or other equivalent areas, as determined by the Board of Selectmen after a public hearing and approval by the Planning

Mr. Wade introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Ms. Fitzpatrick: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $240,000 from the Sewer Assessment Fund for the design and construction of sanitary sewers, including the installation of sanitary sewer mains and related laterals and appurtenances and the rehabilitation of existing sewer lines on portions of Elaine Drive, the Pheasant Lane area and other equivalent areas. The sewers to be constructed shall be determined by the Water Pollution Control Authority after a public hearing pursuant to C.G.S. 7-247a and approval by the Planning Commission pursuant to C.G.S. Section 8-24. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

Ms. Fitzpatrick introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Askham: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $350,000 for design and construction of a replacement fleet service equipment storage facility to be located at the Highway & Fleet Service garage on Town Forest Road, including code improvements and replacement of deteriorated portions of garage, and other various improvements; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $350,000 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

Mr. Mason introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Ms. Fitzpatrick: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $100,000 from the Sewer Use Fund for rehabilitation of sanitary sewers on Church Street Extension and Elm Street right-of-way, including pipe lining and insertion of new pipe or replacement of existing pipe, to reduce infiltration of ground and surface water, pump operating costs and environmental overflow problems. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

Mr. Askham introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Wade: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $300,000 for improvements to Simsbury Meadows to the extent of available funds, including walkway lighting along the northern section of Ironhorse Boulevard, construction of a park equipment storage building which may be a new building or rehabilitation of a relocated building, installation of a secondary pathway from the Mall Way area and restoration of overgrown fields to provide overflow event parking and a venue for certain other activities; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary

notes in an amount not to exceed $300,000 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by four votes in favor and one vote opposed.

Mr. Wade introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Askham: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $200,000 for improvements to various town parks to the extent of available funds as determined by the Board of Selectmen including field improvements and reconstruction of the maintenance facility at Memorial Park, irrigation system replacement, drainage work and parking lot improvements at Curtiss Park and repairs to the main building including window and wood decking replacement at Simsbury Farms; and that the Town issue bonds or notes or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $200,000 to finance appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

Ms. Fitzpatrick introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Askham: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $200,000 for replacement of slate roof on the original section of Central School; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $200,000 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $712,500 for Simsbury High School auditorium upgrade, including replacement of seating, flooring and rigging as well as electrical upgrade and installation of air conditioning; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $712,500 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

Mr. Askham introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Wade: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $1,905,014 for Simsbury High School track and stadium field improvements, to the extent of available funds, including upgrade of existing stadium field and track with an eight lane artificial track and an artificial turf interior field, which may include lighting and visitor bleacher seating, various code improvements; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $1,905,014 to finance the

Mr. Wade introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Fitzpatrick: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $300,000 for replacement and/or expansion of computer network servers and related network equipment, disaster recovery equipment and necessary wiring, for any of the Town’s schools; and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $300,000 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by four votes in favor and one opposed.

Ms. Fitzpatrick introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Mason: RESOLVED, that the Board of Finance recommends that the Town of Simsbury appropriate $500,000 for the acquisition and installation of modular classrooms, including modular classrooms for regular and special education classroom space to be located at any of the Town’s Elementary Schools (Squadron Line, Latimer Lane, Central, Tariffville and Tootin’ Hills); and that the Town issue bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to finance the appropriation; and that the term of the bonds or notes not exceed ten years. The resolution was approved by five votes in favor and none opposed.

Mr. Henault asked the Board about the Library project. He said there is 7.3 million dollars bondable to us, which is a huge item. Mr. Askham said he felt a committee should be put together to discuss this project and make it fit into the cap.