Board of Finance Regular Meeting Minutes-3/31/15

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, March 31, 2015

 

1.   Call to Order

Mr. Askham, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 5:47 P.M. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.  The following members were also present:   Nicholas Mason, Barbara Petitjean, Linda Schofield and Moira Wertheimer.  Also present were Lisa Heavner, First Selectman, Sean Askham, Board of Selectmen, Captain Nicholas Boulter, Simsbury Police Department, Cheryl Cook, Board of Selectmen, Thomas Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen, Chief Peter Ingvertsen, Simsbury Police Department, Christopher Kelly, Board of Selectmen, Sean Kimball, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Joseph Mancini, Director of Finance/Treasurer, Burke LaClair, Board of Education Business Manager, Michael Paine, Board of Selectmen, Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works, Jeff Shea, Town Engineer, Gerry Toner, Recreation Director and other interested parties. 

2.   Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance

3.   Approval of Minutes

         November 5, 2014

Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the November 5, 2014 Special Meeting minutes as amended.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Wertheimer and it was passed unanimously.

Amended change:

Under 3.  Purchase of Property at 1 Old Bridge Road – add the sentence “Mr. Cooke stated that the decision on the demolition of the building would be completed within one year”.

         February 24, 2015

Ms. Wertheimer made a motion to approve the February 24, 2015 Special Meeting minutes.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Petitjean and it was passed unanimously.  Ms. Petitjean abstained.

         March 11, 2015

Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the March 5, 2014 Regular Meeting minutes as amended.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Mason and it was passed unanimously.

Amended change - Add the sentence “Ms. Petitjean asked that the utility costs be reduced to include the savings realized as a result of removing the modular classrooms” to the bottom of page 2.

         March 17, 2015

Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the March 17, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes as amended.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Wertheimer and it was passed unanimously.

Amended change – Under the motion for “Approve sending funds from the Internal Service Fund to the OPEB trust / use for 15-16 Budget – To the motion passed 5 to 1” add “Ms. Petitjean voted no”.

4.   Board of Selectmen – 2015/2016 Budget Presentation (pursuant to Section 807 of the Town
      Charter)

Ms. Heavner discussed the Board of Selectmen 2015/2016 Budget Presentation.  She noted the following information on the budget:

2015/2016 Budget                                $18,867,969

Increase                                                $156,666

Percent Increase                                    .84%

Ms. Heavner noted that this budget responsibly meets the needs of the community in the most cost effective manner.  She also discussed the following slides to the Board members:

  • Budget Goals
  • Major Town Accomplishments
    • Nerd Wallet Award
  • Cost Drivers of the Budget
  • Salary & Pension Indicators
  • Budget Context
  • Recent BOS Budget History
  • Town Budget Increase Comparisons
  • Mill Rate Distribution
  • Median Net Taxable Assessments
  • Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go
  • What Do Your Tax Dollars Pay For
  • BOS Budget History
  • Cost Saving Efforts
  • Board of Selectmen Budget Process
  • BOS Adopted Budget

Ms. Heavner noted that this budget maintains quality core services, fully funds contractual salaries and pension requirements, funds two additional police officers, funds a new Public Works Project Administrator, restores funding to the Assistant Accessor position and includes the contribution to Simsbury Farms of $90,000.   

Ms. Heavner also listed the following Capital Budget projects and noted that only the Simsbury Farms and Ethel Walker projects will be included in the referendum in May:

  • Simsbury Farms Rink and Pool
  • Ethel Walker
  • Public Works Facility
  • Critical Infrastructure Repairs
  • Public Safety Improvements
  • Senior Center/Community Center Construction
  • Debt Service History
  • Budget Calendar

Ms. Heavner noted the Public Hearing will be held on April 8, 2015 at Simsbury High School and all Budget documents are available on the Town’s website.

Board of Finance members asked questions on the Board of Selectmen Budget on the following subjects:

  • Hiring of Police officers
  • Ratio of Police officers to population
  • Promote and bring new business into Town
  • Public Agency Support
  • Simsbury Farms $90,000
  • Open Space
  • CNR Projects
  • Parks Allocation

 

Mr. Askham noted that he is very happy with this budget and is a responsible budget that meets the Town’s needs. 

5.   Board of Selectmen – 2015/2016 Capital Improvement Plan Presentation (pursuant to

      Section 803 of the Town Charter)

 

Mr. Shea, Mr. Toner and Mr. Roy discussed the 2015/2016 Capital Improvement Plan Presentation slides with Board members:

  • Simsbury Farms Improvements – Pool & Rink – FY2016$1,100,000
  • Parks Improvements – FY 2016$508,000
  • Open Space Planning and Improvements – FY2016$145,000
  • Weatogue Planning Route 10 and Code Preparation Work – FY 2016$57,000
  • Highway Salt Shed Replacement – FY 2016$375,000
  • Municipal Building Renovations – FY 2016$50,000
  • Dam Evaluations & Repairs – FY 2016$30,000
  • Public Works Complex Infrastructure Improvements – FY 2016$280,000
  • Town Hall Site and Safety Improvements – FY 2016$45,000
  • Portable Generator Project/Generator Infrastructure – FY 2016$80,000
  • Project Planning Funds – FY 2016$28,000
  • Various Drainage Improvements Projects – FY 2016$175,000
  • Senior/Community Center – FY 2016$8,200,000

Ms. Heavner noted that the Board of Selectmen have unanimously voted to explore the Performing Art Center and it is the primary location for a new Senior Center.  She noted that the process is under way. 

Mr. Cooke discussed what the Town has been working on for the new Senior/Community Center.  He noted that the Town will be sending out a survey to all interested parties to get their feedback.  Mr. Cooke stated that this will not be on the referendum in May.

6.   Board of Education – Update on the 2015/2016 Budget

Mr. LaClair discussed the Board of Education Capital Improvement Plan with Board members.  Topics discussed were:

  • 2015/16 Year One
    • District Network Infrastructure:$200,000
    • Central School Roof:$770,000
    • Climate Control Improvements – 7 Schools:
      • $2,150,000 (Phase I)
         
  • District Network Infrastructure
     
  • Central School Partial Roof Replacement
     
  • Climate Control Project – 7 Schools
    • Phase I ($2,150,000) would provide localized cooling to instructional spaces in each school and air condition at least one large gathering space at HJMS/SHS.
    • Phase II ($950,000) would allow for additional instructional rooms and a larger space at HJMS/SHS
       
  • Window A/C Units – Commercial Grade
     
  • Portable A/C Units – Commercial Grade
     
  • Ductless Split A/C Units

Mr. LaClair discussed other potential areas for climate control and the approximate cost.

Mr. Askham asked if Mr. LaClair could  provide  the expected number of days they project the Climate control units would be used and what the operating costs would be.

Mr. LaClair submitted an updated copy of the Board of Education Operating Budget to Board members.

Mr. Askham noted that the original Board of Education budget increase was 2.47% and it is now down to 1.30%.

7.   Discussion about budget and possible action

Mr. Askham noted that there is public hearing on April 8th at which time the Board will bring up the Operating Budgets of Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Simsbury Farms, Sewer Authority, Debt Service, Non-Public Schools, Capital Non-Recurring and the Capital Budgets to get public input. 

Mr. Askham stated that after this hearing, the Board of Finance has to decide which budgets to move on to referendum.   He noted that there will be three budget questions on the referendum and three Capital questions. 

The Operating Budget will be:

  • Board of Selectmen
  • Board of Education
  • All others

Mr. Askham stated that there will also be an individual question on any project over $950,000.  He also noted that the Board of Finance has to approve Bond language, if it is decided to Bond a project in the Capital.       

Ms. Petitjean made a motion to move the budgets as presented to Board of Finance to the Public Hearing for the Board of Selectmen 2015-2016 Operating Budget, the Simsbury Board of Education Budget, as modified and presented tonight, Capital and Non-Recurring Fund Budget, Water Pollution Control Operating Budget, Residential Rental Properties Operating Budget, Simsbury Farms Special Revenue Fund Operating Budget, Capital Improvement Plan (in accordance with Charter Section 803(b)), Non-Public Schools and Highway-Paving Management  for the LOCIP reimbursement grant to get input on what the public thinks about these proposals.  Ms. Schofield seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Ms. Petitjean made a motion to amend her motion to include the Revenue projections.  Ms. Schofield seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Ms. Schofield spoke of the relationship between the Board of Education and Board of Finance members and hoped it would improve in the future.

Mr. Mancini discussed the spreadsheet of Revenue items with the Board members.

8.   Other Business

Mr. Askham noted that the Town’s Annual Report is still being worked on and should be filed within the next week or so.

ADJOURN

Mr. Mason made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion and the motion passed.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:12p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Leslie Brigham