Board of Finance Regular Meeting Minutes-8/19/14
BOARD OF FINANCE
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 PM
MINUTES
AUGUST 19, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Askham, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were also present: Barbara Petitjean, Jeff Blumenthal, Nicholas Mason, Linda Schofield and Moira Wertheimer. Also present were Mary Glassman, First Selectman, Joseph Mancini, Director of Finance/Treasurer, Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning, Burke LaClair, Board of Education Business Manager, Leslie Brigham, Commissions Clerk and other interested parties.
Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
Public Audience
Mr. Askham acknowledged receipt of an e-mail received from Ms. Natalie Vasa, 32 Hickory Hill Road, regarding the purchase of the house next to the flower bridge (see attachment No. 1).
Ms. Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, stated that she was happy to have the opportunity to address the Board at this meeting. She noted her concern with the First Selectmen’s office salary increases only a week after the new fiscal year started. Ms. Coe also noted that funds are being withdrawn from the General and Insurance fund to pay for salaries and deficiencies in the budget. She discussed issues with the purchase of the Ethel Walker property. Ms. Coe also voiced her concern regarding the Simsbury Farms fund, Pharos Farm and the Dewey Farm.
Ms. Coe questioned what the long term plans and cost associated with the Performing Arts Center will be. She stated that the hours for the heads of departments in Town Hall are 40 hours per week; however, with the new hours for Town Hall employees, all employees are now working only 35 hours but are being paid for 40.
Ms. Coe stated that she would like to know what the long term plans are for roads and winter snow removal, truck purchases and costs for all town maintenance. She also asked what the long term plan is for when The Hartford vacates their building and what is the Board of Education plans to reduce costs with declining enrollment. Ms. Coe would like to know if there is a plan to reduce the Town’s mill rate.
Mr. Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, noted that he was pleased to have public audience at this meeting. He voiced his concern on the current budget and money being withdrawn from various funds. Mr. Kalechman also noted his displeasure that two additional positons within the Simsbury police department were never added.
Mr. Kalechman questioned why the Town would spend $150k to $250k to purchase a home next to the flower bridge. He noted his displeasure on the Town hiring an additional lawyer for the Ethel Walker property due to a conflict with the Town’s lawyer. Mr. Kalechman discussed the Performing Arts Center requesting additional funds from the Town for fireworks for Septemberfest.
Approve Minutes
July 15, 2014 – Special Meeting
Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the minutes as amended from the July 15, 2014 Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blumenthal and was passed unanimously.
July 15, 2014 – Regular Meeting
Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the minutes as amended from the July 15, 2014 Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Wertheimer and was passed unanimously.
Finance Director’s Report
Mr. Mancini distributed a memorandum regarding the Report of the Director of Finance (see attachment No. 2). The items discussed in the memorandum were: Update on Tax Collections and Grand List, Investment Policy (see attachment No. 3), Simsbury Farms Subcommittee, Long Range Plan, Estimated Reserves, Bond Premiums and Comparative Analytics (see attachment No. 4).
Mr. Mason discussed asking FIA to come in to discuss what their recommendations might be on the Investment Policy and to discuss OPEB and pensions.
Mr. Hiram Peck discussed the $25,000 Capital Non-Recurring motion to update the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations to bring them current. This was discussed at the July 15, 2014 Board of Finance meeting.
Mr. Peck stated that the Town had revised the standard zoning regulations. He noted that in 2009 the Town added a constant code, which is a form based code for the Town center. Mr. Peck noted that in 2013 the Town did a form based code for The Hartford property and has also started a village district, which is another form based code for the historic section of Weatogue. He noted that the Town has also approved and adopted a workforce housing overlay zone, which provides the Town to work with developers with regard to them providing 80% of the housing and 20% would be workforce housing. Mr. Peck also stated that the Town has added planned area development (PAD) regulation, which has been successful in attracting new and different types of development to Town.
Mr. Peck stated that there are a series of regulations that need to be integrated and put together so that definitions fit, regulations are integrated and updated properly and they are legal. He noted that he asked three consultants for estimates in terms to what it would take to integrate these regulations. He estimated that the work will take approximately nine months to complete.
Goals for the year (update)
Mr. Askham reminded Board members of their goals discussed at the February 18, 2014 Board of Finance Meeting (refer to the Board of Finance Regular Meeting Minutes for February 18, 2014) and asked that they be reviewed by Board members.
Intra-Departmental transfers
Mr. Mancini discussed the Board of Finance 2013-2014 Intra-Departmental Transfers with Board members (see attachment No. 5).
Mr. Blumenthal made a motion to approve the Board of Finance 2013-2014 Intra-Departmental Transfers. The motion was seconded by Ms. Schofield and was passed unanimously.
Open Space Rules
Mr. Askham discussed setting up money in the open space committee. He stated that the Board of Finance needs to have an understanding of how it works and what members want to have for an understanding of how it works when it is funded.
Mr. Blumenthal noted that it was discussed to look at other towns and to put together recommendations relative to funds, including some that would give a tax deduction. Ms. Glassman stated that it has to be decided at what level the Town wants to maintain the open space and how it is going to be funded.
Open Space Request “Update”
Ms. Glassman noted that the Board of Selectmen did not have a full Board at the last meeting so there will not be a recommendation presented at this meeting.
Reserve Policy “Discuss Only”
Mr. Mancini discussed the Town of Simsbury General Fund Balance Policy (see attachment No. 6) with Board members.
Mr. Askham asked the Board members to continue to review the policy and come up with comments or questions to send to Mr. Mancini. Mr. Askham noted that the General Fund Balance Policy may be added to the next meeting’s agenda and be voted on.
Board Rules “Discuss Only”
Ms. Wertheimer noted that she solicited several other boards in town that have internal operating procedures. She has not yet received any at this time. Mr. Askham noted that he has a copy of the town of Madison and will send them to Ms. Wertheimer.
Mr. Blumenthal discussed what the Board of Finance could do in case of a tie vote.
Mr. Askham stated that they have to decide how many rules they want to adopt and members should note some of the issues they want to address.
Other Business
Mr. Askham distributed a news article from the Block Island Times regarding the purchase of streetlights by the Town (see attachment No. 7). He noted that there are significant savings in buying the streetlights and thought it should be looked into.
Ms. Petitjean noted that the Town will also have to consider the incremental cost to the Town associated with owning the poles including replacing the pole when it gets damaged, going after the insurance company when someone damages the pole and the cost for town resources.
Discuss next meeting’s agenda
Mr. Askham noted the following items to add to a future agenda:
Insurance Agent
Affordable Care Act
Investment Advisor
Adjournment
Ms. Petitjean made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Wertheimer and was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Askham, Chairman Leslie Brigham, Commissions Clerk