Board of Finance Meeting Minutes - 11/19/13

BOARD OF FINANCE 
REGULAR MEETING - 6:00 PM
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 19, 2013

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Henault, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 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, Nicholas Mason, Peter Askham, Kevin North and Jeff Blumenthal.  Also present were Mary Glassman, First Selectman; Mary Ann Harris, Finance Director; Burke LaClair, Board of Education Business Manager; Sean Kimball, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Linda Schofield and other interested parties.

1.  Chairman’s Presentation – Budget Planning

Mr. Henault presented the 2013-2014 Current Budgets and 2014-2015 Planning slide presentation.

2.  Public Audience

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive stated she did not like the fact that the Board of Finance did not advertise this meeting to the public.  She noted that the Grand List will be lower due to The Hartford leaving town.  She was not happy that Simsbury has such a high mill rate compared to other towns and is worried that Simsbury cannot compete due to the high taxes.  She believes that the General Fund should only be used for emergencies.  Joan also noted that the First Selectman’s responsibilities have diminished and therefore the salary should be reduced.  She is concerned with Sean Kimball becoming the interim Finance Director and that his lack of qualifications may put the town at risk.

Dr. Michael Rinaldi, 32 Pinnacle Mountain Road congratulated the Board and Chairman for the past 16 years of service.  He asked the Board what their philosophy is for tax growth and how to give tax relief to the residents of Simsbury.  He wanted to know if the Board was concerned that the BOE was not attending this meeting.  He also voiced his displeasure that there was no announcement advertising the public audience for this meeting.

Mr. Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street voiced his concern regarding the high taxes.  He believes that The Hartford is moving to Windsor due to their lower taxes.  He also voiced his concern regarding the cost of bonding as well as town events being paid by tax payers.  He wanted to know why the town has to purchase insurance from a private company and why they cannot insure themselves.

Jeff Blumenthal stated that the agenda for the Board of Finance is posted on-line for the public to view at any time.

Peter Askham stated that Simsbury does a 10 year bonding and this is paid by all taxpayers.

Paul Henault said that the BOE is always in attendance at this meeting if there is a need.

3.  Approve Minutes

September 17, 2013 –

Mr. North made a motion to approve the minutes from September 17, 2013.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Petitjean and was approved 5-0.  (Mr. Blumenthal abstained himself.)

October 15, 2013 –

Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the minutes from October 15, 2013 with the exception to correct the spelling of her name in Item 4 – 2014 Calendar of Meeting Dates – For Review.  The motion was seconded by Mr. North and was unanimously approved.

4.  2014 Calendar of Meeting Dates – For Approval

Mr. North made a motion to approve the 2014 Calendar of Meeting Dates.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Blumenthal and was unanimously approved.

5.  Request to approve Special Revenue Fund for “Try-Athlon”

Mary Glassman stated this event promotes Simsbury with private capital.  Mr. Henault noted that funds are not paid by the town for these events.

Mr. Mason made a motion to approve the Special Revenue Fund for “Try-Athlon”.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Blumenthal and was unanimously approved.

6.  Public Act No. 13-60

Burke LaClair stated he will be working with other schools to better define what non-educational expenses this will cover.  Mr. Askham stated that the Board of Education needs to give a better definition of these services as it does not address specific non-educational expenses.

7.  Capacity & Projects to Bond

Mr. Henault made a motion to remove “Capacity & Projects to Bond” from the agenda and address it at the December 17, 2013 meeting.  The motion was seconded by Mr. North and was unanimously approved.

8.  Appointment of Acting Finance Director

The current Finance Director Mary Ann Harris will be leaving her position on November 30, 2013.  The Board of Finance has appointed Sean Kimball as the interim Finance Director effective December 1, 2013.  Mary Glassman stated that the position is being advertised and there are currently 19 applications that she is in the process of screening.  This position will be permanently filled as soon as possible.

Mr. North made a motion to appoint Sean Kimball as interim Finance Director.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Blumenthal and was unanimously approved.

9.  Correspondence

Mr. Henault announced a leadership training seminar for current and newly elected Board of Finance members, as well as local officials, on December 12, 2013 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, CT from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Mr. Askham and Ms. Petitjean thanked Paul Henault and Kevin North for their many years of service on the Board of Finance and the successes attributed to their great service.

Adjournment

Ms. Blumenthal made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mason and was unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________________  ______________________________

Paul Henault, Chairman                                    Leslie Brigham, Commissions Clerk