TOWN OF SOMERS
BOARD OF FINANCE
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2008
The regular meeting was
called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman James Persano. Members present were George Warner, Tom
Mazzoli and Michael Parker and Marilyn Provonost (7:05). Also attending: Finance Director Greg Simmons, Selectman
David Pinney and BOE Representatives Dr. Maynard Suffredini, Terry Henderson
and Tim Potrikus.
Terry Henderson notified the BOF that about $60,000 in CIP items for
the BOE did not make the cut this year.
Most notably a router costing about $40,000 is needed for the
schools. If the router goes the school
and the library will need to be shutdown until it is replaced. The current router was installed in 2001 and
had a 5-year life span. At this time,
maintenance on the firewall is not possible because the warrantee has
expired. The item did not make the cut
because it was originally prioritized around thirteen on the CIP list and the
rating does not change according to the CIP process.
Tim Potrikus pointed out that about 25% of the cost of the router could
come from the savings in purchasing sound field systems for the hearing
impaired. Currently the equipment is
being rented for $30,000 per year but can be purchased for $20,000.
Terry Henderson presented an explanation of why the BOE requires a
5.16% increase, which exceeds the 4.5% increase requested by the BOF. She further explained that the BOE begins
work on their budget in September and receives the memo from the BOF on the
requested percentage of increase in January after their budget is completed.
Dr. Sufredini continued that contractual and insurance obligations
alone have pushed the BOE budget over the 4.5% increase level. He went on to provide detailed information
regarding the additional teaching positions that are needed.
There was a discussion regarding why additional positions are needed
when three full-time equivalent positions were added last year and school
enrollment had reduced. Ms. Henderson
explained that the additional Guidance Counselor position was required or the
school would loose its accreditation.
She added that Somers’ class sizes are large in comparison to other
local towns.
Part of the BOE budget will go to revamp the Applied Engineering
(technical education) Program. Some of
the equipment is obsolete and is not functioning. There are some OSHA required air-handling
issues that must be remedied also.
Tim
Potrikus spoke on behalf of CIP. CIP
Committee requests that their budget be increased to $650,000 for the next few
years to cover the cost of purchasing dump trucks. A discussion ensued regarding the wisdom of
leasing dump trucks instead of purchasing them.
The current CIP prioritized rating for the trucks is 13.9. Other items on the CIP list were
reviewed. Mr. Warner suggested that a
carry-over fund for Capital Equipment and Non-Recurring expenses be created to
cover large ticket items.
David
Pinney said that the Selectmen were not ready to present their budget, however
he stated that the largest increases are in the Fire Department.
Mr.
Simmons provided the prepared Budget and gave the percentage of increase or
change from last year verbally as follows:
Total Selectmen....... 1.3 Treasurer.......... 0.35 Town Clerk............. 2.86
Tax Collector......... -0.72 Assessors........ -1.36 Building Dept.......... 2.8
Planning............... -14.06 Zoning........... -24.6 Zoning
BOA.......... 26.21
BOF...................... --.-- Probate............ --.-- Board of Assessment Appeals..... --.--
Fire Marshall......... 10.0 Fire Dept.......... 9.0 Police..................... 4.19
Civil Preparedness.. --.-- Highway........... 8.21 Parks & Rec........... 3.03
Transfer Station....... 0.76 WPCA............. 6.17 Health................... 45.45
Ambulance............ 13.72 Library.............. 5.6 Recreation.............. 7.59
Meals-On-Wheels... 9.73 BOE................. 5.16 Debt Service......... 10.59
Conservation........... 3.55 Recreation Self Support.... --.-- Other................... -38.1
Total Increase including salaries.................. 4.48%
The proposed Budget Schedule was reviewed and changed to the following:
March 10, 2008 – Special Meeting, Selectmen’s departmental presentation
March 17, 2008 – Special Meeting Board of Education departmental presentation
March 24, 2008 – Regular Meeting, BOF working meeting including budget deliberations
April 28, 2008 – Public Hearing on the Budget
May 12, 2008 – Annual Town Meeting
May 20, 2008 – Referendum to adopt the budget
The following were
presented to the BOF by Mr. Simmons:
1.
A letter from the Fire Chief regarding
the Fire Department’s Budget
2.
A memo from the Selectmen re the
mandatory discretionary spending freeze.
3.
A memo from Assessor, Pat Juda on the
2007 Grand List which is up 1.7% over 2006 totals.
Motion
by Tom Mazzoli, seconded by George Warner and unanimously voted to approve the
minutes of January 28, 2008 as written.
A motion was made by Tom
Mazzoli, seconded by George Warner and unanimously voted to approve the
following transfers and appropriations:
By the Town Clerk for a
transfer of $600.00 from Supplies (10-12-520.1)
to Advertising (10-12-516.1).
By the Fire Marshal for
transfers of $160.68.00 from Fire Marshal Salary (20-10-501.3) to Part-time
Fire Dept (20-16-508.2), $471.84 from Fire Marshal Salary (20-10-501.3) to
Full-time Employees (20-16-508.1), $1,500.00 from Fire Marshal Salary
(20-10-501.3) to Fire Investigator (20-10-502.3).
By the Transfer Station for
transfers of $3,000.00 from Part-time Salaries (30-34-508.2) to Overtime
(30-34-506.1), $2,000.00 Part-time Salaries (30-34-508.3) to Roll-off Driver
(30-34-508.3), $8,000.00 from Part-time Salaries (30-34-508.2) to Highway
Temporary (30-18-509.1).
By the Highway Department
for transfers of $3,800.00 form Road Maintenance (30-18-553.1) to Playground
(30-19-521.5), $500.00 from Garage & Equipment (30-18-587.1) to Parks
Equipment (30-19-530.5)
By the Selectmen for
transfers of $2,000.00 from Fire Protection (10-10-536.1) to Office Supplies
(10-10-520.1), $1,200.00 from Mileage (10-10-527.1) to Pension Actuary
(10-10-512.2), $6,000.00 from Bonds & Insurance (10-10-515.2) to
Advertising (10-10-516.1).
The following transfers were
referred to a Public Hearing:
By the Selectmen for
transfers of $3,945.00 from Proposed Salaries (10-10-508.1) to Executive
Assistant (10-10-502.1), $25,945.00 Proposed Salaries (10-10-508.1) to Social
Services Director (10-10-503.1), $17,700.00 from Proposed Salaries
(10-10-508.1) to Chief Financial Officer (10-11-501.1), $4,360.00 from Proposed
Salaries (10-10-508.1) to Highway Salaries (30-18-508.1) $16,800.00 from
Proposed Salaries (10-10-508.1) to Fire Full-time Salaries (20-16-508.1),
$8,000.00 from Proposed Salaries (10-10-508.1) to Fire Overtime (20-16-503.3).
By the Selectmen for
transfers of $22,000.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to Public Works
Fuel (30-18-531.8), $2,500.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to Transfer
Station Fuel (30-34-531.8), $7,000.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to
Police Fuel (20-17-531.8).
By the Selectmen for
transfers of $3,500.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to Town Hall Heat
(10-10-559.1), $5,000.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to Kibbe-Fuller
Heat (10-10-559.2), $2,500.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to Town
Garage Heat (30-18-559.1), $300.00 from Health Insurance (10-10-511.1) to
Transfer Station Heat (30-34-559.1), $500.00 from Health Insurance
(10-10-511.1) to Senior Center Expenses (51-30-640.1).
Mr. Simmons will be sending
out the seven-year plan.
A motion to adjourn the
meeting at 8:18 p.m. was made by Tom Mazzoli and seconded by Mike Parker; the
motion carried by unanimous vote.
Respectfully
submitted,
Jeanne
Reed, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING