Board of Finance

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 16, 2006

Present: Ralph Gold, Chairman, Celia Senzer, Sally Hart, Tom Bechtle, Anne Ingvertsen, members. John LaPorta alternate. Gordon Ridgway, first selectman.

Chairman Ralph Gold asked John LaPorta to sit for Earl Brecher who was absent.

Reports of Boards and Commissions: John, who is a member of the new CCS Standing Building Committee, said that the remaining funds (about $54,000) in the school’s capital account will be used to complete the long-term window project. Celia Senzer reported that she had attended the Board of Education meeting and said that the budget work was well under way.

Gordon Ridgway presented the Selectmen’s Budget and the capital budget for FY 2007.

The Grand List of 2005, which will be the source of funds of the FY 2007 budget, has gone up 1.94%. He said that heating and electricity costs are up universally and the new budget reflects this. Insurances costs are holding steady – 0% for liability, property and workers’ compensation and 3.46% for health insurance. Snow removal has gone up from $50,000 to $55,000.

Gordon said that the selectmen have decided to increase wages 3.5% across the board; the highway crew increase will be known after the new contract is signed effective July 1.

The CVFD budget shows a big increase in the maintenance budget the effect, Gordon said, of catching up and increased public use of the West Cornwall Firehouse. Operations shows an increase as well mainly due to the larger number of new, younger members who need $5,000 sets of turn-out gear. Also some new state requirements will cost the department money. An increase in the Rescue line is due to increased interest and the need for more training.

The 911 line remained the same. Gordon said that a new town had been brought into Litchfield County Dispatch which spreads the costs over more payers. Also more state help has become available.

Costs in the Sanitation Department are about the same. Gordon noted a welcome trend seems to be developing as less and less municipal solid waste has to be shipped out.

Park and Recreation’s budget shows the increased interest in soccer. The after School Program has been split away from Park and Rec and now has its own board and budget number.

Organizational Support has some new increases due to the inclusion of new town organizations – The Cornwall Housing Corporation ($2500) and the Cornwall Cornwall Conservation Trust ($2,000). The Housing Corporation, Gordon said, needs to buy board liability insurance and the Conservation Commission has plans to make their properties more accessible to the public. Gordon added that the Commission’s work replaces that of a town conservation officer.

On the general question of town support of local organizations, Gordon said the Board of Selectmen was considering limiting increases to the level of the annual increase in the general budget. This would mean the level would be 5% or so instead of 10% or 15%.

The capital budget includes:

Purchase of a new highway truck for $115,000;

Re-siding of the Cornwall Bridge Firehouse ($50,000); and

Town Plan $30,000.

Tom Bechtle moved and Celia Senzer seconded a transfer in the General Fund:

FROM: 01-466-100-00 Contingency Fund $2,000

TO INCREASE: 01-455-102-00 Transfers to other funds (Dog Fund)

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 pm until Thursday March 9 at 7:30 pm when the Board will consider the Board of Education Budget.

Lisa Lansing

Clerk