Board of Finance

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 17, 2005

Present: Ralph C. Gold, Celia Senzer, Sally Hart, Thomas C. Bechtle, Earl Brecher, Roger L. Kane, members. Anne Kosciusko, alternate. Gordon M. Ridgway, first selectman and K.C. Baird, selectman.

The minutes of the meeting of January 20 were approved as presented.

Gordon Ridgway reported that the snow removal budget has gone over the top because the cost of materials has skyrocketed in the past year. A budget transfer will be coming to the Board soon.

The Board reviewed and approved the text of a letter to the boards of education, selectmen and Region I’s Board of Education asking that further study be given to reining in the costs of health insurance.

Earl Brecher moved and Roger Kane seconded a motion

To accept the recommendation of the audit committee to retain Robert E. King & Co. to audit the Town’s accounts from FY 2005 through FY 2009.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

Ridgway presented the Board of Selectmen’s budget and the capital budget for FY 2006. The biggest factors driving an 8% increase are a 3.5% salary increase and an increase of about $39,000 in insurance. Much of this is health insurance; the town office will add one position to those eligible for health coverage. The Assessor’s clerk’s hours will be expanded to allow for more field work; revaluation is now set for 2006. The Land Use budget is also up reflecting increased construction in town.

Snow removal has gone from $43,000 to $50,000, a more realistic estimate considering rising materials costs. The Fire Department is planning to purchase more gear for the rescue squad. Much of this will be paid for by a state procurement grant of $25,000 and therefore is not reflected in the budget. In addition the number of eligible members in the Incentive Plan may be as high as 38 and the budget has increased to $38,000 to cover this uptick. The sanitation budget has leveled off as tonnages remain constant and CRRA’s rates appear to be unchanged.

The Park and Recreation Commission’s Extended Day Learning Program will continue into next year funded by grant reimbursements and tuition fees. The Cornwall Free Library will receive in increase of $2,500 to a level of $22,000 and a new request for $750 from the Cornwall Historical Society was approved as well. The contingency fund is now at $35,000.

Capital projects is at $362,000 which includes $40,000 for CCS. The largest expense will be $175,000 for road improvement, an increase driven by rising material costs.

Brecher moved and Tom Bechtle seconded a motion to approve the following transfers in the FY 2005 General Fund budget:

FROM: 01-466-100-00 Contingency $7,600

TO INCREASE

01-406-575-42 Workers Comp $1,725

01-406-575-43 Liability, Property 5,875

FROM: 01-466-100-00 Contingency $5,850

TO INCREASE: In Land Use Department

01-417-543-05 Office supplies $550

01-417-543-10 Mileage 800

01-417-543-03 Administrator, ZEO wage 4,500

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Lisa Lansing

Clerk