Board of Finance

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 19, 2006

Present: Ralph C. Gold, chairman, Earl Brecher, Celia Senzer, Sally Hart, Tom Bechtle, Anne Ingvertsen, members. John LaPorta and Ginger Betti, alternates. Wynne Kavanagh, Board of Education (BOE) and Gordon Ridgway, first selectman.

The minutes of the December 15, meeting were approved as presented.

Wynne Kavanagh reported that the BOE has begun work on its budget. Energy costs will be an issue; electricity is estimated to increase 22% and oil is up almost 70% per gallon.

Gordon said that the selectmen have retained Barbara Bigos, the assessor, to do the town’s property revaluation for about $24,000, a significant decrease from previous revals. He said that the snow season has consumed $40,000 of a $50,000 budget, chiefly due to materials costs, although salt is less per ton than it was last year. The dump is receiving 10-15% less than last year in municipal waste tonnage; Gordon felt this was due to more careful recycling.

Ralph Gold and Gordon presented the main points about the CT Consortium for Municipal Responsibilty’s campaign to lower costs imposed by the state on towns and cities: 1) Unfunded mandates continue to plague the municipalities; 2) The maximum limits on projects required to pay prevailing wage should be raised; and 3) Reform of the current binding arbitration rules is needed.

Tom Bechtle moved and Earl Brecher seconded a motion:

To support the activities of the CT Consortium for Municipal Responsibility.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

Earl asked if there will be more information about revaluation forthcoming from Barbara Bigos. Gordon said she plans a whole series of information meetings and publications.

The clerk presented the proposed budget for the Finance Office, without any salary changes which will be decided by the selectmen at a later date. The budget is up $650, mainly to cover increasing costs of service contracts, printing the town report and paying for the town’s audit.

Earl moved and Celia Senzer seconded a motion:

To recommend the Finance Office budget to the selectmen.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm

Lisa Lansing

Clerk