The Board of Finance

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 20, 2005

Present: Ralph C. Gold, chairman, Roger L. Kane, Earl Brecher, Thomas C. Bechtle, Sally Hart, Celia Senzer, members. Anne Kosciusko, alternate. Gordon M. Ridgway, first selectman and Wynne Kavanagh, Board of Education.

The minutes of the meeting of December 16, 2004 were approved as presented.

Wynne Kavanagh reported that the BOE has begun work on its budget for FY 2006; the current year budget is within normal bounds.

Anne Kosciusko reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission is be asking for a $9,000 to $9,500 budget transfer to cover salary and expenses of the land use administrator and possible legal expenses.

Gordon Ridgway said that he and other selectmen would be going to a Council of Small Towns meeting to hear news from state officials about an expected hefty state budget deficit on the horizon. The impact on the state’s grants to towns nest year will probably be negative. Gordon also said that the CCS project is wrapping up with weekly conferences with Casle, the Finance Office, the first selectman and Sam Herrick, business manager at Region I.

Expected transfers in addition to the one expected from P&Z include increases in heating oil rates ($7,000); Insurance ($6,000); and possibly snow removal. Since there is presently $24,800 in contingency, the budget may have to be increased. The better news for next year is that building permit fees are up and the grand list appears to be increasing.

Lisa Lansing presented the preliminary budget for the Finance Office. Missing were entries for salaries, still to be determined by the selectmen, and the town audit which is out to bid. A final budget will be presented at the February meeting.

Celia Senzer moved and Earl Brecher seconded a motion

To approve the budget of the preliminary Finance Office pending further information.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous

The calendar for upcoming budget meetings was distributed to the Board.

Chairman Gold discussed the progress he has made on drafting a letter from the Board to other boards and commissions, perhaps in Region I. Tom Bechtle agreed to work further on the draft and present it at the February.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15

Tom Bechtle, clerk, pro tem