Board of Finance

Minutes of the Meeting of October 21, 2004

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

The minutes of the September 16 meeting were approved as presented.

Gordon Ridgway reported that the second application to the state for $200,000 in economic development funds – hereinafter STEAP II – has been granted The money will be used to purchase CL&P property in West Cornwall Village adjacent to the Hughes Memorial Library. The land will be available to the town for public uses and to assist the Library with expansion and improvements.

Celia Senzer asked whether the private status of the Hughes Library should influence the town’s decision to assist. Tom Bechtle, who is on the Library board, said that discussion on the Library’s part indicated a willingness to pay for the interior and exterior renovations to the building. The town, he said, would be making land available to install a septic system. Earl Brecher added that the state knew about town plans to help the private organization and still made the grant.

Ridgway said the fluctuating price of heating oil has hampered the Selectmen’s decision about choosing a supplier for the winter. He said right now that he expects the town will stay with Scasco.

The assessor, Barbara Bigos, has appointed a new clerk, Barbara Cantoni. Bigos has been reviewing records and maps for accuracy before beginning a revaluation of property. She is technically capable of doing the revaluation “in-house” which will save the town money.

Ridgway also reported that a new plan to reorganize probate courts would put Cornwall’s affairs in the hands of an office in Waterbury. Probate officers in the northwest corner are proposing another plan which would bundle the towns in Region I and Norfolk in a single probate system.

The Board considered the Capital Plan for FY 2006 – FY 2010. The upgrade proposed for a highway truck in FY 2006 involves replacing the truck bed and hydraulics, fending off the purchase of a new vehicle for some years. A plan to do an engineering study of the playing fields at CCS for $20,000 was reviewed. Roger Kane said he hoped that the sum could be included in the $40,000 which the town grants for CCS capital projects every year.

Bechtle moved and Brecher seconded a motion:

To recommend the Capital Plan for FY 2006 – FY 2010 to the Town Meeting.

The VOTE to approved was unanimous.

Further discussion about maintenance centered on the need to have a program similar to the school’s for continual, year-to-year maintenance. Ralph Gold pointed out that if we know only one thing it is that the town’s buildings will need to be maintained in a safe condition. The rule-of-thumb is 1% of the value of the property each year for repairs; by this standard between $5,000 and $7,000 could be used each year for non-school buildings.

Gold asked that in the future the capital plan be submitted in September for more thorough review by the Board of Finance.

Kane moved and Sally Hart seconded a motion:

FROM: 01-466-100-00 Contingency $2,200

TO INCREASE 01-405-571-35 Town Office Repairs

(The Contingency Fund will be at $24,800 after this vote.)

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Lisa Lansing

Clerk