BOARD OF FINANCE

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 15, 2005

Present: Ralph C. Gold, chairman, Celia Senzer, Sally Hart, Thomas C. Bechtle, Roger Kane, members. David Grossman, alternate.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

In the absence of Lisa Simont, Tom Bechtle was appointed Clerk pro tem. Chairman Gold asked David Grossman to sit for Earl Brecher, who was absent.

The minutes of the June 16 meeting were accepted as presented.

First Selectman Gordon Ridgway reported on a number of miscellaneous items, among them: (1) Contract negotiations with the CCS teacher’s association have begun; (2) The Cornwall Assessor has been invited to meet with the Board of Finance at its regular meeting on October 20; (3) The Cornwall Five-Year Plan will be presented to the board and discussed at the October 20 meeting; (4) The town has locked in with Scasco for oil at $2.19 during the coming season; (5) The town has been designated to receive a $25K Homeland Security grant from the federal government for equipment.

Ridgway also mentioned the possibility of inviting speakers to board meetings, for instance the town highway foreman or Sam Herrick, whose thoughts on various components of the budget might be interesting for the board to hear.

Concerning ongoing projects, Gordon reported that Foote Fields is almost complete, and the pavilion is to go up this fall. The CCS project is 98% complete, and a final accounting is being sought from Casle. In West Cornwall, surveying of the property next to Hughes Library is proceeding. Gordon also expressed interest in the possibility of pursuing a STEAP grant to benefit the Cornwall Historical Society in renovating its facilities.

Chairman Gold asked Ridgway to submit the 2006-2007 capital budget to the board well in advance of the October 20 meeting so that board members will have sufficient time to examine it before the meeting. Ridgway gave a preliminary list of expected changes in the budget but stated that he anticipates that the bottom line will be similar to that of the 2005-2006 budget.

The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Tom Bechtle

Clerk Pro Tem