Board of Finance Minutes - February 13, 2006

Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Finance on February 13, 2006

The Board of Finance of the Town of Weston met on Monday, February 13th, 2006, at the Weston Town Hall, Weston, Connecticut. Members of the Board present were: Messrs. Sargent, Atkinson, Nichols, Carter, O'Brien, Muller and Ms. Kopas. Also present were:

Woody Bliss, First Selectman; Glen Major, Selectman; Richard Miller, Selectman; Mr. Tom Landry, Town Administrator; Richard Darling, Director of Finance for the Town of Weston and Assistant Town Administrator; Sharon Shattuck, Information Systems; as well as several other representatives from Boards and Commissions plus several Townspeople. Chairman Sargent called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

CELL TOWER AT LANDFILL: The first item to come before the Board was the Cell Tower to be installed at the Landfill. Mr. Bliss and Mr. Landry gave reports on this proposed project. There was much discussion on the Lease Agreement for this Tower. Mr. Sargent moved that in the Lease Agreement, the word "aesthetic" precede the word "fence" on page #2, line #2, Paragraph #3 under Item #7-B, so that the last portion of the sentence reads: "the construction of an aesthetic fence, approved by the Town, which approval will be reasonably granted, said fence shall not obstruct or hinder the access of Landlord or other tenant to the Premises." In addition Mr. Sargent's motion included the request that, on page #3 Section #11-C, the last sentence should be eliminated. Mr. Atkinson seconded the motion and the vote was all in favor.

Board of Selectmen’s Budget 2006-7: The Board of Finance then went on to consider the Board of Selectmen's Budget for 2006/7 as presented. Selectman Bliss gave an overview of the Budget as presented, outlining each of its features. He outlined many of the excellent new features, especially Morehouse Farm Park and its sports facilities, as well as many new features within the various buildings. The Board of Finance then discussed the budget, account by account, as follow:

ACCOUNT #100. - Administration & Finance - $587,928; There was general discussion on this account. Questions were raised that discussed benefits for the Coordinator position. Ms. Kopas said that it might be better to share some of these items between the Board of Education and the Town.

ACCOUNT #110 - General Administration - $2,979,150; There was general discussion on this account, particularly about the increases in costs.

ACCOUNT #115 - Information Systems - $251,223: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #120 - Probate Court - $4,900: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #130 - Elections/Registrars - $39,411: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #141 - Board of Finance - $48,600: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #142 - Treasurer - $22,802: There was general discussion on this account.

Board of Finance

Town of Weston - Minutes

Page #2

February 13th, 2006

ACCOUNT #143 - Assessor - $111,164: There was general discussion on this account. Mr. Friia, the Assessor gave an overview of the work of this Department.

ACCOUNT #144 - Tax Collection - $102,080: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #145 - Board of Assessment Appeals - $500. There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #150 - Legal Counsel - $184,000: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #160 - Town Clerk - $117,537: Mrs. Anastasia gave answers to questions from Board of Finance members. Mr. Landry also answered some questions. There was discussion re accounting policy on Conveyance Receipts, as well as general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #170 - Planning and Zoning Commission - $87,394: There was general discussion on this account, particularly about the new part time position which seems to e working out well.

ACCOUNT #175 - Historic District Commission - $450: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #180 - Zoning Board of Appeals - $2,050: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #195 – Building Inspector - $93,369: There was general discussion on this account.

Account #210 – Police Services - $1,552,251: There was general discussion on this account. Chief Land gave supporting information for this budget and answered questions from members of the Board of Finance.

ACCOUNT #220 - Volunteer Fire Department - $198,026: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #240 - Fire Marshal - $62,036: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #250 - Animal Control - $61,681: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #260 - Communications Center - $327,068: There was general discussion on this account. Mr. Landry gave an overview of this account and some of its problems.

ACCOUNT #263 - SW Conn. Emergency. Med. Service - $1,260: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #264 - Emergency Medical Communication Center - $11,932: There was general discussion on this account.

Board of Finance

Town of Weston Minutes

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February 13th, 2006

ACCOUNT #266 - Regional Paramedic - $121,053: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #300 - Public Works Highways- $1,590,928: Mr. Lametta answered questions raised by some members of the Board of Finance and there was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #410 - Solid Waste Disposal - $106,958; There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #510 - Westport/Weston Health District - $178,396: There was General discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #515 - SW Regional Mental Health Board - $1,545: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #520 - Conservation Commission - $69,419: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #530 - Weston Water Utility - $20,900: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #550 - School/Town Water Supply - $34,380: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #600 - Human Services - $64,413; There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #700 - Youth Services - $45,280: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #750 - Commission for the Elderly - $73,171: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #810 - Public Library - $354,062; There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #910 - Recreation Department - $162,806: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #912 - Parks and Fields - $115,742: There was general discussion on this account.

XCCOUNT #913 - Middle School Pool - $67,126; There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #930 - Municipal Debt (Interest) - $3,014,943: There was general discussion on this account.

ACCOUNT #950 - Municipal Debt (Principal) - $3,560,000: There was genera; discussion on this account.

Board of Finance

Town of Weston - Minutes

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February 14th, 1006

ACCOUNT #070 - Town/School Capital Budget - $1,773,180: There was general discussion on this account. Ms. Kopas asked questions about replacement or repair of windows, the High School Roof, etc. which seem to appear in budget requests year after year. There were questions about projects mentioned in this budget.

The Board of Finance meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. at the Weston Town Hall has been cancelled. The Board of Finance will meet on Wednesday, February 15th, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. at the Weston Town Hall. There being no further business to properly come before the Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty B. Greaves

Recording Secretary