The Board of Finance of the Town of Weston met on Thursday May 11^th 2006 at the Weston Town Hall in Weston, Connecticut.  Members of the Board present were: Messrs. Sargent, Atkinson, O’Brien, Carter, Muller, and Ms. Kopas.  Also present were: Woody Bliss (First Selectman of the Town of Weston), Tom Landry (Town Administrator), Rick Darling (Finance Director and Assistant Town Administrator), Anthony Land (Chief of the Weston Police Department), Rick Phillips (Chairman of the Weston Board of Police Commissioners), and several residents of the Town.  Chairman Sargent called the meeting to order at 8:01 p.m.

 

Minutes: The first item to come before the Board was Item 1 on the Agenda for this meeting, which covered various sets of minutes of recent meetings, which were discussed as follows:

Minutes of the Meeting of January 12^th 2006: Ms. Kopas moved for approval of minutes as submitted.  Mr. Sargent seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

Minutes of the Meeting of March 9^th 2006: Mr. Carter moved for approval of minutes as submitted.  Ms. Kopas seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

Minutes of the Meeting of March 30^th 2006: It was requested that in Paragraph 2, Line 7 the first word be corrected as to read: “completely.”  Mr. Muller moved that these minutes be approved as amended.  Mr. O’Brien seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

Minutes of the Meeting of April 6^th 2006: It was requested that the following changes be made on Page 1, Paragraph 2 of these minutes: eliminate the first three and one-thirds lines and substitute the following: “Mr. Sargent entered into the Record a memo from Town Counsel, detailing the Town’s obligations under the Nature Conservancy Town/LaChat purchase agreement.”  The paragraph is to continue: Mr. Atkinson mentioned the cost of benefits which was explained by Dr. Pierson and members of the Board of Education.  He also expressed concern about some general support items (shown on Page 394 of their budget) which were explained by Dr. Pierson.  Mr. O’Brien asked about certain items concerning salaries shown on Page 13 of their Budget.  Dr. Pierson explained these points and described their significance in the overall picture.  Mr. O’Brien outlined what he would like to see in the various insurance matters and pointed to potential savings if certain policies were adapted vis-à-vis the drug plan.  The paragraph continues: Mr. Carter asked questions about various items in the budget and made suggestions as to what he would like to see there.  Mr. Landry explained the reasons for overlaps, etc. in certain items and gave examples.  Ms. Kopas said that she would like to see items grouped into one-line descriptions rather than having them in many places.  Ms. Kopas also asked about how this works and what is involved.  Dr. Pierson also answered Ms. Kopas’s questions about tutors (Item 1132).  Mr. Muller commented on the overall budget and said that he had no new or specific items to discuss.

 

On Page 2, Paragraph 1, Line 3 it was requested that the name “Mr. Carter” be amended to “Mr. O’Brien.”  On Page 6, Items 99 and 100 of the Capital Budget should read:

 

#099 – MS/HS REPLACE ASPHALT PAVING - $100,000: After discussion on this item, Mr. Muller moved to approve this account in the amount requested.  Mr. O’Brien seconded and the vote was all in favor excepting Ms. Kopas who was opposed.  Ms. Kopas is in favor of the money being put into the roof repair account – repairs are needed and should be completed at one time rather than in piecemeal each year.

 

#100 – MS/HS PARTIAL ROOF - $300,000: After discussion on this item, Ms. Kopas moved to approve this amount as requested.  Mr. Atkinson seconded and the vote was all in favor excepting Ms. Kopas who was opposed.

 

With reference to the Minutes of the Board of Finance Meeting of April 6^th 2006, Mr. O’Brien moved for acceptance of the minutes as amended.  Mr. Atkinson seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

With reference to the Minutes of the Board of Finance Meeting of April 19^th 2006, Mr. Atkinson moved for acceptance of the minutes as submitted.  Ms. Kopas seconded and the vote was all in favor excepting Mr. Muller who abstained because he was absent from the meeting.

 

Police Department Supplemental Appropriations:  The next item to come before the Board was in Item 2 of the Agenda: the four Supplemental Appropriations requested for the Police Department.  The four items are as follows:

 

a.       Overtime in the amount of $62,500.

b.      Shipman and Goodwin in the amount of $13,075.

c.       John M. Romanow in the amount of $4,200.

d.      J. Larry Foy in the amount of $5,030.55.

 

Police Chief Land distributed information about three requests and explained same to the Board, giving details for many situations and how the affect their costs.  There was much discussion as to ways that might help to solve some of those problems.  Chairman Phillips of the Police Commission explained some of the reasons, particularly since 9/11.  Chairman Sargent said that he realizes that Federal and State mandates had a very definite effect on the work of the Police Department.  There was much discussion about double shifts and what situations arise due to the same.  It was mentioned that a great deal depends on the officer’s health and how other officers respond to situations that arise within the Department.  In response to Ms. Kopas’s question, it was stated that the time of Sergeant Ferullo’s return to Weston is unknown.  Chairman Sargent said that he would appreciate seeing Chief Land and Chairman Phillips back at a later meeting (perhaps in July) to discuss progress in this connection.

 

 

 

Supplemental Appropriation request for Warm up Fund:  The next item to come before the Board for consideration was Item 3 on the Agenda: the Supplemental Appropriation Request in the amount of $6,390.  Said funds to be taken from the Unreserved General Fund and transferred to Account No. 01110110-59802.  Woody Bliss, First Selectman, gave an overview on this request for the Warm-Up Fund.  Mr. Atkinson explained how the funds are distributed from the Warm-Up Fund.  Ms. Kopas asked what percentage they paid for these people.  After discussion of this item, Mr. Muller moved to approve this request and Ms. Kopas seconded the motion.  The vote was all in favor excepting Mr. Atkinson who abstained.

 

Special Fund Transfers and Potential Fund Closers:  The next item to come before the Board was Item 4 of the Agenda: Special Fund Transfers and Potential Fund Closures as follows:

 

a.       Meals on Wheels Fund in the amount of $16,492.

b.      Cemetery Fund in the amount of $24,293.

 

Mr. Darling outlined the background on these two potential fund closings and the reasons therefore.  He asked that these two amounts be transferred to the General Fund.  There was much discussion on this item as it has been very difficult to find any information on this account.  Mr. Carter moved to approve the two foregoing transfers.  Mr. Muller seconded and the vote was all in favor.  Mr. Carter then moved that the Cemetery Fund be added to the Operating Budget for 2006/2007.  Mr. Muller seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

Appointment of Auditors:  The next item to come before the Board was Item 5 on the Agenda: Appointment of Auditors for a term to expire June 30^, 2007. After discussion of this matter, Mr. Muller moved for approval of the appointment of McGladney & Pullen for a term to expire June 30,2007.   Mr. Atkinson seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

Gift of Lights for Soccer Fields:  The next item to come before the Board was Item 6: consideration/approval of acceptance of a gift of lights for the Weston Varsity Soccer Fields.  Mr. Woody Bliss, First Selectman, explained how such an approval works and why.  Chairman Sargent said that there is no policy for the Board of Finance to approve such gifts to the Town.  Chairman Sargent stated that the Board of Selectmen should present a policy that could be presented to the Board of Finance if approved.  Once the policy is accepted, a decision can be made.  Ms. Kopas said that she would like to see the Board of Education also discuss this and establish a policy for the Town on such gifts.  Ms. Kopas moved that the Board of Finance thank the donors of the lights.  Mr. Muller seconded and the vote was all in favor.

 

There was no further business to come before the Board at this time.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Betty B. Greaves

                                                                                                             Recording Secretary