Board of Finance Minutes - November 8, 2007

Approved 12/17/07

BOARD OF FINANCE

Meeting of November 8, 2007

8:00 PM TOWN HALL COMMISSION ROOM

Board Members Present: Chairman Sargent, Messrs. O’Brien, Atkinson, Nichols, Carter, Ms. Kopas and Mr. Muller by telephone. Donna M. Anastasia, Secretary.

Others Present: First Selectman Woody Bliss, Selectman Richard Miller, Town Administrator Tom Landry, Finance Director Rick Darling, Town Counsel Ken Bernhard, Police Comm. Chairman Rick Phillips, Police Comm. member Peter Ottomano, Police Comm. member Beth Gralnick, Tax Collector Charity Nichols, Ms. Gayle Weinstein, Ms. Melissa Koller, First Selectman of Westport Gordon Joseloff, First Selectman of Wilton William Brennan, First Selectman of New Canaan Judy Neville, resident Eleanor Smith, Brian Giolele of the Weston Forum and several others.

Chairman Sargent called the meeting to order at 8:03 PM.

  1. 1. Discussion/Decision regarding request for approval of vehicle tax suspension list.- Charity Nichols.

Tax Collector Nichols presented the Board with the current list of uncollectible vehicle taxes to be moved to the suspense tax book totaling $37,278.78.

With regard to the prior tax list, Ms. Nichols effort to collect delinquent taxes by publishing the list yielded approximately $11,000.00.

Motion: Mr. Atkinson made a motion to approve the vehicle tax suspension list, Ms. Kopas seconded, motion passes unanimously.

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Bd of Finance 11/8/07

  1. 2. Discussion/decision regarding supplemental appropriation request from the Police Commission (expected to be approximately $5,000) for Police Chief search expenses.- Rick Phillips.

Chairman Phillips requested the Board to finance up to $5,000.00 for the expenses which may be incurred for the Chief of Police position. Due to the high cost of outside consultant firms (25,000-35,000) the Police Commission has decided to handle the search process along with the CPCA.

Costs associated with the process include legal fees for a contract and background checks. Currently there are 3 candidates within the department and 3 outside candidates.

Chairman Phillips explained that a supplemental is not needed at this time but wanted to inform the Board of the Police Commission’s intentions.

  1. 3. Executive Session- Potential Litigation Regarding Revson Field- G. Kenneth Bernhard

Meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:36 PM regarding possible Revson Field litigation.

The regular Board of Finance re-convened at 9:07 PM.

  1. 4. Discussion/decision regarding final FY2006-07 year end transfers. Rick Darling.

Finance Director Rick Darling presented the list of accounts to be closed out for year end 2006-2007. Attached.

Ms. Kopas made a motion to finalize FY2006-2007 Year End transfers, Mr. Nichols seconded. Motion carries unanimously.

  1. 5. Discussion of general financial status and projections in anticipation of general fund balance draw down for capital and OPEB needs.- Tom Landry.

Town Administrator Tom Landry gave a presentation outlining some known budget items and estimating some future expenses and revenues. Attached.

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Bd of Finance 11/8/07

  1. 6. Update on the status of various capital projects- Davis Hill drainage, Revson Field drainage, town hall roof, town/school facilities report.- Tom Landry

Mr. Landry gave an update on current capital projects. One neighbor regarding the Deepwood/Davis drainage problem has not yet signed the release requested by John Conte. Bid documents for the work on Cartbridge will be ready next week. The bidding process takes approximately 30 days. The bridge could possibly re-open in April. Once all bids are in the Town can apply for the FEMA grant.

Mr. Landry also discussed the Town Hall roof and presented an outline by H.B. Fishman & Co. Roofing Options attached.

Mr. Landry went over the Facilities Review progress report. Attached.

  1. 7. Approval of Meeting Minutes of October 11 and October 22.

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve the minutes of October 11 and October 22, as amended. Mr. O’Brien seconded, motion passes unanimously.

  1. 8. Supplemental Appropriation Request in the amount of $58,000 to join a regional appeal of the recent FAA flight path plan. – Woody Bliss

Further discussion regarding the FAA revised flight plan being opposed by many area towns. First Selectman Judy Neville of New Canaan gave a presentation of the new flight plans and changes to the flight requirements of aircraft. Greenwich, Wilton, Darien, Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, New Canaan, Westport, Redding and Pound Ridge NY have joined together to file suit against the plan.

There was discussion regarding the towns that have not joined the lawsuit and the allocation of cost per town. There was discussion regarding the initial steps of contracting a lobbying firm, law firm and grassroots firm in the appeal. The agreement (regional appeal) states that any town can drop out at any time but steps must be taken immediately to file.

First Selectman Bliss made some closing statements regarding the quality of life and safety in Weston urging the Board to join the appeal.

Sargent

Kopas

O’Brien

Muller

Carter

Nichols

Atkinson

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Opposed

Abstain

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Bd of Finance 11/8/07

Vote: A supplemental appropriation of $58,000.00 to join a regional appeal of the recent FAA flight path plan passes. Five in favor, one opposed and one abstention.

  1. 9. Any other items of business to be brought up for Board consideration

No further business was brought before the Board.

Mr. O’Brien thanked Richard Nichols for his many years as a valuable member of the Board of Finance and extends the Board’s best regards.

Mr. O’Brien made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Atkinson seconded, meeting adjourned at 11:01 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Donna M. Anastasia, Secretary

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