1992/11/12BOARD OF FI~AN~E~,
November 12, 1992
PAGE 1
A Regularly Scheduled
Thursday, November 12,
Town Hall.
Meeting of the Board of Finance was held on
1992 in the Board of Finance Room, Berlin
MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
The Meeting was called
Dr. John McIntosh
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna
Mr. James O'Donnell
Mr. Fred Jortner
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi
Mr. Sam Lomaglio
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director
Mr. Robert Weiss
Mr. Gerald Paradis, Town Auditor
to order at 7:00 p.m..
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
No discussion.
~INANCIAL STATEMENTS
Mr. Gerald Paradis, Town Auditor, addressed the Financial Statements
of the Town of Berlin. Mr. Paradls referenced several statements in
the letter to the Town prepared by Scu!ly & Wolf Certified,~Public
Accountants.
The letter states that they have audited the general purpose financial
statements of the Town of Berlin. Mr. Paradis stated that the format
is basically the same as in the past. Mr. Paradis stated that the Fund
Balance is still over five percent (5%) which is a good indication to
Bond Agencies.
Mr. Paradis stated that the auditors recommended that the Motor.~ Vehicle
work list,which is prepared by the Assessor,be maintained on file for
audit purposes. The auditors also recommended that the written procedures
pertaining to balancing, monitoring and follow-up for the Control and
Subsidiary Records be integrated into the Town's policies and procedures.
The recommendation on water billing is that a review of all billing cards
be performed to determine that current rates are being charged. A
recommendation that policies be documented for obtaining and approving
fee waivers. A recommendation concerning the Assessor and the Building
Department is that the Building Department should provide the Assessor
with a copy of the report it generates on permits issued each month.
A recommendation for the Board of Education concerning fixed assets
is as follows; recommend that formal procedures be established related to
maintaining fixed asset records and consideration should be given to
utilizing the Town's newly installed Fixed Asset Reporting System.
This concluded the discussion on the Management Letter and Mr. Paradis
left the meeting at 7:20 p.m..
BUDGET CHANGES
A Budget Change Form was received from Ron Lindgren requesting $55,000
for the Firemen Pension Plan.
Discussion was held.
Mr. O'Donnell stated that they are not opposed to having some type of
compensation for the Fire Departments but expressed his concerns about
plan and feels a joint meeting between this Board and the Executive Board
is necessary to further discuss this issue.
Mrs. Ra~azzi expressed her concerns about the plan being~retroactive
for a time span of 25 years. Mrs. Ragazzi suggested that they look at
what other towns have done when they instituted a plan such as this one.
After further discussion the following motion was made:
MOTION was made by Mr. Sam Lomaglio, seconded by
Mr. James O'Donnell and VOTED to deny the request
stating that while they are opposed to this plan
they will entertain another plan in the future
which should be looked at by the Town Actuary.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
A Budget Change Form was received from Richard Russell requesting
$3,000 to modify controls on A.H.U.S. at the Berlin Peck Memorial Library.
No action was taken on this request.
A Budget Change Form was received from Gary McPhee requesting $35,000
to develop preliminary plans and specifications for additions and renovations
to McGee Middle School.
MOTION was made by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, seconded by
Mr. James 0'Donnell and VOTED to put the request
for $35,000 for McGee School back on the Table.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
Discussion was held.
Mrs. Ragazzi suggested that the Board of Finance meet with the Board
PAGE (3)
of Education to discuss this request.
MOTION was made by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, seconded by
Mr. Sam Lomaglio and VOTED to Table the request
for $35,000 for the McGee School preliminary plans.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
A Budget Change Form was received from A1 Hawkins requesting $2,250
to purchase an automatic chemical controllsr.
Mr. Clinton explained that due to deterioration of the East Berlin pool
it is now in need of repair and at the same time purchase the chemical
controller for Percival pool with a payback period of two years.
Dr. McIntosh stated that the request should have been in the budget.
MOTION was made by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, seconded by
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna and VOTED to transfer a sum not
to exceed $2,250 from account ~101-2129-121-0299 to
account ~101-254-131-0429 for the purchase of a chemical
controller for Percival pool.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR: Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, Mrs. Ida Raqazzi,
Mr. Fred Jortner and Mr. James O'~onnell.
OPPOSED: Dr. John McIntosh and Mr. Sam Lomaglio.
Vote being 4-2.
A Budget Change form was received from A1 Hawkins requesting $17,000
for repairs at the East Berlin pool.
MOTION was made by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, seconded by
Mr. James O'Donnell and VOTED to request_that the.
Executive Board call a Town Meeting to transfer a sum
not to exceed $17,000 from account ~101-2129-121-0299
(Contingency) to account ~101-2545-131-429 for repairs
to the East Berlin pool.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
A Budget Change Form was received from Richard Russell requesting
$8,000 to install an exhaust system at the Town Garage.
MOTION was made by Dr. John McIntosh, seconded by
Mr. Sam Lomaglio and VOTED to deny the request for
$8,000 for the exhaust system at the Town Garage.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR: Dr. John McIntosh, Mrs. Audrey Bertagna and Mr. Sam Lomaglio.
OPPOSED: Mr. James O'Donnell, Mr. Fred Jortner
and Mrs. Ida Ragazzi.
Vote being 3~3.
PAGE (4)
MOTION was made by Mr. Fred Jortner, seconded by
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and VOTED ~o Table the request
for $8,000 for the exhaust system for the Town
Garage.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
Vote being 3-3.
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, Mr. Fred Jortner and
Mr. James O'Donnell.
Dr. John McIntosh, Mr. Sam Lomaglio and
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna.
MOTION was made by Mr. Frsd Jortner, seconded by
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and VOTED to transfer a sum not to
exceed $8,000 for the exhaust system for the Town
Garage.
A~L THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR: Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and Mr. Fred Jortner.
OPPOSED: Dr. John McIntosh, Mr. Sam Lomaglio
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna and Mr. James O'Donnell.
Vote being 2-4. (Request Denied)
A Budget Change Form was received from Gary Clinton requestlng $7,500
for a major claim the Town has incurred regarding an unemployed dispatcher.
MOTION was made by Mr. James 0'Donnell, seconded by
Dr. John McIntosh and VOTED to request that the
Executive Board call a Town Meeting to transfer a
sum not to exceed $7,500 from account ~101-2129-121-0299
(Contingency) to account ~101-2107-111-0232 for a major
claim which the Town has incurred regarding an unemployed
dispatcher.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
A Budget Change Form was received from Chester Grunwald requesting
$500 from the Veterans plaque account.
MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by
Mr. Fred Jortner and VOTED to transfer a sum not to
$500 from account ~101-2121-121-267 to account
~101-2121-121-280.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
Vote being 5-1.
Mr. James 0'Donnell, Mr. Fred Jortner,
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, Mrs. Audrey Bertagna
and Mr. Sam Lomaglio.
Dr. John McIntosh.
A Budget Change Form was received from Richard Russell requesting
$5,000 to remove asbestos insulation in the boiler room at the
PAGE (5)
the Community Center.
Mrs. Bertagna stated that this is an example of no research being put
forward on certain projects.
MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and VOTED to request that the
Executive Board call a Town Meeting to transfer a
sum not to exceed $5,000 from account ~101-2121-121-0299
(Contingency) to account ~101-2338-121-252 to remove
asbestos insulation at the Community Center.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR:
Mr. James O'Donnell, Mrs. Ida Ragazzi,
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, Mr. Fred Jortner
and Mr. Sam Lomaglio.
OPPOSED:
Dr. John McIntosh.
Vote being 5-1.
MOTION was made by Dr. John McIntosh, seconded by
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and VOTED to add to the agenda the
request for $150,000 from the Park & Recreation
Commission to complete the proposed athletic track.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR:
Dr. John McIntosh, Mrs. Ida Ragazzi,
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, Mr. Fred Jorbner and
Mr. James O'Donnell.
ABSTAINED:
Mr. Sam Lomaglio.
Mr. Clinton gave a brief update on the request. He explained the cost
of the project.
Mr. O'Donnell stated that this is a thirty percent (30%) increase in
cost from the original allocation.
MOTION was made by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, seconded by
Dr. John McIntosh and VOTED to deny the request
for $150,000 for the completion of the athletic track.
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR:
Dr. John McIntosh, Mrs. Ida Ragazzi,
Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, Mr. James O'Donnell
and Mr. Fed Jortner.
ABSTAINED:
Mr. Sam Lomaglio.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Clinton stated that the Budget Deliberation Schedule will be
basically the same as last years schedule.
A letter from Mayor Peters to Barbara Bak, Data Processing Coordinator,
thanking her for her efforts in obtaining the eight computers and printers
from Fleet Bank.
PAGE (6)
Finance Board members requested a letter be sent to Mayor Peters
requesting copies of the Executive Board Minutes to improve communication
to the Boards.
MINUTES October 8, 1992
The minutes of October 8, 1992 were amended as follows:
Page 5; Under the Heading of Self Insurance Fund - the following should be
inserted: General Insurance Fund. Effective starting during the
1991/1992 fiscal year, the goal for the amount retained in the Reserve
for Insurance Fund shall be no less than 3%, but no more than 5%
of the General Fund Budget. Any overage will be returned to the General
Fund.
Medical and Health Insurance Fund. Effective starting
during the 1991/1992 fiscal year, the goal for the amount retained
in the Reserve of Insurance account shall be no less than 25% of
expected claims and no more than 50% of expected claims. Any overage
will be returned to the General Fund.
MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by
Dr. John McIntosh and VOTED to accept the minutes
of October 8, 1992 as amended.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m..
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha Busnarda
Recording Secretary