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1993/10/14PAGE 1 BOARD OF FINANCEc.~!...*:'!q [Lm~;':'] OCTOBER 14, 1993 ": A Regular M~eting of the Board of Finance was held On'Thursday, October 14, 1993 in the Board of Finance Room, Town Hall. MEMBERS PRESENT; Dr. John P. Mclntosh, Chairman Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Audrey Hertagna Mr. Fred Jortner Mr. Sam Lomaglio Mr. James O'Donnell OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director Mr. Steven Kelly, Recreational Services Director Mr. James Peterson, Community Center Supervisor Mr. Richard Russell, Superintendent of Public Buildings Mayor Robert J. Peters Deputy Mayor Thomas J. Veronesi Mr. William Baccaro, Chairman, Parks and Recreation Commission Mr. Jerome Skolnick, Chairman, Public Building Commission Ms. Susan Garro, Herald Reporter Mr. William Norton Mr. Philip Cyr The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS Mr. William Norton of Grove Hill, Kensington stated that he wanted the boiler at the Community Center repaired, or if necessary, a new boiler be installed. Mr. Norton also stated that the KGS building dates back to the early 1900's and that it should be restored because it is a historial building. BUDGET CHANGES MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by Mrs. Audrey Bertagna and VOTED to TAKE OFF TIIE TABLE a Budget Change request for $17,000.00 to repair the boiler at the Community Center. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. A Budget Change Form was received from Mr. Richard Russell, Superintendent of Public Buildings, requesting $17,000.00 to repair the boiler at the Community Center. PAGE 2 Dr. John P. Mclntosh, Chairman, noted that this request has been tabled three times already and that the Board has been waiting too long to act on this request. Dr. McIntosh stated the Board was waiting for the Community Center Comparison Study to be completed. The completed study would be used by the Board for informational purposes only. Mayor Robert J. Peters explair~ed that whatever is done with the information contained in the ComparisonStudy is at least one year or longer away. Mayor Peters noted that if the Community Center was closed, the insurance costs would go up at least $8,000 - $9,000 a year because of possible vandalism and fire. Mayor Peters also stated that approximately 1300 people use the Community Center on a monthly basis and the programs would have to be relocated. Mayor Peters also stated that the employees of the Community Center would have to be housed in a new location. Mayor Peters stated that he was told if monies were allocated to repair the boiler, this repair could be completed in two weeks. Mayor Peters urged the Board to move forward and allocate the funds requested. Mayor Peters reminded the Board that whatever is done with the Community Center, monies must be spent. Mr. William Baccaro, Chairman, Parks and Recreation Commission, explained that he was urging the Board to spend the monies necessary to repair the boiler. Mr. Baccaro stated that he has a list of impacted groups that would be displaced should the Community Center be closed. Mr. Baccaro also stated the Community Center houses fifteen (15) recreational services department programs. Mr. James Peterson, Community Center Supervisor, stated that some groups use the Center weekly, some biweekly, some monthly. He also stated that three (3) rooms are open daily to the public. They are the game room, the weight room, and the golf room. Mr. Steven Kelly, Recreational Services Director, stated that the Community Center is an integral part of the recreation programs in Town. He stated that people identify with it. Mrs. Ida Ragazzi stated that she felt that money should be given to the schools to keep the recreational programs going rather than to keep the Community Center building going. Mrs. Ragazzi also stated that so many other things need doing at the Community Center, not just a repair to the boiler. Mr. Fred Jortner noted that he felt the Board was not being fair to the taxpayers and that we should cut our losses and not pour any more money info'the Community Center building. PAGE 3 Mrs. Audrey Bertagna stated that in the beginning she agreed with Mrs. Ragazzi and Mr. Jortner that the Board should know the status of the KGS Building before spending any more money. Mrs. Bertagna noted that she knows people who use the Community Center and it would be at least three (3) years before any final decisions are made regarding a new Community Center. Mrs. Bertagna stated the present Community Center would have to be kept open at least three (3) more years and that dividing $17,000 by 3 is not a lot of money. Mr. Philip Cyr, Lamentation Drive, asked to speak at this time. He stated that the Community Center Building should be torn down or sold. He stated that he felt taxpayers money should not be used to keep the building open. He suggested that townspeople be asked what to do with the present building. MOTION was made by Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, seconded by Mr. James O'Donnell and VOTED to approve a request for $17,000 to repair the boiler at the Community Center. ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR: Dr. John P. McIntosh, Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, Mr. James O'Donnell OPPOSED: Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, Mr. Sam Lomaglio, Mr. Fred Jortner Vote being 3 - 3. Motion defeated. A Budget Change Form was received from Mr. Richard Russell, Superintendent of Public Buildings, requesting $62,779.00 to renovate lighting systems in the Senior Center and at the Town Hall. Mr. Russell explained that the Town would be eligible for rebates from the utility company totalling $12,040.00. The Town is also applying for State Grants totalling $38,438.00. This request will not be brought to a Special Town Meeting until the State Grant is in place. Mr. Russell noted that the Town must front end the entire cost of the project and then be reimbured by Northeast Utilities and by the State. MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by Dr. John P. McIntosh and VOTED to transfer $62,779.00 from account 101-1393-930-0944 (General Fund Balance) to account 101-3267 121-0157 (Transfers - Public Building Light Fund) to renovate lighting systems at the Senior.Center and at the Town Hall. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. At this time, Mr. James O'Donneli asked Mr. Russell if he knew of any other pressing problems at the Community Center besides the boiler problem, PAGE 4 Mr. Russell responded that you're looking at serious deterioration if there is no heat in that building. Mr. Russell noted that even if the building is mothballed, you need heat, at least 55 degrees, so that the building doesn't deterioriate further. Mr. Russell noted that the actual cost of the boiler repair would be $]8,000 and that the entire project would take one month to complete. At this time, Dr. Mclntosh asked if anyone on the opposing side wish to reconsider the motion regarding the boiler repair, that they could do so at this time. The Democratic members of the Board decided to hold a short caucus. Mr. Jortner explained that after listening to Mr. Russell and hearing additional information that the building could be maintained for several more years at a minimum cost, he is moving to reconsider the defeated motion regarding the Community Center boiler repair. MOTION was made by Mr. Fred Jortner, seconded by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and VOTED to RECONSIDER THE MOTION previously defeated to approve funds to repair the boiler at the Community Center. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by Mrs. Audrey Bertagna and VOTED to transfer $18,000 from account 101-2129-121-0299 (Contingency) to account 101-2338-121-0270 (Public Buildings - Contractual Services/Projects) to repair the boiler at the Community Center. ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR: Dr. John P. McIntosh, Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, Mr. Fred Jortner, Mrs. Audrey Bertagna, Mr. James 0'Donne]l OPPOSED: Mr. Sam Lomaglio Vote being 5 - i. Motion passed. A Budget Change Form was received from Mayor Robert J. Peters requesting $56,000.00 to allocate funds to settle a Heart and Hypertension claim with a member of the Berlin Police Department. MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by Mrs. Ida Ragazzi and VOTED to transfer $56,000.00 from account 101-1393-930-0944 (General Fund Balance) to account 101- 2232-101-232 (Police Department). ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION was made by Mr. James O'Donnell, seconded by Dr. John P. McIntosh and VOTED to add to the agenda a Budget Change Form for $10,000.00 which was received from the Tax Department. ALL VO~ED IN FAVOR. PAGE 5 Board Member Sam Lomaglio exited the meeting at this time. A Budget Change Form was received from Mr. Albert Scapellati, Tax Collector, requesting $10,000.00 be allocated to replenish the tax refunds account. Mr Gary clinton, Finance Director, explained that in some cases, · his usually happens when taxpayers taxes are collected twice. T - - bank and then pay the have their taxes taken out in escrow Dy m tax bill again when they receive a copy of the bill. Mr. clinton noted that these people are entitled to a refund. MOTION was made by Mr. James O,Donnell, seconded by Dr. John P- McIntosh and VOTED to transfer $10,000.00 from account 101-2129-121-0299 (Contingency) to account 101- 2104-121-0231 (tax Refunds) to replenish this account ALL VOTED 1N FAVOR. RESOLUTION _ WILLARD sCHOOL The Board Members present reviewed the resolution to provide capital improvements to Willard school based upon an amended Statement of Need to provide six (6) classrooms. A Copy of the resolution is attached to these minutes. vote by the Board of Finance: NAY____~_S AYES Dr. john p.--~cIntOSh Mrs. Ida Ragazzi Mrs. Audrey Bertagna Mr. Fred jortner Mr. James O,Donnell cORRESPONDENCE Mrs. Ida RagazZl distributed a copy of Substitute Senate Bill No. 978; PubliC Act No. 93-103 - An Act allowing municipal employees to serve on zoning Commissions, to Dr. McIntosh- Mrs. Ragazzl asked that copies be made for each Board member and also that a copy be given to Mayor Robert J. Peters. ~NT BALANCES 7 l 92 - 6 30 93 No discussion. MINUTES Ida MOTION was made by Mr. Fred Jortner, seconded by Mrs. Ragazzi Bnd voTED to accept the minutes of the September 9, 1993 meeting as submitted. pAGE 6 ALL THOSE vOTING IN EAVOR: MrS. Ida Ragazzi, Mr. Fred jortner, Mrs- Audrey Bertagna, Dr. John P- Mclntosh ABSTAINED: Mr. james o,Donnell MOTION was made by Mr. james o,Donnell, seconded by Mrs. Audrey Bertagna and voTED to add to the auenda a discussion on the Firemen'S pension MeetingS' ALL voTED IN FAVOR- Mr. james o,Donnell asked the Board to go intO Executive Session to discUSs the Firemen'S pension meetings that he has been attending. MOTION was made by Mr. James o,Donnell, seconded by Dr. ~ohn p. Mclntosh, and voTED to enter intO Executive Session at this time- ALL voTED IN FAVOR. At this time, the Recording Secretary left the meeting- Respectfully submitted, j~oAnn Budzinski Recording secretary To consider and act upon a recommendation of the Board of Finance to amend the Statement of Need adoDted in connection with the addition to and renovation of Willard School to increase the number of additional classrooms from four to six, and related equipment and furnishings and utilizing the existing $7,085,000 Willard School Improvement Bond Resolution to pay for said improvements. RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO WILLARD SCHOOL BASED UPON ANAMENDED STATEMENT OF NEED TO PROVIDE SIX CLASSROOMS WHEREAS, the Board of Education has requested fun~s to perform certain improvements to Willard School consisting of the conversion of the lower level storage area to not to exceed six classrooms, and equipment for said classrooms and related facilities; WHEREAS, the funds for the above referenced improvements are available from the $7,085,000 Wi~lard School Improvement 'Bond authorization. The improvement~ identified in the Statement of Need pursuant to the $7,085,000 bond authorization have been, or will be, completed within the authorization, and the estimated $550,000 cost of the additional improvements will be paid from the unexpended balance of said $7,085,000. The Willard School Statement of Need has been amended by duly adopted vote of the Board of Education on July 12, 1993 and is attached hereto, together with the revised budget for said improvements; WHEREAS, the Board of Finance has on 9-9-93 recommended such expenditures and amendment to the Statement of Need to include . four classrooms, and thereafter on 10-14-93 approved the Statement of Need increasing the number of classrooms from four to six; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the above action of the Board of Finance recommending the amendment of the Statement of Need submitted by the Board of Education for improvements to Willard School to be increased from four to six classrooms, as attached hereto, and authorizing said improvements and expenditures therefore, is hereby approved. REQUEST FOR FUNDS TO PROVIDE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO WILLARD SCHOOL BASED UPON ANAMENDED STATEMENT OF NEED TO PROVIDE SIX CLASSROOMS The Board of Education hereby requests additional funds to perform certain improvements to Willard School, approved by the Board of Finance on 10-14-93 , to consist of the conversion of the lower level storage area to not to exceed six classrooms, and equipment for said classrooms and related facilities. The Board of Finance on 9-9,93 previously approved the amendment of the Statement of Need to include four classrooms, and hereby requests an additional twb classrooms for ~ total of six. The funds for the above referenced improvements are available from the $7,085,000 Willard School Improvement Bond authorization. The improvements identified in the Statement of Need pursuant to the $7,085,000 bond authorization have been, or will be, completed within the author~zation~ and the estimated $550,000 cost of the additional improvements will be paid from the unexpended balance of said $7,085,000. The Willard School Statement of Need, which includes six classrooms, has been amended by duly adopted vote of the Board of Education on July 12, 1993 and is attached hereto, together with the revised budqet for said improvements, and is submitted herewith fo~ approval by the Board of Education. Vote By Board of Finance: Resolved: The above amendment to request for funds by the Board of Education for improvements to Willard School, submitted in conjunction with an amended Statement of Need incorporating said improvements and approved by said Board is hereby APPROVED/DENIED Ayes Nays Dr. John ~. McIntosh Mrs. Ida Ra§azzi Mrs. Audrey Berta§na Mr. Fred Jortner Mr. James O'Donnell 139430