1994/01/20pAGE
MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
JANUARY 20 ~ 1994
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance was held on Thursday,
January 20~ 1994 in the Board of Finance Room Town Hall.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. John McIntosh~ Chairman
Mrs. Ida Ragazzi, Vice-Chairman
Mr. Joseph Bajorski
Mr. Fred Jortner
Mr. Sam Lomaglio
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Audrey Bertagna
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director
Ms. Barbara Bak, Data Processing Coordinator
Mrs. Joanne Ward, Town Clerk
Mr. Charles Karno, Economic Development Director
Ms. Mary Jean Agostini, Economic Developmenh
Commission
Ms. Patricia Checko, Berlin Historic District
Mr. William Doran, Berlin Historic District
The meeting was called to order at 7 PM.
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
No discussion.
BUDGET HEARINGS
Data Processin~
Ms. Barbara Bak, Data Processing Coordinator, present her budget
to the Board of Finance.
The following line items were discussed.
121/0205 - Maintenance - Computer.
Ms. Bak stated that she was able to live with a cut in this item.
131/0401 - Computer Equipment.
Ms. Bak stated that she would to see the Town upgrade to an AS400.
She stated that the present system is twelve I12) years old and
worn out. Ms. Ba~ noted that the present system has been upgrade
to maximum use and is exhibiting signs of failure.
Ms. Bak noted that the present system has the capacity for 72
work systems and 66 of them are filled.
PAGE 2
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, stated that he felt that this
item is the most critical one in the budget. Mr. Clinton stated
that almost all Town departments would be affected. Mr. Clinton
noted that the present system has already had a major crisis
that required him and Ms. Bak to work around the clock one weekend.,
Treasurer
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, presented this budget to
the Board of Finance. He noted that the budget is almost the
same as last year except there is a reduction in the Dues and
Conferences.
Zoninq Board of Appeals
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, presented this budget to
the Board of Finance. He noted that the budget is the same as
proposed last year.
Veterans Advisory
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, presented this budget to
the Board of Finance.
Mr. Clinton noted that there is a decrease in Supplies/Printinq,
Flags, Wreaths, Flowers, and the Meals accounts.
Economic Development
Mr. Charles Karno, Economic Development Director presented his
budget to the Board of Finance.
The following line item was discussed:
121/0225 - Promotion.
Mr. Karno stated that he is requesting $15,000.00 in this line
item because after several difficult years, the local economy
is primed for recovery. Mr. Karno stated that he would use
these monies for an overall community promotional effect, using
print, videos and electronics to promote Berlin.
Mr. Karno stated the Berlin Turnpike is becoming a major retail
center in the area and that there is potential for large scale
development here. Mr. Karno stated he is preparing a promotion
for the. turnpike.
Ms. Mary Jean ~gostini, Economic Development Commission, also
stated she would like to see an increase in this line item because
she felt that having a video of Berlin available to be sent to
companies in and out of State would be a excellent promotional tool.
PAGE
Corporation Counsel
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, presented this budget to
the Board of Finance. He noted that an increase of $1000.00
has been granbed in llne item 121/0260 - Probate Court because
fees set by State Law go up every year.
Berlin Historic District
Mr. William Doran and Ms. Patricia Checko of the Berlin Historic
District presented this budget to the Board of Finance.
The following line items were discussed:
101/0111 - Secretary.
Mr. Doran noted that the District would like to have twelve (12)
meetings yearly because the Commision is working on possible
formation of a new district in East Berlin. Mr. Doran also noted
that trees need replacement and that the District has received
an American the Beautiful Grant to aid in this project.
121/0223 Signs.
Mr. Doran noted that this request is to purchase and install a
second sign at the South End of the District. Mr. Doran noted
that the cost includes the pole and the installation.
Mr. Doran and MS. Checko thanked that Board for their consideration
to their requests.
Conservation Commission
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, presented this budget to the
Board of Finance. He noted that the budget proposed is the same
as last year.
Town Clerk
Mrs. Joanne Ward, Town Clerk, presented her budget to the Board
of Finance.
The following line items were discussed:
121/0255 - Data Processing Services.
Mrs. Ward noted that this service is used for the land records
of the Town. She also noted that last year over 6,000 deeds
were recorded.
Mrs. Ward stated that she would like the Board to know that
in the next few years her department will be running out of
room in the vault.
PAGE 4-
MOTION was made by Dr. John McIntosh, seconded by
Mrs. Ida Ragazz~ and VOTED to add to the agenda
two (2) TABLED budget changes.
One for $800.00 from the Animal Control Department and
one for $4000.00 from the Public Buildings Department.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
MOTION was made by Dr. John McIntosh, seconded by Mrs.
Ida Ragazzl and VOTED to TAKE OFF THE TABLE a budget
change request for $800.00 from the Animal Control Department.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
A Budget Change Form was received from Mr. Art Volz, Animal
Control Department, requesting $800.00 for medical costs due
to the increased number of injured dogs and cats.
Mr. Clinton explained some invoices submitted to his department
by the Animal Control Department.
Mr. Clinton stated that these invoices showed charges for
the euthanasia of animals and also for the cremation of animals.
The Board decided to write a letter to Mr. Volz requesting
that he explain the procedures his department uses when an
animal is destroyed.
MOTION was made by Mr. Sam Lomaglio, seconded by Mrs.
Ida Ragazzi and VOTED to transfer $800.00 from account
~101-2120-121-0299 (Contingency) to account ~ 101-2230-
121-0249 (Animal/Medical Services) to replenish this
ALL THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR: Mr. Sam Lomaglio, Mrs. ]da
Ragazzi, Mr. Fred Jortner
OPPOSED: Mr. Joseph Bajorski, Dr. John McIntosh
Vote being 3 - 2. Motion passed.
MOTION was made by Dr. John McIntosh, seconded by Mr.
Joseph Bajorski and VOTED TO TAKE OFF THE TABLE a
budget change request for $4,000.00 from the Public
Buildings Department.
ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
A Budget Change Form was received from Mr. Richard Russell,
Superintendent, Public Building Maintenance, requesting
$4,000.00 for additional funds for maintenance and repair
of Pa~k & Recreation lighting and for traffic lights.
Mr. Clinton stated that he had a breakdown of the three (3)
bills submitted for this charge. He noted that lights were
PAGE 5
repaired at Sage Park and at the Football Field. Also lights
were repaired at Christian Lane and Deming Road and also at
Frontage Road.
The Board decided to send a letter to Mr. Russell asking him
to appear before the Board on Tuesday, January 25, 1994 to
explain the need of using an outside contractor to complete these
projects.
MOTION was made by Mr. Sam Lomaglio, seconded by Mrs.
Ida Ragazzi and VOTED TO TABLE the request for $4,000.00
from the Public Building Maintenance Department.
ALL VOTED ~N EAVOR.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Gary Clinton, Finance Director, addressed the management
letter received from Scully & Wolf.
Mr. clinton noted that the letter addressed three areas of
concern. (1) The need to address account records that the
Board of Education controls regarding trusts and agency funds.
(2) A $2500 Grant that the Board of Education should have returned
to the Town at the end of the fiscal year. (3) Fixed Assets -
The Board of Education not up to standards on this item.
Dr. McIntosh suggested that the Board write a letter to the
Board of Education regarding the fixed assets problems.
OTHER BOARD MATTERS
No discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Budzinski
Recording Secretary
APPROVED
SPECIAL EXMCUTIVE BOARD ME~
January 20, 1994 ~ ~'~'~ ~ ~ .....
Mayor Robert Peters called the meeting to order~at 4:10 p,m.~,'~ Present
were Deputy Mayors Thc~as Veronesi and Arthur Powers.
At 4:11 p.m. the Board entered Executive Session to discuss the
possibility of a land purchase. Barbara and David Roche of
Kensington met with the Board.
The Board exited Executive Session at 4:45 p.m., no action taken.
At 4:46 p.m. Mayor Peters moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.