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BOARD
OF FINANCE
James Francis called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Others present: Treasurer Robert Dixon, First Selectman Philip Miller, Superintendent of Schools Kim Caron, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Levy, Essex Elementary School Board Members Mary Louise Polo, Kathleen Maher, Lon Seidman, Mark Watson, Jeff Borsin, Essex Elementary School Principal Joanne Beekley, Acting Business Manager Richard Mahoney. Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Joel Marzi to approve the agenda moving the Essex Elementary Board of Education Budget 2007-2008 Presentation before the 2007-2008 Selectmen's Budget Discussion and add to add Selectmen's Topics-Comstock Field Backstop Repair/Replacement, Voting Machine Storage and Essex Housing Authority Payment in Lieu of Taxes. Keith Crehan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Motion carried. Essex Elementary Board of Education Budget 2007-2008 Presentation- Mary Louise Polo, Chairman of the Essex Elementary Board of Education presented their budget. Object 111 - School Administration Salary: 3.2% increase part of a 4 year contract. Object 113 - Teachers Salaries: No new increase in classroom staff. Negotiated salaries increase by 5.16%. There is a new position in the budget for a Math Consultant. The Math Consultant had previously been a shared position in the Supervision District budget. The Board felt strongly the need to elevate Math onsite. There is also an increase reflecting the loss of Title I funding for a Reading Consultant. Object 119 - Para Educator Salaries: 3.5% increase reflecting the addition of 0.7 FTE for a student with that requires a one-on-one Para. Object 120 - Network Technician Salary: 3.0% increase Object 124 - Substitute Secretary/Para-Educator Salary: Previously under funded. Object 126 - Summer Part Time Custodian Salary: This is a new line item, broken out from Object 115 - Custodian Salaries. Object 133 - Coaches/Extra-Curricular Salary: There is a reduction because there are less teachers in the BEST program. Object 198 - Supervision District Salaries: There is an increase in the Region 4 Business Manager Salary and an additional $5,400 Essex allocation for the Assistant Superintendent's Salary. Object 210 - Health Insurance: Holding flat. Object 223 - FICA/Medicare: Based on approved population. This expense will grow as new teachers, who are subject to Medicare payments, are hired, includes FICA and/or Medicare expenses for coaches/extra curricular; Para Educators and substitutes for Teaches and Aides. Object 260 - Worker's Compensation: Slight increase. Object 291 - Annuities: Administrators $2,000. Para Educators allowance for anticipated participation at $6,237. Object 298 - Supervision District Benefits: Essex Elementary School's proportionate share of Supervision District Employee Benefits. Object 322-2213 - Instructional Program Improvement: Teacher tuition reimbursement remains the same. Object 330-1215 - Special Education: Reduction as a result of a student moving to John Winthrop. Object 330-2135 - Physical Therapy: Additional student requiring physical therapy, provided on site. Object 398 - Supervision District Purchased Services: Increase of $7,000 for professional development, also increase to legal fees, there are two union contracts up for negotiations. Object 411 - Water: Increase as a result of new rates. Object 412 - Electricity: Increase as a result of new rates and also taking into consideration the construction project electrical use. Object 430-1114 - Computer Education: Formula based on number of laptops and desktops. Object 430-2410 - Contracts: The hearing device needs maintenance. There are also funds for mandated radon testing. There was discussion regarding the Sinking Fund and future roof repairs and maintenance. Object 440 - Leases: The computer rotation plan continues. This is the second year for the musical instrument purchase. Object 498 - Supervision District Purchased Services: Year 4 of 5 for the Munis System. Object 520 - Plant Operations-Insurance: Builders Risk for the construction project is not included. Object 598 - Supervision District Other Purchased Services: Includes a 2.25% increases for the new bus contract. Object 624 - Fuel Oil: Reduction as a result of a better price per gallon for 2007-2008 ($2.03 from $2.32). It is hopeful that we will also have greater efficiencies. Object 641-1108 - Mathematics: Increase of $27, 799 for new math curriculum. They are hopeful that the cost might be lower, wanted to budget on the safe side. Object 641-1109 - Music: Band and chorus music replacement. Object 641-1110 - Physical Education: Equipment replacement. Object 641-1209 - Enrichment Projects: To replace juggling equipment. Object 641-1215 - Special Education: New math and reading program. Object 698 - Supervision District Supplies: Lower fuel oil costs for the Supervision District as well. Object 730-2600 - Plant Operations: Continuation of $5,000 annually (3rd year) for furniture replacement. Joel Marzi inquired as to $50,000 for potential construction costs. Mrs. Polo indicated that the $50,000 is reflected on page one of the budget as a contingency. Robert Dixon stated that he believes the $50,000 of potential construction costs is appropriate reflected as a contingency. The total Essex Elementary School proposed budget is $6,371,827. The Board of Finance requested enrollment information as they have received in years past. There was discussion that all day Kindergarten is on the horizon in the future. Mr. Marzi stated that the upcoming budget project does not provide for all day Kindergarten. James Francis commended the Board of Education on a very tight budget. 2007-2008 Selectmen's Budget Discussion: Philip Miller reviewed additional budget information.
Motion was made by Campbell Hudson to submit for discussion at public hearing the 2007-2008 Board of Selectmen budget in an amount not to exceed $6,163,000. Keith Crehan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Motion carried. Motion was made by Campbell Hudson to submit for discussion at public hearing the 2007-2008 Essex Elementary School budget in an amount not to exceed $6,371,900. Keith Crehan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Motion carried. Comstock Field Backstop Repair/Replacement Philip Miller reported to the Board that the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend to the Board of Finance an appropriation in the amount of $7,100 to repair/replace the backstop at Comstock Field, noting the corresponding reduction to the 2007-2008 Proposed Capital Budget for said amount. Motion was made by Joel Marzi to transfer from Contingency Fund (10409-508400) $7,100 to Capital and Sinking Fund--Parks (10496-508800) for the purpose of the repair and replacement of the Comstock Field backstop. Keith Crehan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Motion carried. Voting Machine Storage Philip Miller reported to the Board that the initial estimate for the voting machine storage of $3,500 was not enough. We have received a quotation for approximately $6,000 to complete the work. James Francis reviewed the storage needs and the new voting protocols. Motion
was made by Keith Crehan to appropriate an additional amount not to
exceed $2,500 from the Contingency Fund (10409-508400) for the necessary
construction of storage for the new voting equipment in the Town Hall
Kitchen. Keith Bolles seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Motion carried. Philip Miller reported that the Board of Selectmen voted to waive the Payment in Lieu of Taxes for the Essex Housing Authority for 2004, 2005 and 2006 in an amount not to exceed $25,500 with the request for regular financial reporting. Mr. Miller indicated that a waiver would require Board of Finance and Town Meeting approval. Robert Dixon stated that he is opposed to waiving 2006 forward. There was discussion with regard to receiving timely financial reporting from the Housing Authority. Joel Marzi asked for clarification with regard to the procedure for waiving of payments. There was discussion with regard to a prior legal opinion, (a copy will be forwarded to each of the Board members). Mr. Dixon indicated that that he estimates an outstanding amount of $25,547 for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Motion was made by Keith Crehan to recommend to Town Meeting waiving the Essex Housing Authority's Payment in Lieu of Taxes for 2004 and 2005 in amount not to exceed $25,547. Campbell Hudson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Motion carried. Motion was made by Keith Bolles to adjourn at 9:15 pm. Keith Crehan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted,
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