Board of Finance Meeting
Monday, December 18, 2017
7:30 p.m., Town Hall Hearing Room
MINUTES
Present: Dr. Kim Yonkers, Chair; Ward Mazzucco; Susan Clark; Robert Dean; Jamie Barickman; Edward Miller.
Also present: First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton; Selectman P. O’Donnell; Selectman Michael Thompson; Director of Finance S. Gniadek; Treasurer W. Higgins; Superintendent Dr. McMorran; members of the Board of Education; members of the public; videographers.
The meeting was called to order at 7:50 p.m.
1. To approve Minutes of meeting held on November 27, 2017
On the motion of Mr. Mazzucco and the second of Mr. Dean, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 11/27/17 Meeting Minutes as amended: Page 4, delete last sentence under “Item 11.”
2. Joint meeting with Board of Selectmen and Board of Education to discuss 2018-19 Budget
First Selectwoman Pemberton reviewed the current status of the budget. She has asked for a reduction of 5% for non-contractual expenditures with a separate column delineating what services would be affected. Receipt of TAR funds was noted and changes in the grant list and in interest income are anticipated.
A budget workshop is scheduled for 1/5/18 with a 1/6/18 snow date.
Mr. Miller questioned the reason for a 5% budget cut. First Selectwoman Pemberton replied that the intent is to get to a flat budget.
Dr. McMorran reviewed a PowerPoint presentation outlining projected demographics and trends from Prowda and NESDEC. He noted that 55% of Barlow students will be from Redding next year.
Changes in staffing were the primary reason for the unspent amount of $833,000 from 2016-2017.
Dr. McMorran provided an overview of future changes including Pre-K classes, world language in the Middle School and the Middle School music program. Insurance will be changed from PPO to HSA. Permitting tuition-paying students has been considered but requires more evaluation.
3. Public Comment
Wolf Boehme, Chalburn Road, noted his concern re: police staffing levels. First Selectwoman Pemberton clarified that auxiliary officers are not official officers. Mr. Boehme compared the town of Tolland, CT to Redding in terms of population and crime statistics.
On the motion of Mr. Mazzucco and the second of Mr. Dean, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly