Minutes
Present: Alvarez (Chairman), Clark, DeSalvo, Dolan (7:31pm), Mazzucco, Yonkers
Also present: Finance Director Gniadek, First Selectman Pemberton, Selectmen Karvelis and Thompson, Treasurer O’Donnell, Tax Collector Moisio, four members of the public, a representative of the Redding Pilot, and the videographers
Chairman Alvarez called the meeting on August 24, 2015 to order at 7:30 pm in the Redding Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Finance approve the minutes of the July 27, 2015 meeting as submitted. DeSalvo, Mazzucco. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. Dolan arrived, 7:31 pm
REPORT FROM TAX COLLECTOR
Ms. Moisio reported that, as of the end of July, 44.4% of the budget had been collected. As of today, 52.36% of the budget has been collected. She noted that collections are just a little behind the previous year number, but better than in most of the past ten years. Delinquent notices have been sent out.
Ms. Moisio also reported on changes being implemented by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Once the new software program is functioning, local tax collection offices will be able to accept delinquent taxes for vehicles and immediately issue vehicle registrations. The conversion to the new software is still underway, but she anticipates it will be completed in late August. The new system will provide a link for the tax collector’s computer system directly to the state system.
REPORT FROM FINANCE DIRECTOR
Mr. Gniadek reported on two unbudgeted revenue items for the current month. The first is the refund of taxes paid by the school district for the transportation fleet housed in Bethel. The Town of Redding’s portion of the refund is $60,911, 1/3 of the total refund to the Easton Redding Region 9 school system. This represents taxes paid in years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The second item is $17,136 for the sale of the 2003 Sterling dump truck which was replaced last month.
Mr. Gniadek provided three additional sample PAFR reports for board members to review. Selectman Karvelis has offered to represent the Board of Selectmen working with him to develop the format for Redding. Mr. Gniadek suggested that a representative of the Board of Finance would be helpful. Mr. Alvarez noted that he would be happy to help with the process if no one else offered.
The fiscal year 2014-15 audit by McGladry has begun. Mr. Gniadek has scheduled a meeting of the Long Range Financial Planning Committee on September 10, 2015.
REPORT FROM TREASURER
Treasurer O’Donnell provided a report on the status of funds. The current total in the General Fund is $23,308,705.
Mr. Alvarez questioned the amount in the Current Nonrecurring account and asked Mrs. O’Donnell to contact Mrs. Sullivan (Director of Business for the schools) to determine if there further expenditures scheduled.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON AUTHORIZATION FOR CEMETERY GRANT
Mr. Gniadek reported on the availability of a State grant to assist municipalities with the care and repair of neglected cemeteries. The grant of $2,000 per year is planned to be a continuing grant. For application for the grant, a resolution passed by the Board of Selectmen and notice in the Board of Finance meeting minutes is required. Redding has five cemeteries that are in need of care and repair.
Motion: move that the Board of Finance authorize the First Selectman, Julie Pemberton, to accept and administer the Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program as discussed. Mazzucco, DeSalvo.
Discussion followed. Mr. Gniadek announced that he received notice earlier in the day from the Grant administrator indicating that the number of applications for grants far exceeded their expectations and available funding, and that no further grant applications would be considered. Board members felt that the Town should proceed to apply for the grant, and amend the motion to include future years. This would allow the application for this grant immediately rather than waiting for a meeting or scheduling a special meeting of the Board of Finance.
Amended motion: move that the Board of Finance authorize the First Selectman to accept and administer the Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program as discussed, and any future grants that are available to the Town. Mazzucco, DeSalvo. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Finance meeting be adjourned. Yonkers, Mazzucco. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary