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Board
of Selectmen
FINANCIAL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 1, 2007
Present: John
Anderson, Brian Flood, Susan Bransfield, Mark Finkelstein, Sharon
Gibala, Kathleen Richards
Absent: Scott Adamsons
1. First Selectwoman
Bransfield called the Financial Meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
2. Pledge of
Allegiance
3. Approve Minutes:
(regular) July 11, 2007
There was a
motion to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2007 regular meeting
by John Anderson, seconded by Kathy Richards. Vote unanimous, motion
carried.
4. Accept Agenda
There was a
motion to accept the agenda by Sharon Gibala, seconded by Mark Finkelstein.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
5. Communications/
Correspondence
Mrs. Bransfield
read into the record a letter from the Secretary of State. Effective
Sept. 11, 2007 there will be a ban on lever voting machines for
all elections and primaries after that date.
Mrs. Bransfield
read into the record an email from Donna Rini, 38 Deerfield Lane,
regarding the surplus funds that the Town will receive from the
Education Cost Sharing Grant. Ms. Rini would like to see this money
put into the schools to purchase text books or fund programs.
Mrs. Bransfield
read into the record an email from Marla Pontano, regarding the
surplus funds that the town will receive from the Education Cost
Sharing Grant. Ms. Pontano would also prefer that this money be
used to further education programs such as gifted/talented programs,
increase in magnet school participation.
Mrs. Bransfield
read into the record a letter from the CT Clean Energy Fund advising
that Portland has qualified for an additional free solar photovoltaic
system.
Mrs. Bransfield
read into the record a letter from Selectman Scott Adamsons, he
made his regrets that he is unable to attend tonight's meeting.
He commended the efforts for senior citizen tax relief. Mr. Adamsons
appreciated if discussion of the surplus fund received from the
Education Cost Sharing Grant, can be deferred to a later date.
6. Public Comment
Bill Willinsky,
Portland Veterans Affairs Committee updated the Board of Selectmen
on Portland citizens that are serving in the military.
7. Clean Energy
Task Force - Options for 5 Kilowatts Solar Photovoltaic Array
Christopher
Phelps reviewed for the Selectmen the options for installing free
solar photovoltaic array at Valley View Elementary School. There
is an opportunity to install a 5kW photovoltaic system at a cost
of approximately $14,000 in addition to the free system the Town
has earned. Mark Finkelstein asked if there are future costs to
maintaining the system. Mr. Phelps replied that he is not aware
of any on-going costs as the panels have a 25 year warrantee. There
could be the expense of replacing the inverter ten or more years
down the road.
Brian Flood
asked for clarification on the payback timeframe. For the two 5kW
systems, the payback time is about 6 years.
Sharon Gibala
commented that if the Board of Education is a benefactor of the
energy generated by the system, that perhaps the BOE should be approached
to pay for the additional system.
No decision
was made regarding this issue. The Clean Energy Task Force will
discuss funding options with the Board of Education. This information
will then be brought back to the BOS.
8. Request to
Transfer Funds for Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Mrs. Bransfield
requested that the BOS fund a contractual agreement for a Licensed
Clinical Social Worker, specifically, Carol Lamson, who has been
providing services to Portland residents up to this time through
the CT VNA. The Town no longer has a contract with the CT VNA, but
still requires the services of a social worker.
Mark Finkelstein
read into the record a resolution to transfer $6,000 from Contingency
to the Social Services Department for the purpose of funding a contractual
agreement with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Mr. Finkelstein
made a motion to adopt this resolution, seconded by Kathy Richards.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
9. Brownstone
Quorum Request for Funds for Arch Project
Howard Rosenbaum
updated the BOS regarding the Arch project. The BOS had allocated
$1,500 per year to the Arch Project. To date, the fund has received
$3,000; however, $3,000 allocated to the project was mistakenly
returned to the general fund balance. Mr. Rosenbaum requested that
this money be returned to the Brownstone Quorum for the Arch Project.
In addition, he requested that an additional $4,000 be allocated
to the project.
There was a
motion by John Anderson, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, that $7,000
be moved from Contingency to the Brownstone Quorum for the Arch
Project. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
Mr. Rosenbaum
thanked the BOS and stated that he will have a plaque made which
will acknowledge the financial support made by the citizens of Portland
to the Arch Project.
10. Update on
Water & Sewer Division
Director of
Public Works, Rick Kelsey updated the BOS on issues regarding the
sewer and water divisions. Mr. Kelsey asked that BOS consider attending
the next meeting of the Water and Sewer Commission on Monday, August
6th at 7:00 pm, for the purpose of providing more feedback to the
commission on the recommendations requested for the water issues
in town.
11. Sewer Relief
Request: 90-92 Marlborough Street
There was a
motion made by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards to refund
or credit $332.96 to the property owner of 90-92 Marlborough Street.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
12. Review Monthly
Budget Reports
Rob Buden, Finance
Director, reviewed the Monthly Budget Reports for the BOS. The town,
at this time, is in good financial shape. He anticipates that for
the fiscal year 2007, the budget will break even.
With regard
to the Education Cost Sharing Grant, Mr. Buden stated that according
to the State of CT, this money can be used for any purpose that
the Town deems appropriate.
13. Appointments
to Boards and Commissions (Re-appointments, vacancies, etc): NONE
14. Refunds:
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, to refund
Gary J. Wassell the amount of $28.94. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, to refund
Dennis C. Garneau the amount of $156.02. Vote unanimous, motion
carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, to refund
Jay G. Brown the amount of $214.32. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Stephen S. and Dawn-Marie Sbalcio the amount of $190.66. Vote unanimous,
motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Stephen S. and Dawn-Marie Sbalcio the amount of $182.48. Vote unanimous,
motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Elsie B. Rossitto the amount of $22.46. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, to refund
Elsie B. Rossitto the amount of $2.70. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Brian Flood, to refund Richard
Patrick the amount of $22.22. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Brian Flood, to refund Carl
W. Jackson, Jr. the amount of $1.76. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Brian Flood, to refund John
James Wassell the amount of $449.00. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Brian Flood, to refund Frank
Magnotta the amount of $7.80. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Brian Flood, to refund Allen
J. Carlson the amount of $8.74. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
15. Public Comment:
NONE
16. Board of
Selectmen General Informal Discussion
Mrs. Bransfield
will get additional information regarding Senior Citizen Tax Relief
and put it on the agenda for the next meeting. Mrs. Bransfield will
also put on the agenda for 8-8-07:
- Revised ordinance:
Chapter 12, Section 12.2 "Swimming, underwater swimming or
diving in quarries prohibited."
- The Ethics
Ordinance
- The Town
Vehicle Usage Policy
17. Adjourn
Meeting
Sharon Gibala
made motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kathy Richards.
Vote unanimous, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Laura Siena, Board Clerk
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