FINAL

BROOKFIELD BOARD OF FINANCE MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2010

BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER

7:30PM

 

 

1.  CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Tinsley began the meeting at 7:38pm with the Pledge of

     Allegiance.

 

2.  ROLL CALL:  Present for the Board were:  Chairman Tinsley, Vice Chairman Belden, Secretary

     Agard, Members R. Jaffe, J. Friedrich, and J. Tomaino.  Also Present:  First Selectman Davidson,

     Controller Wahlberg, and members of the press and public.

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Belden, seconded by J. Friedrich, to change the order of the agenda and move to Agenda Item #9a – Gurski Expenditure Request.  Motion was passed unanimously.

 

9.  OLD BUSINESS FOLLOW-UP:

a.  Gurski Expenditure Request:  The following members of the public spoke in favor of the Gurski

     Expenditure Request:  J. Park, 71 Indian Trail, J. Furlong, 10 Cedar Hill Road, Pamela Zen,

     Brookfield Historic District #1., H. Lasser, 116 Tower Road, and J. Howard, 4 Dingle Brook.

 

     J. Heise and D. Choma were present for the Gurski Expenditure Request and answered questions

     from the Board.

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Belden, seconded by R. Jaffe:

            WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen has recommended that, subject to and contingent upon receipt by the Town of a commitment for a grant or grants from the State of Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism in an amount at least equal to $186,000 (referred to herein as the “State Matching Grant”). The Town authorize an appropriation not to exceed $372,000 for the completion of the preservation and restoration of the farmhouse at the Gurski Homestead ) the “Gurski Homestead Restoration Project” or the “Project” and authorize the issuance of the Town’s general obligation, bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $186,000 to finance a portion of the appropriation (the remainder of said appropriation to be financed from the proceeds of the State Matching Grant).

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

            1.  That the Board of Finance, having reviewed the proposed Gurski Homestead Restoration Project, approves and recommends that, subject to and contingent upon receipt by the Town of a commitment for the State Matching Grant, the Town appropriate $372,000 for costs of the Project and issue its general obligation bonds or notes and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $186,000 to finance a portion of the appropriation, with the remainder of the appropriation to be financed with proceeds of the State Matching Grant.

            2.  That the Board of Finance approves the bond resolution for the Gurski Homestead Restoration Project, substantially in the form attached hereto with such changes as the Board of Selectmen shall determine which are not inconsistent with the approval granted in this resolution.

            3.  That a copy of this resolution, including the attachments and minutes of this meeting, be filed with the Town Clerk and the Board of Selectmen

Brookfield Board of Finance Meeting Minutes-Wednesday, August 11, 2010                    Page Two

 

Secretary Agard called the question and all were in favor.

 

Members Voting Yes:  Vice Chairman Belden          Members Voting No:  Chairman Tinsley

                                      J.. Tomaino                                                               Secretary Agard

                                      R. Jaffe                                                                     J. Friedrich

 

Chairman Davidson voted yes, breaking the tie.  Motion passed 4-3.

 

The Board of Finance called a ten minute recess from 9:40pm – 9:50pm.  At 9:50pm Vice Chairman Belden conducted the remainder of the Board of Finance Meeting.

 

3.  READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 14, 2010 – SECRETARY AGARD:

     A motion was made by Secretary Agard, seconded by J. Friedrich, to approve the minutes from the

     July 14, 2010 Board of Finance Meeting as written.  Motion was passed unanimously.

 

4.  COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED REPORT – SECRETARY AGARD:  Secretary Agard

     stated that he has received correspondence from the following: Lovett Smith, Terri May, Bob

     Zinser, Controller Wahlberg, First Selectman Davidson and Judy Heise.

 

5.  PUBLIC COMMENT:  None

 

6.  REPORT OF THE TOWN CONTROLLER:

     a.  Financial Reports (FY ending June 2010 and July 2010):  Controller Wahlberg stated that last 

          year’s expenditures were under by $155,000.  He also stated that revenues were not quite

          reached as expected and fell short by $84,000, leaving a surplus of approximately $71,000.

          The fund balance is at 8.5%, which is within the guidelines.

 

7.  UPDATES FROM OTHER ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS ATTENDING:

     a.  First Selectman:  First Selectman Davidson spoke on the following items: Upcoming meeting

          with the three rating agencies, benefit assessment for the water project, Brookfield Reinvestment

          Project, Phase II, and the formation of a Town-Wide Facilities Committee.

          First Selectman Davidson also stated that the Brookfield High School project is in good shape. 

          He also stated that the project is not finished as of yet, but expects a favorable outcome.  First

          Selectman Davidson made no further comments on the Brookfield High School project upon

          recommendation from counsel.

 

     b.  Updates from Other Officials Attending:  None

 

8.  BOARD OF FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS:

     a.  Audit Committee:  Controller Wahlberg will contact the committee when the audit draft is ready.

     b.  Bylaws Committee:  Secretary Agard stated that he has sent the members a copy of a proposed

          capital projects report, showing projects over $100,000.  He also stated that he would like to

          have Controller Wahlberg speak to the board on an annual basis regarding grants in general and

          the closeout of projects.

 

R. Jaffe drafted a Board of Finance webpage, which would include contact information, bylaws, and the agenda with public documents to be discussed at Board of Finance monthly meetings. 

 

 

 

Preliminary Board of Finance Meeting Minutes – August 11, 2010                          Page Three

 

9a. BHS EXPANSION AND RENOVATION PROJECT–PROJECT CLOSEOUT  

      RECONCILIATION STATUS:  Selectman Davidson made no comment on this project upon

      recommendation from counsel.

 

10.  NEW BUSINESS:

       a.  FY Ending June 2010 – Year End Accounting Actions/Transfers:  A motion was made by

            J. Friedrich, seconded by Secretary Agard, to move the transfers as recommended by Controller

            Wahlberg.  Motion was passed unanimously.

 

11.  PUBLIC COMMENT/RESPONSE:  None

 

12.  OTHER ITEMS:  None

 

13.  ADJOURNMENT:  A motion was made by R. Jaffe, seconded by J. Tomaino, to adjourn the

      meeting.  Motion was passed unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 10:25pm.