Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Annual Budget Meeting and Special Town Meeting
First Selectman Robert P. Valentine called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M.
Robert Valentine asked for nominations for moderator. Dave Garvey nominated John Morris seconded by Joan Lang. Henrietta Horvay moved that nominations be closed seconded by James Korner. Passed unanimously.
The moderator asked that Barbara Breor read the call to the meeting.
1. Act upon a budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009.
Henrietta Horvay moved to accept the budget. Laurie Mosley seconded.
Alan Walker stated that the Board of Finance mulled through the whole budget. This year we are taxing the taxpayer less than the prior year. The green papers are the detailed departmental budget and the white one with the graph is what we are voting on. The white budget is the bottom line, capital expenses, and projected revenue, the projections are guess work and hopefully they are intelligent guesses.
He went on to state that the current budget is projected to come in under expended. The money that we do not use in the current budget year goes into the piggy bank.
Mr. Walker explained that the Goshen portion of the current Education budget is going to increase by 5.39%, assuming that the budget is approved at the June 3 referendum. The Town’s budget will increase by 4.04%. The Capital is up some, but most of the increase is due to oil. The wants in the Capital budget were eliminated quickly and the needs were pared down. The actual increase is $464,322. The decision was made to use $600,000 of the surplus. The surplus is currently $2,000,000 and the ideal amount is 16%.
John Morris called for a vote. Passed unanimously.
2. To vote for one member of the Regional School District #6 Board of Education member for a term of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011
The moderator asked that nominations be opened.
Robert Valentine nominated Hugh J. Allen. Seconded by Rhonda Gelormino.
Alan Walker moved that nominations be closed and the secretary cast one ballot. Seconded by Henrietta Horvay.
3. Appropriation of a sum not to exceed $100,000 from the Capital Non Recurring Undesignated fund for the purchase of a Fire Engine.
Allan Walker moved to accept the appropriation. Wilrose Duquette seconded.
Allan Walker stated that on the books there are designated capital & non designated capital funds. The non designated funds are monies that are left over from capital projects that came in under budget. We need to put money aside for a fire truck. We had skipped last year so these funds would bring the line item up to $300,000. We are hoping to get reach $500,000 for the purchase of the new fire truck.
He went on to explain that the $28,000 will be for a new pickup truck for the Public Works Supervisor.
In the past the Board of Finance had voted and moved the funds. The Town Auditor’s and Town Attorney stated that it should be before a Town Meeting.
John Morris called for a voice vote. Passed unanimously.
4. Appropriating a sum not to exceed $28,000 from Capital Non Recurring Undesignated fund for the purchase of a vehicle for the Public Works Department.
Joan Lang moved to accept the appropriation. Seconded by Robert Goldberg.
A voice vote was taken. Passed unanimously.
Rhonda Gelormino made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 P.M. seconded by Joan Lang.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara L. Breor, Town Clerk
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