2010 budget planning starts

FALLS VILLAGE — The Board of Finance asked one member to handle writing the board’s contribution to the annual town report, mulled over setting a target for the Board of Education budget and considered recommendations from the town’s auditor for the Water Commission during the regular monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 11.

New member Tom Grayson took on the task of writing the board’s message to taxpayers in the annual town report. Lou Timolat suggested adding something about future prospects for the town’s finances, adding, “I think we’re in pretty good shape.�

The board received a letter from Board of Education Chairman Andrea Downs warning that this year the board will not present the same conservative figures as last year. The letter asked for advance warning of any requests from the finance board.

Timolat asked Kent Allyn if he would obtain some background on the Lee H. Kellogg school’s current budget situation; Allyn said he would, and added a starting point might be to average the expenditures from the last six years.

Chuck Lemmen, who stepped down as chairman in favor of co-chairs George Elling and Timolat, said he received a recommendation from auditor Mike Zemaitis that the Water Commission adopt the following: a formal budget and capital plan, and a requirement for an additional signature on checks above an amount to be determined by the board.

Later in the meeting, Timolat expressed concerns about oversight of the Water Commission. He read aloud a statement he prepared about the status of the water department. The statement notes that in the opinion of the town’s attorney, the Connecticut Special Act HB 564 of May 16, 1951, “prohibits town Board of Finance oversight and review.�

“Counsel explained that the ... Special Act stands as a ‘mini-constitution’ which sets aside  the usual and customary financial requirements which, by statute, otherwise applyâ€� to departments of town government.

“When the water company was given to the town it was a mom-and-pop operation,� said Timolat. But with increased regulation at the state and federal levels, “the contingent liability [to the town] is worrisome to me.

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