Board of Finance

Approved by the Board of Finance January 16, 2024 MINUTES Vol. 7. Page 410 Vote: Unanimous BOARD OF FINANCE REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM December 19, 2023 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Attendance was by Zoom and in person. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Comptroller Robin Stanziale, Comptroller John Monks, Treasurer Dan Farley, and the Board of Finance Members Deborah Iannacito, Laurene Pesce, Mark Bushka, and James Wright. Board of Finance Members Christopher Beyus and Christopher Anderson joined via Zoom. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Bushka, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the public wished to speak. Mrs. Iannacito arrived at 5:01 p.m. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 21, 2023. Mr. Bushka and Mr. Beyus abstained. Mr. Anderson joined via Zoom at 5:02 p.m. BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS On a motion by Mr. Bushka, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by department heads. Mayor Carbone introduced John Monks, the new Comptroller for the City of Torrington, she explained that Robin will stay on as a consultant with the new Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller, and Budget Manager starting. Robin Stanziale told the Board that she is looking forward to getting to a place where they can begin the Audit and finalizing the items that haven’t gotten to with the transitions in the Finance Department. Treasurer Dan Farley provided the Board with an update on the $170,000 Small Cities Grant that the City received in December 2020 to assist with the Homeless Diversion Program. The Housing Collective worked along with the City to provide services for those in need of emergency shelter, and to work to provide permanent housing solutions. He explained the administrative fees the Housing Collective and the City incurred while administering the grant funds. He said that this would close out the grant after the final filing. Mrs. Pesce asked if the Housing Collective's overspending on their administration fees would come back negatively on the City, Mr. Farley told her it would not. Mayor Carbone also said that because the City kept good track of the hours used, and modified their budget to give the Housing Collective the leftover administration fees, it should reflect positively on the City. BUSINESS BY MAYOR & MEMBERS On a motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mrs. Iannacito, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Finance. Mr. Beyus wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Mr. Anderson wished everyone Happy Holidays. Mrs. Iannacito wished everyone a Happy Holiday and is looking forward to 2024. Mrs. Pesce asked if the Budget Manager was a new position, Mayor Carbone told her it was created this past budget season, and that it is already filled with Erika Johnson, who came over from the Board of Education Central Office and is familiar with the budget process. Mrs. Pesce also welcomed John Monks and wished everyone Happy Holidays. Mayor Carbone presented Mr. Bushka with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his almost 18 years of service to the City. She expressed her gratitude for serving an additional six years on the Board of Finance when he was asked. Mr. Bushka told the Board that he was surprised by his February 6, 2006, start date, and serving in this position on the Board of Finance for almost 18 years. He said it was an honor serving the City of Torrington, and that he has met a lot of new people along the way. Mayor Carbone introduced the Board to Wendy Traub who will be taking Mr. Bushka’s seat on the Board. Mayor Elinor Carbone, Justice of the Peace administered the Oath of Office to Wendy Traub, Member of the Board of Finance. Mrs. Traub told the Board that she is honored for the appointment and can’t wait to work with everyone on the Board. Mrs. Pesce said it was an honor and pleasure to work with Mr. Bushka for as many years as she has served on the Board. She said that he was very knowledgeable and always made him. Mrs. Pesce also thanked Robin for her time with the City. MINUTES Vol. 7. Page 411 BOARD OF FINANCE REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM December 19, 2023 ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Mr. Beyus, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK