Board of Finance

Approved by the Board of Finance May 21, 2024 Vote: Unanimous MINUTES Vol 7. Page 424 BOARD OF FINANCE PUBLIC HEARING: BOE BUDGET CITY HALL AUDITORIUM/ZOOM April 23, 2024 A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the Board of Finance of the City of Torrington on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to solicit citizen input regarding the proposed budget for the Torrington Public Schools, for the fiscal period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Present at City Hall were Mayor Carbone, City Clerk Carol Anderson, Torrington Public Schools (TPS) Superintendent Michael Wilson, TPS Assistant Superintendent Susan Fergusson, Board of Education Director of Finance and Operations Scott Petruzzelli, Comptroller John Monks, Manager of Budgets and Planning Erika Johnson, Treasurer Dan Farley, Board of Finance Members James Wright, Christopher Anderson, Wendy Traub, Laurene Pesce, Deborah Iannacito, and Board of Education members Ed Corey, Susan DePretis, John Kissko, Ellen Hoehne, Jeff Putnam, Glenn Burger, William Knight, and Kristen Conway. Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp joined via Zoom. Board of Education Members Gary Eucalitto, Patrick Cronin, and Board of Finance Member Chris Beyus were absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. City Clerk Carol Anderson read the legal notice. PUBLIC COMMENT Jason Lafreniere, a Special Education Teacher at Torrington Middle School, said that he said the BOE budget is fiscally responsible, they are justifying the spending. He would like to see the BOE budget approved as presented. Peter Michelson, Vogel-Wetmore Principal, said that the schools need to be equipped to meet the needs of the students and be able to continue that path. He said that Torrington has a strong school system, with quality education for children. He added that invest in the schools, students, and the community. Veronica Gelormino, Torrington School Teacher, asked for the BOE budget to not be cut. She said that other towns are actively recruiting teachers away from Torrington. She said that there has been greater student engagement in classrooms, increased involvement in the school community, and more parent engagement. She said to support the budget the BOE presented tonight. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED Mayor Carbone declared the public hearing closed at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK