Board of Finance

Approved by the Board of Finance January 21, 2025 MINUTES Vol. 7. Page 440 BOARD OF FINANCE Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM December 17, 2024 A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Attendance was in person and by Zoom. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Comptroller Olivia DeRosa, Deputy Comptroller and Manager of Budgets and Planning Erika Johnson, Treasurer Dan Farley, and Board of Finance Members Deborah Iannacito, Laurene Pesce, Wendy Traub, Christopher Anderson, and Jim Wright. Board of Finance Member Chris Beyus was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the public wished to speak. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES On a motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board voted to accept the Special Joint Meeting Minutes with the City Council from November 19, 2024. Mrs. Pesce abstained. On a motion by Mrs. Traub, seconded by Mrs. Iannacito, the Board voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 19, 2024. Mrs. Pesce abstained. CITY PERFORMANCE REPORTS On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Performance Reports for the City. Mrs. Traub asked why the Public Works have an overtime line for snow and ice and a separate overtime line. Mayor Carbone explained that Mr. Drew tracks which departments utilize overtime and why. Some items can be reimbursed through FEMA. Mrs. Pesce asked if any of the Public Work’s overtime can be charged to other departments, Mayor Carbone said sports that use City fields can be reimbursed. BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORTS On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Board of Education Budget Performance Reports. Mrs. Iannacito asked if the Board has received the Board of Education’s final 2024 numbers, Mayor Carbone said it was an FOI request they did not respond to, so a hearing is coming up. Mrs. Traub said she is still looking for her request from July, Mayor Carbone said that Donna Labbe is the Interim Finance Director for the Board of Education, and she can resend the request in hopes that documents are provided. BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mrs. Traub, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by department heads. Comptroller Olivia DeRosa shared with the Board that the Finance Office had hired a Generalist and an Accounts Payable Clerk, which makes it almost fully staffed. Mayor Carbone added that the audit is nearly complete and should be filed by December 31st. They are waiting for a legal opinion on the Board of Education withholding staff payroll contributions and not paying the City their share in insurance. Mayor Carbone said the City has hired an Attorney to help with this. Deputy Comptroller & Manager of Budgets Erika Johnson said it's almost a new budget season. Treasurer Dan Farley asked why there hasn’t been an OPEB contribution yet this year. Ms. DeRosa said they will put the City’s portion in and wait to hear how to handle the Board of Education contribution. 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. Wright wished everyone a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Mr. Anderson thanked Mr. Farley for attending the Scoville Eagle Project. He wished everyone a Happy Holiday. Mrs. Traub said to enjoy the Holidays. Mrs. Pesce asked about the recent revaluations and how the commercial assessments came in, Mayor Carbone said there is an extension until the end of February to prepare the grand list, which includes personal properties, commercial properties, and motor vehicles. Mayor Carbone said the mill rate will go down, depending on the grand list. She reminded the Board to be careful what they communicate because the taxes will not double. Mayor Carbone said this Board has always been pro-taxpayer, trying to not raise the mill rate. Mr. Anderson said they need detailed information from the BOE for the new insurance to properly set the mill rate. Mrs. Pesce asked what was happening with the Pedlar; Mayor Carbone said they had a half dozen builders and developers walk through the property. They have reappraised the property and will be doing a feasibility study of the need for the continuation of housing on the property. She said they are currently gathering facts for when they go back to Court in January. Mrs. Pesce commended the Public Works department for finishing the culvert on Saw Mill Hill. Happy Holidays. Mrs. Iannacito said the project on Saw Mill Hill was a long time coming and is very thankful for it. She also congratulated the Finance Department for being so far ahead of the audit. She wished everyone, Merry  MINUTES Vol. 7. Page 441 BOARD OF FINANCE REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL AUDITORIUM / ZOOM December 17, 2024 Christmas and Happy Holidays. Mayor Carbone said she would like to invite the Assessor to the next meeting to bring the Board up to date on the Assessment and strategies for implementing the grand list. Mayor Carbone wished everyone a Merry Christmas and said to enjoy the time with family and friends. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK