[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6746023,"mediaKeyId","5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3","parentId",5254379,"title","BET hears preliminary FY25 closeout; board of education aid, contingency and $10 million state grant discussed","audioSeconds",3820,"startMs",2380000,"endMs",6200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3&start=2380&end=6200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3/thumbnail_2380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6746023/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/BET-hears-preliminary-FY25-closeout-board-of-education-aid-contingency-and-10-million-state-grant-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746023-f184d328546ee0147767890687eed793/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=dQtjbGFz~9gJa9SDisexhJH2denj857aj3osS~UmSynSq6meJ5B-kWCeFVMrDe40-hjPTey6Y7NM4dEdtHQ6svrTm0UOMGqVsD9zwg2pocgfu~8BAP8ERroA9R0rEa0foVGdlM86B75pbVogpNyVLY4CklRxGpPCaEP7nGfSf~TOqv1FGhwueu-qm~9qjYd7xpznvIU8BmOFpZZNKHzbGexmGlvvXn6ut7eMciLjyjz2mJ~vg-o1-kwFTiYHATgX8LFBrPOeNQCrrjdYRRZgtHzgzF4pd~VJwck-XELtT4iTSNUHfXMDudZKbnyuN9vMxQzMqGTB0TkHzVHVsTUQqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-07-08T01:07:19Z","article","Finance staff presented a preliminary FY25 closeout and a multi‑part plan to use one‑time state funds to address school and capital priorities.

Jared (finance) said the FY25 closeout is preliminary and still subject to audit and encumbrance clears. He showed two scenarios: one that assumes the previously budgeted $8 million use of fund balance and one that treats no fund balance use; the latter would leave the city close to break‑even after year‑end adjustments. Staff noted a $3.3 million conveyance tax/developer revenue that was budgeted for FY25 did not close in time and will likely post in early FY26.

The board and staff discussed a $10 million state municipal aid allocation available for road maintenance, plowing and capital, and the administration described a proposal to direct roughly $3 million of next‑year state funds to help the Board of Education. As part of negotiations with the Board of Education, finance described an MOU that (a) gives the BOE an infusion of city funds to address immediate health‑care and staffing shortfalls and (b) requires the BOE to appropriate recurring amounts to the city’s internal service fund (which covers health insurance, automobile/property liability claims and workers’ compensation) to share costs long term. The city’s presentation said $2 million would cover the BOE’s current health‑care shortfall, $1 million would be carried into the next fiscal year for staffing and program restorations, and an additional portion of the one‑time $10 million state grant will be allocated mechanically (for example, DPW road costs traditionally covered by the operating budget could be covered by grant proceeds, freeing operating dollars to help BOE costs).

Jared reiterated that federal and certain state education grants remain uncertain and that the administration will perform internal audits to determine compliance risk before applying for or certifying grant claims. The board asked for additional written explanations on a large underrun in the Combined Dispatch capital project that left approximately $4–4.5 million available and on the composition and desired target balance for the internal service fund. BET and staff agreed to return to the board in August with final FY25 true‑ups and specific transfer items tied to the BOE MOU.

The board discussed contingency balances and staffing-related costs (including Social Security budget variances) and asked finance to provide a more detailed explanation of Social Security variances at a future meeting.

The BET did not take a new vote on FY25 closeout numbers at this session; the presentation was informational and the board requested follow‑up documents and formal votes on specific transfers in August.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Estimate & Taxation 07-07-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance presented preliminary FY25 closeout scenarios and an MOU‑linked plan to direct one‑time state funds and city reallocations to help the Board of Education and core infrastructure.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6746028,"Norwalk BET approves engine repair, staffing change and $660,064.80 for Station 1 slab replacement",1725,351000,2076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3&start=351&end=2076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3/thumbnail_351000.jpg","/articles/6746028/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-BET-approves-engine-repair-staffing-change-and-66006480-for-Station-1-slab-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746028-0b89eccd9bc4407ea43176a6254ee60b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=EYCOcdiviGLfrep8D52-JINIyKG4JOIx8zdcSuP7MyRpDCRp3Y8XATxfcSS8LxFbJCo1RKT-KBfb4Dc1l5oelGZmapbrrw9nEXtT3PvJBkaRI5KRfyzrESUojgOxov5Lvn3EtEtChZsNQ4AAbXLFPjNWwGxluDoE1vcVO7y1obpnWe9ntffBOjKNEVQUxGHJks4Xg9WPWI8w2AB-4MuZwgm6fLEz8QX2zWiq9HKuUKZxVp~0NN1JTQlGtOl5MMq07MHsmHG8YPsQmXu0aJKkmWQU-K7mrcVsmj-cgoe3d1Sv49ZuxF9V1VSBm3xKqb97puwcaYghAAiKyEgXBQisYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Estimate and Taxation on July 7 approved three separate fire‑department items: a transfer to repair a damaged engine on a 2016 command pickup, a staffing reclassification in the fire marshal’s office, and a special capital appropriation to replace the apparatus slab at Fire Station 1.

Chief Gatto told the board the command vehicle developed a motor knock that requires a complete engine overhaul and that the truck has “less than 80,000 miles” and a sound body. He said a new vehicle would cost “over a $100,000,” and the board reviewed a $32,000 estimate for the repair. Chief Gatto added the vendor quote included about $8,000 in labor and roughly $12,000 for parts, and he said more competitive pricing might be found but was not available at the time of the agenda.

The board also discussed warranties and fleet maintenance options. Members asked whether the Norwalk Department of Transportation or in‑house mechanics could perform the work at lower cost; finance staff said the dealer was chosen because of familiarity with that engine and access to recall/service records. The chair and staff asked the chief and fleet managers to seek additional quotes and to report back — the transfer for the repair was approved as part of the bulk transfer vote.

Separately, the BET approved a staffing reclassification in the fire marshal’s office. Tom (finance staff) told members the department sought to convert three part‑time fire‑inspector positions into one full‑time inspector to address inspection backlogs and staff turnover. Chief Gatto recounted a multi‑year history of part‑time hires and departures and said a single full‑time inspector would be more productive. Finance estimated an incremental cost of roughly $23,000 for FY26; the board approved the staffing request by voice vote.

Finally, the board approved a special capital appropriation of $660,064.80 to repair and replace the apparatus slab at Fire Station 1, 90 New Canaan Avenue. The clerk read a resolution transferring the funds from the Combined Dispatch Capital Project (communications upgrade account) to the city fire department for the Station 1 floor replacement project. The chief and Mark Conti described geotechnical testing by GZA that found backfill and compaction problems under the apparatus slab. The project team recommended installing helical piles (driven, screw‑type piles) to bypass poor backfill and provide a permanent foundation; that method was chosen over full excavation because it is less invasive and allows the station to remain operational during work. The appropriation was approved by voice vote.

The BET directed staff to provide follow‑up details requested during the discussion, including any warranty/certification language for the engine repair, quotes from alternate vendors, and written background on the availability of the Combined Dispatch project funds used to cover the Station 1 appropriation.","The Board of Estimate and Taxation on July 7 approved three separate fire‑department items: a transfer to repair a damaged engine on a 2016 command pickup, a staffing reclassification in the fire marshal’s office, and a special capital appropriation to replace the apparatus slab at Fire Station 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6746018,"BET reallocates $320,000 city share from Brookside to Naramake school HVAC project",559,2739000,3298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3&start=2739&end=3298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5254379-d61932b234c1deb6794134cac671eed3/thumbnail_2739000.jpg","/articles/6746018/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/BET-reallocates-320000-city-share-from-Brookside-to-Naramake-school-HVAC-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746018-8560978e9106f702a9b25644ea146ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=cvRGVT3tMwYn9sgPMqKV0~R8DWZb~ts315DNYuxKja8ZyXQq8fntrRTtQqYLqKx-wox7YS7MvwYmv9IGzju1~C~~lQHBDnD3qmcYXUgDTr0eamq6JjU6xpSnWn8YnowVlA4x1g6DqEcBWo85QJjEtHrlj7TqOYgD9nw5zAgA5hYqtaGKD5LM5lbnXZI5WftlcJXkS70jDvG2a5xisDuFJ7fQMwwPeVkgAT1Xl50rya4EGG~tPByxXkTDs7YSK2E2-q3nQeBtBG15scsgy7POeVEggt9kJjo8j0NzwK7iinARRHjvLki0OlCZWb5BZ~NVirpuqWkd5KGz6KhzuNqZBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Estimate and Taxation approved a reallocation July 7 that moves $320,000 of the city’s share from the Brookside School HVAC account to the Naramake School HVAC project to cover a contingency shortfall.

Alan Lowe explained the city submitted six separate school HVAC replacement projects to the state for reimbursement; the state approved them with a reimbursement rate of 60 percent. After design and bids, some projects came in well above estimates in a constrained HVAC contracting market; Nelmick (transcript references) and Marvin School projects required additional scope work or rebids. Naramake (transcript: “Naramax”) was identified as one project with a contingency shortfall and the administration requested using surplus city funds from the completed Brookside project account.

Lowe said the city is acting as general contractor on several of the projects to reduce costs, that equipment lead times of around 16 weeks require staged construction over two summers, and that the requested reallocation would ensure the city can sign contracts and proceed. The board approved the requested $320,000 reallocation by voice vote.

Staff said they expect to return if additional appropriations are needed for other schools after rebids or unforeseen remediation work is identified.","The BET approved a $320,000 reallocation of the city's 40% share from the Brookside School HVAC project to the Naramake School HVAC contingency shortfall to allow contracting and continued construction work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BET hears preliminary FY25 closeout; board of education aid, contingency and $10 million state grant discussed

Norwalk BET approves engine repair, staffing change and $660,064.80 for Station 1 slab replacement

BET reallocates $320,000 city share from Brookside to Naramake school HVAC project