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Sterling Board of Finance approves $83,245 transfer, keeps officers and corrects bus cost in minutes
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Sterling Board of Finance unanimously approved transferring $83,245 from the general fund to a 2% non-lapsing account, retained its current chair and vice chair, and corrected a bus cost figure in the December minutes; routine reports and a procedural review were also discussed.
The Sterling Board of Finance voted unanimously Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, to transfer $83,245 from the town general fund into the 2% non-lapsing account, retained its current officers for 2026, and corrected a bus-cost figure in the December minutes.
The meeting, convened by Chairman Robert Salisbury at 7 p.m. at the Sterling Municipal Building, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an Audience of Citizens period that produced no comments. Board members then approved the Dec. 10, 2025 meeting minutes after David Malo moved to correct the previously reported bus cost from $419,500 to $145,952; the motion passed by voice vote, 6-0.
Later in the agenda, Peter Rabbitt moved to keep the officers as currently constituted — Robert Salisbury as chair and Neil Delmonico as vice chair — a motion that also passed by voice vote, 6-0.
School Business Manager Sara Howley brought forward a transfer previously approved by the Board of Education that required Board of Finance action. After the board consulted the Freedom of Information Act provision cited in the minutes — “Upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of a public agency present and voting, any subsequent business not included in such filed agendas may be considered and acted upon at such meetings” — David Malo moved to add the transfer to the agenda; Neil Delmonico seconded and the motion passed, 6-0. Malo then moved to transfer $83,245 from the general fund to the 2% non-lapsing account, the motion was seconded by Delmonico and passed by voice vote, 6-0.
The meeting record notes a brief Treasurer’s report that the town audit is nearly complete and will be discussed further at the board’s February meeting. Board members also questioned the motor vehicle supplemental total for fiscal year 2024–25 and the chairman said he would request clarification from the tax collector. First Selectman Jack Joslyn reported that the town budget is being developed and said he will check on the triboard meeting date.
Members spent time discussing the board’s procedures and the idea of producing a procedure manual and training videos; the board agreed to consult with the treasurer before drafting formal procedures. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. following a motion by Peter Rabbitt and a second by James Molodich.
Formal motions recorded in the minutes included approval of corrected minutes, retention of officers, adding the school transfer to the agenda under FOI authority, approval of the $83,245 transfer, and adjournment. The audit is expected to be discussed at the February meeting, and the chairman will follow up with the tax collector on the supplemental motor vehicle total.
