Sterling Board of Finance flags budget overruns, backs memo on First Selectman’s procedural errors

Board of Finance Chairman Robert Salisbury said the board reviewed citizen questions and a draft memorandum that concluded the First Selectman “made errors of procedure that caused confusion and raised questions from the citizens,” but added that the adjustments did not change the total amount raised by taxes or the mill rate.

The meeting, held July 8 at Sterling Municipal Building, included a public comment from Donna Gagnon, a citizen and accountant, who identified what she described as 19 line items over budget — citing, for example, an increase in electricity costs from $14,000 to $17,000, a reported $60,000 rise in legal costs and a 23% increase in treasurer wages. The board acknowledged those concerns and said it will prioritize clearer budgeting and public transparency in the next fiscal cycle.

During discussion of unfinished business, board members emphasized codifying the town’s budget process, increasing public participation and reviewing staffing and capital needs in September. Board member Stephanie Thompson pressed for line‑item detail and a visual timeline; she specifically questioned a $13,000 payment to former Treasurer Sherri Soucy and the financing shown for grant‑writing work.

Tracie Adams moved to table the budget development plan so members could review the proposed timeline; Peter Rabbitt seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The board left the item on the agenda for the next regular meeting for a more detailed presentation.

The board also reviewed routine financial reports — the Treasurer’s report and the Revenue Collector’s report — as submitted; no discussion was recorded on those items.

The meeting included review of a draft memorandum addressing Thompson’s questions. The memorandum states that minutes from the May 27 meeting will remain as approved but that an informational agenda item will appear at the next meeting to explain allocation of a $15,000 budget amendment. It also explains that a newly created, part‑time grant administrator/ grant writer position was approved and paid separately from Treasurer duties; the draft memo lists three components funded in the Part‑Time Administration line (Senior Center Meals Coordinator, Part‑Time General Office Assistant, and Part‑Time Grant Administrator/Grant Writer) and provides the pay rates and totals for each.

The memorandum further notes the Treasurer budget is projected to exceed its appropriation by $13,085.08 for FY 2025‑2026. That figure includes a $13,000 settlement paid to former Treasurer Sherri Soucy for transitional services performed between November 24, 2024 and March 13, 2025, after negotiation of an initial invoice. The memo says the remaining Treasurer wage variance for the incumbent was $85.08 over the appropriated amount and that customary year‑end processes will address any necessary transfers or supplemental appropriations.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the minutes of June 10, 2026 (motion by Peter Rabbitt, seconded by James Molodich; voice vote recorded as 4 in favor, 1 abstention — Tracie Adams was recorded as abstaining because she was not present at that earlier meeting). The board voted 5‑0 to table the budget development plan (motion by Tracie Adams, seconded by Peter Rabbitt). A motion to adjourn (Peter Rabbitt) was made and seconded and the meeting ended at 8:03 p.m.; no separate roll call for the adjournment was recorded.

The board said it will work more closely with the Board of Selectmen on personnel and budget matters going forward and will place detailed budget‑allocation information on a future agenda. The Board of Finance scheduled further budget review for its September meeting.