Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
East Haven Board of Finance returns budget to mayor, approves $327,209 in contingency transfers
Summary
At its March 18 meeting the East Haven Board of Finance voted 4–2 to return the recommended town budget to the mayor and approved contingency transfers totaling $327,209 to cover waste collection ($296,000), sewer fees ($11,209) and assessor overtime ($20,000).
The East Haven Board of Finance voted on March 18 to return the town’s recommended budget to Mayor Carfora and approved contingency transfers totaling $327,209 to cover immediate operating shortfalls.
The board approved a $296,000 transfer from contingency to the Waste Collection account and referred that adjustment to the Town Council, a separate $11,209 transfer to cover sewer use fees and a $20,000 transfer to fund assessor overtime. The transfers were presented and approved by roll call during the regular meeting held in the Mario Giaimo/Joseph Vitale meeting room at East Haven Town Hall.
The transfers were introduced by Board member Al Purzycki and seconded by Beth Purcell. Charlie Coyle explained the waste collection request, saying that changes in bulk pickup and uncertainty about tonnage drove costs and that "It has been running $85,000.00 per month." Finance Director Barbara-Ann Brannigan confirmed the sewer line had been underbudgeted and said the next fiscal year will include $21,000 for that account. On the assessor transfer Brannigan said it was needed because of vacancies and an interim assessor, and that it should carry the office to year-end.
Brannigan also stated that "after all the transfers tonight Contingency will be $155791." Board members approved each transfer by voice/roll-call votes recorded in the minutes.
The meeting also produced a divided vote on whether to delay returning the budget to the mayor pending clearer numbers. Board member Ralph Vitale moved to table the return until the budget was balanced; Beth Purcell seconded. That motion failed on a 4–2 vote (in favor: Vitale, Purcell; not in favor: Perdo, DeSena, Purzycki, Crisaffi). Purzycki then moved to return the budget to the mayor with the Board of Finance changes; that motion carried 4–2 (in favor: Perdo, DeSena, Purzycki, Crisaffi; not in favor: Vitale, Purcell).
Chair discussion noted the board is awaiting two state funding figures — Education Cost Sharing (ECS) and casino revenue — and that the town’s deficit after cuts is approximately $1.6 million. Chris Perdo said the board met for a workshop to make recommended changes and that the mayor will give his state-of-the-town address and turn the budget over to the Town Council.
There was no public comment recorded and the meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M.
