Bethany Board of Finance Meeting March 1, 2011

A brief summary of what was discussed at last night’s meeting of the Bethany Board of Finance for those who want to know what's happening, but can't make it to the meetings:

• Bethany Board of Education presented their budget to the board of finance. The budget came in with a 1.4 percent increase. BOE member Brian Fournier said the small increase did not come without sacrifice as the board voted to reduce first grade from four sections to three. Also, the BOE hoped the town would consider the extra $15,000 budgeted towards snow removal as a town expense rather than a BOE expense, reducing the increase to 1.2 percent. Capital expenditures listed are new oil tanks since the ones they currently use have reached their 20-year, state-mandated expiration date; the 40-year old water tank needs replacing; and the furnaces in both buildings have been nursed along for an extended period of time and both are inefficient and at the end of their life expectancy.
• Bethany Registrar of Voters presented their budget with no major increases. The possibility of an audit was discussed, and the BOF agreed the price was reasonable for a necessary eventuality.
• The BOF will meet every Tuesday in Bethany Town Hall between now and April 22, with the goal of finishing the budget on the 22nd.
• Next week the Amity BOE will present their budget.
• The public hearing on the budget is slated for April 18 and notification will be sent out a week in advance.