Politics & Government

The Old Middle School a Hot Button Topic at the BOF Meeting

On Monday, board member Harvey Thomas brought up an unplanned agenda item at the East Haddam Board of Finance monthly meeting.

 

Monday’s East Haddam Board of Finance monthly meeting included the standard agenda items — approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, member reports, updates on tax collection, future meeting dates and locations, budget reports, etc.

What stood out, however, was board member Harvey Thomas’ request to add an item to the agenda that was not originally there. Thomas asked to be able to talk about three inter-related issues: the old middle school building, the need for a more adequate town office complex and the “uneconomical” use of “prime” riverfront property currently being used for town office buildings.

Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thomas was granted his request by board approval and given the opportunity to make his presentation towards the end of the meeting under the agenda item for “new business.”

Although an unplanned agenda item, Thomas came prepared with a handout (see attached pdf) that conveyed his points on the issue and detailed previously compiled information on cost analysis.

Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After Thomas went through his prepared information, First Selectman Mark Walter pointed out that potential solutions to the issues have been and are currently being looked into. Walter said that costs of upgrading or modifying existing buildings to suit the town's needs are being gathered and analyzed, including key engineering information.

"What I forsee is a round table discussion of all the various needs and costs so that the town is aware of all the pieces and how they fit together," Walter said.

Susan Link, Board Chair, thanked Thomas for putting together the information, but requested that he source it for the next meeting. Link suggested that the analysis Thomas put together should be compiled with the research Walter mentioned had been gathered as it "would be easier to make some of the decisions on what needs to be done."

Free Daily Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter

Current East Haddam Board of Finance Members:

Susan C. Link, (R), Chair

Robert A. Bennett (R), Secretary

Daniel P. Alexander (R)

Bruce M. Dutch (D)

Harvey W. Thomas (D)

Raymond L. Willis (R)

The Board of Finance welcomes public attendance at all of their meetings. The Board of Finance consists of six elected members and its duties and responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Connecticut State Statutes Chapter 106, Sections 7-340:349.  

In accordance with State Statutes, the Board is specifically responsible for:

1. Preparing the town budget.

2. Setting the property tax rate.

3. Approving deficiency and special appropriations and transfers between appropriations.

4. Determining how town financial records are to be kept.

5. Arranging for an annual audit of town accounts.

6. Publishing the annual town report.

The Board of Finance is responsible for managing the town’s budget, working closely with the Finance Department and other town departments with budget preparation and by monitoring both income and expenses throughout the fiscal year.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here