Bethany Board of Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 2011

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

1. The selectmen granted Christ Church’s request for a fee waiver for use of the pavilion at Veteran’s Memorial Park for a worship service.

2. The board charged the Long Term Financial Planning Committee as follows: The Long Term Financial Planning Committee (the “LTFPC” or the “Committee”) of the Town of Bethany shall be charged with the responsibility of developing a 5 year financial plan for the Town. The LTFPC will address the strategic financial needs of the Town of Bethany including short term and long term capital investments that may be necessary for the Town of Bethany. The development of the Long Term Financial Plan will also incorporate the impact of demographic changes, economic trends, state funding projections, financing requirements, revenue trends, town educational and recreational needs as well as any other pertinent factors deemed significant.

The LTPFC is a five-member committee appointed for a one-year term (renewable) appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The LTFPC is comprised on two members of the Finance Committee and three members at-large. The First Selectman or designee serves as an ex-officio member.

The LTFPC’s charge of duties is as follows: The LTFPC shall define and study factors impacting future revenue, expenditure and capital needs. The LTFPC shall consider the relative needs, impact, timing, cost and funding impacts and use them to develop a proposed 5 year plan (or plans if multiple scenarios are deemed necessary) in the form of a projection for each of the next 5 years for general fund revenue, expenditures, debt and fund balance and capital projects/spending. The LTFPC shall include in their report their assumptions and data sources as well as any recommendations and action items for the next five fiscal years, and present the report to the Selectmen and Finance Committee for their consideration and at a Town Meeting for its approval.

3. The board made appointments to several boards and commissions, including Lisa A. Gaw and Roger Hathaway to the Inland Wetlands Commission. John Kane was removed from the commission, and Brian Smith was moved from an alternate position and made a full member.

4. First Selectmen Derrylyn Gorski commented that according to a letter from the Regional Water Authority, “the prior two years are the wettest on record in the 100 years of rainfall record keeping.”