Durham Finance Board Backs Up To $12,720 For Fire Hose Replacement

DURHAM, CT — The Durham Board of Finance unanimously recommended Sept. 8 that the town make up to $12,720 available to replace fire hoses after testing identified failures in the Volunteer Fire Department's equipment.

The board recommended that the Board of Selectmen call a town meeting to consider transferring up to $12,720 from the Fire Department Equipment Reserve to its equipment capital account for the hose purchase. The reserve currently has $12,720 available.

Finance Director Beth Moncata recommended setting a maximum amount and making the purchase subject to town procurement requirements. The approved motion allows the purchase to proceed through the applicable procurement method, including verbal or written quotes, state bid, sole-source procurement or cooperative purchasing.

William Castro made the motion and Phil Muzio seconded it. All five finance board members present voted in favor.

Town Ends Fiscal Year With 97.3 Percent Of Budget Spent

Moncata also presented a preliminary analysis of town finances for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Real estate, personal property and motor vehicle taxes were 98.3 percent collected. The town had based its mill rate on a 100 percent collection rate that included anticipated revenue from past-due taxes, but Moncata said that additional source had been exhausted because of the Tax Department's collection efforts.

Local revenues finished 3.72 percent above budget. Supplemental motor vehicle taxes, suspense taxes, foreclosure revenue, building permits and engineering fees exceeded projections, while interest on taxes, conveyance taxes and bank interest earnings fell below budget. Investment earnings were about $4,400 below the $400,000 budget. State revenue and Education Cost Sharing revenue were fully collected.

Preliminary town expenditures were 97.3 percent of the budget.

Several accounts exceeded their budgets, including town engineering, Public Works garage expenses related to stormwater regulations, Ethics Commission legal fees, Volunteer Fire Department vehicle expenses, police services, the retirement plan and facilities maintenance. Contingency and other budget accounts will be used to offset those overruns, according to the minutes.

Snow and ice removal, Social Security and tax refunds also exceeded their budgets and will require town meeting approval, with savings from other accounts proposed to cover the additional costs. No appropriations were made from the undesignated fund balance or contingency during the fiscal year.

The Community Center's $115,557 operating budget was 92.5 percent spent, leaving it $9,975 under budget. Telephone, cable, internet and electricity costs were among the expenses that came in below budget.

Library Stairs Project Faces $27,758 Shortfall

Moncata also updated the board on several capital projects. The Library Stairs project has a $27,758 funding shortfall, according to the minutes.

Updated sidewalk plans were under review by the state Department of Transportation, while work on Shady Lane was scheduled to begin Sept. 21. Work on Bear Rock Road reached substantial completion Feb. 8.

The town is also applying for a 2027 State Local Bridge Program grant for the Guire Road culvert. Federal American Rescue Plan Act money is being used to continue engineering for a sidewalk from Allyn Brook to the Community Center, with the project expected to be ready for grant applications in 2027.

Projects completed during fiscal 2025-26 included new heating fuel tanks and painting and carpeting in the children's room at the library, the purchase of rear parking lot light poles for the Volunteer Fire House and sidewalks from Main Street to Strong School.

Police E-Bike Request Tabled

The board tabled a request from the resident state troopers for an electric bicycle.

Moncata said the proposed e-bike would be used to patrol town parks and trails and at special events, including the Durham Fair, parades and road races. She said a bicycle would allow troopers to reach locations inaccessible to police cruisers.

Resident State Trooper Stefan Inglis was unable to attend the discussion because of an emergency, and the board tabled the request.

The board also tabled a $75 invoice for three hours of secretarial services after members questioned the amount of time billed for the Aug. 11 meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes. Eileen Buckheit said she would seek an explanation of the charge.

Moncata reported separately that the town had received notice of a 7.21 percent increase in the fiscal 2026-27 fringe benefit and workers' compensation rate for the resident state trooper program.

Chairman Phil Muzio, Castro, Jim Martinelli, Buckheit and Nancy Cuomo attended the meeting. Molly Nolan was absent. The meeting was held at Durham Town Hall and remotely through Zoom and adjourned at 8:09 p.m.