New Britain Borough Financial Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

June 28, 2016, 7:30pm

1. Call to order

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM.

2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll call

1. All members of the committee were present (Frank Lombardo, Art Conover, Joseph Borek, John Wolff, Jr., Danielle Young).  Jeff Gilmore (Council Liaison) and Sam Bryant (Borough Manager/Treasurer and Committee Secretary) were also present.

4. Approval of Minutes

1. Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the May minutes.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Borek and approved by all members present.

5. Unfinished Business

1. 2017 Budget

1. Mr. Bryant thanked Mr. Conover for his assistance and presented a proposed update to the Borough Chart of Accounts.  Mr. Conover noted the new structure would provide better executive level detail and improve comprehension of Borough line items.
2. Mr. Bryant asked for a recommendation on how to implement the new system.  Mr. Conover suggested a conversion scale be created.  Mr. Gilmore suggested the change be made effective at the beginning of a month.  Mr. Bryant said he would look into the conversion scale and check with the Borough Auditor regarding implementation timing.

2. Committee Outreach Plan / Strategic Plan

1. Mr. Gilmore met with the Parks/Rec Committee Chairman Derek MacMillan, and received a budget request for Orchard Park Maintenance.  Mr. Lombardo noted the only remaining meeting was to address summer camp needs.
2. Mr. Bryant presented the five year plan created so far and the accompanying notes.
3. The committee had an extended discussion about the intended use of Liquid Fuels funds.  It was agreed that Mr. Bryant would use the savings from road construction this year to reduce expenditures from the general fund that are eligible for Liquid Fuels spending.  In future years, this practice should be avoided to improve Borough infrastructure.  Mr. Wolff offered to provide materials from Hatfield Township on road maintenance.
4. The committee agreed to spend a significant portion of their next meeting to do a thorough review of the Strategic Plan.

3. Grant Opportunities / Corporate Donations

1. Mr. Bryant noted the Borough would not be pursuing the Sewage Facilities Program due to state funding issues.  The Borough is continuing to investigate the Multi-Modal and RACP Grants.
2. Mr. Gilmore updated the committee on the status of a capital fundraising campaign created by the Civic Association that the Borough would partner on with.  The next step is to find a chair for this endeavor and inform the Civic Board and Borough Council.

6. New Business

1. Nature Preserve Property Acquisition

1. After discussion on a future project, Mr. Lombardo will contact multiple appraisers and a realtor to gather the information the committee needs for a recommendation.

2. Knoell Development Impact on Borough Budget

1. Mr. Bryant noted that the Knoell Development will soon go before the Planning Commission and Borough Council for review.  Prior to that, numbers should be estimated for the costs and benefits of the project to the Borough budget.
2. Mr. Gilmore noted that the former Treasurer, Ms. Marie Coia, had started on such a project.  Mr. Lombardo provided Mr. Bryant with some of her notes.
3. It was decided that the benefit of building permits, impact fees, EIT, LST, and property taxes would need to be weighed against police costs, road maintenance, street lighting, and signal maintenance.  It was suggested that since Gilmore and Associates are the assigned engineer on this project they could review and help generate these figures.  Mr. Bryant said he would calculate these figures based on the information from Ms. Coia and would seek assistance from Borough staff and the Committee as needed.

7. Adjournment

1. Having no further business, Mr. Wolff motioned for the committee to adjourn.  Mr. Conover seconded the motion and approved by all members present.  The meeting adjourned at 9:11PM.