Auditor to Falls Village: Town finances 'very healthy'

FALLS VILLAGE — The Board of Finance (BOF) approved a pair of minor spending matters and heard a lengthy preview of the 2007-08 town audit during an unusually long regular meeting Monday, Dec. 8. The meeting lasted from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. On average, BOF meetings last about an hour.

Auditor Mike Zemaitis went through the draft audit and fielded questions, most of which concerned reporting procedures.

Zemaitis’ bottom line was that he considers the town’s finances to be “very healthy.� He noted with cautious approval the town’s recent decision to enter into pledge agreements with Torrington Savings Bank and the National Iron Bank, and stated “generally we are pleased with the direction town finances are going.�

The board also approved a motion to ask Town Treasurer Linda Paviol to invite a representative of one of the town’s banks to appear before the board to explain, once again, the pledge agreements which essentially protect the town in case of a bank failure.

The board approved a request from First Selectman Pat Mechare to appropriate up to $1,000 to set up an Internet connection and purchase a new printer for the town’s social services director. That office will use a computer already in the Town Hall.

And the board gave a thumbs-up to take to town meeting a request for $3,865.20 for an extended warranty on one of the town’s vehicles.

Charles Lemmen, who is retiring from his position as chairman of the finance board, tried to interest his fellow board members in the job. Interest was lukewarm, and the matter was tabled until the January meeting.

Gale Toensing, the town’s representative on the Region One Board of Education, gave a report on that entity’s recent activities. She expressed concernabout the hiring of Diane Goncalves as assistant superintendent of the regional school district.

She reiterated her concern that there is a perceived conflict of interest concerning the chairman of the Region One board, Judge Manning, participating in the annual job performance review for Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain. Chamberlain in turn reviews Manning’s wife, Karen, who is the principal of the Sharon Center School.

Lemmen said, “I don’t really see a problem here,� but board member Louis Timolat commented that, “He probably should excuse himself, it would be better form.�

Toensing asked if the finance board wants her to attend its meetings, at least during budget season. Timolat’s gallant response was a motion: “I move we express pleasure any time our Region One representative wishes to appear.� The motion passed unanimously.