Board of Finance: Incurred Over-Budget Legal Fees Paid, But Selectmen Advised Against Over-Use of Attorneys

10/23/24

Chair Alan Walker presided. Also present were Vice Chair Ned Bixler, Bob Valentine, Paul Collins, Scott Tillmann, James Korner, Russell Murdock (alternate), Pat Reilly (alternate), and Todd Carusillo (1^st Selectman).

The Board reviewed and received financial reports submitted by Debbie Franklin (Accounting Consultant) andTax Collector Rebecca Juchert-Derungs’ for September 2024.

The Emergency Operations Center requested the board to authorize the purchase of a replacement repeater used for radio communications for emergency services, a software package called Crisis Track, two iPads, updates to a satellite phone, and more emergency equipment. Gary Stango already received a $25,000 grant from the state to use in purchasing these items. “What was nice is, the feds came up with a competitive full funding grant that was competitive amongst all the cities and towns in the state of Connecticut and the maximum amount that you could receive was $25,000…,” Stango explained. “It was awarded to us for the things that we will put into this room and help bring Goshen up to where we should be to handle the emergencies that we may face in the future.” Crisis Track is a damage assessment software designed for local and state governments specifically to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster declaration process. The software’s services include the ability to conduct simple damage assessments, manage multiple damage assessment teams, track labor and equipment costs, and provide situation reporting on incidents of all kinds. According to Stango, crisis track can help assign times of fire engines, ambulances, bulldozers, payloaders, and more as well as keep track of hourly rates for employees. Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Brenda Bergeron confirmed that the turnaround time for reimbursement for the grant will be 90 days if the equipment is purchased.

The Board of Finance would have to purchase the equipment and then be reimbursed. Bob Valentine expressed concern with the reimbursement due to the State Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security having been historically tardy with reimbursements. Valentine then motioned to appropriate $15,000 from Goshen’s Unassigned General Fund Balance to Capital Non-Recurring to upgrade the EOC services. This was unanimously approved. The General Fund will be reimbursed once funds are received.

For First Selectman Todd Carusillo’s report, Valentine asked about the cost of data of the recently installed ballot camera near Town Hall’s entryway. “We have four years of data at the price out of that $2,400 bucks,” said Carusillo. “So the cameras were really cheap, it’s just the storage.” Carusillo further explained that the data from the camera is being saved on a local computer instead of being saved on the cloud for 365 days but the town has up to four years worth of data storage in total. Carusillo additionally clarified that two cameras were installed, one to monitor the ballot box and one located in the hallway inside town hall overlooking the entryway for security purposes, “We put one in the hallway for security because that [homeless] guy was sleeping again.” A homeless man was found sleeping in town hall after gaining access through the library. Valentine then motioned to move $1,200 from Goshen’s Unassigned Fund Balance and Capital Non-Recurring to Town Clerk Capital to pay for the camera. This was unanimously approved.

Public Works Supervisor Garret Harlow requested to move funds from four public works accounts that aren't being used. The funds include $216.34 for communications, $312.92 for bulldozer, $315 for radio repairs, and $450 for sand blast and paint truck beds. After a brief discussion, Valentine motioned to move these finances to Goshen’s Unassigned Capital and Non-Recurring Fund. This was unanimously approved.

In regard to the Board of Selectmen requesting the Board of Finance to add $25,000 to the legal fee budget, Valentine noted that there could have been ways for the Selectmen to mitigate attorney fees and suggested that the Selectmen don’t go to an attorney every time a complaint is made against the town. The Board of Finance authorized the Selectmen to pay outstanding legal fee bills even if the sum total goes beyond the legal fee budget, but the Board did not authorize the Selectmen to pay for anticipated legal fee bills.

The Board of Finance will meet on the third Wednesday for November 20th and December 18th due to upcoming holidays and resume meeting on the fourth Wednesday for the following months. There will be an additional Board of Finance meeting on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025.