Eastern Highlands Health District

Board of Directors Meeting

Coventry Town Hall – Annex

 

Thursday, January 17, 2008

 

 

 

Scheduled Business:

 

1.Public Hearing – Proposed FY 08/09 Operating Budget and Fee Schedule:   J. Elsesser, Vice Chair declared to open the public hearing at 4:40 p.m.

 

The warning was read into record as follows:  The Eastern Highlands Health District will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. in the Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1712 Main Street, Coventry, CT, to hear citizen’s comments on the Proposed FY 2008-2009 District Budget and associated proposed service fee schedule.  At this hearing interested persons may appear and be heard and written communications received.  Copies of the proposed District Budget and proposed fee schedule are available in the Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Scotland, Tolland and Willington Town Clerk offices. Written comments will be received up to the close of the hearing and can be directed to Health District Board of Directors at 4 S. Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT  06268.  Dated at Mansfield, CT this 2nd day of January 2008.  Robert L. Miller, Director of Health. 

 

The above warning was posted in the Journal Inquirer and Willimantic Chronicle on January 2, 2008.  The main office, located at 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, has not received any comments on the proposed budget prior to the public hearing. 

 

No public comments; no public present.

 

J. Elsesser, Vice Chair declared to close the public hearing on the budget and fee schedule at 4:44 p.m.

 

Vice Chairperson J. Elsesser called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m.

 

Present:  D. Cameron, J. Elsesser, J. Stille, D. Walsh, M. Kurland,  S. Werbner, D. Cianci (Alternate Seated)

 

Staff Present:  R. Miller, J. Smith, M. Remy

 

Absent:  C. Anderson (Alternate), S. Chace (Alternate), L. Eldridge (Alternate), C. Johnson,  A. Teveris, T. Tully,  E. Paterson, M. Hart, R. Fletcher (Alternate), R. Skinner, Andover Rep. (Vacant), P. Schur

 

New board members Deborah Walsh of Coventry and Don Cianci (Alternate) of Columbia were introduced and welcomed.

 

Approval of December 13, 2008 Minutes:  A MOTION was made by J. Stille, seconded by M. Kurland, to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2008 meeting as presented.  D. Walsh and D. Cianci abstained.  The MOTION was PASSED unanimously.

 

Public Comments:  None

Director’s Report:

By Consensus, Update on Personnel Committee Activities was  moved up on Agenda since it would potentially affect the FY08/09 Operating Budget.    R. Miller has spoken with Steve May, Mansfield Benefit Consultant, regarding the issue of employee cost share and will schedule a meeting with the Personnel Committee in January to discuss survey data complied and to formulate recommendation to the full Board.

 

Old Business: 

 

2.  Proposed FY 08/09 Operating Budget and Fee Schedule:

 

D. Cameron asked if the projected FY08 service fee revenue decrease would be accurate.  A discussion ensued regarding projection of revenues.  R. Miller reported a projected decrease of 14% in the service fee revenues for current fiscal year was based on first quarter results.  Projections can easily change once second quarter results are available.  Additional revenues from State Per Capita Grant and deferment of hiring of a part time health inspector should significantly offset projected service fee revenue deficits for this fiscal year.  S. Werbner asked if there is a plan to maintain staff productivity during this slow period.  R. Miller reported there is a plan and staff was provided direction at the last staff meeting. 

 

A MOTION was made by S. Werbner, seconded by J. Stille, to adopt the proposed FY08/09 Operating Budget and Fee Schedule as presented that sets total budget revenues and expenditures at $791,310 and sets the member town contribution rate at $4.51 per capita.  The MOTION PASSED unanimously.

 

New Business

 

3.Fiscal Year 06/07 Auditors Report:

 

A MOTION was made by J. Stille, seconded by D. Cameron, to accept the independent auditor’s report for the year ending June 30, 2007, as presented.  The MOTION PASSED unanimously.

 

A discussion ensued regarding employment benefits and the need for a clear definition of retirement benefits.  By consensus, the issue is to  be referred to the Personnel Committee. 

 

A MOTION was made by D. Walsh, seconded by J. Stille, to designate Kostin, Ruffkess and Company as the Financial Auditors for FY 07/08.  The MOTION PASSED unanimously.

 

Town Reports:

 

D. Cianci reported that Columbia is working on a “Pumping Out” Ordinance around the lake.

 

Directors Report: 

 

4.  Update on Personnel Committee Activities Regarding Staff Medical Insurance Benefit:  Discussed earlier in meeting.

 

 

 

Communications:

 

R. Miller reported EHHD was awarded the Healthy Eating/Active Living Grant ($72,000).  This is in addition to the Women’s Healthy Heart Grant ($89,000)  .  J. Elsesser recommended a press release on these two items.   

 

R. Miller reported there will be a Pandemic Influenza Table Top Exercise on January 30, 2008 and a field drill on March 29, 2008. 

 

 

Adjournment:  A MOTION was made by S. Werbner, seconded by M. Kurland, to adjourn the Board of Director’s Meeting at 5:20  p.m.  The MOTION PASSED unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Robert Miller

Secretary