By Sarah Opdahl

On Wednesday, August 28, several of New Fairfield’s Board of Finance (BOF) members spoke in support of funding the Rebel Stadium track and turf replacement. Their efforts included interest in cross-board work to move this issue and others forward. Before public comment, they welcomed word from First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey that a joint meeting to discuss and vote on surplus funding, as well as the re-appropriation of remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, was being  held on Wednesday, September 4.

In the announcement, Lindsey said she is “very happy to see that the Board of Education, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen are working together for the common good of our town. I am very hopeful that by working together on this, we can set a precedent for our residents that it is not an us versus them situation.” BOF Chair Ms. Thora Perkins agreed that with all groups working with the same aim, the issue can move forward smoothly. She said that she supports funding the turf and track replacement through surplus for a variety of reasons, including that the costs for completing the work will only escalate, because the funding is shifting based on plans that are being developed by Town officials, and it is clear to her that there is Town support for the project.

Future capital projects were a topic of interest, with many showing support for continuing work through a subcommittee to identify projects and refine timelines for completion. An accurate list of projects will allow for a better sense of funding needs, with the caveat that escalation makes anticipating accurate costs difficult. The group hopes to work on both five- and ten-year plans.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding the Medical Reserve Fund and how best to interpret the balance in relation to the anticipated usage, based on trends and projections. BOF members are eager to receive the encumbered but not reported statement from Anthem, which typically arrives in mid-September and will clarify remaining unknowns in the end-of-year medical plan usage. With members understandably focused on the numbers, Ms. Cheryl Reedy acknowledged the concerns of Town and school employees, saying “I want to reassure everybody that nobody’s bills are not going to be paid. We are not in danger of running out of money to pay your medical [bills], they are not going to be late. We have plenty of money on hand to do that, and if we were to be short on our medical plan, we would borrow from the general fund and pay that back.”

BOF members voted on school project closeout funds in the amount of $194,652.30 for capital projects that were completed at Consolidated and New Fairfield Middle School many years ago. The money can only be used to pay down debt and is treated similarly to a bond premium. It was transferred into debt service, which was welcomed by all.

The next regular Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 7:30 p.m.