Town Council OKs Transfer to Pay Its Water Bill

The can now pay its water bill in full after the East Haven Town Council approved a transfer of funds to replenish the water line item in the town's .

But other town accounts may soon need a similar influx of funds to ensure salaries and overtime can be paid through to the end of the fiscal year.

The town council approved a $30,000 transfer from the town's contingency fund to its water account line item at last night's regularly scheduled meeting at the senior center.

The transfer came at the request of Town Finance Director Paul Rizza, who told council members at last night's meeting that the funds in the water account — which is used to pay the town's Regional Water Authority bill — was almost depleted.

"There is $800 left in the water account," he said.

Rizza said water line item was budgeted at $20,000 by the town for the current fiscal year, which ends June 31.

And he added that the need to make the transfer was immediate, as East Haven is past due in its account with the RWA.

"We currently have bills we cannot pay," Rizza said. "And the RWA will charge a late fee."

The town's contingency fund, prior to the transfer, stood at $390,000, Rizza said at last night's meeting. The fund began the 2011-12 fiscal year at $426,000.

Splash Pad Spikes Water Use

During his discussion with the council, Rizza noted that the town's overall water consumption had increased due to the opening of the splash pad at the East Haven Town Beach.

According to Rizza two years ago, prior to the splash pad opening, the town's total expenditure for water was $16,000. For fiscal 2010-11, however, that number jumped to $42,000, with some $14,000 directly related to the water park.

"We're looking at an additional $30,000 to get us through to June 31," he told the council.

Former Finance Director Urges 'No' Vote

During public comment at last night's meeting, former Town Finance Director Thomas Thompson, who served under the previous administration of past Mayor April Capone, urged council members to vote "No" on the request.

Thompson said this was due to what he felt was a lack of proper documentation provided to the board about the specific line item transfer, as well as the current overall status of the town's financial accounts.

"There should be a full analysis done on this type of thing," Thompson said.

But after the meeting, Rizza told East Haven Patch that he had provided town council members documentation regarding the town's water account and use, as well as its bills from the RWA.

In addition, the finance director said he has provided the same information to the Board of Finance at their Dec. 14 special meeting last month.

At that meeting, the finance board unanimously voted to recommend referral of the transfer to the town council for approval, according to that meeting's minutes (which are posted in the gallery that accompanies this article).

Future Transfers to Other Town Accounts May Be Needed

In addition to the water account, at the Dec. 14 finance board meeting, Rizza reported to the financiers that at least three to four other departments would need a transfer of funds to pay salaries and overtime through to the end of the current fiscal year.

The finance director told town council members last night that town officials are currently going through each town department to find out the exact status of each account, as well as areas where savings can be made and surpuluses may be found.

When asked when those reports would be available to council members and the public, Rizza said they should be ready in a few days.

Late last month, Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. instituted an for all town departments. The mandate requires any department expenditure above $25 to be approved by the Mayor’s Office.