Bethany Finance Board Approves $200,000 Transfer For Bethmour Road Culvert Project

BETHANY, CT — The Bethany Board of Finance unanimously approved a series of year-end transfers Aug. 11, including $200,000 toward replacing the failed culvert that has closed Bethmour Road and nearly $40,000 for future town planning work.

Finance Director Leslie Bacigalupi reported that the town was projecting an unaudited fiscal 2025-26 surplus of about $563,000 before the transfers. After the transfers, the estimated surplus was approximately $274,943.

First Selectman Carol Goldberg told the board that Bethmour Road remained closed because of the failure of a large culvert. Bethany was working with Woodbridge and state and federal agencies on permitting, funding and replacement options.

Preliminary estimates put design costs at approximately $200,000 and construction at $2 million or more, according to Goldberg. The town was pursuing grants and exploring temporary bridge options.

As part of the year-end transfers, the finance board agreed to move $200,000 from Public Works, Town Hall engineering and contingency accounts into the Capital Fund and earmark it for the Bethmour Road culvert project.

The board also discussed transferring approximately $39,000 in surplus money from the Land Use Department to the Capital Fund for a future Plan of Conservation and Development and $18,000 in surplus funds from the assessor's budget to the Capital Fund for the 2028 revaluation.

Another $29,772 would go to the Board of Education's non-lapsing fund for its fiscal 2025-26 operating surplus, subject to adjustment if the audit determines the amount is incorrect. The board also discussed increasing a transfer from contingency to general legal fees from $9,000 to $11,000 to cover additional labor counsel expenses.

The board reviewed $16,296 in remaining balances from six completed capital projects and discussed returning that money to the Capital Fund for future needs. Members also discussed $45,000 previously appropriated for land-use archival work and whether the project remains necessary because of the town's digitization efforts. Bacigalupi said she would follow up with the new Land Use Department head.

Sally Huyser moved to approve the transfers as amended during the discussion, with Rachel Medbery seconding. The motion passed unanimously.

Town Ends Year Under Budget

Bacigalupi said fiscal 2025-26 revenues were approximately $309,000 below budget as reported. When a $600,000 General Fund subsidy was taken into account, however, revenues were approximately $300,000 above budget.

Town expenditures were approximately $872,000 below budget. Public Works accounted for about $181,000 in savings, while employee benefits were approximately $195,000 under budget. Bacigalupi said the benefits savings were largely attributable to vacancies and were not considered sustainable.

The Finance Department was working to close fiscal 2025-26 and prepare financial information for the town's auditors, Bacigalupi said.

Union Contract, Speed Cameras Discussed

Goldberg also reported that the town's union employee contract had been ratified. Under the agreement, employees will contribute 2% toward health insurance this year, with contributions increasing in subsequent years.

The town's contribution to health savings accounts will move from an 80/20 split to 70/30, then 60/40 and eventually 50/50, according to the minutes. Board Chair Catherine Erickson congratulated Goldberg on the negotiations and said the increased employee contributions would reduce town costs.

Goldberg also said Bethany was conducting a traffic study to determine whether speed cameras could be a viable safety measure on Routes 63 and 69. If the town decides to pursue cameras, an ordinance and Town Meeting approval would be required. The study was expected to be completed within several weeks and made available to the public.

The meeting began at 7:07 p.m. and was held in a hybrid in-person and Zoom format. The board adjourned at 8:14 p.m.