Orange Board Of Finance Hears Visiting Nurses Update, Reviews Amity Projects And Budget Status

ORANGE, CT — The Board of Finance received an update on the Orange Visiting Nurse Association's services, reviewed Amity Regional School District projects and discussed the town's financial outlook during its June 15 meeting.

Vice Chairman James Leahy led a presentation on the Orange Visiting Nurse Association, joined by Executive Director Marisa Mauriello, Director of Nursing Kim Accentullo, Finance Director Rick Binkowski, OVNA Chairman Tom Krause and Orange Board of Health Chair Virginia Proestakes.

Leahy outlined the organization's role in providing public health, home health and school nursing services in Orange. He said the OVNA has earned recognition as one of the top 25 percent of home health care providers in Connecticut and has seen growth in both patient volume and revenue in recent years.

Mauriello and other OVNA representatives discussed the agency's services and its relationship with the town. Proestakes said the First Selectman has been supportive of the organization and noted that Orange would not have a public health department if the OVNA did not provide those services. She also shared information gathered from neighboring communities about regional public health services and said she plans to continue collecting data.

Earlier in the meeting, board member Joseph Nuzzo updated members on recent actions by the Amity Finance Committee. He reported that Chartwells' contract for cafeteria food service had been extended one year with an increase of about 3.5 percent. He also said A. Prete Construction Co. had been selected as the preconstruction contractor for renovations to the Amity High School Library Media Center, with an estimated project cost of approximately $2.48 million.

Finance Director John Cifarelli reviewed the town's financial position, reporting that several budget line items are projected to exceed appropriations because of higher costs for utilities, postage, legal services and other operating expenses. He also said delinquent property taxes are expected to be recovered with statutory interest and noted that payments associated with the University of New Haven property will be made to the town once the property is sold. Board members requested additional information on properties with significant delinquent tax balances.

No public comments were offered during the meeting.

Chairman Kevin Houlihan adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.