302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
BOARD OF FINANCE MINUTES AMENDED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 15, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM TOWN HALL |
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BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
Brad Thorpe, Vice Chairman David LaMay, Chairman
Breck Lindley (left at 8:20)
Tom Stevenson
John O’Brien
Barry O’Nell
In Attendance
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
Carol Conklin, Selectman
Lee Ann Palladino, Finance Director
Bob Fish, Treasurer
Barry Maynard, Tax Collector
Michael Spera, Chief of Police
Larry Bonin, Director Public Works
Heather McNeil, Director Y&FS
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Call to order
Mr. Thorpe called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Thorpe led the pledge.
Public Works Budget Discussion
Mr. Bonin, Director of Public Works was present for this discussion. He noted for the board that the biggest increase was education and training. Part of the education class was in how to use a chain saw safely. 10 men took this class. The total cost for this class was $5,600.00. This class was taught by Arbor Masters. He also noted that $12,900.00 was for OSHA compliance training which will be in the budget every year.
Mr. Bonin discussed briefly storage capabilities; rebate for recycling; road endings project; sidewalks across from McDonalds; sidewalks old Boston Post Road to Trask Road; chip seal on Schoolhouse Road; mill and pave Mill Rock Road E. and Tipping Fees for the Transfer Station.
At the request of the board, Mr. Bonin will get a list of priority projects to the board of finance. He noted road ending projects are “as needed.”
Mr. Stevenson noted that he saw the new machine on display. Mr. Bonin replied that he did that so that the board could see the new equipment.
The board noted a 6% increase in benefits and asked what the changes were. Mr. Bonin explained that the employee that left had no benefits and the new employee had the “family” plan.
Mr. Thorpe thanked Mr. Bonin.
Y&FS Budget Discussion
Ms. McNeil noted that her department moved back in to their offices on March 13, 2016. Mr. Fortuna addressed the 2 sets of stairs which were quoted at $800.00 and $1500. Mr. O’Brien has been concerned about the stairs previously when he went over to the Y&FS building.
Ms. McNeil discussed grants; counseling fees; program fees; donations. Town funds 51% of their work. The board wished to see a separate detailed sheet to see all of these numbers going forward and if possible, would like to see the numbers for this year.
The board requested Ms. McNeil to email projected income including from grants, to the board of finance clerk who will disseminate information to the board.
Mr. Stevenson inquired about maintenance of the inside/outside of building. Currently the building is cleaned once per week. They have asked that it have a mid-week cleaning as well.
The payroll increase of 24% is over the past 5.5 – 6 years and is due to new and replacement staff contractual increases/steps.
Ms. McNeil noted that most staff have reached or are heading into their 5th step and BOF will see limited increase if any in that line next year.
Ms. McNeil reported that the basement stairs were $800. The upper stairs were about $1500.
She also noted that in “capital purchases” a small storage shed will not be needed now that the basement was clear and clean and can be used for storage.
Several people spoke in favor of Y&FS and how they help many families and individuals and what a valuable asset they are to the town.
Ms. McNeil noted that Ms. Consoli, Social Services Director was present. Ms. Consoli spoke briefly and reported that she is currently working with 800 families who need help and services which she is attempting to provide. Many families have been displaced due to job loss. She also noted that 49% of the students in Goodwin School and 25% in the high school qualify for free lunches. Ms. McNeil noted the many, many hours that Ms. Consoli puts in over and above the hours she receives payment for.
Mr. Thorpe thanked Ms. Consoli. Mr. Thorpe thanked Ms. McNeil and reminded her to send the requested information to Ms. Lewis for dissemination to the board.
Finance Director
Per the request of the Board of Finance, Ms. Palladino updated the starting point for the FY2016 Personnel Expense Schedule:
The starting point for the FY 2016 personnel schedule reported last month of $6,606,448 was incorrect. The revised personnel schedule total amount was now reported as $6,630,296.~ ~There are four (4) departments with updated starting points that were increased as follows:
Fire Marshall: ~~~~ $ ~2,400.00
Y&FS:~~~~ ~~~~ $ ~4,900.00
Public Works: ~~~~ $~ 5,000.00
Acton Library ~. ~~ $11,321.00
So, previously in the March 9, 2016 minutes, the figure of $77,000, which represented the amount not associated with the 2.25% wage increases, was lowered to $52,488.
Mr. Thorpe thanked Ms. Palladino.
Treasurer Report
Mr. Fish passed out to the board the transfers from budget to non-budget funds list for the fiscal year 2015/2016 and Municipal Reserve Fund 2015/2016. At Ms. Lindley’s request at a previous meeting, Mr. Fish handed out a list of Capital Outlay funds for several departments and Capital non-recurring being part of this report. Mr. Fish went over these funds for the board.
Mr. Thorpe thanked Mr. Fish
Selectman Report
Mr. Fortuna spoke briefly about the Stewardship grant for the Preserve and asked that it be put on the agenda for the next meeting. He explained that there would be an RFP for these services. Mr. O’Brien inquired if this stewardship would be contractual and Mr. Fortuna replied that it would be more like an engagement for services. Mr. Stevenson inquired about the boat. Check has been sent and boat received.
Mr. Fortuna noted that the mill rate could go up possibly .4%
Public Comment
Several people from the audience commented on the following:
- Y&FS getting billed for cleaning;
- Support for Y&FS; work/programs done by volunteers; town could not do without Y&FS and all the good works that they do;
- Overwhelming support for Y&FS;
- Look at line items in budgets; do your homework;
- What is “special projects” in Historic District budget?
- Consider regionalization;
- Look at top 5 budgets carefully;
- RE prices are down 2.1%; 15 new senior housing units; keep subsidy for seniors;
- What is in “political subdivision?”
Mr. Thorpe thanked everyone for their comments/questions and for attending the meeting.
He asked that Building Department; Assessor and Fire Marshall be at the next meeting.
A motion to add “minutes” to the agenda was made by Mr. O’Brien, seconded by Mr. O’Nell and was so voted unanimously.
A motion to approve the minutes of March 1, 2016 was made by Mr. O’Nell, seconded by Mr. O’Brien.
Discussion: A typo was noticed in the calculation of the boat: should be $ 74,568.15.
With correction noted, motion passed unanimously.
A motion to approve the minutes of March 9, 2016 was made by Mr. O’Nell, seconded by Mr. O’Brien and was so VOTED unanimously.
The next special meeting of the Board of Finance will be on March 22, 2016 in the second floor conference room at 6:00 p.m.
This meeting was recorded in its entirety and on CD in the Town Clerk’s office.
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Stevenson, seconded by Mr. O’Nell at 8:37 p.m. and so VOTED unanimously.
Submitted,
Gerri Lewis
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