302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
BOARD OF FINANCE MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 22, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM TOWN HALL |
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BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay, Chairman
Brad Thorpe, Vice Chairman
Breck Lindley
Tom Stevenson
John O’Brien
Barry O’Nell
In Attendance
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
Carol Conklin, Selectman
Lee Ann Palladino, Finance Director
Michael Spera, Chief of Police
Ray Allen, Director Parks & Recreation
Don Lucas, Building Inspector
Donn Dobson, Fire Marshal
Michele Van Epps, Director Acton Library
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Call to order
Mr. LaMay called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. LaMay led the pledge.
Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of March 15, 2016 was made by Mr. O’Nell, seconded by Mr. O’Brien.
Discussion: Mr. Stevenson asked if the boat was delivered by this meeting as it said in the minutes. The answer was no. Clerk will correct.
Mr. O’Nell, Mr. Thorpe and Mr. O’Brien questioned the explanation in the minutes by Ms. Consoli about school lunches as follows: “She also noted that 49% of the students in Goodwin School and 25% in the high school qualify for free lunches.” It was decided to recind the motion.
A motion by Mr. O’Nell to table the minutes was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and it was so VOTED unanimously.
Selectman Fortuna noted that if in fact she said this, even though the explanation was not sufficient, then the minutes should be approved.
Middlesex Hospital Presentation
Jim Santacroce, Manager Department of Emergency Medical Services at the Middlesex Hospital Paramedic Department presented a proposed cost sharing model to the board. He explained how it would help sustain the vital emergency services for the residents of Old Saybrook. Mr. Santacroce explained the make-up of the Paramedic Department and all that they do. He explained the benefit of the Middlesex Hospital Paramedics and what they provided to the community such as education, informational presentations and hands on training to our local EMS, Police, Dispatch, and Fire Services. The per capita cost would be based on first year, $1.00 per person; year 2 based on $2.00 per person; year 3 based on $3.00 per person; year 4 based on $4.00 per person; and year 5 based on $5.00 per person. A copy of this
model and can be seen in the Selectman’s Office. There were several letters read into the record, which are attached to these minutes.
Parks & Recreation Department Budget Discussion
Mr. Allen handed out talking points to the Board. He noted that The Recreation Center is open to the public 85 hours per week for programs, teen center, walking, open gym, pick-up basketball, and volleyball with over 1200 visits in a month. He noted that mini-golf grosses over $184K a season creating $128K in revenue for the town. The 2 beaches in the summer create over $83K in revenue for the town. Over 60 seasonal jobs are created as well. Mr. Allen presented a breakdown of attendance month to month in the Teen Center. He presented the board with income totals of all sites including above for the 2015 year, $265,172.50. Beach passes bring in $37,320.
Mr. LaMay thanked Mr. Allen.
Building Department Budget Discussion
The board had questions for Mr. Lucas.
It was noted that the cost of a building permit is based on type of work. This year the income from permits is $336K to date. The average income is approximately $240K per year. Mr. Lucas is requesting a clerk to come in to do filing and clerical work for $20 per hour for about 5 hours per week.
Mr. Lucas talked about his property inspections. Hearing no more questions from the board, Mr. LaMay thanked Mr. Lucas.
Tax Assessor Budget Discussion
Selectman Fortuna didn’t feel that it was necessary for Mr. Wood to come to the meeting.
Fire Marshall Budget Discussion
Mr. Dobson explained that part of his job was to go on safety inspections of work sites. Of all of the buildings he oversees, he keeps those buildings up to code. Buildings are checked quarterly and he noted that he handles all of the upgrades. Mr. Dobson noted that he does inspections but does not charge a fee. In keeping with DEEP regulations he inspects Fire Pits as well and does not charge a fee for these permits. Mr. Dobson was asked about grants. He reported that he does apply for grants and receives about $3K to $5K per year.
Hearing no further questions, Mr. LaMay thanked Mr. Dobson.
Acton Library Budget Discussion
Ms. Van Epps handed out a budget request narrative and discussed the following as she explained how she put the budget together:
- Personnel (non-union rates; and high school page positions at minimum wage);
- Vacation/Sick/Extra Coverage;
- CL&P; increased by 10% per town hall;
- CT Water; As of December 31st, used 51%;
- Postage; same as last year;
- Phone; same as last year;
- Office Supplies; Same as last year;
- Technical Services; increase by 2%;
- Building/Equipment; includes all building maintenance; HVAC 14 years old;
- $3,200 for minimum level of building security;
- Dues & Conferences; 1 day conference effective way to keep current with the library field. Would like to be able to take advantage of opportunities for new technologies working with e-books, new data bases, new circulation system, etc.
- Materials; decreased due to membership in the LION
- Contractual: carpet cleaning; elevator; office copier; LION membership; monitoring fee for proposed alarm system $300.
Ms. Van Epps handout and explained the library staffing patterns. She explained that they are open more hours than other towns but also get more use. She noted that the Lion Project offers much to the public including maintaining computers.
Mr. LaMay thanked Ms. Van Epps.
Public Comment
A few people from the audience commented that if needed services should be cut. Services from the Library should not be cut.
The next special meeting of the Board of Finance will be on March 29, 2016 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. Thorpe, seconded by Ms. Lindley at 8:38 p.m.
Submitted,
Gerri Lewis
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