REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Tuesday, February 10, 2015 3:30 P.m. First Floor Conference Room MINUTES
|
Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steve Gernhardt,
Tax Collector Barry Maynard, Finance Director. Lisa Carver, and members of the public and press.
I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Recited
III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Dick Goduti suggested that cameras be put in all the conference rooms and all the Town public
meetings should be recorded. Board of Finance member Tom Stevenson agreed.
John Duhig questioned when the public gets to review the budget. First Selectman Fortuna stated
that the public becomes involved when the budget is received by the Board of Finance from the BOS.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN
First Selectman Fortuna reported that there are still issues in dealing with the large amounts of snow.
Currently dealing with complaints about impassible sidewalks and reminding property owners of
their responsibility to clear the sidewalks.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 13, 2015
FORTUNA/ GIEGERICH
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 13, 2015.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Discussion and action on a Resolution to apply for Connecticut State grant funding to upgrade
financial accounting system.
Finance Director Carver stated that the BOS has already approved applying for this grant at a
previous meeting, but OPM needs a formal resolution to consider the Town’s application. This is for
$15,000 for use to upgrade accounting software, including usage of the State’s Uniform Chart of
Accounts (UCOA). Since there were not as many towns that applied as anticipated, Old Saybrook
may be in line to receive more than $15,000.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to adopt the resolution for the State UCOA grant program to upgrade the Town’s financial
accounting system.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Discussion and possible action on a policy concerning retiree life insurance coverage.
First Selectman Fortuna gave an overview of the issue regarding retiree life insurance coverage. The
coverage that is offered to current employees is governed by union contracts and employment
agreements. There is no policy or guidance as to what the coverage should be for retirees, and so
policy coverage for retirees has varied greatly. Rates nearly tripled in the August 1, 2014 renewal,
in a large part because of the retiree coverage being inconsistent. In addition, Finance Director
Carver said that she was advised by Brown and Brown the Town’s insurance broker, that most
retiree life insurance coverage has an age reduction feature (e.g. coverage is reduced at pre-
determined ages) so that a life insurance payout is not guaranteed.
This matter will be further reviewed and a policy brought before the BOS at a future meeting.
FORTUNA/ GERNHARDT
Motion to table retiree life insurance coverage policy.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Discussion and action on quit claim deed for property located on Fox Hill Road.
Tax Collector Barry Maynard gave a summary of the situation with this property. It is a small (20 ft.
by 414 ft.) piece of land that has little value. Owner will pay all outstanding taxes, interest and
penalties before quit claiming the property over to the Town. Town owns several pieces of land
similarly situated.
FORTUNA/ GIEGERICH
Motion to accept the quit claim deed for the property on Fox Hill Road after the payment of all
outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Fiscal year 2015-2016 Budget.
First Selectman Fortuna gave an overview of the FY 2015-2016 budget. BOS held three workshops
and reductions were made from the budget as submitted by Department Heads to bring the increase
for general government (not including debt service) to 2.2%. Debt service is going up $346,000 this
year primarily due to the new bonding for the Preserve purchase. In addition to the Preserve,
approximately $50,000 of the increase is for last year’s bond authorization and $60,000 is for the
financing for the WWMD project. This should be the last year we see an increase in debt service for
quite a few years.
Employee wages are being increased 2.25% and the current projected increase for health insurance is
10%. The only new full time position is the transition of a part time to a full time clerical position in
the Police Department. The budget also adds a much needed part time Facilities Manager position.
The contribution to Capital Non-Recurring has been continued in this budget. The increase to the
Police budget after reductions is 4.9%.
No estimates yet on mill rate as revenues are still being reviewed. Debt service for the Preserve will
be offset by approximately $150,000 in revenue from the sale of the house on Bokum Road.
Selectman Gernhardt stated that he had done some research on the past three budget years after
someone had made the comment that the expenditures had increased 20% since this BOS took
office. His research showed the increase was actually 5.1%. In addition, if take into account the
increase in revenue over the same time period (18%) and normalize expenditures to that increase,
you see that Town spending has actually decreased.
GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH
Motion to forward the FY 2015-2016 General Government budget as prepared by the First
Selectman to the Board of Finance.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Appointments:
Pension and Employee Benefits. Vacancy appointment for a five year term due to expire 1/2020.
First Selectman Fortuna said that he has met with Lynn Dallas who the DTC has recommended to
fill this vacancy, and he feels she is a very qualified individual who will be an asset to the Board.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve the vacancy appointment of Lynn Dallas to the Pension and Employee Benefits
Board to fill the unexpired portion of a five year term due to expire 1/2020.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN
First Selectman Fortuna mentioned that he is testifying before the state legislature tomorrow on a
bill proposed by Rep. Devin Carney and Sen. Art Linares regarding the environmental issues on the
causeway.
VIII. GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 4:05 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver
Finance Director
| 
