Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 6:45 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: Regular Members: Mark Diebolt, Wayne Devoe, H.P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Andrew Russell, David Woolley
Alternate Members: Adam Burrows, Judy Read, Janet Sturges
Absent: Regular Members:
Alternate Members:
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio
Guests: Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
William W. Swords, President, Personnel Management Associates of CT, Inc.
Ann Brown, Inland Wetlands and Zoning Enforcement Officer
Ronald Rose, Sanitarian and Building Official
Diana Atwood-Johnson, Chairman, Open Space Committee
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Mr. Diebolt called the meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. and stated that Mr. Swords was invited this evening to discuss the towns classification and compensation plan review for non-union employees and elected officials.
Mr. Diebolt said that the compensation committee, which is comprised of Mr. Devoe, Mr. Woolley and himself met on Saturday, February 25th to review the salary and wage spreadsheet. Mr. Swords explained the External salary survey, which was prepared for the town. He stated that the salary survey was conducted in January and February 2006 and included fifteen surveyed positions in nine comparable towns with populations ranking from 5,000 – 10,000. Mr. Swords explained that the non-exempt step plan was installed in 1999 and continues to work well to bring the town hourly wage rates up to a competitive level. He stated that the town should grant the same general wage increase to non-union employees, 3.75%, as negotiated with the towns unions (Public Works and Police). The recent
external survey indicated that 5 of 9 surveyed town’s granted 3% general wage increases. The recommended general wage increase of 3.75% should be granted to all non-union employees effective July 1, 2006, in order to maintain proper internal alignment with the town’s union negotiated wage increases and to remain competitive with other towns in the general labor market area. The exempt salary spreadsheet details the individual employee salary increases, new salary ranges by position level and estimated total annual cost of the recommended exempt salary increases for 2006-7.
Another key recommendation was to have the assistants in the Tax and Town Clerk’s office become certified. Many other towns have their Tax, Town Clerks and assistants take courses to become certified in their positions.
Mr. Griswold explained that because the treasurer has been working decreased hours due to a series of recent illnesses, the administrative assistant for the first selectman has been filling in. Also, the Town plans on implementing a new accounting system during the next fiscal year.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
Mr. Devoe inquired if the step program will continue in the future and Mr. Swords stated that most all hourly non-union staff will be at the maximum step (Step 7) next year and that they would then only receive general wage increases. Future monitoring would be needed to ensure the Town’s compensation remains competitive.
Boards and Commissions
42-220 Harbor Management Commission
Mr. Kerr spoke with Mr. Delinks who explained that the Marine Patrol boat line should be $1,500. There is an increase in the dinghy dock storage line item to $850. The Commission expenses are paid by fees to the Commission and will leave $10 in that line.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $2,360.
42-230 Water Management Authority
Mr. Rose reviewed the budget for the W.P.C.A. (Water Pollution Control Authority) and explained the consultant line, which includes researching local pumpouts and test wells. Mr. Rose said that the free pumpouts are offered to selected beach residents if they would allow the town to send a camera into their system in an effort to investigate problem areas in the beach communities. Mr. Griswold stated it was decided that only $10 will be put into the septic system inspector line until an individual is identified to perform the inspections. The Groundwater Investigation and Education lines have been moved to the Health Department. Consultant line remains the same.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr.Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $20,250, excluding salaries.
42-240 Economic Development Commission
Mr. Kerr stated that EDC expenses include supplies, postage, and brochure line items for $10 each line.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $30 for the EDC budget.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
42-250 Board of Finance
Mr. Diebolt stated that line items of clerk, office supplies, postage, printing budget, town report editor and printing of the town report remained basically the same. The Counsel line was reduced to $10.
A motion was made by Mr.Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $8,760.
42-260 Flood and Erosion
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $10.
42-270 Historic District
Mr. Griswold said that the Historic District would like to expand down McCurdy Road to the Duck River Cemetery. The wages will remain the same and an increase in advertising/legal expense. The miscellaneous line included office supplies, mailings, postage, membership and the like. Further clarification is needed on the wage amount of $3,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $1,000, excluding salaries.
42-275 Tree Commission
The Tree Commission is charged with caring for Town trees and shrubs, dealing with hazardous trees, public or private, and other tasks. Mr. Kerr stated that road tree trimming goes out to bid and private tree contractors are hired to perform the necessary work. Other projects include tree assessment, as well as area beautification and not just general tree cutting. The tree maintenance will be working on trimming and removing trees along sections of Whippoorwill Road for $8,300. The tree removal line was moved from Public Works Vendors to the Tree Commission area. The Tree Warden stipend remained the same, however, Mr. Griswold will speak with Joanne DiCamillo regarding the tree warden stipend.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $27,000, excluding salaries.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
42-300 Land Use Department
Ann Brown highlighted the Land Use Department budget. Land Use encompasses expenses relating to Conservation, Inland Wetlands, Planning, Zoning, Open Space and Zoning Board of Appeals. The Land Use departments use the Day primarily for the advertising and legal notices as the Pictorial has proved to be unreliable and inconsistent. There was a discussion on the fees relating to the engineering lines. The zoning regulation rewrites are near completion after several years of working on them and a hearing to accept should be held during the fall of 2006.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $105,150 for the Land Use departments, minus salaries. Motion carried. Mr. Devoe suggested that the town try to recoup the funds that are used for engineering from developers as the townspeople shouldn’t have to pay the developers fees.
Open Space
Mrs. Atwood-Johnson highlighted the area of Open Space and what they’re requesting under the Land Use umbrella. The town has acquired over 900 acres of open space and Open Space wants to include a new position of an open space manager for $2,500 to clear and maintain trails, manage and report back to the Open Space Committee. Open Space is also requesting $360 for a secretary to take their minutes. There was a discussion as to the open space manager being a liability to the town vs. being an outside contractor (paid via a 1099 form). There was a discussion on having the position being filled by a public works employee to perform basic trail maintenance once or twice a month.
42-310 Assessment Appeals
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $120 for the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
44-350 Parks and Recreation
Mr. Kerr detailed the Parks and Recreation Department stating that Mr. Bugbee hires 30-35 summer employees to help with the summer day camp, parking lot attendants and lifeguards. The programs that he is responsible for are the summer day camp, soccer camps, tennis camps, lacrosse, baseball and basketball clinics, flag football, fall soccer and winter basketball. Miscellaneous Programs includes yoga and aerobics. Mr. Kerr reviewed and discussed the individual line items and highlighted the budget worksheet. The rowing line was added to the Parks and Recreation’s budget in FY06. Several years ago the Parks and Recreation department took over the Sound View parking lot for the town and the revenues have been steadily increasing throughout the years.
A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve for $69,510. for Park and Recreation Department, minus salaries.
Town Woods Park Facility
Mr. Griswold highlighted the various the facility expenses include grounds maintenance, electricity, phone/alarm, supplies, cleaning, repair and maintenance and a gatekeeper to secure the park on a day-to-day basis. The port-o-pottie is due to the fact that the building is not always open and people do use the playground and the grounds after hours. There was a discussion on the expense of grounds maintenance and what it would entail. The Town of Lyme will reimburse 21% or $16,328 of this budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $82,050 for the Town Woods Park.
44-360 Municipal Events
44-360-514-402 Fireworks
Mr. Griswold detailed the fees associated with the Fireworks line item stating the shooter (Telstar Industries) costs $15,000, State Police, $1,200, Ace Audio, $1,200 and miscellaneous expenses (buses, port-a-potties, sanitarian, lights, permits, etc.). The total budget for fireworks is $18,000. There was a discussion on the feasibility of continuing with the Fireworks event. Mr. Devoe feels that this account should be zeroed out as the town should not be in the entertainment business. Mr. Woolley feels the same way but will vote to approve it because of safety issues. He believes that if the town does not have a display, private people, especially in the beaches, will have shows that will be a public safety hazard. Mr. Burrows stated that it creates a community atmosphere where
the beach residents have something to look towards local businesses benefit from and is a town-wide event.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe to zero out fireworks and approve only $2,500 for the Memorial Day event. The motion was not seconded and, therefore, it failed. Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $20,500 for the Fireworks and Memorial Day line. Mr. Devoe opposed the vote.
44-360-514-403 Memorial Day
The budgeted amount for the Memorial Day event is $2,500, which subsidizes the parade and related expenses paid by the Old Lyme Fire Department. (See above).
44-370-514-713 Little League
Mr. Griswold stated that Little League is an all-volunteer organization chartered to develop and execute both baseball and softball programs for over 400 children ages 6-12 years. In addition to the regular season, this program supports a tournament schedule with other Little Leagues in Southeastern Connecticut.
A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $3,500 for Little League.
49-550 Health Services
49-550-500 Health Department
Ms. Read met with Mr. Ron Rose who explained the related expenses for the Health Department’s budget. She stated that the subsurface water testing and public water testing increased. Mr. Rose stated that the telephone line includes the cell phones. The office supplies, postage and dues line items remained unchanged. The amount of $10 in the engineering and counsel line keeps those lines active. Because of the increase in mosquitoes, additional spraying will be necessary. Discussion regarding the benefits of spraying Great Island at an additional cost of $2,500 in order to cut down on mosquito population on the mainland ensued. The goose control project is an ongoing process in order to curtail their activity at Rogers Lake. A request for an increase to the Health Director’s salary was requested. Mr. Griswold stated that the State of CT is discussing regionalizing health districts and combining with other towns.
A motion was then made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $80,220 for the Health Department, minus salaries.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
49-560-537-000 Regional Health Agencies
Ms. Read stated that the funds of $2,500 are allocated for Regional Health Agencies are distributed to local Agencies. Requests for assistance have been received from the following agencies:
Community Health Center
Literacy Volunteers
Regional Mental Health Board
Rushford Center
Sexual Assault Crisis Center
A motion was then made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $2,500 for Regional Health Agencies.
49-560-537-001 Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association
Mrs. Read stated that she spoke with the Executive Director, Muriel Drugan, who explained that Interim Health Care, which provides nursing services, will be contracting a Registered Nurse at $41.40/hour for 1,350 hours for the year. It should be noted that this is the same rate as last year and that the Visiting Nurses historically returns funds to the town for unused contract hours and last year $3,200+ was returned to the town.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $55,890 for the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association.
47 Fire Services
47- 470 Old Lyme Fire Department
Mr. Garvin said that he spoke with professional firemen from Hartford regarding various items on the Fire Department’s budget. He was told that OSHA told them (Hartford Fire Department) that firehouse exhaust systems were unnecessary. A discussion ensued about which items were necessary for firemen safety, which is the priority. Since the budget has been substantially increasing annually, it was suggested that a professional service come in to investigate the Fire Department budget.
Board of Finance Meeting March 14, 2006
Mr. Diebolt stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. The budgets for General Government and Salaries will be reviewed as well as Revenues, Revaluation, Interest on Debt and Redemption on Debt. Mr. Diebolt stated that next week the outstanding budgets need to be cleared up.
The salary committee needs to meet before the March 28th meeting to finalize the salary spreadsheet and Capital budget.
A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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