Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 7:00 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: Judy Read, Janet Sturges
Absent: Regular Members:
Alternate Members: Adam Burrows
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio
Guests: Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
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Mr. Diebolt called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and stated that all regular members are in attendance this evening.
Suspense List
Mr. Diebolt distributed the suspense list for members to review.
General Government
41-010 Selectman’s Office
Mr. Russell stated that there are excluding salaries, there are no significant changes within the Selectman’s Office.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $37,776, excluding salaries.
41-025 Newsletter
Mr. Russell outlined the newsletter stating there is an increase in postage by $200. There is a revenue amount of $13,000 associated with the newsletter.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $19,000.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
41-020 Town Clerk
Mr. Russell highlighted the various line items in the Town Clerk’s budget. The restoration line reflects transferring minutes to microfilm and transfer to archival paper. There is some grant money available for this procedure.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $27,075, excluding salaries.
41-030 Tax Collector
Mr. Russell outlined the Tax Collector’s budget noting the increases in the Quality Data Contract amount. The Motor Vehicle delinquent charge of $1,300 is prorated based on population projections and is provided by the State in order to assist in municipal budget preparations. There will be no State reimbursement, as was promised.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell seconded by Mr. Garvin passed unanimously to approve $13,485 for the Tax Collector’s office, excluding salaries. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting.
41-040 Treasurer
Mr. Russell highlighted the Treasurer’s budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $31,430, excluding salaries.
41-060 Registrar
The Registrar’s office budget was reviewed, minus salaries. There’s a slight increase in the postage line.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $9,820.
41-070 Primaries & Referendums
The increase in the Primaries and Referendum line item is $500.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $5,000.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
41-075 Probate Court
There is a decrease in the telephone and microfilm line items and an increase in postage and office supplies.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $3,350.
41-080 Assessor
Mr. Russell highlighted the Assessor’s office. There was an increase postage, telephone, mapping, Quality Data contract, Vision Appraisal and education and training.…Increases in salaries are in line with Mr. Swords report, mileage, office supplies and Quality Data Contract.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $17,935, excluding salaries.
41-090 Building
There are increase in the telephone and education and training lines.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $7,395, excluding salaries.
41-140 Town Hall Expenses
Mr. Russell highlighted the Town Hall expenses stating increases in electric, heat, business machines, cleaning, computer consulting, Info Technology and Code Book License/Maintenance. There was a discussion on the Town Hall water supply and the necessity of a water cooler. It was decided to have the water tested before taking the cooler away.
It was decided to pass on this budget for this evening waiting for clarification on the area of Information Technology expenses, including the SBC aerial charge.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
41-150 Insurance
Mr. Russell detailed the Insurance line and said that there is a five-year spreadsheet outlining the steady increases throughout the years. The Insurance line includes medical insurance, life insurance, property/liability insurance, workman’s compensation, fire department insurance and bonds for the Tax Collector and Town Clerk.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $664,750 for the Insurance line.
41-180 Special Deductions
Mr. Russell highlighted the Special Deductions, which includes social security, unemployment insurance, pensions is 8% of the full-time compensation, vacation/sick leave buyback.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $301,310 for Special Deductions. After discussion, Mr. Russell made a motion to rescind his previous motion, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to rescind the motion as the amount is based on salaries, which have not been approved yet. Motion carried
Local Revenues
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Local Revenues explaining what each revenue amount relates to.
Intergovernmental Revenues
Mr. Griswold detailed the Intergovernmental Revenue stating revenue is received from Town Aid Road, LOCIP, Emergency Management, ECS, PILOT – State Property, Mashantucket Pequot Grant, PILOT – Colleges, Telephone Access Grant line, Tax Relief Elderly, Boat Registration Reimbursement, Veterans Tax Exempt, State Police DWI/Special, Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment and the Miscellaneous State Grants.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
50 Capital Project Fund
50-536 Revaluation
Mr. Griswold stated that the physical revaluation occurs every five year and funds need to be set aside annually.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr.Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $30,000 for Revaluation.
50-536 Landfill Closure
The total budget to close the landfill is estimated at $1,300,000 and the Town has been putting aside funds toward this expense.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $200,000 for Landfill Closure.
50-536 Open Space
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $75,000 for Open Space.
55 Debt Service
Mr. Griswold stated that the debt service relates to Library Expansion, which has a present balance of $400,000 (including 2006 installment).
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $16,800 for Debt Service.
56 Debt Service Redemption
Mr. Griswold stated that this includes Road Improvement and Library Expansion
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $100,000 for Debt Service Redemption.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
Items previously discussed and not voted on:
01-48 Police Services
48-510 Rogers Lake Patrol
Mr. Griswold stated that expenses are shared 50/50% with Lyme. This $12,000 budget includes miscellaneous (boat, gas maintenance), administrative fees, flyers, education, speakers, staffing for patrolling and policing.
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $6,000 (50% Old Lyme share) for Rogers Lake Patrol.
48-520 Resident State Police
Trooper Todd presented the Resident State Police budget on March 7th. Mr. Woolley explained that Trooper Todd has completed the expanded DWI Enforcement Grant for the town.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to approve $223,744 for Resident State Police.
48-530 Municipal Police
Mr. Woolley met with Trooper Todd to review the Resident State Police and Municipal Police budgets. Trooper Todd detailed the Municipal police’s operating budget. He stated that a 3.75% increase is anticipated in salaries for the municipal police officers, which is per contract. The Trooper Overtime line includes outside assignments such as the Pavilion functions and extra coverage at Sound View during the summer months.
Based on the information presented on March 7th, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $56,000 for the Municipal Police operating budget, excluding salaries. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
54 Chartered Associations
Mr. Woolley stated that the beach associations use town funding for capital improvements, such as maintaining their roads, to fund the fire hydrant expense and for policing and patrolling their roads. There is a substantial increase in road maintenance expense and asphalt prices have doubled. Town Assessor, Mr. Kent reported that the seven associations represent 30% of the 2003 Grand List and he recalls that the Federation of Beaches compiled figures showing over 30% for the 1998 Grand List. Mr. Woolley stated that Mr. Kent inquired if the Board of Finance and Selectmen would consider Rogers Lake West Shores Association funding separately from the Federation of Beach Associations. After discussion, it was decided that Mrs. Sturges would vote in place of Mr. Garvin and Ms. Read to vote in place of Mr.
Woolley on the Chartered Associations.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $89,550 for Chartered Associations detailed as follows:
$20,600 Point O’Woods.
$16,500 White Sands Beach.
$17,250 Miami Beach Association.
$13,500 Old Lyme Shores.
$13,500 Old Colony Beach Association.
$ 5,100 Rogers Lake West Shores Association.
$ 3,100 Hawks Nest Beach Association.
47 Fire Services
47- 470 Old Lyme Fire Department
There was discussion on detailing the various line items under the Fire Department budget. There was further discussion on the merits of refurbishing older trucks rather than buying new ones. The members agreed that since the budget has been increasing substantially annually, it was suggested that a professional service come in to investigate the Fire Department budget.
Board of Finance Meeting March 21, 2006
Mr. Diebolt stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. The salary spreadsheet and Capital budgets will be discussed, as well as a general wrap up of unfinished business.
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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