013fMinutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: Regular Members: Wayne Devoe, Mark Diebolt, 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
Amy Nickerson, President, Old Lyme Ambulance Association
Thomas Bump, Vice-President, Old Lyme Ambulance Association
Barbara McCarthy, Chief of Services, Old Lyme Ambulance Association
Rob McCarthy, Chief, Old Lyme Fire Department
Dave Jewett, Deputy Chief, Old Lyme Fire Department
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Mr. Diebolt called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and stated that all regular and alternate members are present this evening. He stated that in order to accommodate the guests this evening, the Ambulance Association would be first on the agenda. Mr. Diebolt introduced the three members in attendance this evening.
45-410 Old Lyme Volunteer Ambulance
There was discussion on full-time and part-time employees and related salaries. It was decided that because the full-time employee has been out on disability and the Ambulance Association has been perfoming satisfactorily with their part-time staff, it was decided to eliminate the full-time position.
Ms. Nickerson explained that current ambulance budget provides for one person working 40 hours a week, and part-time personnel working 60 hours, for a total of 100 hours per week. The current coverage is one person from 6am-8am, two people from 8am-4pm, and one person from 4pm-6pm. Therefore, 100 hours per week times 52 weeks is 5,200 hours per year. The 5,200 hours a year multiplied by $16.63 per hour equals $86,476. The Ambulance Association had requested an additional 20 hours per week, or an annual increase of $17,940 but Ms. Nickerson said the current coverage of 100 hours per week will be adequate. Therefore, the salary sheet budget of $89,719 (5,200 hours x $17.25) need not be adjusted.
Board of Finance Meeting April 4, 2006
47 Fire Services
47- 470 Old Lyme Fire Department
Mr. McCarthy outlined the needs of the fire department. Although refurbishing a fire truck would save money, it still is the same truck with the same age. While being refurbished, the truck is taken out of service. Chief McCarthy stated that the OLFD is conscientious and frugal. A hose tender is a necessity. The current hose tender could be sold for approximately $20,000 and a new one could be purchased for approximately $300,000. The current hose tender pumps 1,250 gallons of water per minute and they would like to increase size to 1,500 GPM. With the increase in the pump size, the engine size also would need to be increased. The last of three installments of $100,000 is for the replacement of Hose Tender is in the FY07 budget. This engine is the primary unit in the
department’s water supply operations. A replacement of the 1989 Ford Pierce, will be a “quint”, an attack apparatus with a 1250 GPM pump and a 1000-gallon water tank and an aerial ladder will start being funded in FY07. This apparatus serves as a second out engine for calls in any part of town. The expected service life of a commercial chassis vehicle such as the 1989 Ford Pierce is twenty years (2009). Concerning the fireboat, Old Lyme has significant water frontage on Long Island Sound and in the Connecticut River and doesn’t have the equipment necessary to accommodate such situation.
The Capital Budget for the Fire Department was reviewed. The Capital requests include the purchase self-contained breath apparatus (SCBA) air bottles (cylinders), which is based on need to replace SCBA air bottles, which have reached the end of their 15-year lifecycle. OSHA regulations state it is a violation to refill and use air bottles beyond their 15-year lifespan. Also under Capital is funding the painting of the exteriors and interiors of the three fire stations. This is an on-going activity needed in order to preserve the structures as well as to maintain attractive and well maintained buildings.
The Board asked questions regarding the replacement of a 26 year-old generator with a stand-by generating unit with necessary options at the Cross Lane Fire Station is planned during FY2007 and the exaust removal systems to capture and remove diesel exhaust from the apparatus floors at the Lyme Street and Cross Lane Stations, which is an OSHA requirement and NFPA standard.
A dedicated boat supplied with the appropriate medical emergency equipment should be in place in case of a medical emergency on the waters. Funding is sought to acquire a dedicated boat “purpose-built” and equipped for marine fire suppression and marine search/rescue. A Multi-purpose vehicle is designed to support several functions in the operations of the OLFD, which should have a four wheel-drive vehicle to allow access to off road situations was received in the fall. Capital for computer technology includes a rugged laptop computer designed to provide computer processing and wireless computing capabilities to field or service users in extreme conditions. Client terminals for the Stations and client laptops for the officers are also included under Capital.
Board of Finance Meeting April 4, 2006
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 hose tenders 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 next year. Various
A motion was made by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Woolley to set $100,000 be put back in the budget with a stipulation that a quote be submitted for refurbished hose tender be provided prior to ordering any replacement truck. Mr. Kerr recused himself from the vote. Motion carried.
Mill Rate Calculation for Fiscal Year 2007
The total grand list has increased by $12,532,241 or .86%. An increase of .20% in collection rate is anticipated. The net taxable grand list increased by $10,248,209 (.71%) and net property tax request increased by $1,771,136 – 7.25%. In the mill rate calculation the addition of $35,000 tax relief for the elderly and $48,000 for volunteer tax abatement. Therefore, gross property tax request changed by $1,771,136 or 7.22%. The impact on the mill rate would increase by 1.10 mills to 18.0%. It was reported that last year $100,000 which was supposed to be put into the hose tender line went into the surplus and would need to be transferred out.
Mr. Diebolt stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium.
A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Russell and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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