Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: Regular Members: Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe, Mark Diebolt,
H. P. Garvin, III, Christopher Kerr, David Woolley
Alternate Members: Adam Burrows, Judy Read, Janet Sturges
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio
Absent: Regular Members:
Alternate Members:
Guests: Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
Mary Seidner, Executive Director, Lyme Youth Service Bureau
Paul Sagistano, Board of Directors, Lyme Youth Service Bureau
Mary Fiorelli, Director, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
David Winer, President, Board of Trustees, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Stanford Brainerd, Treasurer, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
450-537 Lyme Youth Service Bureau
Mr. Burrows detailed the budget for Lyme Youth Service Bureau. There has been a decrease in State Grants. The middle school and high school programs have youth driven projects that include voluntary community service each year, from helping seniors with yard work, to giving needy families thanksgiving and Christmas basket. In that past year they have provided more than 200 hours of counseling, in excess of 4,000 hours of parenting and family activities, over 300 hours of educational activities, more than 500 hours of employment/training classes and over 600 hours of recreational/cultural activities. LYSB has recently started charging for counseling which has never been done in twenty years.
Mrs. Seidner detailed their services explaining that their campus has been changing over the past few years. The renovated toddler learning facility services babies, toddlers and their families for daily playgroups. There are over 120 parents and children that utilize their playgroups, parenting education classes and social activities. Challenging situations this past year include several cuts in State budgets, and many more program needs, particularly in drug and alcohol prevention needs as well as more DCF referrals.
Board of Finance Meeting February 6, 2007
Their counseling needs for families have increased as well as pre-school referral needs. LYSB is the only youth service agency that provides judicial programs for divorcing parents. The quality of programming has increased and is now providing in-home services for at risk families. Their agency provides outreach to schools to reach at risk care to families. All Towns are required to have a representative to the Systems of Care, and LYSB provides that liaison. LYSB programs include everything from summer concerts to parenting education. The endowment was down 20% but has recovered. Total endowment is about $500,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $63,000 for the Lyme Youth Service Bureau. Mr. Garvin abstained. Motion carried.
Other Associations
52-640-537-000 Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Association
The Library request of $295,750 (an increase of $85,725 or 41%) was detailed. The Annual Fund Drive Development Committee has set a goal of $65,000. The endowment income is 5.5% of rolling average of the endowment over a three-year period, which does not include a ½% point fee assessed for investment counsel services. The Library established an agreement with the Friends in 2003 for an annual pledge to be determined each January. The pledge represents their anticipated income from Phoebe’s book cellar and the Book Worm Ball. These funds go directly for various expense lines that are marked with an “F” in bold for Friends. The pledge is $30,000 with supplemental funds negotiated later in the fiscal year. The Library used Marilyn Dunphy to increase the
endowment. So far, she has secured $200,000 in pledges and donations again a goal of $1,000,000. The library has a Money Market Account with Citizens Bank and maintains a reserve fund, which is used for major building and equipment repairs. Restricted gifts are in a separate endowment fund and all restricted to the purchase of library materials. While the endowment amount decreased over the past few years it improved last year (11.65%). There are increases in circulation to out of town residents and interlibrary loans to and from other libraries and registration figures steadily rise with the growth of the town’s population. The PGN Library participates in a regional library cooperative that provides books on tape and/or CD and movies in DVD format. During this past fiscal year the library has made additional cuts to several lines to build an accurate picture of the library’s overhead. The budget continues to rise due to
building overhead, increase in fuel and electric bills, and includes a modest cost of living increase of 3% for staff salaries and wages. The Library wants to add two full time positions (secretary and janitor). The library’s value demonstrates their services to local townspeople and how important it is to have free library services available to the community. Residents of every economic level want and expect services when they need them and the online catalog usage from home continues to grow and allows residents to tap into their system after library hours. The interlibrary loan system delivers thousands of books every year, helping us to keep our expenditures focused on the most needed materials for their local collections.
Board of Finance Meeting February 6, 2007
Their investment in technology is paying off in the timely delivery of materials to patrons, around the clock access and during hours of operation spanning seven days a week.
After discussion, it was decided to table postpone voting at this time.
01-50 Capital Project Funds
Capital Project Funds were discussed and the motions made are as follows:
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $20,000 for Revaluation.
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $200,000 for Landfill Closure.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to approve $75,000 for Open Space. Motion carried.
It was decided to pass on Fire Apparatus at this time.
01-55 Interest on Debt
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $11,300 for Interest on Debt. Motion carried
01-56 Principal on Debt
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $100,000 for Principal on Debt. Motion carried
Board of Finance Meeting February 6, 2007
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled at the Town Hall for Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for LYSB, Other Associations (PGN Library, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts College, Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme Historical Society, Affordable Housing), and Chartered Beach Associations will be discussed..
A motion was then made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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