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Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 13, 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: Anna Swain, Interim Director, Lyme Art Association
Steven Ross, Assistant Treasurer & Building Coordinator, Lyme Art Association
Frederick Osbourne, President, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Mary Orcutt, Vice President, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Jeffrey W. Anderson, Director, Florence Griswold Museum
Les Reynolds, Executive Director, Old Lyme Affordable Housing
Robert Dunn, Board of Directors, Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc.
Kathleen Abbott, President, Miami Beach Association
Theresa DeVito, Treasurer, Miami Beach Association
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. and stated that in order to accommodate this evening’s guests, the agenda will be taken out of sequence.
Other Associations
52-640-537-002 Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts respectfully requests funding from the Town in the amount of $15,000. The breakdown is $9,000 to the College to help meet the operating costs and an additional $6,000 to help meet costs of essential enhancements to its Information Technology system. The College now enrolls more than 200 full-time and part-time students in its degree-granting, certificate, and continuing studies programs and 100 students in its pre-college program. The Academy currently is in immediate need of major improvements in its Information Technology infrastructure. To date, it has been difficult for the College to find private sector funds to meet this information technology needs. Endowments are all restricted with 2,000,000 for scholarships and $1,000,000 for operating with only
5% able to be used.
Board of Finance Meeting February 13, 2007
As well as achieving full accreditation, the Lyme Academy increased its operating budget due to the expansion of the Academy’s campus and increases relating to the operating costs such as security, maintenance, grounds keeping, and expanded information technology. Enrollment has increased more than 200%, the faculty has doubled and the campus footprint has grown from 4 acres to almost 47 acres. The new Academic Center is further evidence of the growth of the College with the new building doubling the size of the campus and provides office space, studios, lecture rooms and a café. The Chauncey Stillman Gallery is one of the State’s premier exhibition spaces that have already hosted prestigious work from distinguished visiting artists. This space has been used for public meetings,
lectures, special events and community activities. Pre-college programs are offered to high school students. Mr. Osbourne highlighted many programs, such as hosting the art exhibit for the school district and Youth Services. Because of the full accreditation status, the Town receives about $45,000 from the State in lieu of taxes each year. The town assessor will be submitting an application to increase this reimbursement based on the reassessment of the College’s new Academic Center. Continued municipal support sends a strong and important message to both public and private funding on a state and national level.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to approve $9,000.
52-640-537-001 Florence Griswold Museum
The Florence Griswold Museum respectfully requests an appropriation of $10,000 from the Town reflects the growth in the increasing demand for programs and services that result in increased need for operating support. Also impacting the Museum’s budget are efforts aimed at expanding visitation to the Museum that ultimately has a positive impact on the economy. The town’s support is critical to the Museum’s ability to present quality exhibitions and programs and to provide free community events and services to the people of Old Lyme. The Museum’s exhibitions and programs offer cultural and educational enrichment opportunities for the town and attract increasing numbers of visitors to Old Lyme. Mr. Anderson stated that thousands of people who visit the Museum also visit other
attractions in the area, shop and eat in local establishments, and stay in area accommodations. The support also serves the Museum as a vote of town confidence that enables them to seek grants from regional, state and national funding sources. Past support from the town has allowed the Museum to fund new educational programming, to maintain its distinguished collections that focus on the heritage of Old Lyme, and to provide art and cultural experiences to the people of Old Lyme and the region. Financial support not only helps the Museum provide programming and activities for our community, but also serves as a vote of confidence that enable the Museum to seek grants from regional, state, and national funding sources. With the completion of the restoration and reinterpretation of the National Historic Landmark 1817 Florence Griswold House the Museum has been able to present a complete integration of the House with the collections, archives, central
story, and site.
Board of Finance Meeting February 13, 2007
The Museum offers an array of new programming, educational initiatives, and expanded educational materials, all linked to the restoration and reinterpretation of the Griswold House. Endowment amount is approximately at $9,000,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $9,000.
Lyme Art Association
Mr. Ross stated that the increase is attributed to the rise in energy cost as well as unpredictable maintenance expenses due to the age of the building. Classes are held six days a week and the building is open to the public as well. This year was their first attempt at a Snow Ball fundraiser, which was well attended and quite successful.
Lyme Art Association has played a central role in the artistic life and culture of the community. Its mission is to advance the cause of representational find arts by owning, maintaining and preserving an historic building and galleries in the town. The Association provides it members and the town with an arts center for exhibitions, cultural programs, and other community events. The art educational programs for adults and children benefit the community and the general public. Since the Lyme Art Association opened in 1921, their historic building remains as an important legacy of the American Impressionists who settled in Old Lyme and today is a thriving community art center providing year round art exhibitions and educations programs for its more than 1,000 members and the cultural enrichment of
the community of Old Lyme. There remains to have heavy foot traffic through the gallery daily. An important goal for the Association is the continued preservations and restoration of their building, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designed by the noted American architect Charles Adams Platt (1861-1933). Each year, the Association presents an exhibition program of 8-9 exhibitions each featuring nearly 200 works of art, along with other activities, which run in conjunction with the exhibitions. The Association is a not-for-profit arts organization, which receives and applies funds exclusively for cultural and educational purposes. The Association receives little or no outside funding besides a few small grants and supports it exhibition and education programs primarily through donations from member art sales, membership fees, and education tuition.
Membership dues were increased in order to provide additional funds for the operating expenses. Staffing changes and restructuring of duties will be implemented during the next year in order to cut payroll cost. Major endowments include restricted amount of $6-7,000, and unrestricted amount of $150,000, and they withdraw the income quarterly to assist in operating budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $3,000
Board of Finance Meeting February 13, 2007
52-640-537-004 Old Lyme Affordable Housing
Mr. Reynolds, Executive Director, stated that Old Lyme Affordable Housing (OLAH) is an independent 501C (3) community-based corporation, created in 1993 by the Lyme Old Lyme Council of Churches and its congregation. Their organization helps residents get their first house whereas the town owns the land and the resident owns the house. So far they have housed four families with children.
Mr. Reynolds stated that the Old Lyme Affordable Housing respectfully requests $2,500 for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The expenses are primarily for promotional and publicity expenses and bringing public awareness of their program, with the need for very low cost build able properties. Repeated town-wide mailings and development of promotional materials will be costly for the coming year, since public education and publicity will be a major project. Without Town assistance, OLAH must borrow from reserves we have set aside to meet actual housing needs (land acquisition and development and construction). Mr. Reynolds said that each town has a responsibility to move towards the statewide goal of 10% affordable housing and their organization is the only one currently working to provide affordable housing
in Old Lyme.
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $500.
52-640-537-005 Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc.
The mission of the Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history of Old Lyme and its environs for the benefit of its residents and visitors. The OLHSI was incorporated in the State as a non-profit, non-stock corporation in February 2005. The IRS granted the society tax-exempt status in February 2005. An application for non-profit mailing privileges was approved by the United States Postal Service in June 2006. The OLHSI is completing its second full year of operation in February 2007. The Society issued its first publication, Poverty Island, a memoir of a young man’s adventure and hard times on an island at the mouth of the Connecticut River during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The OLHSI also published in 2006 the first issue of its newsletter,
River and Sound. The Society participated in the Memorial Day Parade with a horse drawn wagon and volunteers dressed in costumes were recruited to ride in the buggy. The OLHSI banner was displayed, and literature about the Society, as well as souvenirs, were passed out along the parade route. Postcards from Our Past, Old Lyme 1910-1946, the Society’s first exhibit was successful and seen by an estimated 600 people. The Society sponsored two well-attended lectures during the year and initiated the first in a series of tours of local cemeteries. The Society upcoming plans include the development of a publication on the 1938 hurricane and its impact on the residence of Old Lyme, along with several lecture series for 2007.
Board of Finance Meeting February 13, 2007
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $2,000.
Other Associations to be allocated as follows:
Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Association $
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts $ 9,000
Florence Griswold Museum $ 9,000
Lyme Art Association $ 3,000
Old Lyme Affordable Housing $ 500
Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc. $ 2,000
$
Beach Associations
The Old Lyme Beach Associations budgets were discussed and approved as follows:
Point O’Woods $20,600
Old Lyme Shores $13,500
Old Colony Beach $13,500
White Sand Beach $16,500
Rogers Lake West Shores $ 5,100
Hawks Nest Beach $ 3,100
Miami Beach $20,000
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $20,600 for Point O’Woods.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Diebolt to approve $13,500. Mr. Woolley abstained from voting for Old Lyme Shores. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve $13,500 for Old Colony Beach.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to approve $16,500 for White Sand Beach.
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $5,100 for Rogers Lake West Shores.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $3,100. Mr. Garvin abstained from voting Hawks Nest Beach. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting February 13, 2007
Miami Beach Association
Ms. Abbott and Ms. DeVito explained their unique position with excessive beach traffic due to the close proximity to the town’s beach. Their major expenses are as follows: $14,000 for Security and $11,000 for beach cleaning and $2,000 for dumpster service.
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A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to approve $20,000. The increase of $2,750 will be funded from the Sound View Parking Lot to help with the increase in rubbish removal.
Salary Sheet
The salary sheet was discussed. Most administrative salaries are at the top of their step range.
There was discussion on the recommendation to adjust the salaries of elected officials when there is a change of personnel. At a previous meeting, Mr. Swords recommended that a new elected official be paid somewhere between the bottom and the midpoint of the salary range, depending on experience. The Public Works salaries are estimated at 3.5% due to ongoing contract negotiations. Under Parks and Recreation, there is an increase in the Parking Lot attendant’s salaries to enable Mr. Bugbee to spend more time elsewhere. The Ambulance requested additional hours to have two people working from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Board will evaluate this increase when the Ambulance budget is discussed.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Devoe, to approve $2,138,628 for salaries. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting. Motion carried.
Impact of School Bonds
Mr. Griswold outlined the effects the Regional District 18 High School project financing will have on the mill rate on Old Lyme property assessed at $300,000. The District plans on financing $41.5 million. See attached sheet at the end of minutes.
Board of Finance Meeting February 13, 2007
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled at the Town Hall for Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Parks and Rec, Little League, Fireworks & Memorial Day, Rogers Lake, Resident State and Municipal Police, Emergency Management, Valley Shore, Animal Control and Ambulance will be discussed. There will be no meeting on Tuesday, February
20th.
A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
Attachment on next page
Impact of School Bonds on |
Old Lyme Property Assessed at $300,000 |
12-Feb-07 |
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Fiscal |
Option A |
Effect |
Effect |
Option B |
Effect |
Effect |
Option C |
Effect |
Effect |
Year |
Total Pmt |
in Mills |
in Cost |
Total Pmt |
in Mills |
in Cost |
Total Pmt |
in Mills |
in Cost |
2012 |
$3,430,750 |
1.76 |
$528 |
$3,147,100 |
1.61 |
$483 |
$2,998,513 |
1.54 |
$462 |
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~ |
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~ |
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* 2013 |
$3,969,000 |
2.00 |
$600 |
$3,630,063 |
1.83 |
$549 |
$3,359,050 |
1.70 |
$510 |
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~ |
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~ |
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2018 |
$3,438,600 |
1.61 |
$483 |
$3,581,188 |
1.68 |
$504 |
$3,359,488 |
1.57 |
$471 |
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~ |
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~ |
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~ |
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2023 |
$2,889,663 |
1.26 |
$378 |
$3,173,000 |
1.38 |
$414 |
$3,358,688 |
1.46 |
$438 |
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2028 |
$2,370,475 |
0.96 |
$288 |
$2,559,813 |
1.03 |
$309 |
$3,363,675 |
1.36 |
$408 |
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Total |
Interest Paid: |
$21,827,775 |
~ |
$22,967,538 |
~ |
$24,837,500 |
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* Year with highest total payment |
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