Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Church Parish Center.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe,
Christopher Kerr, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Judy Read, Ruth Roach, Janet Sturges
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio, Doris Johnson, Finance Director
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Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ ~Mark Diebolt, H. P. Garvin, III
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~~
Guest: William Paradis, Treasurer, Lymes’ Senior Center Board of Directors
Sherry Meyer, Social Services and Lymes’ Senior Center Director
Ed Adanti, Superintendent, Old Lyme Public Works
Ronald E. Rose, Old Lyme Sanitarian
Wendy Petitt, Principal, Honkers (Goose Control) Company
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:09~p.m.~stating that Mr. Diebolt and Mr. Garvin will not be present this evening. Therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr to have Ms. Roach vote for Mr. Garvin and Mrs. Sturges vote for Mr. Diebolt in their absences. Motion carried.
Social Service Department
Ms. Meyer requested mileage reimbursement for trips to Hartford and New London. Ms. Meyer stated that private donations to the Social Services Emergency Fund have been strong. Mr. Paradis distributed salary comparisons/charts for surrounding towns outlining salary, benefits and their tax base.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $1,250.
Senior Citizens
Lymes’ Senior Center
Mr. Paradis and Ms. Meyer outlined the Senior Center’s budget stating that there are many programs held weekly at the Senior Center and the attendance has increased. Rentals have been eliminated because the Senior Center Board has decided that the revenue does not compensate for the aggravation and the occasional damage to the Center. The Center is allowing more civic groups to use the facility without charge.
Board of Finance Meeting March 11, 2008
There are increases in utilities, oil, propane gas, heat, alarm service, and telephone expenses. There was considerable discussion about the towns being responsible for the Director’s compensation. For Old Lyme, it might cause the combined position of Social Services Coordinator/Senior Center Director to become a full-time position, including benefits. After discussion, it was decided that the specialists go back to the board of directors and review the original by-laws of the Senior Center.
Public Works
Operating Expenses
Mr. Griswold highlighted the budget worksheet for Public Works operating expenses stating that the new budget sheets lump various line items together. Mr. Adanti summarized the expenses associated with Public Works and explained the various increases and decreases in line items.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $279,700 for expenses, minus salaries. Mrs. Roach abstained from the vote.
Contracted Services
Mr. Griswold stated that contracted services include beach cleaning, safety services, and landscaping and leased items. Mr. Adanti outlined the various purchases line items which included the following: Pipes, block, catch basins, signs and post, chip seal, blacktop, cold patch, winter sand and salt, gravel, stone, tires, outside repairs, gas/diesel/motor oil, parts, tools, welding supplies, fertilizer, lumber/paint, uniform rental, safety equipment, and cleaning supplies. A substantial increase in gas/diesel and motor oil due to petroleum costs.
Roads scheduled for paving/resurfacing are Whippoorwill Road from Boston Post Road to Jericho Drive, McCurdy Road, including Bittersweet Lane.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $97,110 for contracted services, minus salaries. Mrs. Roach abstained from the vote.
Board of Finance Meeting March 11, 2008
Recycling
Items such as waste oil, antifreeze, batteries, appliances, tires, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans are received at the landfill and shipped out to Willimantic Waste on a dumpster pull fee. Bottles and cans, newsprint and cardboard all have tipping fees on a per ton basis. There was discussion on what will be done with leaves in the future.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $105,800. Mrs. Roach abstained. Motion carried.
Hazardous Waste Facility
Mr. Griswold stated that Old Lyme and eight other surrounding towns participate in the Household Hazardous Waste facility located in Essex at the Transfer Station. It been in operation for a few years and each “household” is charged per drop by Clean Harbors, the contractor who collects the waste. Total administrative charged are $31,312 and CRERPA fees are $5,700. There will be approximately 14 collection dates from April to October available to residents from any of the participating towns with two additional satellite collections.
A motion was made Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Roach and passed unanimously to approve $20,000 for Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
Transfer Station
Mr. Griswold outlined the expenses relating to the landfill operations. He explained about the permit process through the State of CT Department of Environmental Protection, which monitors the water runoff at the landfill. There is an increase in contracted services, electricity, fuel, and equipment maintenance.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $145,625. Mrs. Roach abstained.
Board of Finance Meeting March 11, 2008
Septage Disposal
The FY09 budget provides for processing 1,000,000 gallons of septage at $0.1 per gallon or $120,000. It is noted that the actual amounts are 7.5 cents on the inflow and 11 cents on the out flow. In addition, there is a $5,000 maintenance of equipment amount.
A motion was made Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $125,000.
CRRA
Mr. Griswold stated that Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) tipping fee is $72 per ton for municipal solid waste (MSW) with approximately 4,000 tons annually.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $288,000 for Sanitation CRRA MSW/Tipping Fees.
Other Public Safety
Emergency Management
Mr. Griswold detailed the Emergency Management budget, which included office supplies, miscellaneous, telephone, repairs, maintenance, education and training.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $1,330.
Estuary Transit District
The Estuary Transit District request of $6,105 consists ETD services, and Dial a Ride services.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $6,105.
Board of Finance Meeting March 11, 2008
Estuary Nutrition Site and EMOT (Medical Transportation)
The Estuary Nutrition Site serves approximately 10-15 meals daily at the Senior Center, and there are about 15 “meals on wheels” clients within the Town. A donation of $3.50 per meal is requested. The Estuary Council of Seniors is in regular communications with the Towns they work with in regards to how the seniors, who need door-to-door transportation will be served. ETD stated that it does not provide door-to-door service with any of its vehicles. The Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc, will continue its dial-a-ride type service with a requested donation of $25.00 and will continue to pursue the funding necessary to continue its program beyond the end of current fiscal year. It should be noted that dial-a-ride is only available two days a week for Old Lyme residents.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $30,000 for the Estuary Nutrition Site and Medical Transportation.
Health Services
Health Department
Mr. Rose and Ms. Petitt explained the goose control program. Ms. Petitt stated that she is contracted for six days a week, several times a day. She explained the procedure that she follows with her border collies to herd the geese. It was requested that a daily log be sent to the town to monitor Honkers schedule and review the geese progress.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $82,045 with accountability from Honkers.
Minutes of March 4, 2008
Minutes of March 4th were reviewed.
There being no further corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe to pass the minutes as written.
Board of Finance Meeting March 11, 2008
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
March 18th meeting budgets for the following will be reviewed and discussed: Fire Services - Old Lyme Fire Department, Fire Protection Charge, Fire Marshal and Volunteer Incentive Plan, Chartered Beaches, Senior Center, as well as General Government and Board and Commissions.
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Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Christ the King Church Parish Center.
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A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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