Minutes of the Special Board of Finance meeting held on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Media Room directly following the Town Budget Public Hearing.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe, Mark Diebolt,
H. P. Garvin, III, Christopher Kerr
Alternate Members:~ Judy Read, Ruth Roach, Janet Sturges
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio
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Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ David Woolley
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Guest: Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Approximately 20 Old Lyme Fire Department: Bob Pierson, David Jewett, Bob Cashman, Tom Swaney, Harry Smith, Bob Knauff, Tom Brown, Mark Super, Bob Doyan, Rob McCarthy
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 8:15~p.m.
Old Lyme Fire Department
Mr. Pierson spoke about the $165,000 capital budget request to purchase and equip a fire/rescue boat. This boat would provide fire suppression in the water surrounding Old Lyme and it’s near shore structures. In addition, the fire/rescue boat would be configured and equipped to respond to a variety of marine search and rescue mission.
Mr. Smith explained the nature of the risks presented by in Old Lyme’s marine and near shore environment. He reviewed the major marine emergencies that have occurred over the past several decades and presented call statistics for Old Lyme and surrounding towns for the past five years. The key point is that while the call volume is low, the threat to life and property is high. He said there have been more fatalities in the waters surrounding Old Lyme than on I-95.
The boat that is being proposed is a 25 ft. Munson Packman with twin 115 hp outboard motors. In addition to normal marine electronics and supporting equipment the fire/rescue boat would be suitably equipper for marine and near shore fire suppression and marine rescue. The total cost for this boat is $165,000. The estimated operating costs for the boat are estimated $5,790 per year.
There was a discussion about sharing the boat with the Police department. Mr. Pierson replied that the missions of the two departments are very different and that sharing would not work well. Mr. Griswold inquired if the Town of Lyme has a boat. Mr. Jewett stated that Lyme has a zodiac and is presently going through the same process with their Board of Finance to acquire a fireboat. Mr. Diebolt stated that the State of Connecticut should fund marine protection on Long Island Sound. He stated that he is willing to talk to local legislators about funding.
Board of Finance Meeting April 21, 2008
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Diebolt to approve the Town Capital Budget in the amount of $711,724. Mr. Russell commented that this amount does not include the requested $165,000 for the fire/rescue boat. Mr. Kerr recused himself from voting. Motion carried.
Town Hall Renovation Update
Mr. Griswold stated that the Board of Selectmen recommended to the Board of Finance and to Town meeting that an appropriation of $250,000 be taken from surplus to fund expenses associated with the Town Hall Expansion Project. He said Mr. John Forbis, chairman of the Town Hall Building Committee will explain the request.
Mr. Forbis explained the two phases of the Town Hall renovation project. Phase I is scheduled to be completed on May 8th and is running on schedule. The different departments that have been relocated outside Town Hall are scheduled to return during May and those who remained during construction will be relocated within the building.
Mr. Forbis presented an update on the Town Hall expansion budget. The total budget is $4.4 million with construction costs of $3.0 million. Project cost reductions and contingency funds have been used to cover the following additional costs: asbestos removal ($25,000), note and bond transaction costs ($37,000), rent during construction ($10,000), engineering and consulting ($27,000) and change orders ($74,000) plus some smaller items. New items include an emergency generator ($23,000), photovoltaic system ($30,500), art restoration ($12,000) plus other smaller items. The requested $250,000 should be reduced by about $53,000 after grants and donations are received and will enable the completion of the project without having to defer items to a future fiscal year.
Mr. Devoe asked about the difference between deferrals and eliminations. Mr. Forbis explained that deferrals will have to be done at some future time and eliminations have been cut from the project. Mr. Devoe said funding for deferrals should not be considered a certainty. After considerable discussion, the consensus was to cut the $250,000 request to $195,000, which is what was originally proposed to the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Russell stated that Mr. Woolley could not attend this evenings meeting, therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe to have Ms. Read vote for Mr. Woolley in his absence. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Diebolt, seconded by Mr. Kerr to recommend to Town Meeting the appropriation of $195,000 from surplus to fund the additional expenses associated with the Town Hall expansion project. Mr. Russell, Mr. Devoe, Mr. Diebolt, Mr. Garvin and Mr. Kerr were in favor of the motion and Ms. Read opposed the motion. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting April 21, 2008
Mill Rate Calculation for Fiscal Year 2009
The total grand list increased by $9,104,050 (0.61%) and the net taxable grand list increased by $8,985,697 (0.61%). The net property tax requirement increased by $1,276,761 (4.78%). The mill rate calculation includes subtractions for Tax Relief Elderly ($40,000), Volunteer Tax Abatement ($45,000) and Lymewood Tax Abatement ($21,000). Therefore, gross property tax requirement increased by $1,240,032 (4.62%). The impact on the mill rate is an increase of 0.72 or rounded to 0.80 mills; increasing the mill rate to 19.0%. One mill equals $1,499,444.
Minutes of April 15, 2008
Minutes of April 15th were reviewed.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe , seconded by Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as written.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 19th, directly following the Annual Town Budget Meeting scheduled to be held at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
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A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr , seconded by Mr. Diebolt and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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