Minutes of the Special Board of Finance meeting held on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Parish Center.
~
~
Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe,
H. P. Garvin, III, Christopher Kerr, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Judy Read, Ruth Roach, Janet Sturges
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Mark Diebolt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~
Guest: Diana Atwood Johnson, Chairman, Open Space Committee
Open Space members: John S. Johnson, Christina Clayton, Evan Griswold,
Ted Kiritsis, Stanley Kolber, Anna Silberberg
_________________________________________________________
~~
Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 6:35~p.m. A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to have Ms. Read vote for Mr. Diebolt in his absence.
The reason for this special meeting is to discuss an appropriation for the Open Space committee.
Diana Atwood Johnson stated that the Open Space committee found out about a cut to their budget by reading minutes of an April Board of Finance meeting. She said that the Committee did not receive any notification of the cut and that the Public Hearing that was held on April 21st was not well publicized. Ms. Atwood Johnson said that when the Open Space fund was formed in 1998, the Town was to designate an annual appropriation. It is noted that every year for the past ten years $75,000 was contributed to the Open Space fund. In addition to the Town contributions totaling $750,000 another $100,000 has been deposited for a grand total of $850,000. There have been 900 acres bought in combination with State and other funding.
Ted Kiritsis stated $50,000 proposed will make a total Town contribution of $75,000 for FY2009.
Anna Silberberg said that Old Lyme Conservation Trust started in 1966 with 400 members and now owns 600 acres. They work with the Open Space Committee and the Trust urges the Board of Finance not to cut the $75,000 annual appropriation.
Christina Clayton, trustee of Old Lyme Conservation Trust, urges $50,000 be added to the Open Space account. She stated that the Open Space Committee is important to the character of Old Lyme.
John Alexander stated that it is fiscally responsible to annually contribute $75,000 into the Open Space fund.
Evan Griswold, a realtor for 27 years, stated that it is important to have open space to protect the water supply for sewer avoidance. He commented that the real estate market is cyclical and now is a good time to buy open space. Open space can serve as the Town’s ‘land bank” for future town needs. He said that the Town should consider annual contributions of $150,000 because open space saves money in a long run.
Board of Finance Meeting May 7, 2008
John Johnson read an e-mail from Mary Stone regarding the cost of services for houses (particularly those with children) versus open space.
Stanley Kolber commented that open space is a harbor to wildlife in town.
First Selectman Griswold stated that the original target amount to maintain in the account was between $300- $500,000. With the current balance of $425,000 plus the $25,000 Town contribution for FY09 and the $75,000 Aawa penalty, the fund will have a balance of over $525,000. Town meeting approval is required for any withdrawal and a large open space purchase would likely require outside financing. The Open Space committee and the Board of Finance must decide what is the maximum balance that the account should have.
Mr. Garvin inquired what properties are in question and was told that there are a few properties under consideration.
Mr. Devoe asked how many large parcels are still left and was told that there are several parcels available.
Evan Griswold stated that developers with building lots are hurting because of the real estate taxes.
After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, and seconded by Mrs. Sturges to recommend to Town Meeting the appropriation of $50,000 from surplus to be added to the Open Space Fund. This would make the FY09 total contribution be $75,000. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn at 7:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
TCG/Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
| 
