Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Mark Diebolt,
H. P. Garvin, III, Christopher Kerr, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Ruth Roach, Janet Sturges
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio, Doris C. Johnson, Finance Administrator
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Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Wayne Devoe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~~Judy Read
Guest: Skip Sibley, Selectman
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:31~p.m.~stating that Mr. Devoe and Mr. Diebolt will not be present this evening. Therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr to have Mrs. Sturges vote for Mr. Diebolt in his absence. Motion carried.
Election of a Board of Finance Chairperson
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to re-elect Mr. Russell as the Board of Finance Chairperson. Motion passed.
Minutes of November 18, 2008
Minutes of the November 18 meeting were reviewed.
There being no corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Mr.Russell stated that the auditor, Ron Nossek from Kostin Ruffkess, could not attend this evening’s meeting. He has requested that the Draft of the Annual Report be sent to Board members in advance of a Special Board of Finance scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, 2009.
Board of Finance Meeting December 16, 2008
Chart of Accounts and Carryovers
The Actual and Anticipated Revenues was distributed and reviewed. The Police revenue represents work on Route 156 related to the Point O’Woods sewer pipe project.
Mrs. Johnson highlighted various expenditures. Selectman’s Legal includes various labor issues, including the Public Works Union Contract. The amount under Town Clerk contracted services needs to be transferred into the land records line. Under the Treasurer’s contracted services represents the auditor’s fees. WPCA office supplies are for a six-part form and envelops. Historic District represents the date plaques that were ordered and are being put on homes and businesses within the village. Inland Wetlands engineering is over spent because of various issues regarding developments of Lords Woods, Short Hills and the Broad Brook subdivision on Boston Post Road. Emergency Management reflects dues that were paid and are a one-time expense. Animal Control telephone
reflects cell phones, pagers and an answering service. The Senior Center Administration and Program represents the Director’s salary.
2009 Meeting Calendar and Budget Season Schedule
Mr. Russell distributed the 2009 Committee Assignments and Meeting Calendar. The salary Committee will meet early in the budget season. It was decided to start the January 20th budget overview meeting at 7:00pm. A Special Board of Finance meeting to meet with the Town Auditor is scheduled for Tuesday January 6, 2009 at 7:30 pm and to discuss a Special Town Meeting to discuss an appropriation request for the Church Corner project.
State Representative, Marilyn Giuliano has requested to meet with the Board of Finance to discuss the current state budget crisis and municipal mandates that could be removed, reduced or postponed.
Board of Finance Meeting December 16, 2008
New Business
Four Mile River Road Bus Barn Facility: Mr. Griswold stated that the Board of Education has requested 19 spaces for type 1 buses, 1 space for a 35 passenger bus, 3 spaces for type 2 buses, 4 spaces for 2 wheelchair vehicles and 2 automobiles, for a total of 27 bus spaces, plus 22 employee parking spaces. They also requested a building for the dispatcher with a bathroom and a 2,000+ gallon fuel tank. Meeting rooms and a maintenance building have not been requested. The requirements will be given to the town’s engineer and the final plan will be presented to RSD18. Once RSD18 has approved the plan, the survey will be submitted to the appropriate Land Use boards for their approval, after which the project will be sent out to bid.
Mr. Griswold said that effective December 1st the Board of Selectmen confirmed Ed Adanti as Superintendent of Public Works. The annual compensation will be increased from $57,000 to $60,700, retroactive December 1st.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to transfer $2,158 from the Public Works Project Coordinator’s salary line to the Superintendent line. Motion carried.
Mr. Griswold stated that the Board of Selectmen appointed Erik Klockars as the Animal Control Officer at an hourly rate of $16.35 to complete Martha Rumskas’ term ending January 2009. At the time, the Board of Selectmen will appoint Mr. Klockars to a new two year term ending January 2011.
Selectman’s Report
Social Services Update: Social services has had a very busy year. There are many more individuals and families of Old Lyme seeking assistance with various needs and programs. With the 2009 economic forecast looking gloomy, there will be many more businesses closing and jobs lost. Social Services will most likely see an increase in requests for help.
Senior Center: Mr. Griswold stated that since the Town of Lyme is unwilling to process the Senior Center Directors payroll, he has informed Ruth Young, the Chairwoman, that as of January 1, 2009, the Town of Old Lyme will not perform payroll. There was a meeting today with the Senior Center Board of Directors to discuss how payroll will be handled going forward.
Board of Finance Meeting December 16, 2008
Fire Apparatus Prepayment Discount: Mr. Griswold stated the Ellis Jewett, member of the Old Lyme Fire Department Apparatus Committee, met with him to discuss the purchase of the Ferrara Aerial Quint. The Quint purchase price of $688,240 is valid through Dec. 31, 2008, after which it will increase by $42,871 or 6.23%. Most of the increase relates to new NFPA requirements. The Firefighters’ Equipment CLASS account has a balance of $570,611 and the account is earning about 1.42%. The FY09 payment of $350,000 has not been made, so we will have $920,611 available. While the Town could make a 100%, the Town may want to pay 75% to 80% so that the Town has some leverage with the company, if necessary. A bond should also be obtained for any amount paid to safeguard the Town’s
investment. The Quint should be delivered within 270 days after the contract is signed and prepayment is made. The prepayment rate of 3.5% would provide a superior yield to our investment account. It was agreed that Mr. Jewett and Mr. Griswold will negotiate the prepayment terms with Ferrera before December 31st.
There is a Special Town meeting next Monday, December 22nd at the Town Hall Meeting Hall to authorize the transfer of $33,000 from Public Works payroll line in the 2008-2009 Town budget in order to fund the cost of additional personnel and mailings for the R-10 property registration program.
The Church Corner Public Information meeting was held last night and was attended by about 70 people. The Committee recommends that the Boards of Selectmen and finance recommend to a Special Town Meeting in January an appropriation of $600,000 for the project. It was noted the Town had been awarded a STEAP grant of $425,000 for the project.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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