Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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~Present:~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members: Christopher Kerr, H. P. Garvin, III, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~
Timothy C. Griswold, Ex-Officio
Nicole Stadjuhar, Finance Director
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Wayne Devoe, Andrew Russell
~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~ David Kelsey, Judy Read, Maggie Ward
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Mr. Kerr called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
Minutes of June 2, 2010
The minutes of June 2nd special meeting were reviewed. Mr. Garvin requested that, on page 2 under Shoreline Sanitation, a sentence be added stating that the Town’s Finance Director will review the Shoreline Sanitation audit to confirm the budget numbers that were submitted to the Town are accurate. Page 3 and 4, there were several typographical errors noted.
There being no other corrections noted, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as modified. Mr. Woolley abstained from voting as he was not present. Motion carried.
Church Corner Project
Mr. Griswold reviewed a memo he prepared for the Boards of Selectmen and Finance requesting an appropriation of up to $15,000 in order to settle all claims with the contractor and the engineer/surveyor related to the Church Corner project. The Town’s and the contractor’s attorneys are working on an agreement but are about $4,000 apart. The Town has not met with the engineer/surveyor as yet. The Boards of Selectmen and Finance want to have firm settlement numbers from both the contractor and the engineer/surveyor before acting on the request.
Old Business
Mr. Garvin inquired on the status of the upgrades to the Haines Park bath house and was told that they are presently being worked on and should be completed by July.
Board of Finance Meeting June 15, 2010
Selectman’s Report
Bus Barn: Mr. Griswold stated that the Bus Barn project is progressing well and is due for completion before the July 1st delivery date. The building is almost ready for occupancy and the paving as well as the fencing will be completed soon. The 4,000 fuel tank is scheduled to be installed by mid-July and will have an alarm that can detect leakage. Landscaping will take place in the fall. The lease between the Town and Bus Company will include a spill prevention policy. The Bus Company will be responsible for all operating costs, including snow plowing. The Town will be providing two poles for security cameras and the building will have the capability for a security system, which will be the responsibility of the tenant to install.
Emergency Volunteer: Mr. Griswold stated that the Town is going to make a pension contribution of $660 per eligible emergency services volunteer (38 Fire and 14 Ambulance) by June 30, 2010 for the fiscal year June 30, 2010, using information provided within letters he received from the Fire Department and Ambulance Association. The Town will make another pension contribution of $660 per eligible emergency services volunteer (38 Fire and 14 Ambulance) by September 30, 2010 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, using the same information. He explained that, going forward, the Ambulance Association and the Fire Department will prepare letters to the First Selectmen in January certifying which members of each organization have completed one year of Active Service, as defined by each organization,
ending December 31st of the prior year. In order for members to be eligible, they must have had an additional year of active status for the year ending December 31st of the year before.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Mr. Griswold told the Board that the Town may offer employees a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), similar to what was offered a few years ago. At present, all employees’ cost sharing of the medical premium is taken out of their pay on a pre-tax basis but payments they make for things such as co-pays for office visits, prescriptions and other things are made on a post tax basis. Each employee would estimate what they would likely spend over the year ahead and have that sum taken out of their weekly pay on a pre tax basis. Because there is a base charge of $50 per month, the Town would need enough participants for the FSA to be viable. Mr. Griswold will hold staff meetings in order to assess the level of interest. The Town would realize a savings if
employees participated because it would not have to pay Social Security (7.65%) on the amounts withheld. It was agreed the board will evaluate the plan at its next meeting.
Mr. Kerr stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Executive Session: Personnel Matter
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting and enter into Executive Session at 8:24p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to adjourn Executive Session at 8:52 p.m. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn, Secretary
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