Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Hall.
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~Present:~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ David Kelsey, Judy Read, Maggie Ward
Timothy C. Griswold, First Selectman, Ex-Officio
Nicole Stadjuhar, Finance Director
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Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~
Guests: Skip Sibley, Selectman
Ed Adanti, Public Works Director
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.~
Minutes of February 23, 2010
Mr. Russell stated that the minutes had not been distributed or reviewed before this evening’s meeting, therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges and seconded by Mr. Woolley to table the minutes until the next meeting, March 9, 2010. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell stated that there is a change in the agenda order, therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to change the order of the meeting to accommodate salaries and wages. Motion carried.
Salaries/Wages
Mr. Griswold distributed the Salary and Wage spreadsheets and highlighted the areas of increases and decreases. The salary and wage sheet provides for a 2% increase for employees except for certain elected officials, the Finance Director, seasonal employees and meeting clerks. Mr. Griswold stated that he is working with the two unions to implement two furlough days in order to reduce salary expenses. He said the First Selectmen, Finance Director and Registrars would be receiving no salary increase. Two full time positions, Building Official/Sanitarian and Finance Administrator, will be decreased to part time. Mr. Griswold stated that an additional Municipal Police Officer is being budgeted but this would involve decreasing the Resident State Troopers from two to one.
There was discussion on budgeting the Info Tech position as full time plus a part-time Tax clerk versus the current arrangement of each position as part-time. After discussion on various positions, it was decided to pass on approving the Salary/Wages spreadsheet this evening.
Board of Finance Meeting March 2, 2010
01-204 Parks and Recreation
Mr. Kerr highlighted the Parks and Recreation budget noting the areas of increase and decrease.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve
$229,758.
51-580 Senior Citizens
01-206-0670 Lymes’ Senior Center
Mrs. Sturges outlined the Senior Center’s budget stating that there are many programs held weekly at the Senior Center and the attendance has increased due to the wide variety of programs offered. Rentals have been eliminated because the Senior Center Board has decided that the revenue does not compensate for the aggravation and the damage done to the Center. However, the Center allows civic groups to use the facility without charge. Donations from their fund drive just barely cover Ms. Meyer’s salary and private donations are down substantially.
There was considerable discussion about certain line item increases and whether the Senior Center has its own tax identification number.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $29,260. A calculation error was discovered, therefore, Mr. Woolley amended the motion, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to adjust the amount approved to $29,310. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell stated that Mr. Kerr had to leave due to illness, therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to have Ms. Read vote for Mr. Kerr for the remainder of the meeting. Motion carried.
01-206-0600 Social Service Department
206-0610 Social Service Department
Mrs. Sturges highlighted the Social Service Department. Social Service activities have picked up substantially and the private donations to the Social Services Emergency Fund have remained strong, despite the economy.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $15,198, including wages. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 2, 2010
206-0620 Social Services Agencies
Mr. Griswold recommends funding $2,692, to be distributed to various local agencies for Social Services Agencies. Requests for assistance have been received from the following agencies:
Regional Mental Health Board
Thames Valley Council (TVCCA)
Literacy Volunteers
Women’s Center of CE CT
Rushford Center
Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern CT
Middlesex County Homeless Shelter (Eddy Shelter)
New London Homeless Shelter
A motion was then made by Ms. Read, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $2,692 for Social Services Agencies.
206-0630 Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association
Mr. Griswold stated that the Executive Director, Muriel Drugan, explained that Interim Health Care, which provides visiting nursing services, would be providing a Registered Nurse at $43.89/hour for 1,350 hours for the year. The Visiting Nurses historically returns funds to the town for unused contract hours.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $59,602 for the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association.
206-0640 Estuary Transit District
The Estuary Transit District provides scheduled bus service, and Dial a Ride services for Old Lyme. The nine town shuttle runs from Old Saybrook to New London and a new bus was added going north to Middletown. The request this year is less than that of last year.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $8,228.
206-0650 Estuary Council of Seniors: Estuary Nutrition Site and EMOT (Medical Transportation)
The Estuary Nutrition Site serves approximately 15 meals daily at the Senior Center, and there are about 15 “meals on wheels” clients within the Town. A donation of $2.50 per meal is requested. Allocation is broken out as follows:
Nutrition Services: $27,000
EMOT: $3,000
Board of Finance Meeting March 2, 2010
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $30,000 for the Estuary Nutrition Site and Medical Transportation.
01-203-0300 Public Works
Mr. Adanti highlighted the Public budget request for operating expenses. There was reduction on the operating budget, due certain items being double counted and a $66,000 decrease in chip seal. He explained that training has increased, due to a once a month safety program in order to be compliant with OSHA regulations and certifications. It was decided to pass on Public Works in order to investigate Mr. Adanti’s compensation.
01-205 Public Safety
205-0500 Emergency Management
Mr. Griswold outlined the Emergency Management budget, with some small reductions.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $12,050 for Emergency Management. Motion carried.
205-0520 Old Lyme Ambulance Association
The Ambulance added two twelve hour shifts per day last year which is working out nicely. Proposed budget provides for coverage by 2 EMT’s from 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Two persons x 12 hrs. x 5 days x 52 weeks = 6,240 hours. 6,240 hrs. x $19.15 per hour x 1.02 (2% cost of living increase) = $119,496.
Old Lyme Volunteer Ambulance Association will provide volunteer members coverage on Monday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m., and on weekends. The Association provides administrative expenses including but not limited to supervision, training, equipment and supplies. The Association has also purchased an ambulance ($120-150,000) every five years and contracts for patient billing.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $119,496 for Ambulance Association. Motion carried
Board of Finance Meeting March 2, 2010
205-0530 Animal Control
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Animal Control budget. He stated that there have been changes in personnel and duties. Certain line items were rearranged for clarity and accuracy (Heating Oil).
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Ms. Read to approve $61,271 for Animal Control. Motion carried.
205-0590 Municipal Police
There was discussion on the individual line items for the Municipal Police. With the addition of another Municipal Police Officer, certain line items were increased.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $555,184.
01-213 Sanitation
213-1300 CRRA
Mr. Griswold stated that Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) tipping fee ($69) per ton for municipal solid waste (MSW) as last year. Because MSW volumes statewide are down, Old Lyme may budget 3,600 tons per year versus 4,000 tons.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $248,400 for Sanitation CRRA MSW/Tipping Fees.
213-1320 Recycling
Items such as waste oil, antifreeze, batteries, appliances, tires, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans are received at the Transfer Station. Certain items are shipped out to Willimantic Waste subject to a $140 dumpster pull fee and the Town derives revenue, depending on the market.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $147,921. Motion carried.
213-1340 Transfer Station
Mr. Griswold outlined the expenses relating to the transfer station operation. He explained the efficiency in the bulky and demo disposal. It was decided to table Transfer Station pending a clarification of the components of contracted services.
Board of Finance Meeting March 2, 2010
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Fire Services, Salary/Wages, General Government, Boards and Commissions and Transfer Station, as well as minutes of February 23rd and March 2nd will be discussed.
A motion was then made by Mr. Woolley, seconded Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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