Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 01, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town 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
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio, Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~Alternate Members:~~ Maggie Ward
Guest: Officer Thomas Heinssen, Old Lyme Police Department
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~Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:02~p.m.~
Minutes of January 18, 2011
Mr. Russell stated that the minutes will be discussed at the next meeting, Tuesday, February 8th.
Budget Overview
Mr. Griswold highlighted the General Government and Capital, plus Salaries/Wages based on information received to date with some cuts he and Nicole Stajduhar are recommending, the following budget the preliminary FY2012 budget.
General Government (with no salaries) + $157,400
Capital - 53,140
Salaries (with 2% contractual increases) + 56,182
Total increase + $160,442
Percentage increase + 1.91%
Mr. Griswold said there are ways to reduce this increase such as less funding to the Capital Project Funds or the use of LOCIP funds.
If the Boards of Selectmen and Finance want to consider compensation reductions, there are three options Mr. Griswold and Mrs. Stajduhar considered: a one percent salary reduction, two furlough days and a two percent reduction of the eight percent annual pension contribution. These measures would result in the following annual savings:
1% Salary reduction $20,000
2 Furlough Days $14,300
2% Pension reduction $32,750
Any of these measures would need to be negotiated with then two bargaining units (Police and Public Works).
There was discussion as to whether Regional District 18 will be pursuing any concessions with its unions. Given the total town budget of $31 million, these reductions would serve more as a “statement” than a material reduction.
205 Public Safety
205-0580 Resident State Police
First Selectman Griswold reviewed the proposed budget noting that Old Lyme has only one Resident State Trooper instead of two Troopers in the past. The Town also has six police officers so we have a total of seven police officials plus part-time officers. He continued by giving an overview of the State Police Contract, with the biggest expense being overtime charges incurred by utilizing state troopers. According to the contract, if the town uses the services of its Resident State Trooper, the town is billed for 70% of the trooper's overtime wages and related fringe benefits (at 59% of wages) or about $66/hour. If a state trooper (other than our Resident State Trooper) is assigned to the town, the town will be billed for 100% of overtime wages and fringes or about $94/hour. The state assigns
the troopers in order to allow all state troopers equal overtime opportunity. First Selectman Griswold stated that it would be best if the town could use state trooper overtime as little as possible and use our town police more.
Officer Heinssen spoke about the usefulness of adding cameras and microphones to any new car purchased. The cost is around $5,000 per vehicle.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $115,300 for Resident State Police expenses. Motion carried.
205-0590 Municipal Police
First Selectman Griswold reviewed the town's police budget for fiscal year 2012. He stated that the 2% raise for FY2012 plus step increases for two officers will add $20,000 to the budget. Part-time police officers wages have increased because hours have been increased from 800 to 1,300. The parking enforcement staff, that issue tickets and fines during the summer months, payable to the town, have decreased in salary, however, hours have increased. The Crossing Guard expense is 100% reimbursed by the school district. Mr. Griswold detailed the operating line items stating that, with the exception of fuel, there are not any significant increases noted within their operating budget. It was decided to increase the fuel line by $5,000 to $30,000. Mr. Griswold noted that the reduction in the
Resident State Trooper budget (-$62,400) equals the increase in the Municipal Police budget (+$64,400) and the hours of coverage are about the same.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, and passed unanimously to approve $622,643 for Municipal Police. Mr. Griswold stated that most of the salaries are by contract, excluding the secretary and crossing guard. Therefore, Mr. Kerr amended his motion to exclude salaries. A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approved $84,100, excluding salaries. Motion carried.
205-0595 Rogers Lake Patrol
First Selectman Griswold reviewed the budget with the estimated cost of Patrol services for Roger's Lake at $6,325. This includes a launch attendant, clerk, dues, enforcement and boat expenses. This amount is 50% of the entire budget and the other 50% will be paid by the Town of Lyme.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $6,325 for Rogers Lake Patrol. Motion carried.
205 Other Public Safety
205-0500 Emergency Management
Mr. Garvin stated that he met with David Roberge, Emergency Management Director. He presented the proposed budget for Emergency Management.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $2,050 for Emergency Management (excluding salaries). Motion carried.
205-0510 Valley Shore Communication
It was decided to table Valley Shore Communications for two weeks until Tuesday, February 15th.
205-0520 Volunteer Ambulance Association
Since the Ambulance budget is comprised of all salaries, it was tabled for this evening.
205-0530 Animal Control
The Animal Control budget was reviewed. Increases are in the areas of vehicle maintenance and repair, heating fuel and animal expense.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to approve $20,210 for Animal Control. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell congratulated Mrs. Sturges as the Town of Old Lyme’s 2010 Citizen of the Year and thanked her for the time and devotion she puts into all the various areas with which she is involved with.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 08, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Chartered Beaches, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Sanitation are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was then made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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