Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:30 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:~ Anne Coburn, Robert Jose
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, Ex-officio
Nicole Stadjuhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~ David Kelsey
Guest:
______________________________________________________________
Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Minutes of December 20, 2011
The minutes of the December 20th meeting were reviewed. Corrections noted on page two, third paragraph, second sentence, add the word “by” after abide, delete the words, “and follow”. On page three, first paragraph fourth sentence, change the word “Rowing” to “Town”. Under Selectwoman’s Report, second paragraph, first sentence, change “district” to “Regional District #18”. On page four, third paragraph last sentence, after the word “easement”, add the words “and add it”.
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 written. Motion carried.
Chart of Accounts/Financial Reports
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the December 2011 Financial Report notes for the Revenues stating the total tax collections for property tax were $3,065,634 and current levy is at 65% collected. $6,000 was received from Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association from 2010/2011. December revenues not reflected in the reports include Town Clerk fees of $23,000, and Building fees of $13,000. Total remaining to be collected is 36%.
Mrs. Stajduhar detailed the December 2011 Financial Report notes for the Expenditures and highlights include: Assessor-Contracted Services, $1,250 for Board of Assessment legal appeals – appraisal of property. Building/Health Director salaries continue to run over budget due to weekly hours worked are in excess of the twenty hours that are budgeted.
Board of Finance Meeting January 10, 2012
For Police Private Duty - $16,500 was paid out to Town’s police officers for third party work that has been billed out but payments not received. Under Fire Fighters Equipment Fund Transfer out - $260,000 of original budgeted amount and $150,000 of additional appropriation used to make prepayment on two new fire trucks.
For Capital Expenditures, $2,800 was paid for restoration/cleaning of two paintings. The Town has put together a listing of paintings, restoration needs, and maintenance schedule based on the budget. The Connecticut River Trailway grant spent $9,200 on consultant services (BSC). Capital Public Works – Contracting Services: $2,000 paid to A Bond for new drainage pipe (Sandpiper) and $1,900 paid to Shoreline Sanitation for catch basin work (36 Lyme Street). Capital – Public Works – Johnnycake/Meetinghouse Lanes used $2,635 for new fence at Basketball courts at Cross Lane.
Due to the expense of Workman’s Compensation, the Town has been bill an additional $11,000, much of it generated by Public Works and Police overtime. After discussion, it was decided that rates should be increased to $62.00 per hour for Private Duty effective immediately.
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Carryover stating that $152,372 is spent out of total Carryover amount of $350,833. It should be noted that the only item overspent (by $8,121) is the McCurdy Road Culvert.
Budget Process
Mr. Russell stated that the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Lyme Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium. The next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31st at 7:00 pm. The first items up for discussion are Private Beach Associations, Police Services, Other Public Safety and Parks and Recreation. Mr. Russell reviewed February seventh’s agenda of Public Works, Sanitation Capital Project Funds, Interest on Debt, and Principle of Debt. It was decided to move Salaries from the February seventh agenda to the February 28th agenda. Mr. Russell asked members to meet with their specialist assignment areas and review the budgets and be prepared to discuss and approve items on the week discussed to avoid a backlog
at the end of the budget season.
New Business
Town Financial Policies: Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that draft of the Town Financial Policies were mailed to every member and will be addressed at a future meeting. She asked that everyone read it over, make comments and offer suggestions. Mrs. Reemsnyder suggests that we start focusing on the policy after the budget season, as will the Board of Selectmen. It will be helpful for the Board of Selectmen to have feedback from the Board of Finance before editing further.
Board of Finance Meeting January 10, 2012
Request from Don Bugbee, Parks and Recreation: In the past, the Town regularly gave a $3,500 stipend to the Little League. This was stopped a few years ago as there are other “clubs” besides Little League that use town fields now and the Town was going to take a more active role in maintaining the property. Little League volunteers regularly maintain the fields that they use and the town maintains the playing fields for other “clubs” (soccer, lacrosse, etc). The Little League has approached the town regarding their purchase of a piece of equipment called a Sand Pro Infield machine, which prepares the infield for play. They are planning on purchasing a used piece of equipment ($6,000-$7,000) and are currently raising funds through donations. Little League
is requesting a donation from the town towards this piece of equipment. With this piece of equipment, they will prepare the boys and girls field at Cross Lane, the girls softball field at Mile Creek, and Town Woods baseball/softball fields, during the playing season. Presently, the town does the preparation of the fields at Town Woods Park through Country Landscaping services, which the town pays for. A donation of $1,500-$2,000, which is currently available in the Parks and Rec equipment budget, and not slated for any purchases, would also reduce the amount the town pays to Country Landscaping on future field preparation. In the future, Mr. Bugbee will be reducing his request for equipment, however, this amount is in the budget for FY2012. Mr. Bugbee requests the Board of Finance to either approve this donation or endorse it if approval is not necessary. After discussion, it was decided to table this item to the January 31st agenda
and talk directly to Mr. Bugbee when he comes in for his budget on January 31st.
Old Business
Ryefield Tax Abatement: Mr. Russell stated that Dr. Faniola stated that Ryefield Manor should receive the exact tax abatements as Lymewood receives as both housing units follow the exact guidelines. Mr. Russell said that David Kelsey has been working on this issue and would like to discuss the operations of two housing units with him. There was an extensive discussion amongst the Board of Finance members regarding the differences and similarities between the two complexes. It was discussed that a change, if any, wouldn’t take place until July, the beginning of the Fiscal Year. It was decided that Lymewood and Ryefield would be invited back in January before the Board when Mr. Kelsey is present.
Selectwoman’s Report
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23rd at the Lyme Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Items on the agenda include: the acceptance of the Annual Town Report, announcement of Citizens of the Year, appointment of Jane Marsh to CRERPA, approval of the easement to CL&P at the Lyme Street Firehouse, approval of an ordinance regarding formation of the Council of Governments, which will likely be tabled, and a brief update on Regional District #18 bonding and High School progress report. At the Special Town Meeting of Monday, November 21st, it was decided to table the COG decision until the Annual Town Meeting in January. However, Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that since the committee isn’t at the stage of decision, she is
going to request to postpone that discussion.
Board of Finance Meeting January 10, 2012
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she received a letter of denial from the State regarding the STEAP application for the boat house at Hains Park at Rogers Lake.
Mrs. Reemsnyder said that at a Regional District #18 leadership meeting she attended last week, the $14.5 million was bonded at 2.5% for 20 years, which is an excellent rate thanks to the diligence of the two member towns.
Snow Plow Committee met last week and appointed a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary for that committee and informal minutes have already been developed. The second meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening and is hoping to meet weekly until some resolve is obtained.
Mrs. Reemsnyder commented Cathy Frank for her hard work on the paperwork needed to obtain the $200,000 for the Tourism and Culture grant funds that didn’t look hopeful for a long time. The funds will be put in the Town Hall Expansion Fund General Fund.
There was a meeting to discuss the acoustics of the Meeting Hall at the Town Hall. Several options were discussed. The first and foremost priority is to improve the quality of the sound in the Meeting Hall and the video tape of the Selectman’s Meeting aired on cable TV.
Mr. Russell stated that the Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23rd at the Lyme Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 pm. He also stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Please note the change of time from 7:30 pm to 7:00 pm during budget season.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Devoe to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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