Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~Anne Coburn, Robert Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie Reemsnyder, ex-officio, Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~Wayne Devoe
~Alternate Members:~~
Guest: Officer Thomas Heinssen, Old Lyme Police Department
Resident State Trooper Gary Inglis, CT State Police
Don Bugbee, Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Scott Boulanger, Chairman, Old Lyme Federation of Beaches
Paul Rowean, Old Lyme Federation of Beaches
Barry Harrison, White Sands Beach Association
Mike Secord, Rogers Lake Patrol
David Roberge, Fire Marshal
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:02~p.m. Mr. Russell requested a change in the agenda order to accommodate this evening’s guests; therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to move Public Safety: Police Services up on the agenda. Motion carried.
Because a regular member is absent this evening, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to have Mr. Kelsey vote in Mr. Devoe’s absence. Motion carried.
205 Public Safety
205-0590 Municipal Police
Officer Heinssen and Trooper Inglis reviewed the town's police budget for fiscal year 2012. The two areas discussed were the plan for the Old Lyme Police department to provide daytime security to Miami Beach at their expense and replacement of a 2008 Ford CVPI with 101,000 miles. The Crossing Guard expense is 100% reimbursed by the school district. Trooper Inglis and Officer Heinssen detailed the operating line items stating that the addition of day security to the police will impact the budget.
The Municipal Police budget was not voted on this evening.
Board of Finance Meeting January 31, 2012
205-0580 Resident State Police
There was a discussion on the Resident State Trooper expense to the town. The Town is paying 80% of the Resident State Trooper and 63.60% of the fringe benefits, which equals $98.00 (1.5 plus 63% fringe) per hour, which equals to $109,847.74, annually.
The Resident State Police budget was not discussed this evening.
205-0595 Rogers Lake Patrol
Mr. Secord reviewed the budget with the estimated cost of Patrol services for Roger's Lake. 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. Under Capital expense, Mr. Secord is requesting a zodiac boat for lake patrol for $17,500. Mr. Secord still needs to meet with the Town of Lyme, therefore, further discussion will be tabled and added to a future agenda.
The Rogers Lake Patrol budget was not voted on this evening.
Mr. Russell requested to move Parks and Recreation up on this evening’s agenda. Therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Kelsey to move Parks and Recreation up on the agenda. Motion carried.
01-204 Parks and Recreation
0400 Parks and Recreation
Mr. Kerr detailed the Parks and Recreation budget stating that the budget items have remained stable. Mr. Bugbee stated that the staff remains the same, with the addition of a part time assistant. The overall budget has not increased significantly. Mr. Bugbee commented that the area of shortage is in Life Guards and he proposed paying for the certification and having a couple of year commitment. The Equipment Line is reduced due to purchasing in bulk, therefore, as a result, he is requesting a donation from the FY2012 budget to the Little League organization for the Sand Pro machine that they have requested from Parks and Recreation in the assistance of the purchase of the Sand Pro. The machine will be owned, maintained, and operated by the Little League. The Town of Lyme offered to
donate a couple of thousand dollars towards the purchase as well. Mr. Bugbee is requesting $2,000 towards this piece of equipment.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $2,000 from the Equipment line toward donation for the Sand Pro machine. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting January 31, 2012
410 Town Woods Park
Mr. Bugbee stated that landscaper Ron Tyler of Country Lawn and Garden’s contract has come due. Therefore, maintenance of the Town Woods Park fields will need to be addressed.
420 Other: Fireworks
There was no discussion on fireworks this evening as the High School building project will still be ongoing and fireworks will not be allowed.
421 Other: Memorial Day
There was no discussion on Memorial Day this evening.
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. Mr. Roberge highlighted the Emergency Management operations stating that other than town funding, he also applies for various grant opportunities to help fund the Emergency Management operation, as well. Mr. Roberge stated that he is working on a donation of an ambulance to be used for deployment of water and materials during times of emergency. Therefore, operating expenses have been added to the operating budget in anticipation of acquiring the ambulance. Mr. Roberge discussed the possibility of acquiring a Radiostate AM band radio system to use in emergencies. In order to justify a future purchase through use of grants, he needs to test the unit for a
few weeks. For that reason, he is requesting $1,800 in FY2012 to cover the cost of shipping, temporary FCC licensing, etc., in order to test in March and June. Pending test results, he may look at purchasing the unit at the cost of $14,000, and grants may be available. The RadioStat is built for speed and portability and all of the electronics are housed in an easy to transport, high impact weather resistant case. The Radiostat can be received on standard vehicle radios and may operate at fixed locations and/or be deployed to emergencies on a temporary basis. The second request for Emergency Management is a GIS emergency information mapping program, which would allow for tracking of power outages areas, residents with special needs, and other valuable information.
Emergency Management budget was not voted on this evening.
Board of Finance Meeting January 31, 2012
205-0510 Valley Shore Communication
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she spoke with Valley Shore and they are still waiting for figures from the State of Connecticut. She commented, however, that the representative from Valley Shore is hopeful that the amount will remain the same for the upcoming fiscal year.
It was decided to table Valley Shore Communication vote for this evening.
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 although there is no budget submitted for FY2013, due to pending Animal Control office merger talks with East Lyme and Waterford. Increases are needed in the areas of vehicle maintenance and repair, heating fuel and animal expense. Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she has spoken with the animal control officers and set guidelines that she feels have been well received. Mrs. Reemsnyder will develop a budget for FY2013 with the animal control officer as it is questionable if the merger could happen for 2013.
The Animal Control’s budget vote did not take place this evening.
205-560 Fire Marshal
Mr. Roberge said that his budget has minimal increase for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Fire Marshal budget vote did not take place this evening.
01-211-1200 Private Beach Associations
Individual Beach Associations were not voted on this evening.
7014 Federation of Beaches
Mr. Boulanger stated that the Federation of Beaches is requesting $9,000 primarily for quad patrol, which is the same request as last year. He stated that the Old Lyme Police patrols with the Ford Explorer, as well as the ATV. Mr. Boulanger stated that funding to the Federation is to primarily help with the expense of security. Mr. Boulanger stated that the Federation will "step it up" this coming year and be more active as a group.
Board of Finance Meeting January 31, 2012
Minutes of January 10, 2012
Minutes of January 10th were discussed. One correction was noted on page 4, 4th paragraph, 1st sentence, to change the word “commented” to “commended”.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve the minutes as modified. Motion carried.
Ryefield Manor & Lymewood Tax Abatement Discussion
David Kelsey, Board of Finance representative, discussed the Lymewood tax abatement and summarized both complexes demographics and financial status. After extensive discussion, it was pondered to give a tax abatement, and to review percentages of assistance given over the next few years to both organizations.
It was recommended that the issues outlined above be carefully considered, before and during the next budget season (FY2013) for both Lymewood and Ryefield Manor. Going forward, the tax abatement benefit will not be guaranteed from year to year. Further discussion will be moved until the February 28th meeting.
Selectman’s Report
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the total budget for Regional School District #18, including debt service budget, is looking at an increase of 1.113% .
Mrs. Reemsnyder has to approve a 35-month software insurance agreement for the Town Clerk, which has an increase of $35 per month. Because the contract extends over several budget years, the Board of Finance
needs to be aware of it.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 07, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Public Works, Sanitation, Capital Project Funds, Interest on Debit, Principle on Debt are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was then made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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