Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. UNAPPROVED
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio, Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman, Skip Sibley, Selectman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~Alternate Members:~~ Anne Coburn
Guest: No guests present
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.~
Minutes of March 13, 2012
The minutes of March 13th were reviewed.
There being no changes noted, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Devoe and Mr. Garvin abstained as they were not present. Motion carried.
Minutes of March 20, 2012
The minutes of March 20th were distributed. Review and vote was tabled until a future meeting.
Salaries
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the classification and compensation study has been finalized. Randi Frank Consulting, LLC used a factor point analysis system used in the classification and compensation studies. The compensation was derived from conducting interviews, had completed questionnaires from employees, and compared with towns of same size. Mr. Russell stated that the salary committee met to discuss the outcome of the study. A compensation survey was conducted which provided information in order to develop recommended compensation schedules that are both internally equitable and externally competitive.
Board of Finance Meeting March 27, 2012
After extensive discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $2,435,045 for salaries for the Fiscal Year 2012/2013. Kerr abstained. Motion carried. After discussion on Social Services, a motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to amend the salary amount to $2,444,107 to include Social Services into the salary sheet. Motion carried.
Mr. Woolley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Devoe that the non-union town employee’s health benefits remain at the current contribution rate and not increase this year. Mr. Kerr abstained. Motion carried.
201 General Government
0120 Special Deductions
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that Special Deductions represents Social Security, Unemployment, Pensions and the Buyback for sick/vacation time.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $384,050 for Special Deductions. Mr. Kerr abstained. Motion carried. Because of adding Social Services back into the salary sheets, the original motion was amended. Therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $384,750 for Special Deductions. Motion carried.
204-0410 Town Woods Park
Mrs. Reemsnyder informed the Board about the Town Forum held last Monday regarding the organic method of maintaining the Town Woods Park playing fields. A presentation was made by Todd Harrington, who has over 20 years of field experience with organic care both locally (Chester, Manchester) and elsewhere (Martha’s Vineyard, Washington State).
A motion was then made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve $141,910 for Town Woods Park. Motion carried.
Budget Wrap Up
Mrs. Stajduhar distributed a 2012/13 preliminary budget summary that included everything that was approved up to this evening’s meeting. Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that within the salary sheet, there is no salary listed for Social Service. She stated that she spoke with Mary Seidner, the Director of Lyme Youth Service Bureau about taking on the function of Social Services.
Board of Finance Meeting March 27, 2012
A stipend would be given to Lyme Youth Service Bureau and they would provide their own employee to work a few hours a week within a space provided at the Town Hall. There was a discussion on the pros and cons of having a dedicated individual for Social Service.
Mr. Sibley wanted to go on record that he is opposed to a union between Lyme Youth Service Bureau and Social Services.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe to allocate the funds for a Social Service individual as part of salaries and to leave the decision as to the position with the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Sturges seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Preliminary budget summary sheet which includes General Government, the addition of Social Services as Contracted Services, Town Woods Parks Police Department, and additional advertising for Land Use – Zoning Advertising, salaries and special deductions.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to add an additional $5,000 to Land Use Advertising. Motion carried.
Mill Rate Calculation
Mrs. Stajduhar detailed the Mill Rate Calculation sheet for Fiscal Year 2012/2013. She stated that the gross property tax required of $30,343,435 included the addition of elderly tax relief, volunteer tax abatement for Lymewood and Ryefield Manor.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe to increasing the collection rate to 98.25% bringing the new estimated mill rate to 19.26. A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to round the mill rate to 19.25. After discussion, Mr. Kerr withdrew his motion, and Mrs. Sturges withdrew her second to the motion of rounding down the mill rate number. Motion carried.
Other Business
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that when the Town Hall was being renovated, the Selectman’s office was not addressed. She detailed the Selectman’s Office/workroom area highlighting the work that is being proposed.
Board of Finance Meeting March 27, 2012
Mr. Russell thanked the Board for their hard work on a challenging and difficult budget season.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance gathering will be at the Public Budget Hearing meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 16, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium. Attendance is stressed.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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