Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
~Present:~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members: Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe, Christopher Kerr,
Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Anne Coburn Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie Reemsnyder, Ex-Officio
Nicole Stadjuhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ H. P. Garvin, III
~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~
Guests: Ed Adanti, Superintendent, Old Lyme Public Works
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Russell stated that a couple of regular members are absent this evening. A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to have Mr. Jose vote for Mr. Garvin in his absence. Motion carried.
Minutes of October 16, 2012
The minutes of the October 16th meeting were reviewed. On page 3, Selectman’s Report, 3rd paragraph, add the word “tax” before the word “abatement”.
There being no other corrections noted, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried.
Financial Reports
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the October 2012 Financial Report notes for the Revenues, stating that the monthly property tax collections were $120,565 and the current levy is 53.9% collected. PILOT grants for State property and Colleges paid $29,425 and $38,844, respectively.
Mrs. Stajduhar reviewed the Expenditures: $!2,000 was paid out for Treasurer – Contracted Services to JH Cohn for the Town’s audit. Under Public Works: Crack Seal - $13,565 was paid to Anton Paving for paving of five locations. Under Town Woods Park: Contracted Ground Maintenance - $20,064 was paid to Ron Tyler Landscaping Co. (formerly Country Lawn and Landscape). Debt Service: principal and interest of $250,000 and $50,656, respectively.
Under Capital: Senior Center - $5,000 was paid to Zelek for the generator transfer switch; Public Works (PW) Small Equipment - $2,500 was paid for an EZ dump trailer; PW Guard Rail - $3,391 was paid for replacement lumber on Boggy Hole Road; PW Paving - $233,935 was paid for paving of Meetinghouse/Johnnycake Hill Roads as follows:
$3,593 to Tilcon for materials, $224,140 to Pasteryak for paving, $5,765 to Anton Paving for aprons/curbs, $437 for Public Works employee overtime.
From the Landfill Closure Fund, the Town paid $454,522 to ET&L (3rd payment request on contract to close landfill) and Anchor Engineering $10,210 (engineering services related to close landfill). Mrs. Stajduhar stated that $43,000 has been spent to date for Storm Sandy.
Old Business
2013 Meeting Schedule: Mr. Russell distributed the new 2013 Meeting Schedule. A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve the 2013 Meeting Schedule as presented. Motion carried.
Salaries: Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Board of Selectmen approved increasing the salary of those employees who are below the first step of their pay grade to the first step of their grade on January 1, 2013. The overall increase is approximately $18,000 in additional salaries and payroll taxes. A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to accept the recommendations of the salary committee and the Board of Selectmen to increase the employees that are below the first step of their pay grade to step one in their grade, not to exceed $18,000, as of January 01, 2013. Motion carried.
New Business
Regional School District #18’s 2013-2014 Budget Process Timeline was distributed and briefly discussed.
Selectman’s Report
Mrs. Reemsnyder highlighted Storm Sandy and described the areas that received the most damage. She stated that there were statewide conference calls with State Officials and Emergency Management Directors. Mrs. Reemsnyder commended the State in making sure that every community was well-prepared and praised volunteers and Town Staff for all of their good efforts. The Transfer Station had extended hours and accepted storm-related debris free of charge. Homes that were deemed unsafe were isolated from the grid before electricity was restored to these neighborhoods and a licensed electrician had to inspect electrical system for safety prior to individual restoration.
Mrs. Reemsnyder reported that the Special Town Meeting was re-scheduled from October 29th to November 14th due to the storm. Both Village Lane and Woodcrest Drive were accepted as town roads. Steve Spooner was elected to the Board of Education to fill the vacancy after the resignation of Judith Read. This position will be on the November 2013 ballot, as well as the November 2015 ballot.
Mrs. Reemsnyder reported that the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize an agreement with ProAct Pharmacy Services, Inc. She stated that the Town of Durham has already implemented the Discount Prescription Card for Residents program and believes it to be beneficial to their residents. The only administrative task that the town would be responsible for is to work with ProAct on marketing pieces. The program was reviewed and received positive feedback from town attorney, Marylin Clarke. Prescription Discount cards offered by CCM will be mailed out during the first part of December.
The Fire Department Incentive Committee has been formed. The committee members are: Skip Sibley (Board of Selectmen rep), Dave Woolley (Board of Finance rep), Skip Beebe and Rick Colangelli (OLFD), Jim Jakes (Ambulance rep) and Bob Jose (Pension Committee rep).
Election day had 80% turnout. Bright overhead lights, traffic control and a change in traffic patterns helped with the safety aspect throughout the busy day. There was a discussion about the possibility of changing the polling place to the schools, at least for presidential elections, but this would need to be planned early.
A new Memorial for Veterans was dedicated on November 11th at the base of the flagpole in the Duck River Cemetery. The installation of the blue stone surrounding the memorial will be donated by Phil Trowbridge, and the memorial highlighted the emblems from the six armed forces.
Wastewater Management task force met for the first time on November 13th. The purpose of this committee is to prepare the RFQ (request for qualification) for engineering firms to conduct a site study and design of a community septic system. Their charge is to come up with an appropriate RFQ, conduct an interview process, site study, communicate with the owners of the sites, and submit applications to the DEEP for matching (55%) funds. They will provide regular reports to the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Kerr asked Mrs. Reemsnyder if she had the opportunity to speak with First Selectman of Deep River, Dick Smith, to discuss the hoop style building that Deep River has at their Public Works Department. He asked if Old Lyme should proceed on plans for a similar hoop style building, to which she responded to proceed with that plan.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to enter into Executive Session to discuss a possible land acquisition at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to adjourn the Executive Session at 9:38 p.m. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:38 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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