Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 03, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Hall.
Present: Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Bennett Bernblum, H. P. Garvin, III,
Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Bob Jose, David Kelsey, Gil Soucie
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Absent: Regular Members: Christopher Kerr
Alternate Members:
Guest: John Bysko, CPA, Treasurer
Tom Heinssen, Old Lyme Police Department
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Mr. Russell called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Russell reported that Mr. Kerr will not be present this evening, therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to have Mr. Jose vote for Mr. Kerr in his absence. Motion carried.
Since Mr. Bysko was present, a motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to add the Treasurer’s Update discussion to the agenda. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Update
Mr. Bysko stated that interest rates have been extremely low for the last five years and the economy hasn’t come back as quickly as anticipated. Money markets are paying 0.1% and the Town’s primary relationship is with Webster Bank that is paying .09%, and the State is paying .16% without locking funds up. Reserves are principally in three places and are earning money market rates there. Mr. Bysko has reached out to Bank North as they have offered .37% for a one year CD and have a stong Government unit. However, Mr. Bysko commented that Government banking units at all establishments across the board are not offering high rates in general. He will check out different paths and report back in the future.
Minutes of the January 20, 2015 Regular meeting
Review and approval of the regular meeting minutes of January 20th was postponed until next week.
Mr. Heinssen was present, therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to move Police Services up on the agenda. Motion carried.
Board of Finance February 03, 2015
205 Public Safety
205-0580 Resident State Police
There was a discussion on the Resident State Trooper expense to the town. Officer Heinssen stated that the Town is paying 70% of salary of the Resident State Trooper salary and 83.50% of the fringe benefits, per State Contract with the town.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $133,056 for the Resident State Police. Motion carried.
205-0590 Municipal Police
Officer Heinssen reviewed the town's proposed police budget for fiscal year 2015/16. He noted that the Old Lyme Police department provides daytime security to Miami Beach at their expense. Officer Heinssen explained that Miami Beach Association reimburses the town the salary and fringe costs associated with providing Town Rangers, who provide daytime Patrols in conjunction with and under the supervision of the Police. The number of Rangers working daily throughout the summer, is based on the weather. The Crossing Guard expense is 100% reimbursed by the school district. Increases are in part-time wages, parking enforcement, police overtime wages, vehicle maintenance and police parking ticket computer. There was a decrease in electricity and in the vehicle fuel.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approved $741,849 for Municipal Police. Motion Carried.
Under Five Year Capital, Mr. Heinssen stated that a new vehicle for $29,000 is included. Two portable radios have been purchased thus far and he is expecting to purchase a third radio next fiscal year. The Fire arms line can be deleted because the Police have been using a program through the State. Police vests are purchased each year, one a year on a rotating basis and they have a five year warranty. Mr. Woolley stated that after reviewing with neighboring towns, the surrounding towns use dashboard cameras. Use of the cameras not only protects the town, but it protects the police officer and protects citizen rights as well. To outfit all six full time officer’s cars is approximately $27,000. Mr. Heinssen explained the various methods that other towns use and commented that
State policy is that if your vehicle is outfitted with a dash camera, it would have to be on for all motor vehicle stops. Mr. Heinssen said that he borrowed a mid level camera from Old Saybrook to try and stated that it worked well. Mrs. Reemsnyder explained that when citizen complaints are received at town level, it has to be investigated internally at the barracks, which takes a lot of time and energy to review. With a dashboard camera, this time and energy would be minimized. Mr. Russell inquired if unused funds that are allocated for the portable radios, can be used for dashboard cameras. Mrs. Stajduhar said that because it’s over $20,000, it would have to be approved at a Town Meeting.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move Salaries up on the agenda. Motion carried.
Board of Finance February 03, 2015
Salaries
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the salary increases and adjustments due to Step grading increases and a general increase of 2%. Two Union increases are already included in their contract. Other increases were in the area of part-time police, park rangers, and an increase in the tax assistant hours by 200 hours. Part time EMT’s wages increased by 3% as requested, as they haven’t had an increase in several years. There was discussion in regards to the Health Dept. and WPCA and the administrative positions, as well as the WPCA spending in general, as many questions were raised regarding their budget. The Board asked if all WPCA work has been halted in writing, which was confirmed that it was. The new Sanitarian was hired at the top of the step range. All other departments received a 2%
increase with a few receiving an additional step increase.
A motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $2,668,721 for the salaries, as presented. Motion carried.
205-0530 Animal Control
The Animal Control budget was reviewed and there was little change in their budget and actually the new system that Officer Heinssen oversees is working out smoothly.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Bernblum to approve $69,859. Motion carried.
205-0595 Rogers Lake Patrol
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the study that was just reported was positive and a proposal was presented by Aquatic Ecosystem Research, LLC (AER) for water quality monitoring. Water quality is an important part of a lake management program because it provides insight into the dynamics of nutrients, oxygen and primary productivity. These features of a lake are critical to the decision making processes associated with lake management, particularly in plant management. And, if plant management is being undertaken, the data collected can be used to assess the system’s response to the removal of plant and weeds from the lake. The cost for a six month (May-October) water quality sampling cost $10,600, with data compiled in a database and professional interpretation and recommendations. There was a
discussion as to the best line category to put this proposal going forward. It was discussed to create a separate operating budget under the Rogers Lake Authority with parts being categorized for operating, patrol, and lake/weed management and moving the Rogers Lake Authority budget under Board and Commissions. Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the Rogers Lake Patrol lines in the total amount of $8,275 will be moved to Boards and Commissions. No action was taken, pending the changes discussed.
Board of Finance February 03, 2015
01-211-1200 Private Beach Associations
With recommendations from the Beach Stipend Committee, the new Private Beach Association is as follows:
7007 Point O’Woods $13,800
7008 Old Lyme Shores 9,000
7009 Old Colony Beach 9,500
7010 Miami Beach 20,500
7011 White Sand Beach 14,300
7012 Rogers Lake West Shores 3,000
7013 Hawks Nest Beach 1,600
7014 Federation of Beaches ______0 (now included within the Police budget)
Total $71,700
Mr. Bernblum requested that a new Beach Association, Edgelea, be considered for a portion of the $71,700 beach association grant that would be used towards Edgelea’s security. There was a discussion regarding a new association requesting a grant after the budget season has begun. The Board of Finance will approve the total amount, and the Board of Selectmen will be responsible for how it gets allocated by reviewing security needs of each Association. After an extensive discussion, it was decided to table discussion and approval until next weeks meeting.
205 Other Public Safety
205-0500 Emergency Management
Mr. Garvin stated that David Roberge, Emergency Management Director has requested the same amount as last year for supplies and dues. There was a slight increase in the telephone line. The new emergency call system, Everbridge/Reverse 911 Annual License Fee is $3,200 and $5,000 for the Everbridge education for a public education program for Everbridge/Reverse 911. It was decided to remove the increase until a plan is submitted.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Jose to approved $15,850 for Emergency Management. Motion carried.
205-0510 Valley Shore Communication PASS
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she has a meeting with Valley Shore and they are still waiting for figures from the State of Connecticut.
It was decided to table Valley Shore Communication vote for this evening.
Board of Finance February 03, 2015
205-0520 Volunteer Ambulance Association
The Ambulance budget was discussed. A new item included in their budget request is protective clothing for EMS employees that are NFPA & OSHA requirements. For 8 sets of jacket, pants, boots, helmets, and gloves, the cost would be $13,920. Salaries in the amount of $125,611 were approved this evening for the Ambulance under Salaries. The total amount of their budget is $151,531.
Because of the new protective clothing request, it was decided to table Volunteer Ambulance Association vote for this evening.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Sanitation, CRRA, Capital Project Funds, Interest on Debit, and Principal on Debt are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was then made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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