Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Bennett Bernblum, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Bob Jose, David Kelsey, Gil Soucie
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~Alternate Members:~~
Guests: Ian Neviaser, Superintendent of Schools, Regional School District #18
Holly McCalla, Business Manager, Regional School District #18
Tom Risom, Chief, Old Lyme Fire Department
Rob McCarthy, President, Old Lyme Fire Department
David Roberge, Fire Marshal
Bob Pierson, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Lymes Senior Center
Stephanie Lyon, Director, Lymes’ Senior Center
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~Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Regional School District #18 – Board of Education
Mr. Neviaser reported that the overall budget as presented represents a 1.83% increase and the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16 in the amount of $32,547,409. He stated that there is an increase in High School population and a decrease in elementary school aged children. The breakdown is $28,242,650 for Operations/Program budget, an increase of $225,350 or .80%% over the previous year. The Debt Service is $4,304,759, an increase of $358,658 or 9.09% over the previous year’s debt service. Mr. Neviaser stated that the proposed budget’s largest driver is comprised of Certified Salaries, Non-certified Salaries, and Employee Benefits, along with the Operating Budget. Other increases include Special Education (up $51,798 or 4.60%), Pupil Transportation (up $54,477 or 6.04%) due to
a renegotiation of the bus contract (due to cost of bus driver benefits, bus barn rent increase and State mandated benefits), and debt services. Decreases include Instructional Programs (decrease by $142,970 or 9.63%, Support Services (by $27,275 or 24.43%), Administrative Services (by $13,351 or 3.19%). Mr. Neviaser stated that the final facility project is to complete Center School Pre-K Conversion.
Mrs. Sturges made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garvin to move Fire Services up on the agenda. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting February 24, 2015
205 Fire Services
0540 Old Lyme Fire Department
Mrs. Stujduhar outlined various increases and decreases within the operating budget. Mr. Risom detailed the operating budget of the Fire department that includes heat, electricity, telephone, building maintenance, supplies, technology, and miscellaneous (postage, office supplies, etc.). Fire house expenses increased because of fuel consumption. There is no increase in the technology and computer line which includes a licensing fee, firefighting software and server operations. Firefighting expenses have increased 1%, which include the engineers who maintain the trucks, apparatus, preventative maintenance (SCBA/PASS equipment) and Compliance items, such as apparatus inspection and ladder testing. Fire fighting equipment, which includes protective equipment, fire hoses and fittings, and rescue
equipment (marine equipment), have also increased. Mr. Risom stated that the Fire Department is going to discuss with the Police the possibility of combining efforts regarding marine apparatus.
Mr. Risom detailed the Capital Budget, which included air bottles, portable radios, door security access, rugged laptops, fire/rescue boat replacement, replacement of two tankers, and a thermal imaging camera, which detects the temperature of the fire/heat.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $ 229.822 for Old Lyme Fire Department operating budget. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting. Motion carried.
0550 Fire Protection
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the Town pays the fire protection expenses to Connecticut Water Company, as approved by the DPUC, for 19,885 feet of underground pipe and 20 hydrants in Town and State roads. The cost is calculated on linear feet.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $29,000 for Fire Protection. Motion carried.
0560 Fire Marshal
Mr. Roberge stated the only areas of increase are in miscellaneous publications, telephone, and education/training. Postage was requested to be carried over into the next fiscal year. The overall budget remains the same.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $64,390 for Fire Marshal, which includes salaries. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting February 24, 2015
205 Public Safety
205-500 Public Safety – Emergency Management
Mr. Roberge stated that the new Everbridge Reverse 911 system has been very successful. Mr. Roberge explained that because of its success with over 3,500 signed up, he has requested an increase of $5,000 in Everbridge education. Mr. Roberge contacted Everbridge to discuss various marketing media avenues to generate interest and stimulate additional registrations into the program. He proposes various marketing avenues, which include setting up sign up stations at the Mid-summer Festival, the town fireworks event, various sporting and senior center events.
He discussed producing a professional quality media program on public access television stations. Mr. Roberge stated that he would like to reach the summer rental properties to have the information available to them when they’re in town.
Mr. Roberge outlined Emergency Management Capital which includes radio equipment that would cover the voided areas of frequency. Presently with the new frequency, the town is at about 80% communication. Mr. Roberge would like to develop and purchase a repeater system which would enhance communications for the remaining part of town that does not receive frequency (north of Boston Post Road towards East Lyme and west of Route 156). This would work under one UHF operating system for all town officials such as the police, fire, public works, etc. Mr. Roberge stated that at the beach areas 911 calls can potentially go to New York tower instead of to Westbrook. He recommends putting in a couple of call boxes, one in the Sound View area and one in the White Sand Beach, for the summer populations in
emergency situations.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $20,850 for Emergency Management, which includes salaries. Motion carried
0570 Emergency Service Retirement
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that this amount includes 2% increase, with 61 eligible participants and the plan administrator fees.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $60,000 for Emergency Service Retirement. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting. Motion carried.
205-0510 Valley Shore Communications
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she is still awaiting figures, therefore, Valley Shore will be tabled until next week.
Board of Finance Meeting February 24, 2015
Mr. Russell requested that the Lymes’ Senior Center, be moved up on the agenda. Therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to move the Lymes’ Senior Center up on the agenda. Motion carried.
206-670 Lymes’ Senior Center
Ms. Lyon detailed the operations and recommendations for the Lymes’ Senior Center, stating that the budget is pretty much the same. Ms. Lyon detailed the operating budget, which includes a large increase in electricity at the Senior Center. Other increases requested are in contracted services, telephone, and landscaping expenses. Decreases are in the mileage and heating line. There was a discussion on various electricity avenues and other providers that can be utilized because of the dramatic increase overall to electricity in general. The Senior Center is due for a new roof within the next few years and could potentially be a candidate for solar panels.
The Capital Budget, which included interior painting, carpet replacement, replacing the lobby furniture, and converting the screened porch into a three-season room with a new floor, windows and doors. Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the future building usage should be looked at before closing in a porch into a three season room. With the increase in programs and evening events, it may not be as practical as previously discussed. The outside closet, kitchen and meeting room doors need to be replaced with the kitchen door having a window in it to satisfy insurance requirements. There was a discussion to keep budgeting funds for roof replacement in the future.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $86,135 for the Lymes’ Senior Center. Motion carried.
206-600 Social Services
0610 Social Service Dept.
Mrs. Sturges highlighted the Social Service Department budget. She stated that there is an increase in need within the town and that the Director, who works only twelve hours a week, has requested an increase in hours. There was discussion of the Social Service Department’s services and the needs of the Town’s residents. There was discussion on what are the services that the local Social Services provide and what services can be referred to the regional Social Service organizations. The discussion included the question of whether the town is trying to provide more services or more hours to provide services as well as whether the hours the town provides are adequate to accommodate to the residents’ needs.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Bernblum to approve $17,823, including salaries, for the Social Service Department. Mrs. Sturges opposed the motion. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting February 24, 2015
0620 Social Service Agencies
The grant requests of several social service agencies historically supported by the Town were discussed. There are two new agencies, Arc of New London County that help train disabled individuals with life skills and independence, and the Shoreline Soup Kitchen. The following amounts agreed upon:
000 Arc of New London County $500
001 Literacy Volunteers $500
002 Women’s Center 500
003 Rushford Center 500
004 Regional Mental Health 392
005 TVCCA 600
006 Sexual Assault CC 300
007 Shoreline Soup Kitchen 500
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $3,792 for Social Service Agencies. Motion carried.
0630 Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the VNA budget represents $60,332 for professional nursing services and $350 for postage. The OLVNA always returns unused funds to the town.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $60,682 for Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association. Motion carried.
0640 Estuary Transit District
The Estuary Transit District provides scheduled bus service and Dial a Ride services for Old Lyme and surrounding towns. The nine-town shuttle runs from Old Saybrook to New London and to Middletown.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $13,647 for the Estuary Transit District. Motion carried.
0650 Estuary Services
The Estuary Nutrition site serves meals daily at the Senior Center, as well as providing “meals on wheels” to homebound clients within the Town. The Estuary sent in a request for $34,807, citing an increase in number of residents being serviced as well as an increase in the cost of providing services on all levels. The ECSI is funded by grants, donations from individuals, fund raising efforts and contributions from each of the Estuary towns.
Board of Finance Meeting February 24, 2015
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $34,807 for the Estuary Services. Motion carried.
Other Business
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the town has appointed an ADA coordinator and organized a committee to review the ADA compliance issues within the various town properties. Mrs. Reemsnyder explained that the town should have a self-evaluation done in order to be proactive to ADA regulations. She distributed a proposal from the Northeast Independent Living Program which would provide an ADA monitoring self-evaluation review and recommend a Transition Plan for the town to determine whether the active municipal sites are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
There was a discussion on the necessity of performing this self-monitoring and Policy and Procedure with an outside company. It was recommended that discussion with River COG, CCM, Cirma and town attorney as to how other towns are handling the ADA requirements.
Minutes of January 20, 2015 Regular Revised Meeting
The minutes of January 20th meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve the revised minutes as modified. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 03, 2015 Regular Meeting
The minutes of February 3rd meeting were reviewed. Mr. Bernblum stated that on page 2, 5th paragraph, within the Five Year Capital, Mrs. Reemsnyder will meet with Mr. Heinssen to review what other towns are doing in regards to the dashboard cameras.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve the minutes as modified. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 10, 2015 Regular Meeting
The minutes of February 10th meeting were reviewed. On page 6, under Private Beach Associations, the figures to the associations should read as follows:
7007 Point O’Woods $13,200
7008 Old Lyme Shores $ 8,050
7009 Old Colony Beach $ 9,100
Board of Finance Meeting February 24, 2015
7010 Miami Beach $20,100
7011 White Sand Beach $14,100
7012 Rogers Lake West Shores $ 3,000
7013 Hawks Nest Beach $ 1,550
7015 EdgeLea $ 2,000
It was noted that Mr. Swaney was omitted from the discussion regarding the Little League under Parks and Recreation.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve the minutes as modified. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 03, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for General Government and Boards and Commissions are scheduled for discussion. Mr. Russell reviewed the budget schedule and asked the board if Capital Expenditures and Revenues can be moved up to March 10th meeting.
Mrs. Reemsnyder gave an update on the WPCA plan. She recommended to the WPCA that some of the engineering and legal fees be included in their budget, however, the project itself will go to a Town Meeting once total amounts are finalized. There are unanswered questions regarding as the plan was shared with DEEP, it was not clear with the service area is to the town. Mr. Russell asked Mr. Soucie and Mr. Kelsey to review the WPCA budget before next week’s Board and Commission discussion.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:40 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
Michele E. Hayes
Office Manager
Selectman's Office
Town of Old Lyme
52 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
tel. 860.434.1605, x-212
fax. 434.1400
M-F, 9-4pm
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