Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 03, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, BJ Bernblum, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Bob Jose, Gil Soucie
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Absent: Regular Members: David Kelsey
Alternate Members:
Guest: Joanne DiCamillo, Chairperson, Tree Commission
Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Russell noted that there are guests from the Tree Commission present; therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to move Tree Commission up on the agenda to accommodate this evening’s guests. Motion carried.
0260 Tree Commission
Mrs. DiCamillo stated that the Tree Commission is charged with caring for Town trees and shrubs, dealing with hazardous trees, public or private, and other tasks. Road tree trimming goes out to bid and private tree contractors are hired to perform the necessary work. Other projects include tree assessment, as well as area beautification throughout the town. There is a new request for funding ($1,500) for a Deputy Tree Warden. Contracted Services represents $8,000 for Maintenance plus $1,500 tree planting maintenance for 25 young trees, and an additional request for Tree Planting. Mr. Degnan highlighted the qualifications and responsibilities of a Tree Warden. Because of his other full-time responsibilities, the Tree Commission wishes to appoint a part time deputy tree warden. All
departments affected would benefit from the support of someone who would be readily accessible, knowledgeable and experienced and would be available for onsite visits and emergency situations. It was discussed to increase the Tree Warden line to $5,000 to accommodate the combination of the Tree Warden stipend, and deputy tree warden and training.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $16,050 for the Tree Commission. Motion carried.
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she met with Mrs. DiCamillo and Mr. Degnan and discussed hiring a landscaper to maintain several town properties. Because the quotes received were higher than hoped for, the Memorial Town Hall would be the priority building. Mrs. DiCamillo spoke in favor of hiring a professional landscaper to maintain the Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
201 General Government
0010 Selectman’s Office
Mrs. Stajduhar detailed the Selectmen’s Office budget. There is an increase in the Selectmen’s Payroll/HR Consultant to accommodate the personnel specialist, Randi Frank, as well as the Engineering line.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $242,449. Motion carried.
0020 Town Clerk’s Office
Mrs. Stajduhar outlined the Town Clerk’s budget and there was no significant change. The expenses are fairly consistent with the previous year with increases in mileage and Education/Training lines.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $114,506. Motion carried.
0030 Tax Collector’s Office
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Tax Collector’s budget. There are increases in Postage and Contracted Services, which are provided by Quality Data Company and consist of software maintenance and a variety of other tasks, such as printing the tax bills. There is an increase in the assistant’s salary to cover extended hours during the busy tax collecting seasons.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $99,311. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting because his mother is the Tax Collector. Motion carried.
0040 Treasurer’s Office
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Treasurer’s budget and stated that there is an increase in Postage as well as Contracted Services, which includes BMSI payroll program and the town Audit, and a decrease in assistant’s salary.
A motion was made Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Bernblum, to approve $152,644. Motion carried.
0050 Registrars - Primaries and Referendums
The Registrars’ budget was reviewed. The salaries are for the two Registrars and the wage line relates to the workers at the polls. Printing represents printing of the voting ballots. The Primaries and Referendums amounts are based on historical election activity. It was noted that Regional District 18 reimburses the Town
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
for the District budget referendum cost. Increases requested are for postage and Referenda. Decreases are within the Contracted Services and Education/Training lines.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $33,797. Motion carried.
0060 Information Technology Department
Mrs. Stajduhar explained the Info Tech line items, such as computer training, GIS, licensing, laserfiche activity, the Town’s website, and e-mail. There are increases in Miscellaneous Equipment and Contract Laserfiche. There is a decrease in Contract GIS and the addition of Contract domain.gov, Logmein Pro and AVG Business lines. Because there were questions on several items, it was decided to table voting until next week.
0070 Probate Court
A handout was provided from the Town of East Lyme detailing Old Lyme’s amount and percentage for FY2015/16.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $5,800. Motion carried.
0080 Assessor’s Office
There were increases in the Legal Counsel, Dues, Contracted Services and Education/Training lines within the Assessor’s budget.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $127,148. Motion carried.
0090 Building Department
The Building Department budget was reviewed and there were no increases from last year’s budget, other than salaries.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $102,729. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
0095 Health Department
The new Sanitarian has been in place for a couple of months. Mrs. Stajduhar stated that there is a change in salaries because the WPCA clerk should be placed within the Health Department. There are no other increases noted within the Health Departments budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Bernblum, to approve $218,506. Motion carried.
0100 Town Hall Expenses
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the Town Hall expenses include the base telephone cost, electricity, and building supplies. Since the consolidation of the office supplies for the entire town, there is a decrease of $2,000. Increases are in the Repair/Maintenance and heating lines. Contracted Services include the General Code ordinance book, telephone maintenance contract, elevator contract, equipment inventory service, cleaning service, window washing, area carpeting service, HVAC contracts, etc. Landscaping Line item for the Town Hall was added to the budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $140,500. Motion carried.
0110 Insurance
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the costs of the Town’s insurance. There is a increase in the premiums for Medical Insurance ($460,000) and Life ($18,650), Property/Liability ($115,000), Workers Compensation ($81,000), and Fire Department ($42,000). Bonds for Officials ($2,000) remained the same as last year.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $718,650. Motion carried.
0120 Special Deductions
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that within Special Deductions, there are increases in Social Security ($211,000), Unemployment ($6,200), and Pensions ($172,000), and the Buyback for sick/vacation time ($20,000) remained the same.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $409,200. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
202 Boards and Commissions
0200 Harbor Management Commission
The $1,000 expense represents Contracted Services ($900) for removing, storing and replacing the dinghy dock at Ferry Road each year and hauling in the moorings; as well as Miscellaneous ($100).
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $1,000 for Harbor Management Commission. Motion carried.
0210 Economic Development Commission
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the EDC expenses include Supplies and Postage line items for $10 each. There was a discussion to fund SECTER which benefits larger towns in the southeast area.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Bernblum, to approve $20 for Economic Development Commission’s budget. Motion carried.
0215 Ethics Commission
There are no increases noted with the Ethics Commission.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $25 for the Ethics Commission budget. Motion carried.
0220 Water Pollution Control Authority
This line was tabled for this evening.
0230 Board of Finance
There is a decrease in the Postage line.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $10,271 for the Board of Finance. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
0240 Flood and Erosion
This budget represents the Clerk, Postage, Contracted Services, and Miscellaneous.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $540 for the Flood and Erosion Control Board. Motion carried.
0250 Historic District
The Historic District line items include the Clerk, Office Supplies, Postage and Legal Advertising for Public Hearings.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $4,600 for the Historic District. Motion carried.
0270 Board of Assessment Appeals
Board of Assessment Appeals has decreased Wages and Other/Miscellaneous lines and increased the Advertising line.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $1,253 for the Board of Assessment Appeals. Motion carried.
0280 Land Use Department
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that other than salaries, there is no change within the Land Use Department.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Bernblum, to approve $285,318 for the Land Use Department. Motion carried.
0290 Sound View Commission
The Sound View Commission’s budget consists of postage, dues and printing. Contracted Services increased because the port-a-potties ($6,000) were transferred from Parks and Recreation budget to Sound View Commission’s budget. Other/Miscellaneous category represents contracted services for maintaining plantings and shrubs for planters at the end of Hartford and Swan Avenue, concerts, the July 4th parade and Bocce courts/league.
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $10,675 for the Sound View Commission, to be used as the Commission deems appropriate. Motion carried.
0310 Conservation Commission
Conservation Commission budget represents Contracted Services.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $4,623 for the Conservation Commission. Motion carried.
0330 Open Space Commission
Open Space Commission represents maintenance ($5,200) of trees, brush, and trails on Open Space Land, Contracted Services (1,200) for the Open Space Coordinator/Warden, and Open Space ($4,900).
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to approve $11,300 for the Open Space Commission. Motion carried.
202-0275-0002-000 Rogers Lake Authority & 205-0595 Rogers Lake Patrol
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that per discussions with the Board of Finance when reviewing the Police budget a few weeks back, it was decided to move the Rogers Lake Patrol from the Police budget to the Rogers Lake Authority line. Within the Rogers Lake Authority budget are a Launch Attendant, meeting clerk, dues, and Lake Management for water quality samplings (6 months in two areas for $10,600; 2 payments of $5,300) and state of the water quality report annually for $1,500 (2 payments of $750). The Civilian Patrol, Education/Training and boat expenses are also included within the Rogers Lake Authority.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $15,408 for the Rogers Lake Authority. Motion carried.
205-0510 Valley Shore Emergency Communications
Mrs. Reemsnyder has not received figures from the State. Therefore, discussion was tabled until next week.
Board of Finance Meeting March 03, 2015
Other Business
Mr. Russell distributed a WPCA Budget Summary prepared by Skip Sibley that highlighted the WPCA current budget. Also included within his report was a Summary of various WPCA meetings. Mrs. Stajduhar distributed a worksheet on the expenses associated with the WPCA and outstanding invoices. Several areas regarding WPCA were discussed, such as, putting Stormwater budget under the Public Works budget. There were additional questions presented and the WPCA budget was tabled until the March 17th meeting for question clarification.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Other Associations, LYSB, Valley Shore Communications, Information Technology department, as well as February 24th and March 3rd meeting minutes are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:25 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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