Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: Regular Members: Andrew Russell, BJ Bernblum, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members: Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director REVISED
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman UNAPPROVED
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Absent: Regular Members: H. P. Garvin, III, Christopher Kerr
Alternate Members: Gil Soucie
Guest: Mary Fiorelli, Director, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
David Stanland,Asst. Treasurer, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Dr. William Donovan, President, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Libtary
Lynn Fairfield-Sonn, Treasurer, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Ed Adanti, Director of Public Works
Rick Darren, Valley Shore Emergency Communications, Inc
Paul Fazzino, Valley Shore Emergency Communications, Inc.
Norman Needleman, First Selectman of the Town of Essex
Mary Seidner, Director, Lyme Youth Service Bureau
Tim Griswold, Co-Chair, Old Lyme Historical Society
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
There are two regular members absent this evening, therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to have Mr. Kelsey and Mr. Jose vote for Mr. Garvin and Mr. Kerr in their absence. Motion carried.
211-1100 Other Associations
7001 Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Dr. Donovan highlighted the financial history of the Library during the last fiscal year, and Mrs. Fairfield-Sonn stated that the library continues to be aggressive in their fund drive efforts. On the expense side of the budget, the Library has a 2% pay increase to the staff which is an increase of $10,000. The Library has seven full time employees that are presently enrolled in the pension program.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2015
He detailed the financial outlook of the Library stating that the Library has been taking a 5.5% draw from the Library endowment each year, which is an above average amount to draw out of the endowment annually. This year, the library is requesting $305,000, which is a $10,000 increase from the town to offset operating expenditures. Because of the changing era, the library is becoming more like a community center as well as a library and resource center.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $305,000 for the PGN Library. Mr. Kelsey abstained. Motion carried.
Because there are guests present, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move Valley Shore Communications up on the agenda. Motion carried.
205-0510 Valley Shore Emergency Communications
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that amounts are based on population, number of calls and the individual town’s grand list. Mr. Fazzino stated that Valley Shore is working hard to realign their budget. As a result, Capital was broken out of their operating budget to make it more easily understood, which resulted in two separate figures presented to the towns. The increase is 17% overall with the operating budget increasing less than 1%, however, the Capital increased $50,000 for equipment upgrade. Mr. Russell asked that besides State monies, are there additional grants that can be available to them? Mr. Darren said that several funding options are being investigated as well as applying for regional and federal grants to help offset increases. Valley Shore Emergency Communications services ten towns. Old Lyme’s share is $136,200 for Operating Budget and $12,800 for Capital budget items.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $149,000 for Valley Shore Emergency Communications. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move LYSB to the next item on the agenda. Motion carried.
206-0610 Lymes' Youth Service Bureau
Mrs. Seidner, Director of the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, presented the LYSB proposed budget. She stated that the State of CT prevention grant is up for competitive rebid and she is hopeful. LYSB is one of the few private, non-profit, Youth Service Bureaus with approximately one-third of their income raised through fund-raising efforts. Their board continues to aggressively fund raise to defray their operating expenses. Request for services throughout the year has steadily increased, however, the Bureau has worked hard at trying to keep their budget the same as last year.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2015
Mrs. Seidner stated that LYSB has partnered with the schools, the police, the library and Child and Family Agency, which brings resources and assistance with programs such as alcohol and drug prevention. Mrs. Seidner stated that LYSB continues to work very closely with the Police on various prevention efforts. In conclusion, the LYSB is requesting $81,000, a $3,000 increase from the town.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve $81,000. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move up Historical Society on the agenda. Motion carried.
7006 Old Lyme Historical Society
Mr. Griswold stated that the Old Lyme Historical Society is requesting grant money in the amount of $3,500. He explained that the Historical Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that was incorporated in CT in February 2005. The Society is governed by its Board of Trustees, consisting of up to 25 members. He stated that the mission of the Old Lyme Historical Society is to collect preserve and interpret the rich history of Old Lyme. The Historical Society bought the Grange Hall last year and has been working very hard to make many improvements needed to make the building more efficient as well as ADA compliant. They are still trying to create an archivial area that is climate controlled for the paper documents. The Society has $18-$20K on hand and they have been leasing a room at the
library, as well as using space at the Town Hall to house their records until their building is ready to house the documents safely. The Society has commenced a Capital Campaign in December 2013, and as of March 1st has raised just over $225,000. The Society has respectfully requested the Town of Old Lyme approve a non-recurrent grant in the amount of $15,000, spread over three years ($5,000/year) that will be dedicated exclusively to improving the building, including the creation of the archival storage space. This is the second of the three year request and would be a Capital Non-recurring grant. The Society will be applying for a grant in April that may assist in getting a new furnace for their building.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $3,500 for the Old Lyme Historical Society. Motion carried.
7002 Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Mrs. Sturges stated that she and Mr. Jose met with the George Synodi, Vice President of Finance of the University of New Haven, and Todd Jokl, Campus Dean, and they both felt that the Academy was on the right track by consolidating administration and running it as a business with a progressive five year plan in place. The operating request is $10,000 and a $10,000 Capital to upgrade their computer will be discussed in the Capital budget.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2015
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve $10,000 for the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Motion carried.
7003 Florence Griswold Museum
Mrs. Sturges detailed the submitted budget for Florence Griswold Museum stated the requested amount of $12,500 for the upcoming fiscal year. Mr. Jose commented that 64,000 people visited the Museum last year.
After discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve $12,500 for the Florence Griswold Museum. Motion carried.
7004 Lyme Art Association
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted The Lyme Art Association is seeking $6,000 for General Operating purposes. The Lyme Art Association has been seeking Capital Funds in the amount of $10,000 a year for 4 consecutive years (2014-2017) for the historic restoration of the Charles A. Platt-designed building. 2015 is the second year of this request.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve $6,000 for the general operating purposes. Motion carried.
7005 Old Lyme Affordable Housing
Mrs. Reemsnyder shared with the Board that OLAH merged with HOPE (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere). HOPE is a regional effort to increase attainable housing and the support of the Towns is crucial in securing grants. This also helps the Town in an effort to meet the state guidelines for affordable housing in each community
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $500 for the Old Lyme Affordable Housing. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2015
201-0060 Information Technology
Mrs. Reemsnyder highlighted the Information Technology line items, explaining the various increases and decreases within the Technology budget.
A motion was made Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Bernblum to approve $89,426. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move Capital up on the Agenda. Motion carried.
Mr. Kelsey returned after attending the WPCA meeting, therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to seat Mr. Kelsey in Mr. Garvin’s place. Motion carried.
300 Capital Expenditures/Non-Recurring
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Five Year Capital & Nonrecurring Budget noting some changes. There was a discussion on the Senior Center porch request. Although the entire Board agreed that renovations were necessary, it needs to be carefully assessed, and to start with a concept, including sketches, and taking the future needs of the Center into consideration. Mr. Kelsey requested that the porch item be removed from the five year capital and have a committee work with a designer or architect to come up with a more definitive plan and dollar amount that would allow future growth of the Center. A motion was made by Mr. Kelsey, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve putting $2,500 into the Senior Center porch line for assessment needs of the Center going into the future,.and renaming it to Senior
Center Building Improvement Study. Motion carried. Senior Center roof request is in the second year of a three year request.
Mr. Adanti reported that the 1996 International dump truck with plow needs to be replaced this year and included this request within this fiscal year.
Fire Department has the Cross Lane boiler this year and Lyme Street boiler next year, along with the funding each year of two tanker replacements. Emergency Management included the town wide public safety radio enhancement system – phase II and equipment. After discussion, the installing of 911 call stations on Hartford Avenue and White Sand Beach was eliminated. The Police Capital included a vehicle and accessories, portable radios and a police boat.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2015
Financial Reports
Mrs. Stajduhar distributed the Financial Reports for month ending February 2015. There was a discussion about the increase in the Resident State Trooper fees from the 70% to up to 100%, which is an increase of approximately $127,000, to $180,000. She commented that the State would like the towns to fund 100% of the Trooper, vehicle and fringe benefits. The trooper assigned is not assigned exclusively to the town and can be called out of town when needed elsewhere. Because this is the direction that the Resident State Trooper program is heading, various other options were discussed for the future.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Bernblum to change the amount voted on at the February 3rd meeting in the amount of $133,056 to $145,500 for the Resident State Police
Other Business
Mrs. Reemsnyder reported that she signed a contract with Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. for electricity supply agreement for a fixed price of .0645 cents per kilowatt for three months on all town buildings. At that time, it will go out to auction and a new price will be negotiated. This should render a substantial savings in the town’s utility bills.
Minutes of February 24, 2015
The minutes of February 24th were reviewed.
There being no corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for WPCA (Septage), Lymewood and Ryefield Manor, Revenues, Mill Rate calculation and Suspense List are on the agenda. Minutes for the March 4th meeting are scheduled for discussion as well.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr.Bernblum to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:45 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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