SPECIAL BOARD OF FINANCE Minutes
Tuesday, April 07, 2015
Present:~Regular Members:~Andrew Russell, Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley, Bennett Bernblum Alternate Members:~ Robert Jose, Gil Soucie
Absent:~~Regular Members:~H. P. Garvin, III Alternate Members:~ David Kelsey
Also present: Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman (ex officio); Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director;
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman; Skip Sibley, Selectman; Kurt Zemba, chair WPCA; Jay Sheehan, engineer, Woodard & Curran
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Chairman Andy Russell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He asked for a motion to appoint an alternate member as a voting member in Mr. Garvin’s absence.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, and seconded by Mr. Kerr, to appoint Mr. Jose as a voting member for this meeting. Motion passed.
Mr. Russell asked for a motion to move up Item 6. WPCA – WW Study Amendments in the Agenda. The motion was made by Mrs. Sturges and seconded by Mr. Woolley. Motion passed.
- WPCA – WW Study Amendments
First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder acknowledged WPCA Chair Kurt Zemba and WPCA consulting engineer Jay Sheehan. She distributed a spreadsheet detailing costs of the wastewater management project, including $158,000 of unbudgeted expense for two amendments, and provided a brief summary of the project.
A wastewater study was approved in April 2013 for a cost of approximately $185,000. The study recommended implementation of a community system to deal with shoreline septic problems. DEEP comments on the recommendation led the Town’s WPCA to focus instead on connecting with the New London wastewater facility.
Two amendments were submitted to the DEEP in response to requests for additional data. She said project engineers did not believe they had any option except to comply with DEEP’s requests, and all believed that an October 2014 Town Meeting would be called to approve the project and all associated costs.
Costs approved by the DEEP are eligible for Clean Water Fund reimbursement at 55% once a report is completed.
Additional potential costs include a DEEP required environmental assessment ($15,000), updates to the report ($25,000) if required, and supporting the Town through the Town Meeting process ($10,000). She intends to meet with the WPCA chair and the Finance Director to finalize the figures on the project spreadsheet. Some costs have already been paid and some may be covered in the WPCA budget.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder expects the DEEP to order the Town to proceed with the wastewater project. She recommends scheduling a Town Meeting for approval of all unbudgeted and anticipated costs before the end of this fiscal year.
Chairman Russell expressed concern that the unbudgeted amendment costs had not been properly communicated to the Board of Finance. Board of Finance members concurred and sought assurances that the problem will not be repeated.
WPCA Chair Kurt Zemba said he will copy the Board of Finance Chair, Finance Director, and First Selectwoman on all financial matters going forward.
- Approval of Minutes from the March 10th and March 17, 2015 meetings
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, and seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve the March 10, 2015 minutes with the following modifications:
Financial Reports (page 6, paragraph 1), 2nd sentence: There was a discussion about the increase in the Resident State Trooper fees from the 70% to up to 100%, which is an increase from approximately $127,000 to $180,000; last sentence: 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 department. Motion carried.
Motion carried with Mr. Kerr abstaining due to his absence from the March 10 meeting.
Approval of the March 17, 2015 minutes was tabled due to questions about their accuracy. Chairman Russell and the First Selectwoman will meet with the meeting clerk to clarify that the minutes can only reflect what is actually discussed.
- Rogers Lake Dam – Nicole Stajduhar
The Finance Director distributed a project cost sheet for the Rogers Lake Dam. The project has been completed with $20,151.91 remaining in the project account. She would like to close out the account and return the balance to the General Fund. Board of Finance members concurred.
- Financial Reports – Nicole Stajduhar
The Finance Director distributed Financial Reports for March 2015 and highlighted some items:
The Property Tax collection rate is currently at 99.41%, and telephone access line grant revenue received is at 95%.
The Public Works overtime account is over budget by $40,000 because of snowplow needs this winter. Expenses related to the 2015 blizzard may be eligible for FEMA reimbursement. The Town is waiting for confirmation of a State of Emergency designation.
- Budget FY15/16 Discussion – Nicole Stajduhar
The Finance Director distributed and reviewed preliminary budget figures, based on District 18’s proposed budget. The Town budget increase is projected at 3.67%, with the mill rate expected to increase from 19.69 to 20.62.
Board of Finance members agreed that the April 20 Budget Hearing should be scheduled for the Meeting Hall at the Town Hall. Members discussed the pros and cons of adding the WPCA Wastewater Study Amendments funding request to the Annual Budget Meeting in May. They agreed that scheduling one Town Meeting makes more sense than scheduling separate ones.
None
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder updated the Board of Finance on various matters.
- The Rogers Lake Weed study has been completed and a recommendation is forthcoming. That recommendation will call for targeted treatment using chemicals of the lowest possible toxicity.
- The DEEP has approved the Academy Lane Fire Dock.
- The Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Committee continues to further refine both the scope and needs of the project.
- The Sound View Bike Path Committee met today (April 7) and is planning to schedule a required 30% completion Public Information session in early June.
- The Solarize Old Lyme deadline has been extended to April 24. There are currently 14 signed contracts in Old Lyme.
- Lynn Fairfield-Sonn was named 2014 Citizen of the Year at the Annual Town Meeting.
- Eversource, formerly CL&P, has announced an aggressive tree trimming program to take place during the summer months.
- The Town has hired Amy Jensen as assistant to the Finance Director.
- The First Selectwoman has consulted with the Sanitarian, WPCA and former WPCA chair Tom Risom about the Town’s Septage Transfer Station. She has found no indication that the Town’s current subsidy of local pumpouts is benefitting our residents. The First Selectwoman would like to see the current system end before the end of this fiscal year. Tom Risom has agreed to accompany her to a meeting with Wind River. If a change is made, it could impact the proposed FY2015-16 budget.
- New Police Private Duty rates were approved by the Board of Selectmen this week in order to cover the Town’s actual costs. The new hourly rate is $65 and a flat rate for use of a police car during an 8 hour shift was set at $25.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges and seconded by Mr. Kerr to adjourn at 8:57pm.
Catherine Frank
4/8/2015
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