Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, BJ Bernblum, Christopher Kerr,
Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Adam Burrows, Bob Jose
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ H. P. Garvin, III
~Alternate Members:~~David Kelsey
Guest: No guests present
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Because a regular member is absent, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to seat Mr. Jose in Mr. Garvin’s absence. Motion carried.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Mr. Russell stated that the new Parks and Recreation Commission had requested a line for Legal Counsel. Mrs. Nosal reported that at the Board of Selectmen meeting, the request was discussed and it was decided that should a Commission that doesn’t have a Legal Counsel line, have the need to retain an attorney, the Commission can come before the Board at any time with a request for legal counsel and funds will be allocated at that time. Therefore, there will be no change in the previous allocation approved.
Animal Control Budget
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that in reviewing the Animal Control Budget, the supervisor line that is presently in the Animal Control budget will not be required during the next fiscal year. She is recommending reducing the Animal Control budget by $5,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mr. Kerr to revise and approve $64,161 for the Animal Control budget. Motion carried.
300 Capital Expenditures/Non-Recurring
Mrs. Stadjuhar highlighted the revised Five Year Capital & Nonrecurring Budget. There was discussion on the various line items that were either decreased, eliminated or pushed out another year or so.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr seconded by Mr. Jose, to approve $ 909,010 for the Capital Expenditures/Non-Recurring.
Board of Finance Meeting March 22, 2016
100 Revenues
Mrs. Stadjuhar detailed the Revenue budget of $2,623,160 for Property Tax, Charge of Services, Investment Income, Intergovernmental and Contributions, less an amount for the current levy. She noted anticipated Charge of Services increases in the Town Clerk, Building and Parks and Recreation and decreases in Crossing Guard and Ambulance Fuel reimbursement and Beach Patrol reimbursement. Decreases in Intergovernmental include Pilot State Property and Pilot Colleges. There was a discussion on MRSA Sales Tax Sharing and it was decided to remove it from the budget as receipt was unlikely.
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Assessor’s Grand Lists for 2014 and 2015 with regards to Real Estate, Motor Vehicles, and Personal Property, showing an increase of $9,166,240.
Mill Rate Calculation
Mrs. Stajduhar reported that the total budget expenditures for FY2016/17 increased by $616,000 over prior year with $700,000 attributed to the school district. The present mill rate is 20.62 for FY2015/16. Last year, at the annual Town Meeting, the town voted, at the Board of Finance’s recommendation, to use $600,000 of Surplus funds to reduce the mill rate. With rough calculations the mill rate for FY2016/17 could be approximately 21.35, an increase of .73 or 3.54% in the mill rate. However, Mrs. Stajduhar can’t accurately calculate it without the Regional School District #18 student count and Impact to Town sheet.
There was a discussion about using surplus for Capital projects to reduce the mill rate. Mr. Russell stated that final calculations cannot be made until the Regional School District #18 completes their budget process and he is hesitant to use funds from Surplus to offset the mill rate again.
Other Business
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Middlesex Hospital Paramedic Service request hasn’t been resolved yet. The initial request is based on a model phasing in over a five year period. The model proposed is based on an annual per capita cost share stipend at $1.00 per person the first year ($7,000 for Old Lyme), and increasing a dollar per person for five years (approx. $35,000). She has spoken to surrounding town officials and has a Lower CT River Council of Government meeting where discussion regarding the situation is on the agenda. Mrs. Reemsnyder will have more information at the April 12th Special Meeting.
Mrs. Stajduhar wanted to make the board aware that the Open Space Commission has requested to move funds between the Contracted Service line and the Maintenance line for FY2016/17 budget. She stated that after review, she agreed with their request for reasons that made sense.
Board of Finance Meeting March 22, 2016
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the two bids that were received for Town Woods Park were thoroughly reviewed. A new contractor was chosen for a three year contract for maintenance of the park and fields. The new contractor has sufficient experience working with the Towns of Lyme and East Lyme as well as assorted local businesses and residences.
Mrs. Reemsnyder reported that Officer Thomas Heinssen has resigned from employment with the Old Lyme Police Department. He is presently using up vacation time and will be leaving employment by the end of April. She stated that he will be going into a new field of work and a search for a replacement will be taking place within the next month.
Approval of March 15, 2015 Minutes
The minutes of March 15th were reviewed. There was a correction noted on page 1, 2nd paragraph. Move last sentence in the 2nd paragraph to the end of the 1st paragraph. Also, the amount approved for LYSB is “$84,000 with a $3,000 increase from the town”, and add “for their operating expenses” at the end of the sentence. On page 2, 1st sentence, move “in the amount of $33,470,376” to before the word “represents” within that same sentence. Correction to the 1st sentence under Water Pollution Control Authority, to add the following after the word “WPCA chair”, “Rich Prendergast, Treasurer Doug Wilkinson, and Board of Finance chair, Andy Russell to review budget
request”. The 2nd sentence should read, “The items that they reduced from the original request are the Consultant and Project consultant, which is Woodard and Curran”.
There being no other corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve the minutes of March 15th, as corrected. Motion passed.
Suspense List
The Suspense List was circulated and reviewed. From March 2015 through February 2016, $2,878.89 was collected from the suspense list. The total breakdown is as follows:
Motor Vehicle $10,774.53
Motor Vehicle Supplemental $ 2,607.27
Personal Property $ 3,383.92
Total $16,765.72
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Jose to accept the Suspense List in the amount of $16,765.72, as presented. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting March 22, 2016
Mr. Russell stated that the next meeting will be a Special Board of Finance meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Hall.
A motion was then made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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