Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Mezzanine Conference Room.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Adam Burrows, Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Absent: Regular Members: Bennett Bernblum, H. P. Garvin, III
Alternate Members:
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Guest: Anna Reiter, Junior Womans Club
15 Residents supporting the Junior Women’s Club
Gary Yuknat, President, Old Lyme Sanitation
Ed Adanti, Director , Public Works
Brad Ficken, Resident
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Mr. Russell called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m and stated that Mr. Bernblum would not be present this evening and he designated Mr. Burrows vote in his absence. Additionally, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to seat Mr. Jose in Mr. Garvin’s absence.
Minutes of the January 17, 2017 Regular meeting
Review of the meeting minutes of January 17th were reviewed. Corrections include on page 3, 3rd paragraph, last sentence, change “pushing back” to “challenging this change order”. Same page, 5th paragraph, last sentence, change wording to read “representing the Board of Finance” instead of “as well as…”. On page 4, 6th paragraph last sentence, add “abstained” after “Mrs. Sturges”. Page 5, 5th paragraph, last sentence, change the word “breakdown” to “number”.
There being no further corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve the minutes, as modified.
Mr. Russell stated that there are representatives of the Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club in attendance to discuss a playground project at Cross Lane. Therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Burrows, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to add the Cross Lane Playground discussion to the agenda. Motion carried.
Cross Lane Playground
Anna Reiter explained that Cross Lane Park included a playground from 1989 until 2015. The playground structure was removed in 2015 due to age and deterioration.
Board of Finance February 14, 2017
The Junior Women’s Club formed a committee (Love Your Playground Committee) to design and fundraise for a new playground. The playground that is being proposed needs to include space for children with special needs. The LYPC collected bids for a new playground from four companies and has selected Columbia Cascade Company to design and build a new playground. The decision was made based on the quality of the playground equipment and the design Columbia Cascade chose for the park. Columbia Cascade Company representative is also a resident in town and has a vested interest in the playground. The proposed playground will include two play structures, various activities, six benches and a fence to enclose the entire playground. The playground equipment cost is $104,840, installation is $13,800,
rubber surfacing is $46,981.71 with $3,000 for rubber surfacing installation, mulch around the playground will be approximately $2,200, paving is $14,850 and fencing is $13,275, for a projected total of $199,946.71. The quote included the shipping charges within the cost of the playground equipment. Taxes were not included in the project total because the Junior Women’s Club is a registered 501C3 and does not pay sales tax. The Junior Women’s Club has raised $35,000 plus $10,000 from community support. Mr. Russell stated that any grant assistance from the Town would not be discussed until March 21st when Capital Expenditures is on the agenda.
Mr. Russell stated that in order to accommodate this evening’s guests, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move Sanitation up on the agenda. Motion carried.
213-0011 Sanitation
213-1300-0011-000 Municipal Refuse Collection (MSW): Mr. Yuknat stated that the overall actual results decreased by 0.361%. He stated that there are three drivers that handle all the Trash and Recycling collections. Labor expenses include three drivers working and taking their vacation pay, payroll taxes and Simple IRA. There is a decrease in General Liability, Auto, Workers Compesation, Health and Disability and Umbrella. There is a decrease in fuel and an increase in Operating Supplies, tires, and a decrease in CT registration, tires, and repairs and maintenance. There was an increase in OL taxes, legal and professional services and a decrease in Wireless telephone and internet, office supplies, uniforms, DOT, and Personal Property. The amount proposed
is $545,000 for Municipal Refuse Collection using a 2.25% estimated increase.
203 Public Works
Mr. Adanti highlighted the budget for Public Works operating expenses and summarized the expenses. He explained the various areas and noted that there are no increases from last year’s budget except for two line items. Mr. Adanti stated that the Engineer increased by $15,000 for the MS4 Stormwater requirements that was moved from the Health department to Public Works. He also explained that the Tree Maintenance line increased due to tree cutting, and removal was moved from the Tree Commission’s budget to the Public Works budget. There was a discussion on the tree removal portion of the Public Works budget. The Board of Finance recommended changes to six line items for a new total of $385,060.
Board of Finance February 14, 2017
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $385,060 for Public Works. Motion carried.
Public Works: Capital
Public Works Capital and Projects were discussed. Funds continuing to be budgeted over four years for a dump truck with plow, to replace the 2000 International with 55,000 miles. Mr. Adanti explained the need for a 4x4 Pick up with plow to replace a 2004 GMC pick up 4x4 with plow that has 123,000 miles, and a mini excavator. Mr. Adanti reported that Saunders Hollow, from Route 156 to Sill Lane is scheduled for an overlay. Roads scheduled for total reconstruction are Pine Road and the Old Post Road.
213-1320 Recycling
A new committee was formed, Solid Waste/Recycling Review Committee and has been meeting and reviewing present ordinances and educating the public in the future. The Committee has requested a $5,000 line item for education, printing and postage of informative materials.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $36,800 for Recycling. Motion carried
213-1340 Transfer Station
This covers the daily operation of the Transfer Station on Four Mile River Road. There is an increase in Contracted Services to $100,000 due to increases in Recycling and Beach Cleaning. All other lines remained the same as last year.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $141,700 for the Transfer Station. Motion carried.
213-1330 Household Hazardous Waste Facility
The Household Hazardous Waste Facility offers the 9-11 towns that participate in the program approximately sixteen dates from April through November at the Essex Transfer Station, on Dump Road, at
the Essex/Deep River town line. This service is offered to town residents, free of charge and identification is required. Proposed changes by Mrs. Reemsnyder reduced proposed budget by $3,000. In order to keep the budget level, the collections will be reduced to seven collections annually.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $24,000 for Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Motion carried
Board of Finance February 14, 2017
213-0011 Sanitation
213-1300-0011-000 Municipal Refuse Collection (MSW) and 213-1300-0011-001 Single Stream Recycling : The amount Mr. Yuknat projected for MSW and Recycling for FY17/18 is $545,000.
Mr. Yuknat stated that the Single Stream Recycling program is growing in popularity. The amount for Single Stream Recycling is $180,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve $545,000 for Municipal Refuse Collection and Single Stream Recycling. Motion carried.
213-1300-0560-000 Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA): Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the CRRA’s amount is $230,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Burrows, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $230,000 for CRRA. Motion carried.
01-204-400 Parks and Recreation
0400 Parks and Recreation
The Finance Director highlighted the Parks and Recreation budget noting that most line items remained the same from last year. There was an increase in Contracted Services ($12,500) for RSD18 - $5,000 to use the school for Parks and Rec programs, and Goose Control for $7,500. It was noted that the Goose Control line ($15,000) used to be under the Health department but now it is split 50/50 between Parks and Recreation and Town Woods Park. There is an increase in field supplies (Little League Softball fields $5,000, playground mulch $1,000) and Repairs/Plumbing. Swim lines represents installation and removal of the swim lines. Swimline – Supplies/Equipment decrease by $5,100 since all new equipment for White Sand Beach/Sound View bought FY15/16.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs.Sturges to approve $86,350 for Parks and Recreation operating budget. Motion carried.
0410 Town Woods Park
The Finance Director stated that the ground maintenance contract expired in December 2015 and the Town went with a new ground maintenance contractor which resulted in a decrease in that line. Gatekeeper increased by $400 and all other lines remained the sameexcept for Contracted Services – Other increased to $7,500 for Goose Control .
Board of Finance February 14, 2017
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $158,000 for Town Woods Park Motion carried.
Parks and Recreation – Other
This area encompasses the following:
0420 Fireworks - $19,500
0421 Memorial Day - $ 4,000
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to approve $23,500 for the Parks and Recreation - Other. Motion carried.
01-210 Capital Project Funds
Mrs. Stajduhar outlined the Capital Project Funds, which are monies taken out of the budget to pay for non-recurring purchases of equipment and/or services. The following transfers are recommended.
*1000 Revaluation - $ 20,000 – towards next physical revaluation in 2019
*1006 Building Improvement Fund - $5,000 –To be used towards building projects
*1007 Road Improvement Fund - $400,000 – For large road projects
*1020 Open Space - $75,000- Open Space Commission request
*1030 Fire Apparatus & Equipment - $130,000 – For replacing two trucks over 7 years
After discussion, Mrs. Stajduhar recommended $1,000 for a new Recycling and Sanitation fund.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $631,000 for Capital Project Funds. Motion carried.
01-215-1500 Debt Services
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the Debt Service Principal will be $320,000 and the Debt Service Interest will be $33,050.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $353,050 for Debt Service principal and interest. Motion carried.
Board of Finance February 14, 2017
Other Business
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she received a letter of resignation from the Town Assessor, Walter Kent, after 38 years of service.
Governor’s State Budget: Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Governor’s proposed budget included $1,062,442 that the town would have to contribute to the Teachers’ Retirement Contribution which is municipality’s contribution to the Teachers Retirement Board system.
Under the state budget, towns would be responsible for 100% of costs associated with the Resident State Trooper program. There would be an additional $750 surcharge for each constable supervised by a trooper.
NEC/FRA: Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that an 82 pages document of comments from the strategy team on the railroad project was hand delivered. The final goal is to have this alternative eliminated.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 7:00 p.m and Regional School District #18 will be in to discuss their upcoming budget. Budgets for Fire Services, Social Services, Senior Citizens and Valley shore Communications are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was then made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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