Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Amended & approved 1/27/09
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe, Mark Diebolt,
H. P. Garvin, III, Christopher Kerr, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Judy Read, Janet Sturges
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Timothy C. Griswold, Ex-officio, Doris C. Johnson, Financial Administrator
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Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alternate Members:
Guest: Marilyn Giuliano, State Representative
Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman~~~
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:32~p.m.~~ Mr. Russell stated that he has received a resignation letter from Ruth Roach. Mr. Diebolt has announced that he is moving to Florida on a permanent basis and is resigning from the Board of Finance after 16 years of service.
State Representative Marilyn Guiliano
Mrs. Giuliano stated that presently there is a $922 million State deficit. Marilyn has proposed several bills to help small towns with unfunded mandates. One bill is to defer revaluation in the Town. The second bill that she proposing is to allow legal notices to be posted electronically instead of having to advertise in the local newspapers, which is very costly. The State is considering offering early retirement packages. Another possibility is to add tollbooths at the CT borders.
Mr. Russell stated that Mr. Diebolt is not present, so a motion was made by Mr. Garvin and seconded by Mr. Woolley to have Mrs. Sturges vote for Mr. Diebolt. Motion carried.
Minutes of December 16, 2008
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The minutes of December 16th were reviewed.~ It was noted that Mr. Diebolt and Mrs. Roach were not present at the December meeting and the minutes need to be corrected.
Since there were no other corrections noted, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges and seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve the minutes as modified. Mr. Devoe abstained from voting as he was not present.~ Motion carried.~
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Minutes of January 06, 2009
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The minutes of January 6th were reviewed.~
Since there was no corrections noted, Mr. Kerr made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.~
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Chart of Accounts and Carryovers
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The actual and anticipated revenues were discussed. There were several questions on the revenues within the property tax, charge for services, investment income and intergovernmental lines.
The Chart of Accounts was reviewed. Selectman’s legal line is caused from labor negotiations and many other labor issues. $4,500 of the Town Clerk Contracted Services amount was moved into the land records expense line. Most of the Treasurer’s contracted services represents the CPA for the Town. There was a discrepancy in the Registrar’s wages. Land Use dues represent $14,000 for CRERPA. Regarding Public Works road supplies for snowstorm activity, Mrs. Johnson spoke with Mr. Adanti and he has spent $16,000 on salt and $11,000 on sand. He feels that he has enough salt for the rest of the year and enough sand for another storm. Under the Municipal Police, the line of building expense encompasses heating fuel, cleaning, carpet cleaning, etc.
Mrs. Johnson stated that the fuel should have its own separate line to avoid the building expense line becoming a “catch all” line.
Capital Expenses
General Government Town Hall improvements represent the glass for the three conference tables, along with other various miscellaneous. Public Safety Fire Department purchased some air bottles. Included in Public Works Projects is $6,200 for the Swan Brook project.~
Mr. Russell stated that the Board of Finance is down two members, one regular member and one alternate and is requesting suggestions about new members. Because the Board is entering the busy budget-planning season, it is imperative to fill the seats as soon as possible. After discussion, it was decided to add to the next Board of Finance agendas ( January 27 and February 3 ) an item to fill a vacant seat
Budget Season Schedule
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The budget season schedule was discussed. Mr. Russell stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th and will begin at 7:00 pm. The agenda will include Chartered Beach Associations, LYSB, Parks and Recreation, Capital Projects Funds, Interest on Debt and Principal on Debt. There was conversation regarding guests from the spending agencies and it was decided that, while anyone may attend, certain guests will be invited to attend, in case additional information is needed.
Old Business
Mr. Russell stated that the Annual Town meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 26th at 7:30 pm at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Hall. Attendance is stressed.
New Business
Mr. Devoe announced that there will be a fundraiser to be held at the Library this Saturday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Attendance is appreciated.
Selectman’s Report
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Nicole Stajduhar has accepted~the offer as Finance Director and is starting on February 2nd.
The Beach Improvement Committee has met and discussed a clivus waterless toilet system for the Sound View Beach. It would be a much better option that the portable toilets. A cost proposal will be forthcoming.
DOT held a public meeting on the culvert replacementon the Boston Post Road just south of Lords Meadow Road. The project will change the entrance of the Old Post Road. The project will take approximately 15 months (April 2009 – Nov 2010) and will cost $1.5 million.
A Bus Barn Committee was formed to oversee the construction of the Four Mile River Road facility by June of 2010.
The quint fire truck will be delivered around November 2009, with a total cost of about $700,000. The Town took advantage of a $600,000 prepayment option, saving over $19,000, and has a performance bond. .
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Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
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A motion was then made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by~Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at~9:45 p.m.
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Respectfully Submitted,
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Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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