Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Anne Coburn, David Kelsey, Judy Read
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio, Nicole Stadjuhar, Finance Director
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Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Wayne Devoe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alternate Members:~~
Guest: Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
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~Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:04~p.m.~ He stated that Mr. Devoe will not be attending this evenings meeting, therefore, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to have Ms. Read vote for Mr. Devoe in his absence. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 3, 2009
Minutes of February 3rd were reviewed.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 10, 2009
Minutes of February 10th were reviewed. Mr. Russell filled in the missing last names of Chartered Beach Association representatives which were Paul Rowean, Old Lyme Shores and Fred Callahan, Point O’Woods.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as modified. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 24, 2009
Minutes of February 24th were reviewed. Mr. Kelsey was not yet an alternate member, therefore, should not be listed as absent from the meeting. He should have been listed on the line below under the guest category.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2009
A motion was made by Ms. Read, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as modified. Motion carried.
Mrs. Sturges made a motion, seconded by Mr. Woolley to add March 3rd minutes to the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of March 3, 2009
Minutes of March 3rd were reviewed. There was a discussion regarding the increase of 2.4% in the Fire Department’s budget. An omission of the word “has” in the second sentence under Hazardous Waste Facility was noted.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as modified. Motion carried.
General Government
Selectman’s Office
Mr. Griswold said significant legal expenses are associated with the Public Works Union negotiations and several personnel matters have caused this line to exceed the budget increase. There was a discussion on the $6,500 amount allocated for the Other/Miscellaneous line item. The budget was passed on for this evening so that additional information can be developed concerning miscellaneous.
Town Clerk
Mr. Griswold outlined the Town Clerk’s budget and explained the expenses associated with Contracted Services and the Land Record Expense lines. There were questions on the need for the advertising line of $10 and the items within the Contracted Services category. It was passed on for this evening.
Tax Collector
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Tax Collector’s budget stating that Contracted Services is for Quality Data Company which provides the softward and performs a veriety of tasks, such as printing the tax bills.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2009
A motion was made Mr. Garvin, seconded by Ms. Read to approve $83,755. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting because his mother is the Tax Collector. Motion carried.
Treasurer
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Treasurer’s budget and stated that Contracted Services relates primarily to the Town auditing services.
A motion was made Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $161,108.
Registrars - Primaries and Referendums
The Registrars’ office budget was reviewed. The salaries are for the two Registrars and the wage line relates to the workers at the polls. Printing represents printing of the voting ballots. The Primaries and Referendums amounts are based on historical activity.
A motion was made Mr. Garvin, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $29,614.
Info Tech
Mr. Griswold explained that Info Tech account is new and consolidates computer training, GIS, licensing, laserfiche activity, the Town’s website and 50% of Ruth Roach who splits her time between the Tax Office and Info Tech.
A motion was made Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $44,495.
Probate Court
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Probate Court. It was decided to decrease the Contract Service line by $1,650 to $1,200.
A motion was made Mr. Kerr, seconded Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $3,450.
Assessors
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Assessor’s office.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2009
A motion was made Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $116,437.
Building
The Building Department budget was reviewed and it was noted that there is a decrease in the education and training line.
A motion was made Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $100,861.
Health Department
Mr. Griswold stated that the contracted services consist of water testing, mosquito spraying, and Honkers geese control. Mr. Kerr stated that he wants additional accountability for the goose control line.
A motion was made Mr. Kerr, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $199,231.
Town Hall Expenses
Mr. Griswold stated that the Town Hall expenses include the base telephone cost, electricity, building supplies, computer consultant; Contracted services include the cleaning service, window washing, area carpeting service, etc. Moving the computer consultant to the Info Tech area was discussed.
A motion was made Ms. Read, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $100,650.
Insurance
Mr. Griswold stated that because the two unions have not settled their contacts, it is hard to predict the final figure. Doctor office visits will be increasing from $5 to $20. Two employees elected not to take the insurance and will be paid $3,000 each for not using the Town’s insurance. One volunteer firefighter uses the Town’s insurance and makes a 100% payment to the Town. It is expected that employees will pay at least 10% of the insurance premium and that will be shown as revenue to the Town. Mr. Griswold highlighted the expenses related with Life Insurance, Property/Liability, Workers Compensation, Fire Department and Bonds for Officials.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2009
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $673,100.
Special Deductions
Mr. Griswold stated that Special Deductions represents Social Security, Unemployment, Pensions and the Buyback for sick/vacation time.
A motion was made by Ms. Read, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $325,127.
Boards and Commissions
Harbor Management Commission
Mr. Kerr stated that the $850 expense represents removing, storing and replacing the dinghy dock at Ferry road each year.
A motion was made by Ms. Read, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to approve $850.
Economic Development Commission
Mr. Kerr stated that the EDC expenses include supplies and postage line items for $10 each.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $20 for the EDC budget.
Water Pollution Control Authority
Mr. Kerr reviewed the budget with Mr. Risom and explained the consultant line includes monitoring several test wells throughout town and general consulting. Postage was decreased by $200.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin and passed unanimously to approve $20,363.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2009
Board of Finance
Mr. Kerr stated that$1,000 has been added within Contracted Services for publishing the Town budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $10,371.
Flood and Erosion
Flood and Erosion has been more active this past year due to work at Sheffield Brook, Mile Creek and Swan Brook. The primary expense is for clerk expense.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $836.
Historic District
Mr. Griswold said that all line items would be the same as last year, except for the legal advertising for Public Hearings. Every Certificate of Appropriateness must have a Public Hearing per FOI and it is anticipated there will be a need to advertise ten hearings at $220 each.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges and passed unanimously to approve $5,470.
Tree Commission
The Tree Commission is charged with caring for Town trees and shrubs, dealing with hazardous trees, public or private, and other tasks. Mr. Griswold stated that road tree trimming goes out to bid and private tree contractors are hired to perform the necessary work. Other projects include tree assessment, as well as area beautification.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to approve $27,260.
Assessment Appeals
Mr. Griswold stated that there still needs further clarification about the Boards activity next year. Therefore, it was decided to pass on this item.
Board of Finance Meeting March 10, 2009
Land Use Department
Mr. Griswold highlighted the Land Use Department budget. Land Use encompasses expenses relating to Conservation, Inland Wetlands, Planning, Zoning, Open Space and Zoning Board of Appeals. There was a discussion on the fees relating to the engineering and counsel lines because they have consistently increased. There is litigation presently against Planning and Wetlands. Land Use is billing developers and others for engineering and legal fees in excess of an allowed amount, so there is income associated with some of these fees. After discussion, it was decided to pass on this area for this evening and have Ann Brown attend next weeks meeting.
Mr. Russell stated that the Board of Education will be attending the Board of Finance meeting on Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. to present its budget and answer any questions members may have.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Selectman’s office, Town Clerk’s office, Assessment Appeals, Land Use, Municipal Police, Roger’s Lake Patrol, Fireworks, Memorial Day will be discussed, along with Revenue and Capital Expense.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Public Works Union Contract.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges seconded by Ms. Read and passed unanimously to adjourn out of Executive Session.
A motion was then made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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