Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Wayne Devoe,
H. P. Garvin, III Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~Alternate Members:~~ Anne Coburn
Guest: Mary Fiorelli, Director, PGN Library
Ned Perkins, Chairman, Bd. Of Trustees, PGN Library
Scott Colley , President, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Wendy Masse, Treasurer, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Susan Ballak, Executive Director, Lyme Art Association
Joseph Newman, Lyme Art Association, Capital and Building Committee
Carol Bingham, Board Member and Co-chair of the Building Committee, Lyme Art Assoc.
Mary Seidner, Director, Lyme Youth Service Bureau
Skip Beebe, Old Lyme Fire Department
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
The first item of business is to appoint a replacement alternate to the Board. A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to appoint Bennett (BJ) Bernblum to the Board of Finance to fill the vacancy left by Anne Coburn until November 2013. Motion carried.
211-1100 Other Associations
7001 Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Mr. Perkins highlighted the history of the Library during the last four years, stating that the library continues to be aggressive in their fund drive efforts. He detailed the financial outlook of the Library stating that the Library has been taking a 5.5% draw from the Library endowment each year, which is an above average (4-4.5%) amount to draw out of the endowment annually. This year the library will need an additional $8,000 to be taken from the endowment to offset expenditures. On the expense side of the budget, the Library is budgeting a 2% increase to the staff. The Library hasn’t added any new staff and there are presently eight employees enrolled in the pension program.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $293,000 for the PGN Library. Mr. Kerr and Mr. Devoe, and Mr. Garvin opposed the motion. Motion failed.
After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $285,000 for the PGN Library. Motion carried.
7002 Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Ms. Masse detailed the forecast of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and is requesting a grant in the amount of $15,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, the same amount as last year. Their request represents $10,000 grant allocation and $5,000 to replace the front steps of the Sill House. The college enrollment has remained flat since 2008, so the administration keeps moving forward with technology programs, through building websites and the use of Facebook. Graduate artists are frequently re-enrolling for technology upgrades to their careers. Also a new illustration major has been added to the curriculum. Dormitory construction (“Southwick Commons”) to meet an ongoing need for student housing, is progressing nicely.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $10,000 for the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Mr. Devoe abstained. Motion carried.
7003 Florence Griswold Museum
Mr. Russell stated the requested amount of $12,500 for the upcoming fiscal year.
After discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $12,500 for the Florence Griswold Museum. Mr. Kerr, Mr. Garvin and Mr. Devoe opposed the motion. Motion failed.
A new motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $10,000 for the Florence Griswold Museum. Motion carried.
7004 Lyme Art Association
Ms. Ballack highlighted The Lyme Art Association’s history, mission and operating budged. She stated that the LAA is seeking $4,000 for General Operating purposes. Additionally, the LAA is seeking Capital Funds in the amount of $10,000 a year for 4 consecutive years (2014-2017) for the historic restoration of the Charles A. Platt-designed building. Ms. Ballack gave an overview of the Capital Campaign Project and goals, including the Project Phases and Grant opportunities.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Devoe to approve $4,000. Motion carried.
7005 Old Lyme Affordable Housing
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $500 for the Old Lyme Affordable Housing. Motion carried.
7006 Old Lyme Historical Society
Mr.Russell stated that the Old Lyme Historical Society is requesting grant money in the amount $3,500.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $3,500 for the Old Lyme Historical Society. Motion carried.
206-0610 Lymes' Youth Service Bureau
Ms. Seidner, Director of the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, presented the LYSB proposed budget. She stated that the State of CT has approximately 100 Youth Service Bureaus with most of them being town-owned. However, LYSB is private with 40% of the funds raised through fund-raising efforts.
Contributions in all areas to LYSB are down this year, including community campaign and the Holiday Parties fundraiser. Request for services through the holidays has increased during this past year. LYSB has partnered up with the schools, the police, the library and Child and Family Agency, which brings resources and assistance with programs such as alcohol and drug prevention. In conclusion, the LYSB is requesting $75,000 from the town.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $75,000. Mr. Garvin abstained from voting. Motion carried.
Old Lyme Fire Department Budget Request
Mr. Beebe highlighted the request to increase the line item coverage by the Volunteer Fire Insurance Service (VFIS) which is as follows: Loss of Life benefit increased from $50,000 to $100,000 ($1,623), Increase weekly income limits from $150/450 to $500/750 ($1,591), Medical expense limits from $10,000 to $100,000 ($906), Optional weekly injury permanent COLA benefit ($634). All these numbers are on an annual basis, and the policy is written for 2-3 years at a time. These items have been discussed with the Board of Selectmen.
201-0110 General Government
Mrs. Stajduhar explained that this would increase the Fire Department Insurance line from $39,000 to $43,800, which would increase the total Insurance line from $683,200 to $688,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Devoe, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $688,000 for General Government Insurance line. Mr. Kerr abstained. Motion carried.
213 Sanitation and Recycling
1300-0560 CT Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA)
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) tipping fee was $69 per ton for municipal solid waste (MSW) through November 15, 2012 and $60.50 from November 16, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the tipping fees will increase to $61.00 a ton which is the cap per our agreement before we can seek out other vendors.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $237,000 for CT Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA). Motion carried.
Tax Abatements
There was a discussion about Lymewood and Ryefield Manor and their individual needs and funding vehicles.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve a 50% Tax Abatement for each Lymewood and Ryefield Manor as of July 1, 2013. Motion carried.
Financial Reports
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the February 2013 Financial Report. The total tax collections for property tax were $585,599 and current levy is at 98.75% collected. State Grants include Town Aid Road ($57,535), Education ($151,397), and DUI ($20,160). Reimbursements were the Senior Center ($2,880), Town Woods Park ($8,161), Ambulance Fuel ($2,632), and Crossing Guard ($5,604).
The Expenditures for February 2013 include: IT Consultant line paid out $6,646 for February and it is expected that the entire department will be over. Public Works paid $4,869 for Salt and $3,777 for Sand. For Emergency Management, $20,618 was paid for Storm Sandy to various vendors for debris, sand and tree removal and $81,571 so far for the 2013 Winter Blizzard. Social Service wages paid out 81% through February and this line item will also be over budget. Under Capital – Emergency Management Equipment paid Caliber Computing $3,116 for Storm and Drill related services. The Town paid $3,018 from the Harbor Dredging Grant Fund, to Coastline Consulting & Development for the Old Lyme Waterway Study.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Capital Expenditures and Revenues are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:50 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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