Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 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:~ B.J. Bernblum, Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio,
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members: Wayne Devoe
~Alternate Members:~~
Guest: Board of Education members:
Ian Neviaser, Superintendent, Regional School District #18
Lynn Warren, Business Director, Regional School District #18
James Witkins, Board of Education Chair
Vickie Lanier, Board of Education member
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Woolley made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to have Mr. Jose vote for Mr. Devoe in his absence. Motion carried.
Regional School District #18 – Board of Education
Mr. Neviaser reported that the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 in the amount of $31,741,789. This represents a 2.36% increase over the adopted budget for the current year. The breakdown is $27,709,107 for Operations/Program budget, an increase of $435,595 or 1.60% over the previous year. The Debt Service is $4,032,682, an increase of $295,230 or 7.90% over the previous year’s debt service and the highest level of debt service. Mr. Neviaser stated that the proposed budget is comprised of 41% Certified Salaries, 9% Non-certified Salaries, 13% Employee Benefits, 13% Debt Service, 12% Plant Operation and Maintenance, 4% Special Education, 4% Instructional Programs, 3% Pupil Transportation, as well as Administrative and Support Services.
The highlights of the operations/program budget reflects continued adherence to class size guideline, a reallocation of staff to enhance current programs combined with a reduction in both certified and non-certified staff relative to declining enrollments, continuance of existing academic and extracurricular activities. There are adjustments for anticipated changes in the special education population, adequate funding for maintenance and repair of buildings and grounds. Schedule replacements include technology and equipment.
Program improvements that are consistent with high academic and operational standards include SRBI support and interventions by certified staff, reconstituting of technology education programs at the High School, Special Education transition program and a new area of Teacher in Charge. He explained that the Teacher in Charge position at Mile Creek and Lyme Consolidated will be a teacher responsible when the principal is away from the building.
Mr. Neviaser detailed the upcoming facilities projects which included irrigating the new soccer/lacrosse fields at the High School, electronic security door system replacement at all school except the High School, playground bollards at Mile Creek parking lot, lighting efficiency upgrades at all schools except the High School, fence replacement in front of Center School, basketball backboards replacement at Lyme and Center Schools and install track field bleachers at the High School.
Mr. Russell requested to move Fire Services up on the agenda. A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to move Fire Services Emergency Service Retirement up on the agenda. Motion carried.
205-0570 Fire Services: Emergency Service Retirement
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the changes to the Emergency Services Retirement Plan comparing 2% and 3% increases. Below represents the Fire Department’s recommendation for revision to the pension plan to help adjust the contribution made to the members of the both volunteer organizations. Current contribution per member is now $660 per year per qualified member.
Once the three year catch up period is complete, the committee’s recommendation is to tie the increase to what the Town Hall employees make to help keep the increases in line with what the town can afford. This line item funds the Mrs. Stajduhar based her figures on 69 people total eligible multiplied by $660 and added $3,100 for annual administrative fees associated with the plan.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve the 3% level for the catch up with the understanding that it will decrease to 2%, to remain in line with the Town Hall increases. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve $61,066 for the Emergency Service Retirement. Mr. Kerr abstained. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 26, 2013
The minutes of February 26th were reviewed.
There being no corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Minutes of March 05, 2013
The minutes of March 5th were reviewed.
There being no corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
300 Capital Expenditures/Non-Recurring
Mrs. Stadjuhar distributed a revised Five Year Capital and Nonrecurring Budget. She itemized various changes including Parks and Rec Town Woods Park painting, resurfacing tennis courts at Cross Lane, and new playground mulch that gets replaced every three years.
There was a discussion on the Lyme Art’s Association’s additional request of $10,000 for building repairs and renovations.
A motion was made Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges for $10,000 to be added to the Capital budget for their renovation project, with no future commitment. Motion carried
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $673,176 for Capital Non-Recurring. Motion carried.
100 Revenues
Mrs. Stadjuhar detailed the Revenue for Property Tax, Charge of Services, Investment Income, Intergovernmental and Contributions. She highlighted various line items within the charges for services, investment income, and Intergovernmental revenues. Based on analysis and submitted budgets, Town Clerk and Building Department revenues are anticipated to be up and Parking Lot and Septage Transfer are expected to be decreased. She stated that under Intergovernmental Road Aid and Education Equalization Grant are up. The total Revenue budget is $97,000 up from last year.
213-1330 Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Household Hazardous Waste went out to bid and Clean Harbor has signed an agreement with the town for a five-year contract. The total assessment for the town is $6,549 and the budget estimates for FY2013-14 is $17,959. This includes approximately sixteen dates, from April through November, at the Essex Transfer Station, on Dump Road, in Deep River. There is also a paint container handling and management fee after the paint program starts ($25/paint container).
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mrs. Sturges to approve $24,508 for Household Hazardous Waste. Motion carried.
Suspense List
The Suspense List was circulated and reviewed.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve the Suspense List in the amount of $27,302.41 Motion carried.
Air Conditioning for the Animal Control Shelter
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the animal shelter air conditioning unit needs to be upgraded. Presently, the shelter has a small portable stand alone floor model air conditioner that only serves one dog room, leaving two other rooms with no air conditioning. Mr. Adanti received a quote from Gregg Landry for $6,800 for the unit and electrical work. Mr. Adanti reported that between his (2) line items for the Elgin Sweeper and Guard rails and from the Dog Fund – Animal Control building painting, there is approximately $7,300 available to be used for the air conditioning.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Garvin for $6,800 to be taken out of the Dog Fund.
Motion carried.
Other Business
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Waste Water Task Force committee recommended to the Board of Selectmen the firm Woodard and Curran from Cheshire, CT. They will be coming into next week’s meeting to give a presentation to the Board of Finance.
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the budget amounts for the Town’s contribution for the regional Probate Court have been received in the amount of $5,231, $3,000 less than the amount approved on March 5th. A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to adjust the Probate budget from $8,300 to$ 5,300. Motion carried.
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the Conservation budget has already been approved, however, the Chair requested to change what the funds are used for in the clerk line.
Over the winter, there was damage to two sections of guard rails in which Public works repaired with their own materials. Mrs. Stajduhar stated that Mr. Adanti requested to use $4,100, from the claimants insurance companies for the guard rail repairs, for needed signs. He’d like to replace stop signs at Sound View in order to meet safety codes. A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to use insurance money to replace signs at Sound View. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Secretary
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