Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ BJ Bernblum, Robert Jose
Bonnie Reemsnyder, ex-officio, Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Absent: Regular Members:~
Alternate Members:~~ David Kelsey
Guest: Bill Griffin, Point O’Woods Beach
Scott Boulanger, Miami Beach and Federation of Beaches
Rick Sullivan, White Sand Beach
David Evers, Rogers Lake West Shores Association
Officer Thomas Heinssen, Old Lyme Police Department
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Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00~p.m.
Election of a Regular Member
Mr. Russell stated that since the resignation of Mr. Devoe, a regular member seat needs to be filled. Mr. Woolley made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to nominate alternate Mr. Bernblum to fill a regular member seat. Motion carried. Mr. Russell informed board that an alternate seat is now vacant and should be filled by a Democratic or unaffiliated party.
01-211-1200 Private Beach Associations
Mr. Woolley stated that there are representatives from the beach associations to detail their budget requests for the various private beach associations.
7007 Point O Woods
Mr. Griffin stated that Point O’Woods is requesting an increase in their budgeted amount from $20,600 to $50,000. He explained that because of extensive storm damage that their association received, their funds were severely compromised. He stated that their reserves were depleted from cleaning up and repairing beaches and roads in excess of $180,000 with no FEMA aid received. A discussion ensued regarding the various associations applying for assistance through FEMA to help financially in storm damage situations
7008 Old Lyme Shores
Old Lyme Shores has requested no increase in the Town’s assistance from last year. Therefore, the request is $13,500.
Board of Finance February 04, 2014
7009 Old Colony Beach
Old Colony Beach has requested an increase of $1,500. Therefore, the amount requested is $15,000.
7010 Miami Beach
Mr. Boulanger stated that Miami Beach is requesting an increase of $20,000 to be used for extra security and other expenses due to the number of people using the beach from the parking lots in Sound View (both town-owned and private). Miami Beach is a private beach but by deed must be open to the public, and additional foot patrols are needed for added security. The association also has the extra expenses of plowing their roads, along with major storm clean up.
7011 White Sand Beach
Mr. Sullivan stated that the White Sand Beach budget request is $16,500, the same as last year. White Sand Beach uses these funds for maintaining their roads and security. He stated that White Sand has its own security, and will continue using an outside security company. Mr. Sullivan stated that White Sand Beach received $4,900 from FEMA for cleaning up their roads and beaches.
7012 Rogers Lake West Shores
Mr. Evers explained that Rogers Lake West Shores has 306 houses with thirteen rights-of-way, eleven roads and a clubhouse that is in need of repair. The amount allocated for Rogers Lake West Shores Association is $5,100, which does not cover their snow plowing budget.
7013 Hawks Nest Beach
Mr. Garvin stated that Hawks Nest Beach is requesting the same allocation as last year, which is $3,100. The funds are used for security of their roads and beach.
7014 Federation of Beaches
Mr. Boulanger stated that the Federation of Beaches is requesting $9,000 this year. He explained that Mr. Heinssen and the Old Lyme Police patrols with the Ford Explorer, as well as the ATV. This funding to the Federation is to primarily help with the expense of security.
No votes were taken on the Private Beach Associations or the Federation of Beaches. Mr. Russell requested that further discussion and vote be added to the February 25th Board of Finance meeting.
Mr. Russell stated that since Officer Heinssen is present, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to move Police Services up on the agenda. Motion carried.
Board of Finance February 04, 2014
205 Public Safety
205-0590 Municipal Police
Officer Heinssen reviewed the town's proposed police budget for fiscal year 2014/15. He noted that the Old Lyme Police department provides daytime security to Miami Beach at their expense. Officer Heinssen explained that Miami Beach Association reimburses the town the salary and fringe costs associated with providing Town Rangers, who provide daytime Patrols in conjunction and under the supervision of the Police. There was an increase in the Marine Patrol and Building expenses line items. The Crossing Guard expense is 100% reimbursed by the school district.
Officer Heinssen highlighted the projected income from the Police Department, which included the Town Code Violations/Income anticipated revenue ($7,500), Parking Fees on Hartford Avenue (anticipated revenue of $35,000), and Miami Beach Reimbursement ($10,560). The two KIOSK machines located on Hartford Avenue are working very well. Patrons may purchase parking tickets in two-hour increments, weekdays $5.00 per two hours, weekend $7.00 per two hours and Holidays $7.00 per two hours. Mr. Heinssen explained the LYSB Youth Grant and stated that, since there must now be a one-year interruption in grant funding, he would like to create a budget line for the Cops and Kids Program, with the union supplying additional funds. In subsequent years, the department will apply for more grants. Officer
Heinssen spoke briefly about the Animal Control Office. The new system that Officer Heinssen oversees is working out smoothly and there is more control over vehicle gas, maintenance and accessories.
205-0580 Resident State Police
There was a discussion on the Resident State Trooper expense to the town. Officer Heinssen spoke with Trooper Gary Inglis and stated that the Town is paying 80% of the Resident State Trooper salary and 83.50% of the fringe benefits, which equals $110.00 (1.5 plus 82.56% fringe) per hour.
205-0595 Rogers Lake Patrol
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that they requested additional allocation for policing of Rogers Lake.
205 Other Public Safety
205-0500 Emergency Management
Mr. Garvin stated that David Roberge, Emergency Management Director has requested the same amount as last year.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approved $12,550 for Emergency Management. Motion carried.
Board of Finance February 04, 2014
205-0510 Valley Shore Communication
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that she spoke with Valley Shore and they are still waiting for figures from the State of Connecticut.
It was decided to table Valley Shore Communication vote for this evening.
205-0520 Volunteer Ambulance Association
The Ambulance budget was discussed. A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $133.930 for the Volunteer Ambulance Association. Motion carried.
205-0530 Animal Control
The Animal Control budget was reviewed and there was little change in their budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve $69,049. Motion carried.
Salaries
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the salary increases and adjustments due to Step increases and 2% increases. There was no vote on salaries this evening.
Other Business
OLFD Request: Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the department is requesting a modification in the acquisition of two fire fighting tools, one that is used to gain access to a house and one to enter an automobile. The purchase of a specialized house entry tool would provide needed training to all OLFD Firefighters in forcible entry to a structure. Approval of this request would increase the rapid response capability of OLFD in responding to situations that require forcible entry to a structure through a locked wooden or metal doorway. The new apparatus would allow the fire department trainers to present several specific and realistic situations to fire fighters attempting to enter a locked structure where lives are in immediate danger and speed is of utmost importance. Hence, it was
requested this this quipment be acquired during this fiscal year and the equipment initially planned for supplementing our current Motor Vehicle Accident extrication capabilities be postponed until the next fiscal year.
A motion was made by Mr. Woolley, seconded by Mr. Garvin, to grant the modification to the equipment purchase for this fiscal year. Mr. Kerr abstained. Motion carried.
Board of Finance February 04, 2014
There was discussion on the Beach Association stipends. For the record, the town does not encourage public access to Miami Beach. Such access is the result of deed provisions.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Sanitation, Capital Project Funds, Interest on Debit, and Principal on Debt are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was then made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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