Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Bob Jose, David Kelsey, Gil Soucie
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Skip Sibley, Selectman
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Absent: Regular Members: Bennett Bernblum, H. P. Garvin, III
Alternate Members:
Guest: Kurt Zemba, Chairman, Water Pollution Control Authority
Paul Fuchs, Co-Chair of the Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Committee
Paul Guinquinto, Co-Chair of the Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Committee
Rob Roach, Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Committee
Gregory Hack, Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Committee
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~Mr. Russell called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Because two Regular members are absent this evening, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to have Mr. Jose vote for Mr. Garvin in his absence. Motion carried. A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose to have Mr. Soucie vote for Mr. Bernblum in his absence. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell requested that, with guests already present, the Boathouse/Hains Park discussion under New Business be moved up on the agenda. A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley to move the Boathouse/Hains Park discussion under New Business up on the agenda. Motion carried.
Old Business
Water Pollution Control Authority: Mr. Zemba briefed the Board on the progress the WPCA has made so far. He stated that the new part-time clerk is in place and working with the Health clerk. Mr. Zemba explained that for many years, the Town had a policy of Sewer Avoidance, which is to address wastewater challenges on individual properties; however, questions have been raised regarding the long-term suitability of this strategy. Some of the beach associations have also hired consultants to study the existing environmental conditions with their association and the consultants came to the same conclusions that septic systems were no longer adequate to protect the environment and pubic health. Therefore, the construction of sanitary sewers to an off-site treatment location was the most
cost-effective solution. Two of those beach associations have appropriated funds to design and build their solution. The Town hired the firm of Woodard and Curran to review the existing information, collect new data, and re-evaluate the options for addressing the Town’s long-term wastewater needs.
Board of Finance Meeting September 16, 2014
Connecticut DEEP has reviewed all the reports prepared by the Town and by the other beach associations and have conceptually agreed with the recommendations of the current draft report and are waiting for the final version to complete the environmental review process to qualify the project for funding assistance. The assistance is currently set at a grant for 25% of the eligible project costs, and a loan for the balance, at a 2% interest rate for 20 years. The Town has also applied for grant funding through HUD, Community Development Block Grant Program which will help defray project costs. He explained what the various beach associations are doing regarding future wastewater needs, bonding.
Mr. Russell requested that WPCA put together a five year financial plan and submit it to the Finance Board during the budget process.
There will be a presentation at the upcoming Town Meeting and vote on the project costs, including design, bidding and construction phases.
New Business
Boathouse/Hains Park Improvements: Mr. Fuchs gave a brief history of the Rowing program that Hains Park and the Boathouse serves. The current boathouse was built in 1988 to support High School and the community rowing programs. Participation has increased from a few dozen to over 125 rowers per day during the summer months. The Committee was formed in January and has been studying the existing facility and use. An RFQ was solicited and architects and planners were interviewed and a local architect for design and planning was chosen. Surveys have been completed as well as project review and approval from Wetlands, Zoning, ZBA, the Sanitarian and the CT Department of Public Health. The plan expands the boathouse and includes locker rooms and bathrooms and expands boat
capacity from 32 boats to 53. The Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) is a volunteer group and all the programs are self-sustaining. The current insured value of the 32 boats is $322,000. Neither the Town nor the District has paid for these boats. The Rowing Association purchased and gave these boats to Regional School District 18. Every year the OLRA raises approximately $30,000 to buy and maintain boats and only the Coaches receive pay. The group is actively working to raise funds for boathouse and the area around it. The prospective building of almost 8,000 sq. ft. is very functional and plain with many opportunities to improve both look and function with these funds. The cost was outlined with a total of $883,000 and the STEAP Grant is for $478,000 with a budget shortfall of $405,000. Fundraising goals are around $50,000 and the Town would own the building and the Regional School District would lease the building from the
town.
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Committee made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen and she explained a few concerns and suggestions that the Board discussed with the Committee members. One of the main concerns was the condition of the present docks and wants the future docks to be a priority item. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the plans and recommended that the amount not to exceed $405,000 and should be brought before Town Meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to recommend that the Boathouse/Hains Park Improvements be put before a Town Meeting. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting September 16, 2014
Fund Balance Update: Mr. Russell stated that Mr. Bysko isn’t present and asked Mrs. Stajduhar a few questions about investments.
Minutes of the August 19, 2014 Regular meeting
The regular meeting minutes of August 19th were reviewed. A couple of spelling errors were noted.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Jose, to approve the regular meeting minutes of August 19th, as amended. Motion carried.
Review of Monthly Financial Reports
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Finance Report notes for August.
Under Revenues, the Property tax, total tax collections were $488,861 or 52.88% of total budget. The Sound View street parking and lots revenue is $24,610. State Grant – Town Aid Road of $114,954, half of total grant, was received. State Grant – LOCIP received $49,642 which is 100% for FY2013/14.
The Expenditures were highlighted. The Treasurer – Contracted Services has paid $9,600 to JH Cohen in progressive payments for the Town audit. Under the Public Works – Crack Seal line, $8,250 was paid to Anton Paving and the Black Top line paid $11,362 to Tilcon for material.
The Capital Expenditures included the following: Capital Town Hall Improvements paid $6,058 to Magee Carpentry for cabinet installation in the First Selectwoman’s office and the construction of a wall in the Health Office. Capital – Loader line paid $153,937 to W.I. Clark (budget of $142,000 - difference due to sale of old equipment in prior year not traded in). Capital – Imaging camera line paid out $6,622 to Shipmans for a camera.
Other funds included the Boathouse Project paid out in expenses $8,300 for the Architect and $6,000 for BSC Group. The WPCA paid out $14,944 for septage disposal and the new employee.
Budget Transfers
Mrs. Stajduhar highlighted the Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year Ending 06/30/2014 with the department adjusted overage amounts ($73,821) and various account Budget to/Budget from amounts of which equal $73,821.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve the transfers as presented. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting September 16, 2014
Selectman’s Report
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the Selectmen have been working closely with WPCA and monitoring the progress. WPCA will be holding a few informational meetings before going to Town Meeting in October. The first informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17th at 7:30p.m. at the Town Hall.
The Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Committee gave a presentation to the Board of Selectmen, as well as the Board of Finance this evening. Mrs. Reemsnyder said that the Board of Selectmen showed their support by recommending the proposal go before Town Meeting.
Mrs. Reemsnyder reported the progress of the Recycling Grant Incentive Committee. The Committee has requested that the Selectmen support a resolution to CT DEEP that accepts the Grant but without the parameters. The Committee recommends that the Selectmen appoint a standing Recycling Committee and that
the Boards of Selectmen and Finance recognize the need to support State recycling requirements and goals and to budget accordingly to support these goals. An old Recycling Ordinance was discovered and the Committee will be addressing and updating the Ordinance to bring it into the present.
The first design of Route 156 Bikeway and Sound View Improvements is expected soon. WPCA has very deep pumping stations within the Sound View area; therefore, some of the cost associated with the bathrooms at Sound View can possibly be wrapped within the WPCA plan.
Mrs. Reemsnyder spoke about the program Solarize CT through the CT Solar Challenge. This is a community based program that promotes the adoption of solar energy in Connecticut through cost reduction to homeowners and businesses, community outreach and education. Communities that sponsor the challenge earn a free solar energy system to be installed on a Town property in Town buildings.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr to adjourn the Regular meeting at 9:25 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
Michele E. Hayes
Office Manager & Payroll Administrator
Selectman's Office
Town of Old Lyme
52 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
tel. 860.434.1605, x-212
fax. 434.1400
M-F, 9-4pm
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