741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Finance Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Kevin J. Dombrowski

Special Meeting

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

5:00 PM

Council Chambers -Town Hall Annex

Building - Hybrid Format

In -Person - Council Chambers-Town Hall Annex Building

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CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Saums at 5:00 p.m. at

the Council Chambers Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Saums welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. He stated for the Town Council

Finance Committee and members of the Public who were participating via video

conference that the remote meeting information was available on the Agenda that was

posted on the Town’s Website - Granicus-Legistar Meeting Portal.

II.

ROLL CALL

Councilor Bill Saums

Councilor Andra Ingalls

Councilor Tim Ryan

Present:

In addition, the following were in attendance:

Attendee NameTitle

Mary McGrattanTown Councilor

Gary Paul Town Councilor

S. Naomi RodriguezTown Councilor

Fred Allyn, III Mayor

Matt Bonin Finance Director

Don Steinhoff Administrator of Human Resources

Steve Holyfield Administrator Emergency Services

Penny NewburyThe Arc of Eastern Connecticut

Roxanne MaherAdministrative Assistant

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Finance Committee Regular Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2023.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated he provided an updated spreadsheet regarding the

American Rescue Plan Act Projects for discussion later this evening

FINANCIAL REPORTS

None.

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Continued discussion regarding the status and possible changes to Capital Improvement Plan

(CIP) and Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Fund based on the American Rescue Act Funding

(ARPA) and the process to approve ARPA Projects and expend ARPA Funding.

The Finance Committee reviewed the status of the ARPA Funded Projects (See attached

spreadsheet).

VII. NEW BUSINESS

MOTION to authorize the Mayor to submit a grant through the FEMA Assistance to

Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $298,210.52 with the local matching amount of

$14,200.52 for the acquisition of new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments.

..end

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums provided some background stating last year Ledyard

applied for this FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to obtain funding to

purchase new portable and mobile radios for the fire departments that would bring

town’s radios up to same system as the State’s Radio System, which would allow

them to communicate with surrounding towns as well as the State. He stated the local

match of $14,200.52 would come from the LVES Fund (formerly Fund 24), noting

that this funding was previously set-a-side for this type of use. He stated if the town’s

grant application does not get approved that they could continue to apply each year

until they are awarded the grant funding.

Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield stated this was the third year

he has applied for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase radio

equipment. He stated feedback from FEMA indicated that Ledyard’s Grant

Application was well written, and they received the maximum number of points to be

approved. However, he explained the reason Ledyard’s Grant Application has not

been approved was because the age of the other municipalities’ radios that they were

competing with were older than Ledyard’s radios. He stated FEMA has encouraged

him to continue to apply for the Grant. He stated their local match of $14,200.52 has

already been transferred from the LVES Fund to a Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) to

purchase the radios when they do finally receive the FEMA Grant.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to authorize the Mayor to submit a grant through the FEMA Assistance to

Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $97,585.00 and a town matching amount of

$4646.90 for the purpose of acquiring a new Breathing Air Compressor and Cascade System

for the Ledyard Fire Company.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums provided some background stating that the town has

applied for this FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant in years past to purchase a

Breathing Air Compressor and Cascade System for the Ledyard Center Fire

Department. However, he stated because they did not receive the grant last year that

the Fire Department was looking to reapply this year.

Councilor Saums went on to explain that the Breathing Air Compressor and Cascade

System was the equipment the Fire Departments used to refill their oxygen cylinders.

He stated currently the Gales Ferry Fire Department has Breathing Air Compressor

and Cascade System, however, the Ledyard Center Fire Department does not.

Therefore, he stated Ledyard had to transport their empty oxygen cylinders to Gales

Ferry to fill them. He stated this involved a considerable amount of time, effort, and

money. Therefore, he stated the Ledyard Center Fire Department was looking to

apply for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant program in the amount of

$97,585.00 with a local match in the of $4,646.90 to purchase a Breathing Air

Compressor and Cascade System for the Ledyard Center Fire Department. He stated

for a local match of $4,656.90 to purchase $100,000 piece of equipment was a good

deal for the town.

Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield explained that the Ledyard

Center Fire Department had a Cascade System on their Rescue Truck, which was a

device that had multiple cylinders of air that had different pressures in them. He

stated, as Councilor Saums explained, the Ledyard Center Fire Department had to

transport their Cascade System to the Gales Ferry Fire Department to fill their

cylinders, noting that this took the paid Firefighters out of Ledyard Center for about

one-hour. He stated one of his goals was to not have one of the career Firefighters

tied up at another Fire Station to fill cylinders, so that if there was a call that they

could be deployed from the location of where they should be deployed from. He

stated that keeping the paid Ledyard Center Firefighters on the Ledyard side of town

made sense in terms of safety. He explained the long-term Apparatus Replacement

Schedule does not replace the Rescue Truck once the truck was retired from the fleet.

Therefore, he stated they had concerns with how they would transport the cylinders to

Gales Ferry to fill them without the Rescue Truck. He stated that he also had

concerns about asking volunteers who have already given 2 - 3 hours of their own

time training until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. to bring the equipment to the Gales Ferry

Fire Station, noting that this could be a problem both for access the Gales Ferry Fire

Department building and because of the transport and time constraints. He stated the

volunteers were already in Ledyard Center participating in a 2 - 3-hour training in the

evening at their own cost, and spending time away from their family. Therefore, he

stated it would be a good investment to have the Breathing Air Compressor and

Cascade System at the Ledyard Center Fire Department.

Mr. Holyfield went on to address last year’s FEMA Grant Application to purchase

the Breathing Air Compressor and Cascade System for the Ledyard Center Fire

Department. He stated although Ledyard’s Application was not approved last year

that the feedback from FEMA said that the Application was well written, and they

received maximum points. However, he stated the reason they were not approved was

based on their call volume. He explained that these FEMA Firefighter Grants were a

competitive process and that if another town/fire department had a higher call volume

than Ledyard, that their Grant Application would be approved before Ledyard’s

application.

Councilor Ingalls questioned the funding source for the required $4,646.90 local

match. Mr. Holyfield stated that Ledyard Center Fire Chief Jon Mann included the

$4,646.90 required for the town’s local match to purchase the Breathing Air

Compressor and Cascade System in the Fire Department’s New Equipment Capital

Improvement Plan (CIP).

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

The Finance Committee agreed to move up The Arc of Eastern Connecticut’s

Neighborhood Assistance Act Program Project request (previously items #5 & #6) to

their next items of business and to renumber the remaining agenda items accordingly.

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to approve the following proposed project to be eligible for Neighborhood

Assistance Act (NAA) tax credits.

The ARC of Eastern Connecticut to replace windows at the Group Residence located at

1671 Center Groton Road, Ledyard estimated cost $26,872.00.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums noted that Arc of Eastern Connecticut Penny Newbury,

Director of Grants and Communications, was present this evening and he deferred to

Ms. Newbury to present her organization’s request.

The Arc of Eastern Connecticut Penny Newbury, Director of Grants and

Communications, stated that The ARC of Eastern Connecticut, was a 501(c)

non-profit organization that serves to advocate and support people with intellectual and

developmental disabilities across the entire region. She stated that ARC was seeking

support from the Town of Ledyard to apply for the 2023 Neighborhood Assistance

Act Program to support a project in the amount of $26,872.00 to replace the windows

at their group residence located at 1671 Center Groton Road, Ledyard, which

provided round the clock support to six clients with intellectual and developmental

disabilities, noting that some have limited mobility and/or were older.

Ms. Newbury went on to explain that the State Department of Revenue Services in

conjunction with large corporations in the State of Connecticut developed a

Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) which provides a tax credit to businesses that

make donations to nonprofits for projects approved by their local governments. She

stated the Town approved this window replacement project for The ARC of Eastern

Connecticut last year, however, the timing was very close to the deadline and that the

project was not eligible for the application by the time all of the paperwork was

completed. Therefore, she stated that they were getting an earlier start this year,

noting that they have already identified a couple of potential partners for their

window replacement project. She stated the total project cost was 31,872 with The

ARC of Eastern Connecticut contributing $5,000 to the project, noting that the NAA

credit request was for $26,872; and that there was no cost to the town. She concluded

by explaining for The ARC to be eligible for the NAA Program that the Town was

required to hold a Public Hearing regarding the proposed project.

The Finance Committee stated that they appreciated the work that The ARC of

Eastern Connecticut provided to the region.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to set a Hybrid (In-Person & Video Conference)Public Hearing date for April 12,

2023 at 6:15 p.m. to be held in the Council Chambers, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway, to

receive comments and recommendations regarding the following proposed project to be

eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) tax credits.

ARC of Eastern Connecticut to replace windows at the Group Residence located at 1671

Center Groton Road, Ledyard estimated cost $26,872.00 to approve the following proposed

project to be eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) tax credits

In addition, revise the time of the April 12, 2023 Hybrid (In-Person & Video Conference)

Public Hearing from at 6:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., as approved at the Town Council’s February

22, 2023, to receive comments and recommendations regarding a proposed amendments to

Ordinance #100-016 (rev 1) “An Ordinance Combining Parks And Recreation Commission

and Senior Citizens Commission for the Town of Ledyard” as contained in draft dated

February 8, 2023.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Ingalls noted as discussed in item #3 above, the only

involvement for the town was to vet the project and to conduct Public Hearing for

the agency to be eligible to participate in the NAA program.

Councilor Ingalls went on to note the second half of this motion was to change the

time of the Public Hearing that the Town Council had previously set to receive

comments on the proposed revisions to Ordinance #100-016 (rev 1) “An Ordinance

Combining Parks And Recreation Commission and Senior Citizens Commission for

the Town of Ledyard” so that they could publish one Legal Notice for both the NAA

Program and the Ordinance to save money for the cost the legal ad. VOTE: 3 - 0

Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to approve a tax refund in the amount of $9,075.43 exceeding $2,400.00 in

accordance with tax collector departmental procedures.

Marshall Retail Group - Tanger Outlet c/c adjustment - $9,075.43.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated in accordance with policies established for the

Tax Collection Department, refunds to taxpayer exceeding $2,400 are to be approved

by the Town Council.

The reason for the refund was because after the Marshall Retail Group paid the taxes

owed for the year (2018) they went out of business. Therefore, a refund plus the

interest accrued was owed to them.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

AYE:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

MOTION to authorize the expenditure of up to $25,000 from Account # 21090305-58920

(Acquisition of Open Space) for the demolition, waste fees, well abandonment and septic

abandonment at 334 Colonel Ledyard Hwy.

In addition, upon the sale of property at 332 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, authorize the

appropriation of the same expended amount back to Account #21090305-58920 (Acquisition

of Open Space).

The aforementioned to be done in preparation of transfer of ownership to Avalonia Land

Conservancy for parking for the Founder’s Preserve.

Discussion: Councilor Saums provided some background noting that during the past three

years the Town has acquired the following properties:

332 Colonel Ledyard Highway thru a Foreclosure (approximately 96.52+/-

acres-Founders Preserve); and

334 Colonel Ledyard Highway thru a Blight Lien deed in lieu of foreclosure

(January 25, 2023)

Councilor Saums explained at a Special Town Meeting held on October 29, 2020 the

townspeople approved to convey the transfer town-owned property located at 332

Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, approximately 96.52 +/- acres (Founders

Preserve) to the Avalonia Land Conservancy to remain open to the public for passive

recreation and to be protected in perpetuity under the Conservancy’s care. However,

he stated to date the property transfer has not taken place because there was not

adequate access to the Founders Preserve property (332 Colonel Ledyard Highway) due

in part to a boundary line adjustment made by the prior developer of the so-called

“Founders Preserve”, noting that the property was partially landlocked.

Mayor Allyn, III, explained that the town would be working to return the property

boundary lines for 334 Colonel Ledyard Highway back to the original property lines,

which would return a portion of the property where the detached two car garage

currently sits back to the property located at 332 Colonel Ledyard. He stated by

separating 334 Colonel Ledyard Highway from the Founders Preserve and conveying

332 Colonel Ledyard Highway to Avalonia Land Conservancy that Avalonia would gain

access to the property and enough space for a parking area for about 12 cars. However,

he stated that Avalonia Land Conservancy cannot accept a property with a structure; and

therefore, the town would demolish the house, noting that the structure was unsafe and

had rotted floor joists, and that they would also remote the associated structures prior to

the conveyance of the property. He stated once the boundary lines were returned to their

original property lines (as shown in the last map dated October 2002), the town planned

to sell the property located at 332 Colonel Ledyard Highway to recover some of the back

taxes that were lost on both Colonel Ledyard Highway properties: 332 (foreclosure) &

334 (blight lien and taxes) and to reimburse the Open Space Fund.

Mayor Allyn went on to explain that 334 Colonel Ledyard Highway was a blighted

property. He stated in accordance with Ordinance #300-012 (rev.1) “An Ordinance

Concerning Blight and Public Nuisance for the Town of Ledyard” the Town filed

Blight Liens on the

property five separate times. He stated four times the property owner paid the Blight

Liens, however, he stated when the town filed the fifth Blight Lien the property owner

offered the town the deed in lieu of foreclosure on January 25, 2023. He stated the

current bill for 334 Colonel Ledyard Highway was as follows: Blight Lien $1,200 & one

year of taxes which was approximately $5,000. He stated the town expected that the sale

of 334 Colonel Ledyard Highway would generate more than the $6,200 owed, plus some

of the money that was owed for the Founders Preserve.

Mayor Allyn continued by explaining that the Founders Preserve was a subdivision on

paper only, that was foreclosed on when the real-estate market crashed in 2008,

explaining that although there were tax bills associated with the 24-26 lots, that there

was never any infrastructure that the town had to care for. He stated this was a good

opportunity in terms of gaining access to the Founders Preserve that would work for

Avalonia Land Conservancy, and its visitors, as well as the surrounding neighbors and

area.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to adopt a proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget in the amount of $65,517,156

comprised of:

General Government Budget $29,608,788

Board of Education Budget $35,908,368

Councilor Saums stated based on their work to-date that the proposed Fiscal Year

2023/2024 stands as follows:

· Total Budget $65,476,753 comprised of:

· General Government Budget of: $29,568,385

· Board of Education of: $$35,908,368

The Finance Committee discussed their Budget Work Sessions with the Department

Heads that were held on March 9, 13, & 20, 2023 and potential additional

adjustments to the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget in preparation to present

a preliminary budget to residents at the Public Hearing in April, per the Town

Charter.

Councilor Saums noted that Councilor McGrattan, Liaison to the Library

Commission, contacted him earlier today regarding the Library’s current year’s

(Fiscal Year 2022/2023) budget. He stated at their March 20, 2023 meeting the

Library Commission noted that their Operating Account #10150101-56100 only had

an unencumbered balance of $2.37, noting that they still had three months remaining

for this year. He stated in reviewing the budget history that they have been reducing

the Library’s Operating budget over the past few years. He stated in speaking with

Library Director Jennifer Smith that she indicated that the Library had some

additional expenses this year. He noted that Ms. Smith stated that the Library planned

to use funding from a non-taxpayer source for the remainder of this year, should they

need to.

The Finance Committee noted that they met with the Library yesterday to review

their proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget; and they questioned the reason this

year’s operations account shortfall was not brought up during the Budget Work

Session.

Councilor Ingalls expressed concern about increasing a budget line for next fiscal

year without knowing the reason the Operating Account has already been exhausted

for this year. Councilor Saums stated that they could leave the Library’s Operating

Account #10150101-56100 as proposed for now and make an adjustment after the

April 17, 2023 Public Hearing if they receive more information. Finance Director

Matthew Bonin stated that he spoke with Library Director Jennifer Smith this

morning about submitting a request with the justification to the Finance Committee

to over expend the Library’s Operating Account #10150101-56100 to finish out this

fiscal year (2022/2023).

Mayor Allyn addressed the Library’s use of non-tax dollars stating that they used

funding from the Friends of the Library to purchase a copier for the Bill Library

about ten years ago. He stated the copier was now at the end of its useful life and the

Commission was wondering where they were going to get $10,000 - $15,000 to

purchase a new copier. He stated that a Commission should not be involved with

things like the copier noting that the town was currently leasing seven copiers

(approximate cost $200 per month/per copier) and that the town could add two more

copiers to their lease (one for the Bill Library and one for the Gales Ferry Library).

He stated the copier leases include service, toner replacement, and other supplies,

etc., the copiers were network and so Ricco knows the copy count and they

automatically send the toner, etc., noting that currently the Library had to purchase

their toner cartridges which cost about $200 per toner. He stated Executive Assistant

Kristen Chapman has contacted Ricco to inquire about the cost to add two more

copiers (one for Bill Library and one for the Gales Ferry Library). He stated although

the Library Commission has not yet agreed for the town to lease the copiers that he

hoped the Commission would understand the value of having a leased machine. He

suggested the Finance Committee consider including funding to lease two more

copiers for the Library in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget.

Councilor Ingalls questioned what the Library charged for the public to make copies.

Mayor Allyn stated that he would ask the Library what they charged for copies for the

for the next Finance Committee.

Councilor Ryan stated that it was hard to find any questionable areas in the proposed

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget. However, he stated that he would have liked to see

the Education budget increase more in-line with the General Government’s budget

increase, noting that the Board of Education’s increase was nearly twice the amount

of the General Government’s budget increase. He noted the Board of Education’s

Contingency Plan, should budget reductions be required, and he stated that 73.8%

was Salary & Wages, which meant that 22% or $9 million of the Board of

Education’s budget was “Other”. Therefore, he stated that perhaps there was some

flexibility in the Board of Education’s $9 million “Other” category where they could

make some adjustments without cutting staff. He stated that he realized that the Town

Council cannot get into that level of granularity, however, he stated perhaps it could

happen as a discussion. He again stated that he would have liked to see the Education

budget increase more in-line with the General Government’s budget increase.

Councilor Ryan went on to comment that he had concerns regarding some of the

Revenues, specifically the following:

· Nursing Revenue - Councilor Ryan stated the Nursing revenue had a $200,000

drop and he questioned the reason for the significant decrease. Mayor Allyn

explained that over the past several years the Nursing Revenues have been

struggling, not from the lack of effort, but for the simple fact that Yale New

Haven Health and Hartford Health were in Southeastern Connecticut’s Market

and they were gobbling up the market share. He stated the Nursing Department

was seeing revenues erode quickly, noting that their revenues that were projected

to be $800,000 for the current fiscal year, were tracking significantly lower than

the amount budgeted, noting that the revenues received to date were $357,005.

He stated that he and Finance Director Matthew Bonin have been reviewing the

Nursing Revenue History as well as tracking the current year’s revenue, noting

that the revenue has been declining since 2016.

· Non-Resident Tuition and Agri-Science Tuition - Councilor Ryan stated these

two revenue lines had a precipitous drop ($123,000 decrease). Finance Director

Matthew Bonin stated according to the Board of Education these two revenue

lines were difficult to project because of students coming-in or out of the

programs. He stated last year the Board of Education’s revenue in these two

categories fell short of the projections. Councilor Ryan stated that there must be a

reason for the drop in these two revenues; and he stated that he would have liked

to hear the reasoning from the Board of Education as to why the revenues

dropped. Mayor Allyn noted that he would be meeting with Superintendent of

Schools Jason Hartling tomorrow and that he would ask about these two

revenues.

· Building Department Revenues - Mayor Allyn stated the Building Department’s

revenues were coming in higher than budgeted for the current year (Fiscal Year

2022/2023). He stated although he increased the projected revenues for the

Building Department in the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget that he did

not go as high as they expected to collect for this current year (Fiscal Year

2022/2023). He also stated they were looking to revise the Building Department’s

fee schedule.

The Finance Committee discussed expenditures as follows:

· Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) - Councilor Ryan addressed the Capital

Improvement Plan (CIP) which included $1.6 million to be paid by the taxpayers

noting that this was $600,000 more than the current fiscal year. He stated the CIP

may be an area of the budget where they could find some savings, noting that the

other parts of budget were dictated by contractual agreements. He went on to state

that during the budget process and throughout the year they have discussed the

Capital Reserve Fund allocations for the Fire Apparatus Replacement Schedule,

Road Restoration, Public Works Large Trucks Reserve/Replacement Schedule,

noting that smaller amounts of money were budgeted over multiple years so that

when it was time to replace the equipment the funding was available.

Councilor Ryan went on to note the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Capital

Improvement Plan included $265,000 for Classroom Upgrades and the High

School Science Labs Upgrades. He suggested, as the Mayor has done with the

General Government’s Capital Reserve Funds for the replacement of large

equipment and other expenses, that they consider reducing the funding for the

classroom upgrades and budget a smaller amount over a couple of years, rather

than fund the entire classroom upgrade projects in one year. He stated perhaps

that they could do a percentage reduction on all projects where it was feasible, to

lower the CIP increase to about half of the current $1.6 million, stating that by

doing this they would lower the tax burden for residents.

Councilor Saums addressed the Classroom Upgrades explaining that they have

been working to upgrade the High School Bathrooms and Classrooms for the past

ten years. He stated the CIP has included funding for the Classroom and Science

Upgrades for 2024, 2025, & 2026. Mayor Allyn stated the High School

Bathrooms were original to the building which was constructed in 1965.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated Board of Education used funds that were

already in the Capital Reserve Account for the Classroom Upgrades noting for the

current fiscal year (2022/2023) taxpayer funding was not used for these projects.

However, he stated because the Board of Education’s Capital Reserve Fund was

becoming depleted that taxpayer funding would be required for the Classroom

Upgrades/Science Lab Upgrades in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023/2024 CIP

Budget.

· Healthcare Costs - Finance Director Matthew Bonin explained because the

healthcare premium would not be set until mid to late April the proposed budget

has planned for an 8% increase as recommended by the town’s healthcare

consultant. He went on to explain that Administrator of Human Resources Don

Steinhoff has been talking with an Insurance Group who was handling a consortium

of towns who previously left the State’s 2.0 Partnership Healthcare Plan because of

the increased costs to the State’s Plan. He stated if the Healthcare Consortium Plan

could provide a comparable insurance plan to what Ledyard currently had, that the

town may be able to join their Healthcare Consortium which would be about a 4% -

5% increase in healthcare costs for the town. He stated this would provide a savings

of about $250,000.

The Finance Committee agreed by consensus to the following Budget Adjustments:

· Account # 10112151-51610MIS Director Salary - With the retirement of MIS Director

Regina Brulotte that the starting salary and gross wage increase was corrected.

· Account #10114301-58110Land Use Training/ Meeting/Dues/Subscriptions - Reduced

by $2,000.

· Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) added $10,000 to conduct the Aerial Fly Over. The

State of Connecticut conducts and aerial fly over every six-years. The Town would like

to conduct an aerial fly over halfway thru the State’s six-year cycle. He stated the town

was trying to have an updated aerial fly over of all the parcels in town every three-years.

He stated $10,000 was added to the CIP for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and that they would

allocate $10,000 again in Fiscal Year 2024/2025 for the aerial fly over.

MOTION to adopt a proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget in the amount of

$65,517,156 comprised of:

General Government: $29,608,788

· Board of Education: $35,908,368

Moved by Councilor Saums, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums explained that in accordance Chapter VII; Section 5 of

the Town Charter they would be approving a preliminary budget, to present to the

townspeople at the Public Hearing. He stated after the Public Hearing the Finance

Committee would review the comments received and other new information

regarding expenses and make budget adjustments in preparation for the townspeople

to vote on the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget in May.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin noted the proposed Fiscal Year Budget at

$65,517,156 was a 3.16% increase over the current year’s budget. He went on to

provide the breakdown as follows:

General Government: $29,608,788 (2.26% increase over the current year)

· Board of Education: $35,908,368 (3.92% increase over the current year)

Mayor Allyn stated based on the municipal budget increases in Southeastern

Connecticut that Ledyard’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 was likely one of the

lowest budget increases. He noted the budget increases for surrounding towns such as

Preston were looking at a 9.8% in increase for their education budget and that other

towns like Waterford, East Lyme and Stonington were looking at 8%+ budget

increases. He concluded by stating that the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget

would require a 1.09 mil increase.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

RESULT:

Bill Saums

Tim Ryan

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to set a Hybrid Format (Video Conference and In-Person) Public Hearing date to

be held on April 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. to be held in the Council Chambers, 741 Colonel

Ledyard Highway, to receive comments and recommendations regarding a proposed Fiscal

Year 2023/2024 Budget.

Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated in accordance Chapter VII; Section 5 of the

Town Charter the Town Council was required to prepare/approve a preliminary

budget, which they just did this evening; and conduct a Public Hearing on or before

the last Monday of April; at which the public would have the opportunity to review

the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget and provide comments and

recommendations.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Andra Ingalls

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tim Ryan

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to set the Annual Town Meeting to be a Hybrid Format (Video Conference &

In-Person) regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget on May 15, 2023 at 7:00

p.m. to be held in the Council Chambers, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway and to adjourn to a

Referendum to be held on May 16, 2023 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

In addition, should the referendum fail, the subsequent Referenda will be held between the

hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; in accordance with Chapter VII, Section 6 of the Town

Charter.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated that in accordance Chapter VII; Section 6 of the

Town Charter that the Annual Town Meeting for the consideration of the Budget

shall be held on the third Monday of May; and that the vote of the Town Meeting on

the Annual Budget shall be adjourned to a vote on the voting machines the day

following the Town Meeting.

Councilor Saums noted that this year both the Public Hearing and Annual Town

Meeting will be held in the Council Chambers. He stated in years past these two

important meetings were held in the High School Auditorium. However, he because

of the amount of work involved to set up for the audio, video, remote meeting (zoom)

etc. that they have decided to hold the meetings in the Council Chambers this year

where the technology was already in place to conduct a Hybrid Meeting. He stated

given the attendance in years past that they believe the Council Chambers was more

suited for the number of people who attend and would provide a better recording for

both audio and video.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

MOTION to adopted a proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Water Operations Budget in the

amount $1,518,724.32.

Moved by Councilor Saums, seconded by Councilor Ingalls

Discussion: Councilor Saums stated in accordance with Section 4 of Ordinance

#400-001 “An Ordinance Establishing a Water Pollution Control Authority” which

states: “The WPCA shall provide, by the fourth Monday in April, a budget of

estimated revenues, expenditures and capital improvements for the ensuing fiscal

year for inclusion as an appendix in the Town annual budget. The Town Council

shall approve the water system budget. He went on to explain that although the

Town Council was also interested in the proposed Sewer Operations Budget that the

Town Council was only required to approve the WPCA Annual Water Operations.

Councilor Saums went on to note as the Town Council’s Liaison to the WPCA that he

attended their meetings and that the WPCA proposed Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Water

Operations in the amount of $1,518,724.32 was a balanced budget with no increase

over the current Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget. He stated the WPCA was setting

money aside for capital and infrastructure maintenance and improvements, noting that

their funds were increasing along with their customers. He stated the WPCA has done

an excellent job in putting together a balanced budget and in running their

Department, noting as an Enterprise Fund that they could not make money and they

could not lose money.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Bill Saums

RESULT:

MOVER:

Andra Ingalls

SECONDER:

Saums, Ingalls and Ryan

AYE:

ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Ingalls moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilor Ryan.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared, the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

William D. Saums

Committee Chairman

Finance

Committee

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.