Old Lyme - After a review of the town's practice of giving grants to private beach associations and its nearly century-old history, town officials have set a new funding formula for the beaches.

The move will reduce the overall annual funding to the communities from roughly $101,000 to $81,000, and also outline the reasons why each community receives a stipend.

First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder presented to the Board of Finance on Tuesday recommendations for grants to the beaches.

The selectmen based their recommendations largely on a report from the Beach Stipend Committee, a group of residents that includes representatives from the beach communities that have studied the issue.

According to a report from the selectmen, the new guidelines call for the town to allocate a total of $52,500, based on a formula, among Point O'Woods, Old Lyme Shores, Old Colony Beach, Miami Beach, Hawks Nest and White Sand for their private security.

The report also includes the recommendation that Miami Beach receive an additional $10,250 for cleanup and security "due to the use of their private beach by the public spilling over from Sound View Beach." White Sand also will receive an extra $5,800 to help fund the costs of its road maintenance and security guards that check for the town beach stickers required to access the town beach.

The town will grant $3,000 per year to Rogers Lake West Shores Association, since the town uses the association's community center during storms or other emergency situations, and also to hold Rogers Lake Authority meetings, according to the report.

In addition, a $9,000 grant to the Federation of Beaches for ATVs and beach security has been recommended to be listed as part of the police budget.

The report also says the beach communities should continue to submit their stipend requests to the finance board.

It also sets up a schedule to review the stipends every three to five years and allows the opportunity to ask for additional town aid.

"As in the past, if an association feels that there is a hardship with an unanticipated or unplanned major repair or emergency, they can request assistance from the Board of Finance, though this would in no way obligate the Town of Old Lyme to allocate funds for any purpose," the selectmen's report states.

The Beach Stipend Committee's report is available on the town's website, http://www.oldlyme-ct.gov.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich