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TOWN OF GRANBY
CAPITAL PROGRAM PRIORITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
JULY 21, 2009
PRESENT: Gordon Bischoff, Chairman; Francis Brady, Ronald Desrosiers, Mark Neumann, Matthew Wutka, John O’Connor, and Roger Hernsdorf
Ex-officio Members: William F. Smith, Town Manager; John E. Adams, First Selectman; Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools; J. Cal Heminway, Board of Education Chairman; and Michael B. Guarco, Board of Finance Chairman
Chairman Bischoff confirmed a quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He welcomed new member Francis Brady and new ex-officio member Alan Addley who replaced Gwen Van Dorp.
MINUTES
ON A MOTION by Ronald Desrosiers, seconded by Matthew Wutka, the committee voted (5-0-1) to approve the meeting minutes of June 6, 2006. Mr. Brady and Mr. Neumann abstained.
Chairman Bischoff outlined the agenda for tonight’s meeting stating different documents would be utilized for tonight’s discussion. The agenda item Review of CPPAC Model was reordered to be discussed first. He indicated a document named “BOF Budget Worksheet FY10-Rev3” will be used for the agenda item “Review of CPPAC Model” and Mr. Guarco would lead the discussion. First Selectman Adams distributed a document entitled “Potential CPPAC Projects and Other Items of Interest for CPPAC”, which will be used for discussion on agenda item “Presentations of Identified Projects for CPPAC Consideration.”
REVIEW OF CPPAC MODEL
Mr. Guarco stated that the worksheet figures were drawn from the detailed CPPAC (Finance) Model. He indicated that the three Chairmen had preliminary discussion regarding this Worksheet FY10-Rev3 (attached) and it was now being distributed for review, discussion, and approval to the rest of the boards. Mr. Guarco highlighted the following items from the Worksheet:
- Debt Service was staggered.
- Operating budgets for FY11 were flat; the school operating budget showed less than zero to account for one less student in the system [Special Ed].
- The Mill Rate increase was in the range of 1% - 2%.
- Short approximately $400,000 in Addition Feed (Gap)
- Can’t rely on using General Fund Surplus for budget gaps as we have in the past. The usage of this fund must decrease.
- A time sensitive project is included in this worksheet.
- Basically, same assumptions used as the CPPAC Model; percentage of increase built in to local revenues, and inflation consideration built in model.
A question was asked and answered that if the new debt service was to increase to double amount ($300,000 to $600,000), essentially there are a number of factors to consider to determine which avenue the town should proceed to handle the new debt service. Some factors of consideration are increase taxes, old debt fall off, decrease operating budgets, and grants. With a thought about decreasing operating budgets, it was mentioned that contracts play an important part in the operating budgets and it must be reviewed carefully. It was also noted there was nothing new that would increase the grand list.
First Selectman Adams asked for an explanation of the CNEF feed in and out. In response, Mr. Guarco indicated that it boosts the budget and zeros it out in expenditure portion of the budget. It is shown to be flat for FY11 budget.
PRESENTATIONS OF IDENTIFIED PROJECTS FOR CPPAC CONSIDERATION
First Selectman Adams described the first 19 items on “Potential CPPAC Projects and Others Items of Interest for CPPAC”. The document starts on page three for reference purposes.
First Selectman Adams commented that the highest priority needs were a Wash Bay and the Salmon Brook Park (SBP) facility. He mentioned that the committee’s reports have valuable information to assist in the next steps whether it was for the storage, wash bay, SBP facility, or fields.
Chairman Bischoff commented that he too would like to see the SBP facility get addressed as a high priority need.
A question was raised as to how the recreation programs work in the budget. Town Manager Smith indicated that these programs are self-sufficient. The programs cannot carry the capital improvements at the park. First Selectman Adams also stated that the park is for general public use, recreation programs, and camp programs and that it should not be expected that programmers would pay for renovation improvements.
Mr. Guarco left the meeting at 8 p.m.
The committee held a discussion regarding the acquisition of land. Some of the reasons for purchasing land are: control development or property, rent to farmers, need for possible school use, future use in sports activities like, field hockey, soccer, baseball, and softball, etc.
Next discussed by the committee was Holcomb Farm, item #15. The committee wanted to know if the Holcomb Farm has a report that identifies the projects and money. Mr. Neumann indicated their report was not that detailed by specifics. Chairman Bischoff commented that it would be beneficial if they could identify what our contribution would support directly. First Selectman Adams indicated the two items they earmarked as high priority were fire suppression system and north barn renovations.
Mr. Wutka described the BOE projects (20 thru 27). The highest priority needs identified were maintenance building and athletic facility, athletic field project, and energy-saving initiatives. Chairman Heminway reported that the Board of Education would provide CPPAC a report with more definitive understanding and prioritization of projects.
First Selectman Adams and Town Manager Smith described “Other Items of Interest for CPPAC” (28 thru 39).
POTENTIAL CPPAC PROJECTS AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR CPPAC
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Project or Interest Item |
Estimated Construction Cost & Soft Cost |
Comments |
CPPAC Rank 1 = High 10 = Low |
CPPAC Suggested Cost Estimate |
BOS & BOE Projects (Subject to final approval by both boards when appropriate) |
1 |
Storage & Vehicle Wash Bay Alternative #1 using existing land See BOE Projects for more information on BOE Maintenance Building. |
$7,260,000 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008.
Wash Bay $550,000; Vehicle Bay $400,000; Equip. Storage $1,200,000; Fuel Island $600,000; BOE Facility $3,850,000. Alternative #1 Committee Report available. |
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2 |
Storage & Vehicle Wash Bay Alternative #9 new DPW facility |
$11,554,761 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. New DPW facility - including Wash Bay, Vehicle Bay, Equip. Storage Fuel Island $600,000. NOT INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF LAND. Alternative #9 Committee Report available. |
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3 |
Storage & Vehicle Wash Bay Alternative #9 - BOE Facility See BOE Projects for more information on BOE Maintenance Building. |
$3,733,653 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. The BOE facility will be located in the old DPW facility. Alternative #9 Committee Report available. |
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4 |
DPW Wash Bay - |
$246,000 |
Town identified cost estimate Nov. 2008. |
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5 |
Public Works Cold Storage & Heated |
$425,000 |
Town identified cost estimate Nov. 2008. |
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6 |
Replacement Athletic Fields & Facilities; Maintenance Public Works See BOE Projects for more information on BOE Athletic Field Project and Maintenance Building. |
$5,900,000 |
School identified cost estimate May 2006. |
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7 |
Athletic Fields Phase I Ahrens Park and Salmon Brook Park |
$1,871,923 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008.
The gravel has been layed out on the north parking lot to Rover's fields at SBP, which is one of the suggested improvements. Phased Athletic Field Committee Report available. |
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8 |
Athletic Fields Phase II & IIa - High School & Middle School Campuses See BOE Projects for more information on BOE Athletic Field Project. |
$9,292,103 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. Phased Athletic Field Committee Report available. |
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9 |
Athletic Fields Phase IV - Ahrens Park |
$655,005 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. Phased Athletic Field Committee Report available. |
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10 |
Athletic Fields Phase V - High School & Middle School See BOE Projects for more information on BOE Athletic Field Project. |
$2,121,575 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. Phased Athletic Field Committee Report available. |
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11 |
Athletic Fields Phase V - High School & Middle School Supplemental Improvements 1 & 2 See BOE Projects for more information on BOE Athletic Field Project. |
$686,873 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. Phased Athletic Field Committee Report available |
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12 |
Athletic Fields Phase VI - Salmon Brook Park |
$2,887,953 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. Phased Athletic Field Committee Report available. |
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BOS Projects (Subject to final approval by BOS) |
13 |
Salmon Brook Pond House |
$1,567,732 |
Committee identified cost - June 2008. New building, 4,800 gross square feet. Committee Executive Summary report available. |
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14 |
Salmon Brook Pond House |
$300,000 |
Town identified cost estimated Nov. 2008. Pond House construction only. |
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15 |
Holcomb Farm |
Range $250,000 to $500,000 |
Town Capital project Nov. 2008. Holcomb Farm Capital Campaign total $2M.
Town/State Grant (STEAP) - $400,000 contribution. Hartford Foundation for Public Giving grants pending.
Future STEAP grant potential. |
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16 |
Addition to Granby Public Library |
range of $3,000,000 $9,000,000 |
Study Committee identified cost in Jan. 2009. state grant potential |
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17 |
Roads & Bridges FY06/FY08 approval date capital projects |
$400,000 net estimate |
$2,000,000 cost to be appropriated - 80% Federal 20% Local. |
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18 |
Canton Sewer Extension |
($400,000) $400,000 |
Appropriated from Sewer Assessment & Sewer Use Funds. |
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19 |
Acquisition of Evonsion Land Property |
Range from $2,560,000 to $3,000,000 |
2009 appraisal value $2,560,000 - 126 acres; 13% wetlands; 1.1 acres with dwelling and 0.7 acre lot in the northwest corner of the property have been subdivided from original parcel 127.7 acres; T.W.Henry.
2004 appraisal value $2,500,000; 123.7 acres; approx. 5 acres retained (dwelling & farm store) - Hunter Associates
2002 appraisal value $1,110,000 Scenario I est. value of approx. 123.7 acres and 5 acres retained by owner.
2002 appraisal value $1,150,000; Scenario II assumes 2 acres assoc. with existing dwelling be retained and 126.7 acres purchased- Hunter Galvin & Andrews. |
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BOE Projects (Subject to final approval by BOE) |
20 |
Middle School Phase 1 FY 2005 & Phase 2 FY 2008 capital projects |
$1,906,990 |
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21 |
Maintenance Building |
$1,500,000 |
School identified in 2009 - concept. The district has explored several different options including shared use of the Town Garage. It appears that additional land will need to be purchased. BOE is requesting funds for professional services to help fully define this project. See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #1. |
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22 |
Athletic Field Project (Purchase of land) |
$5,000,000 |
School identified in 2009 - concept; GAFLAC do not fully meet the athletic needs of the district. See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #2. |
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23 |
Energy-Saving Initiatives |
TBD |
School identified in 2009 - concept. Three individual projects identified - Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (TBD), Energy Efficiency Program (TBD), Emergency Generator ($200,000), Solar Panels (TBD). See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #3. |
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24 |
Technology Upgrade |
$500,000
$500,000 |
School updated in 2009 - concept; more specific upgrades and replacements identified (video distribution, telephones, and clock systems). See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #4.
School identified cost estimate May 2006 - Concept. |
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25 |
Roof Replacement Schedule |
TBD
$900,000 |
School updated in 2009 - Placeholder. See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #5.
School identified cost estimate May 2006 - Placeholder. |
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26 |
High School Kitchen and Facilities Upgrade
High School Kitchen and Additional Classrooms |
$1,500,000
$2,720,000 |
School updated in 2009 - concept. Upgrades are kitchen, air conditioning (commons, foods lab, computer lab, locker rooms facilities office and athletic director's office), high school tennis courts, sidewalk from Rte. 189 to high school, and emergency generator. See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #6.
School identified cost estimate May 2006 - Placeholder. |
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27 |
F.M. Kearns School Facility Addition |
$5,000,000
$4,681,587 |
School updated in 2009; core facility and additional classrooms are necessary if full-day kindergarten curriculum is offered. - Concept. See BOE Summary of Large Capital Projections #7.
School identified cost estimate May 2006 - Placeholder. |
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Other Items of Interest for CPPAC |
28 |
Bushy Hill Orchard (town's local share) (Land Trust gift +/- $80,000) |
$77,500 |
Pay from sale of property of VNA building. |
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29 |
VNA/OTHBldg/South Congregational - land acquisition |
+/- ($77,500) |
2006 appraisal value $220,000 $142,500 excess to go to open space fund (total sale est. $220,000). |
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30 |
OPEB 2010-2040 |
$160,000 |
First few years from Employee Benefit Fund as available. Amount changes per actuary report every two years. |
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31 |
Sewer Plant Upgrade Sewer payments to Simsbury 2008-2028 |
$116,000 |
Payments to come from General Fund, Sewer Assessment, & Sewer Use Funds. |
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32 |
Land/Open Space FY 06 capital project |
$1,000,000 |
Placeholder |
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33 |
Contingency Project FY 07 capital project |
$1,000,000 |
Placeholder |
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34 |
Cossitt Library improvements & repairs |
($125,000) $125,000 |
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving grant |
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35 |
Use of Fund Balance |
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FY2009-10 --$2,161,000 |
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36 |
Operations |
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Needs for BOS and BOE |
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37 |
Interest Rate |
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Change |
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38 |
Grand List Growth |
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FY2009-10 -- (-.35%) |
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39 |
Debt Service |
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FY2009-10 -- $4,312,936 |
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Chairman Bischoff asked for comments, opinions of item 19 – acquisition of land.
Town Manager Smith commented it was a good capital project but the operating budget must hold to the level of service already being provided. The capital projects should not hinder operating budgets.
Mr. Desrosiers commented there are many factors to consider when choosing capital projects, especially when reality is looking at a flat budget for next year. Steps need to be taken to look at bonding options and the operating expenses should not be cut for capital projects, etc.
Mr. Wutka commented if the choice was to pursue the acquisition of land, a town referendum needs to be held and a breakout to show tax consequences must be presented at this town meeting.
Mr. O’Connor commented he would support the land acquisition, as a high priority need for the town given the stated reasons discussed at tonight’s meeting.
Mr. Brady commented he would support the land acquisition. He also stated that a document explaining the reasons, cost, and tax consequences should be created.
Mr. Neumann commented the town has a heavy level of debt services this year already. It would be hard to support taxes going up a lot to support a capital project. A good review and prioritization should be conducted for the rest of the capital projects being suggested, while realizing the land acquisition is an important factor for the future of Granby.
Mr. Hernsdorf commented the land acquisition is prime real estate and if the real estate market was to turnaround, the asking price presumably would go up. The wash bay most likely could be postponed for another year.
Mr. Heminway shared the opinions stated above. He re-emphasized the need for land acquisition for future use in town and what the town has been dealing with because of the location placement of Public Works and the Middle School.
Mr. Addley also expressed concern on how the operating budgets would be affected with the purchase of land. He asked that CPPAC give their opinions of the suggested capital projects so that a better understanding in proceeding with capital projects is made.
Town Manager Smith reiterated his comment regarding acquiring the land being good for the future of Granby, but the operating budgets should not fall short because of the capital project undertaking. An informative presentation for the capital projects, whether it is for the land acquisition or other projects, needs to be developed. Town Manager Smith indicated that First Selectman Adams and himself would go over the purchase proposal to best soften the impact of this purchase with future budgets.
Chairman Bischoff stated the one package of potential CPPAC projects was very helpful and informative in seeing the whole picture, such as short term, intermediate, and long term issues. Mr. Smith commented that the “Other Items of Interest for CPPAC” outlined items for bringing to your attention only and not a CPPAC project consideration. For review purposes, he indicated that projects and surveys need to be integrated.
First Selectman Adams talked about how this land acquisition has been discussed for almost 10 years with the owners. The purchase price offered by the owners has been high during that time and presently a realistic amount is offered.
The committee then discussed bundling projects or separating projects to stand alone. The committee agreed that the general public has been lead to know about open space needs, space needs at school, and recreational sport needs.
Chairman Bischoff highlighted some of the items discussed, mentioning the CPPAC model needs to be refined and prioritization of projects still needs to be done. He then asked if a motion could be considered for the land acquisition project since it has been discussed in length at tonight’s meeting.
ON A MOTION by Ronald Desrosiers, seconded by Matthew Wutka, CPPAC is unanimously in agreement (7-0-0) to advise the Board of Selectmen to take the next steps to purchase certain property.
Some next steps are to hold a town meeting in late October and a referendum at the November elections.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting for CPPAC is anticipated for October. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Education will bring to the meeting an updated list of capital projects and prioritization of them.
ON A MOTION by Ronald Desrosiers, seconded by Matthew Wutka, the Board voted unanimously (7-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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