TOWN OF GRANBY
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
APRIL 27, 2009
Electors and Citizens qualified to vote at Town Meetings of the Town of Granby, Connecticut are hereby warned that the Annual Town Meeting will be held in the Granby Memorial High School Auditorium, 315 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, Connecticut on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following resolution:
TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION:
That the Annual Budget for the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year as recommended by the Board of Finance for the Town Meeting, including appropriations from the General Fund, Dog Fund, Cossitt Library Fund, Local Capital Improvement Program Fund, Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund, Town Aid Road Fund, Sewer Utility Fund, Recreation Events Fund, Education Quality and Diversity Fund, and Other Funds, be adopted.
The above was signed by all of the members of the Board of Selectmen.
MODERATOR WILMOT called the Town Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and introduced himself as the Town Moderator. He then welcomed all of the electors in attendance, and thanked them for coming to tonight’s town meeting.
A minimum of 230 registered voters are required to be in attendance to allow for a vote on the budget at tonight’s meeting. If there are 230 (or more) electors in attendance a vote will be taken on the budget. The budget must be approved by a two-thirds majority.
MODERATOR WILMOT called on Town Clerk, Karen I. Hazen, to read the call as recorded on page 186.
The RESOLUTION, as recorded on page 186, was then introduced by William Simanski and seconded by Annemarie Winsor.
Michael Guarco, Chairman of the Board of Finance began his presentation by stating he has been on the Board since 1982 and has served as Chairman since 1989. He stated that over the last ten years the tax rate change in Granby has averaged 3.43%, which is lower than 60% of other towns in Connecticut. This year the Board asked for no more than a 2% increase from the proposed Municipal and Board of Education budgets. Both have complied. With the proposed budget, the new mill rate would change from 29.35 to 29.81, which would be an increase in property taxes of 1.20%
The Board of Finance presentation concluded at 7:25 p.m.
First Selectman Adams explained that this was a tough year for putting a budget together. Everyone tried to keep increases at a minimum. The Board of Selectmen was able to keep the proposed budget at an increase of 1.88%. He then reviewed the accomplishments made in the past year. The Senior Center celebrated the Senior Stars Premier Night. They received a grant and donations to enable them to purchase a new senior van. They also received a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation that supports the van use, which this year has logged 7,400 trips. There has been much success with the Grandparent supports groups. The Tri-Town Community Cable TV has received grants to help keep them running. The Town Hall has upgraded the heating and cooling system and lighting to be more
energy efficient. The new streetlights on Bank Street have been installed. The town website has been redesigned to be more user friendly. The town and the Board of Education have jointly purchased a new financial software program that will eliminate a lot of duplicate work. The town has entered into an equipment sharing agreement with surrounding towns for the Farmington Valley Trail Maintenance. Granby has ranked 15th in the state in regards to shared services with other towns, including Southwick and Granville, MA.
First Selectman Adams mentioned some projects that are being put on hold because of the poor economy. They include the Salmon Brook Pond House replacement, a town and school storage facility and wash-bay, athletic fields, a public library expansion study, and capital needs at Holcomb Farm.
He noted other projects, such as the Silver Street Bridge, is still in the design stage. Also in the works is the solid waste and recycling single stream program, which will begin in July 2009. The town expects to save approximately $53,000 in the next year with this new program.
This year’s budget proposal will maintain services as they are. There are no salary increases; except steps, where appropriate, due to contract obligations.
The Board of Selectmen presentation concluded at 7:50 p.m.
Cal Heminway, Chairman of the Board of Education was the next to present. He acknowledged the members of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools, Alan Addley.
Chairman Heminway stated that we have a good school system in Granby, and wanted to thank the town’s people for their support. He said it may be time to reinvest or continue to invest in the school system. He realizes that times are tough right now and that we are all in this together. The Board of Education tried to keep the cost down without loosing their investment. He stated that they must ensure that their hard fought investments in teacher and administrator professional development, curriculum, student achievement, and facilities are maintained and not dissipated through poor short-term decisions.
This proposed budget is lower in terms of taxpayer impact than any in recent years and satisfies the guideline developed by the Board of Finance. It will mean that some staff will be cut. He stated that they are not happy with many of the cuts, but fully appreciate the reasons and are committed to do the very best with the resources that are provided.
Chairman Heminway noted that the majority of Hartland’s high school students have elected to attend Granby Memorial High School. We continue to make it an attractive choice for them. The tuition revenue received is significant.
Increased fees reflected in this proposed budget are transportation, communications, tuition (special education), dues and fees, and student activities. Reductions will come from services, repairs and maintanence, insurance, conferences and travel, and supplies.
Chairman Heminway’s presentation concluded at 8:20 p.m.
MODERATOR WILMOT then opened the meeting to questions, answers, or statements.
Several residents came forward to comment and ask questions about the proposed budget. There was a comment from a resident about state and federal governments double dipping, and how we need to be careful to keep everyone accountable, and don’t let them bankrupt us with their benefits.
There were several comments with regard to the school budget, teacher’s salaries, and benefits that go up every year. Teachers need to give some concessions like small businesses do to stay alive during difficult economic times.
Another issue talked about was who is paying for all the improvements happening at Ahrens Park. It was noted that the Granby Little League is funding those projects, not the taxpayers.
One resident was concerned that as the debt service goes down in the next several years, the town will find other ways to spend that money. She would like to see them hold the line and have no more spending. It was also mentioned that the teacher’s salaries should be looked at more carefully and that information be available to the public.
Lowell Johnson, 289 Simsbury Road, thanked all the Boards for their hard work and detailed presentation and made a MOTION, duly seconded, to now vote on the budget.
The audience overwhelmingly indicated they were ready to vote.
MODERATOR WILMOT then explained the procedure for voting, stating there would be ballot boxes for the ballots at the end of each aisle.
The Registrars conducted the vote for the budget approval. The results of the vote were: total in attendance 574, total votes cast 564. YES VOTES – 289, NO VOTES – 275.
This vote represented a 51.24% approval. It did not meet the required two-thirds vote. The meeting was therefore adjourned to referendum at 9:35 p.m. The referendum will be held Monday May 4, 2009 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Meeting Room.
ATTEST:
Karen I. Hazen
Town Clerk
Granby, CT
Dated at Granby, Connecticut this 28th day of April 2009
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING REFERENDUM
MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009
MODERATOR WILMOT opened the polls at 12:00 noon.
MODERATOR WILMOT closed the polls at 8:00 p.m.
The results of the referendum were as follows:
Electors voted 1,935
YES Vote 834
NO Vote 1,101
The budget was defeated and the Adjourned Town Meeting recessed to another Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the High School Auditorium. A machine vote referendum will take place again on Monday, May 18, 2009 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
ATTEST:
Karen I. Hazen
Town Clerk
Granby, CT
Dated at Granby, Connecticut this 5th day of May 2009
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING RECONVENED MAY 11, 2009
(INFORMATIONAL MEETING)
MODERATOR WILMOT reconvened the Town Meeting at 7:03 p.m. Approximately 100 residents and citizens were in attendance.
MODERATOR WILMOT explained there was no possibility of a vote at tonight’s meeting. A machine vote referendum will be held on Monday, May 18, 2009 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. at the Granby Town Hall, 15, North Granby Road, Granby, Connecticut.
MODERATOR WILMOT explained that the Charter calls for reasonable discussion to be determined by the MODERATOR. The meeting will begin with a review of the revisions by both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education with an overview given by the Board of Finance.
Michael Guarco, Chairman of the Board of Finance gave a brief overview of the revisions stating that the Board of Selectmen budget was cut by $80,000, and the Board of Education budget was cut by $277,000, for a total amount of $357,000. This would mean a slight mill increase from 29.35 to 29.46 to meet the slight decrease in our grand list. However, the depreciation of motor vehicle tax will offset this increase keeping the property tax essentially flat. The overall change would be 0%.
First Selectman John Adams explained the Board of Selectmen budget reduction of $70,000 would come from a reserve account that is in place for potential contract settlements, and it would also restrict budget options during the next fiscal year. The additional $10,000 would come from Fringe Benefits, which is available due to a decrease in health funding requirements for next year. He reminded everyone that property taxes are the main stay for the budget. With this proposed budget, the same taxes will be collected as last year, and we will just maintain current services.
Cal Heminway, Chairman of the Board of Education reviewed their budget reductions. The total reduction of $277,000 would come from the elimination of some full time personnel, transportation, student activities, conferences and travel, text and workbooks, CAD software for the High School, and a language program.
The presentations by the three Boards concluded a 7:28 p.m.
MODERATOR WILMOT then opened the meeting to questions and comments.
The first comment was in regard to teachers contracts and that they are available in the Town Clerks office for the public to view before they are voted upon. It should not be an issue at the Town Meeting once it is approved. Cal Heminway responded that the last contract in question did get reviewed and approved at a town meeting. Another resident commented that if the teachers really wanted to show their concern, they could volunteer to put a stay to raises.
Michael Guarco reminded everyone of the unfunded mandates that the town has to meet. They don’t always get more money but they have more expenses to meet. He suggested for more citizens to get involved and influence their legislators to do something about this.
The issue of smaller trash barrels was brought up and said to be just another back door tax to the people that need more than the new 65 gallon trash barrel. First Selectman Adams responded that surveys were taken and most overflowing trash barrels were filled with construction debris and other items not meant for the trash barrel. Also, there was no recycling container being used. The purpose for the reduced trash barrel was not to make it more difficult for people, but to encourage more recycling. The town will realize a savings of $50,000 this next year with this new system.
A resident spoke to the Boards about doing a better job, step out of the box and run the town like a business and cut more money. Cal Heminway responded he should come sit with them and give them ideas where they could make a change. They are not getting paid for this job and are always looking for ideas from residents. Another resident spoke with regard to Board members being volunteers and nobody helping them put these budgets together. They don’t deserve to be so readily criticized. They welcome your help early on in the fall when they start number crunching.
Other speakers were in favor of the budget and thanked all the Board members for the fine job they have done. Granby is a great town and we should be proud of our accomplishments. We have a great school system, a far cry from almost loosing our accreditation a few years back. We should support education.
A resident involved with the teachers union explained that their contract cannot be opened just to change raises. Once the contract is opened for negotiations, is it opened to everything, not just this one particular item.
A former school board member reminded residents that the only product we have in Granby is our school system. We have voted down everything that wanted to come to town, including a brewery and WalMart. We must support our schools.
It was suggested that we should automatically go to referendum at the town budget meeting, and that we should have an automatic tax freeze for those residents that have reached the age of 65 and add the years lived here to get a total of 100 to be eligible.
MODERATOR WILMOT recessed the Town Meeting at 9:05 p.m. to referendum voting by machine on Monday, May 18, 2009 at Granby Town Hall from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Karen I. Hazen
Town Clerk
Granby, CT
Dated at Granby, Connecticut this 12th day of May, 2009
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING REFERENDUM
MAY 18, 2009
In the absence of Moderator Wilmot, appointed representative William Simanski opened the polls at 12:00 noon and closed the polls at 8:00 p.m.
The results of this Referendum were being broadcast live from Granby Town Hall Meeting Room on Granby Community Television. Resident Susan Regan acted as commentator and gave an overall view as to what was happening after the polls closed. She interviewed poll worker Louann Hall and First Selectman John Adams.
The results of the referendum were as follows:
Electors voted 2268
YES votes 1474
NO votes 794
The 2009-2010 budget was approved.
There being no other business before the meeting, ACTING MODERATOR SIMANSKI adjourned the Town Meeting at 8:16 p.m.
ATTEST
Karen I. Hazen
Town Clerk
Granby, CT
Dated at Granby, CT this 19th day of May, 2009
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