TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC HEARING
MINUTES
APRIL 19, 2004
The Public Hearing of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:15 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
First Selectman Adams opened the Public Hearing and read the legal notice as published in the Hartford Courant. The Board of Selectmen had called for a Public Hearing for the purpose of obtaining public comment regarding reconstruction of the Broad Hill Road Bridge over West Branch Salmon Brook.
Town Manager Smith stated he received no communications either written or verbal.
James Klase, Superintendent of Public Works, furnished a brief overview of the project. He stated Anchor Engineering Services, Inc. of Glastonbury, CT was chosen to prepare the necessary documents. Denise Lord, P.E. with Anchor Engineering, provided additional information, reviewing the condition of the bridge and the steps to be followed before and during the construction period.
The bridge was last inspected in 2001 by the Connecticut DOT. That inspection revealed the deck was in poor condition and the superstructure and substructure were in fair condition. The Town of Granby decided to utilize the Federal Local Bridge Program to obtain financial assistance to make the required improvements.
The Public Hearing was then opened to questions or comments from the public.
David Russell, 33 Spring Glen Drive, was present on behalf of the Granby Tennis Club. He questioned how long the project would take to complete. He further requested clarification on the alternating traffic flow since Ms. Lord had indicated no detour would be used.
There was no firm answer as to when the project might be completed since it will depend on when the funding is received and when the project is started. Ms. Lord explained the alternating traffic pattern to the satisfaction of Mr. Russell.
Additional discussion covered exactly how bad the condition of the bridge is, the 80/20 funding with the town responsible for 20% of the total cost, the estimated cost for the entire project, and if the project would be paid for in cash or by bond issue.
Edie Duncan, 91 North Granby Road, inquired if DEP would be involved and would the project go before the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. The project will go before Inland Wetlands and DOT rather than involving the DEP.
Mr. Russell addressed the Board again inquiring why the bridge had to be widened to 24 feet and was told the current width was considered sub-standard.
Gerry Ledger, 89 Bushy Hill Road, observed that narrow roads assisted in traffic control, however a wider road would allow for bicycle traffic.
No other public addressed the Public Hearing, which was closed at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
| 
