TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 2003
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman William Simanski at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: William Simanski, John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, John Flint, Sally King and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager.
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, addressed the Board introducing Chairman David White and Vice Chairman Janelle Comer of the Granby Community Playground Committee.
Mr. White stated the Committee had looked at several playground manufacturers, ultimately choosing Play World Systems. The Committee has worked closely with Dr.~Play, the Day Camp Director at the park, the Public Works Department, and Kay Woodford.
Funding began in June and has realized $35,000 in contributions to date. Another $10,000 anonymous donation has been promised to the fund. A post office box has been set up to receive donations and that address was furnished for the benefit of the viewing audience.
The total project will cost $85,000 to $90,000. It should take three days to be installed by volunteers, under the direction of Dr. Play. The Committee hopes to have the project completed in April or May 2004.
No other public addressed the Board and the Public Session was closed at 7:37 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Flint, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Simanski) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 2, 2003 as distributed.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
John Latella, Chairman of the Kearns School Building Committee, began with the Kearns project update. He stated, as the Board knew, the bids for the project came in over the budgeted amount. The Committee has been meeting with the low bidder for phase one of the project and some revisions were made. A revised phase one plan is expected by the end of the week. The Committee is trying very hard to bring the project in within budget.
The Wells Road School project is progressing very nicely. The property has been surveyed and some concept drawings have been completed. Soil analysis and wetlands identification have to be done, a traffic study will have to be conducted, and borings will be made to furnish information on the best location for a new well and also the septic system. New codes require the school to be sprinkled which will require an additional well. Chairman Latella indicated he expects to have preliminary designs available the next time he reports to the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
First Selectman Simanski read a letter of resignation received from the Chairman of the Conservation Commission, Natica Jones. Ms. Jones cited other obligations making it necessary for her to resign.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Simanski, seconded by Selectman Flint, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept, with regret, the resignation of Natica Jones.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Simanski, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Tori Stepanov (Victoria Mazzei-Stepanov) (U), 24 Northwoods Road, to the Conservation Commission upon the recommendation of the Democratic Town Committee.
Ms. Stepanov’s appointment will fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Barry Avery. Ms. Stepanov’s appointment will expire January 12, 2004.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Simanski, seconded by John Flint, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Alfred G. Wilke to the Intra-Town Cooperative Committee as Board of Finance representative upon the recommendation of that Board.
Fran Armentano has been the town representative to Connecticut North Central Tourism Bureau in the past. The districts have been consolidated and the district Granby belongs to is now known as the Connecticut Central Regional District of Tourism.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Simanski, seconded by Selectman King, the Board unanimously voted (5-0-0) to reappoint Fran Armentano to the Connecticut Central Regional District of Tourism. First Selectman Simanski suggested Mr. Armentano attend a future meeting and update the Board on tourism in the area.
B. Consideration of Kelly Lane School Building Committee Charge and Appointments
As indicated by Mr. Latella, the Wells Road School project is underway and a request for establishing a Kelly Lane School Building Committee has been received. Town Manager Smith provided a resolution for the Board to consider which would establish a committee charge.
First Selectman Simanski moved to create a five member building Committee and charge them as outlined in the resolution. Discussion followed with Selectman Flint requesting a reporting time frame for the Committee to update the Board of Selectmen. The Board and Chairman Latella agreed upon a monthly report. Selectman Adams suggested that the report should also include a financial component. These two items will be incorporated into the first bullet on the second page.
Noting the amendments made tonight the RESOLUTION, as follows, was unanimously (5-0-0) approved:
BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Selectmen hereby creates a five (5) member Kelly Lane School Building Committee and that the Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools will serve as non-voting Ex-Officio members of the Committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Building Committee be given the charge to:
· Examine recent Board of Education specification plan documents.
· Recommend adjustments to the preliminary plan documents in an effort to reduce the cost estimates.
· Interview and recommend for contract approval and signing by the Town Manager, an architect, and other necessary consultant services.
· Have prepared all necessary documents for construction and advertise for project construction.
· Proceed with the oversight of construction activity, meet with town agencies, and other officials concerning the project. Report construction progress to the Board of Selectmen monthly including financial information.
· Coordinate with the Superintendent of Schools and the Town Manager the filing of documents in order to maximize grant reimbursements.
· Upon obtaining a certificate of substantial completion, report to the Board of Selectmen a tentative completion schedule. Said schedule should indicate when the project, excluding administrative closeout activity, is to be turned over to the Board of Education for use.
Daniel J. Wolfe, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Education suggested the names of prospective building committee members should be submitted to the Republican and Democratic Town Committee Chairpersons as soon as possible.
In response to a question from the Board, John Latella did indicate he would be willing to serve on the Kelly Lane School Building Committee. ON A MOTION by First Selectman Simanski, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint John J. Latella (U), 39 Day Street South, to the Kelly Lane School Building Committee.
Town Manager Smith will contact the Democratic and Republican Town Chairmen and let them know four more members are needed.
C. Consideration of Call for Public Hearing on Town of Granby Pension Plan
Town Manager Smith indicated that over the years several amendments have been made to the Town of Granby Pension Plan. The Pension Attorney has consolidated the various amendments into a single document.
The Pension Plan can only be changed by ordinance of the Board of Selectmen and a public hearing is required prior to Board action.
Discussion followed on availability of the Board members and concluded with the cancellation of both October Board of Selectmen meetings and calling for a Special Board of Selectmen meeting to be held Tuesday, October 14, 2003.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to hold a public hearing on the Town of Granby Pension Plan Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at 7:15 p.m.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – August 2003
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated August 2003. Town Manager Smith stated tax collections have moved up since the last report and are more in line with what is typical. Although still a little bit below, it is not deemed significant. There are no major concerns in other collection areas and no other areas to be highlighted in this month’s report.
Approximately $50,000 more in State revenues is expected over what was budgeted, but cannot be counted on because the Governor has rescission powers similar to last year.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (William Simanski)
First Selectman Simanski stated he had received a letter from Stephen Cassano, Chairman of the Capitol Region Council of Governments. The letter stated a partnership has been forged between CRCOG and the Greater Hartford Literacy Council to address issues related to low literacy for communities in the region.
To facilitate collaboration, each municipality in the Greater Hartford region is being asked to identify a local literacy liaison or liaison team representing the Board of Education and the municipal side of government. The liaison(s) will be the point person(s) for information sharing between the town and the Literacy Council.
The Board turned the request over to Town Manager Smith to designate a liaison and pass it along to the Board of Education to allow them to also designate a liaison.
VII SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Flint, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Sally King, & John Adams)
Selectman Flint stated when his term on the Board of Selectmen ends in November the Board will have to appoint a representative to the CRCOG Transportation Committee to replace him. He urged Board members to think about who would like to take over that responsibility.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
First Selectman Simanski adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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