TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
DECEMBER 15, 2003
First Selectman John Adams called the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
First Selectman Adams stated that prior to the Public Session he would like to add an agenda item for tonight’s meeting. ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to add Consideration of an Agreement Between Granby Board of Education and Granby Education Association as the first agenda item under Business.
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Gerry Ledger, 89 Bushy Hill Road, addressed the Board stating winter is here and he has noticed many of the sidewalks in and near the center of town have not been cleared of ice and snow. Many of these sidewalks are the responsibility of the town and are usually cleared first. The sidewalks are a primary mode of transportation for many residents near the center of town and he urged the Board of Selectmen to increase the priority level of clearing sidewalks.
A. Granby Ambulance Association Update
Chris Perkins, President of the Granby Ambulance Association (GAA), was present to update the Board on GAA activities. Paramedic service began June 30, 2003. GAA is staffed by volunteers with seven day a week service from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. After 6:00 p.m. a mutual aide system with neighboring towns provides service. Ten Granby residents are enrolled in the current GAA class.
GAA is beginning the process of replacing their oldest ambulance at an estimated cost of $120,000. They expect to have the new ambulance in place by July or August of 2004. Viewers interested in joining the volunteer organization can check the website at www.granbyambulance.org. Of course, any donations would be welcome.
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 Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 1, 2003 with one correction. Page three, last paragraph, line four, after the word “taxes” add “whenever the list is refreshed”.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported the town is still waiting to resolve the high school stage floor issue and are close to a settlement. The Kearns parking lot is ready to be paved but that will be determined by the weather. Chairman John Latella will report to the Board on the Wells Road School project in the near future. Architects are being interviewed for the Kelly Lane School project.
B. Consideration of the Location for the Gift from Windsor Federal Savings and Loan Association
A presentation by Terri-Ann Hahn was made to the Board of Selectmen at their last meeting. She recommended a few places for the Board to consider for the location of the clock. One site is the northwest corner of the Town Green, and another was an area in front of the Police Department.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to place the clock in front of the Police Station. Selectman Judice suggested that the sight line should be checked carefully to assure there is no problem exiting the Town Hall complex. The final design location will be brought back before the Board for their review.
IV. BUSINESS
Consideration of Agreement Between Granby Board of Education and Granby Education Association
First Selectman Adams began by reviewing the three options available to the Board of Selectmen. They could take no action and the agreement would automatically be approved 30 days from the filing date. The Board could vote not to reject or the Board could send the agreement to a Town Meeting.
A handout was distributed to those present and reviewed by Board of Education Chairman James C. Heminway, Jr. Areas covered in the informational handout were District Objectives, Granby Teacher Compensation 2003-2004, Settlement Highlights, Impact of the Vote, Other Settlements, and Arbitration Considerations.
Questions posed by the Board inquired if steps were included in the settlement, what schools similar to Granby were negotiating, and what were the results of any binding arbitration awards in the last six months. Following this discussion Selectman King indicated she thought this was a reasonable settlement and was well negotiated, however, in light of comments received by the Board of Selectmen during the last budget process she thought it would be wise to send this to a Town Meeting. Both Selectmen King and Judice indicated that town residents should be made aware that the Board of Selectmen recommends the contract.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously 4-0-1 (abstention Desrosiers) to endorse the contract but recommend the contract go to a Town Meeting for approval.
The Town Meeting was scheduled for January 5, 2004 and will be held in the Senior Center Community Room. The call for the Town Meeting will be circulated to the Board for their signatures.
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations were received.
First Selectman Adams reviewed the vacancies on various town Boards and Commissions.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Benjamin Perron, as Board of Education representative, to the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reappoint Russell St. John to the Greater Hartford Transit District.
B. Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance for the Town of Granby – Fee to be Charged Delinquent Motor Vehicle Taxpayer
A Public Hearing was held on this agenda item prior to the start of tonight’s meeting.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance, Fee to be Charged Delinquent Motor Vehicle Taxpayer, as presented during tonight’s Public Hearing.
C. Consideration of Capital Lease Program for 2003-2004
Town Manager Smith stated each year a lease agreement is designed to fit the needs of the Board of Education, as well as the town capital plan. Under the lease program the town can spread purchase costs over several years. To accomplish the lease program the Board of Selectmen must pass a resolution approving the agreement and authorizing the Town Manager to sign on behalf of the town.
In discussion that followed, Town Manager Smith indicated that ideally the town would like to get away from the lease agreements and work on a cash basis but that is not practical at this time.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the following RESOLUTION approving the lease agreement and authorizing the Town Manager to enter into the agreement with Simsbury Bank and Trust in an amount not to exceed $430,000.
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby has entered or is entering into an Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement (“Promissory Note”) and a Loan Agreement in an amount up to $430,000, with The Simsbury Bank and Trust Company;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that these Agreements are hereby approved, and that the action of the official of the Town of Granby in signing these Agreements on behalf of it be, and is hereby, ratified, confirmed, and approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Manager of the Town of Granby, be, and is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to sign on its behalf the Agreements and any addenda, schedules, notes, UCC financing statements, or other instruments issued under the provisions of the Agreement, and any other instruments or documents which may be necessary or expedient in connection with agreements upon or in fulfillment of the provisions of the Agreements.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – November 2003
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated November 2003. Town Manager Smith began the review of the report stating Tax Collections are still down a percent or two from previous years. He stated collections are not down enough to be alarmed and he was confident collections would build up after January.
There were no other revenues to highlight at this time. He did provide clarification on rents, account #368, and noted Town Clerk Fees have already met projected fiscal revenues.
In expenditures there was nothing to highlight at this time. The account for General Maintenance for Public Works does not reflect all recent storms. He noted weekend snowstorms are more costly to the town.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported he and Town Manager Smith presented the Plus One Budget to the Board of Finance on December 8th. Town Manager Smith stated $560,000 is needed to level fund, as there is $400,000 already obligated by contracts. Town Manager Smith will provide CPPAC with pertinent information later this week. He also stated there are no firm numbers in place on insurance costs. A Health Benefit Insurance Committee meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2004.
First Selectman Adams also reported on two CRCOG meetings he attended this past week. The meeting held December 8th was the Transportation Committee at which grant information was disseminated. The second held December 10th was a CRCOG Policy Board meeting at which a presentation on the recommendations of the State Blue Ribbon Commission on Property Tax Burdens and Smart Growth Incentives was received, as well as a report from the MetroHartford Alliance.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
First Selectman Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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