TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
DECEMBER 1, 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, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Retiring First Selectman Simanski began the Public Session by swearing in the newly elected Board members. He then turned the gavel over to the new First Selectman, John Adams.
First Selectman Adams stated the town owes a great debt of gratitude not only to First Selectman Simanski and Selectman Flint but also to recently retired Selectman James Oates.
First Selectman Adams reviewed the list of Board of Selectmen accomplishments under the leadership of Mr. Simanski and also noted every capital project and every town budget has passed on the first vote over the past eight years.
Former First Selectman Simanski was presented with the gavel he used during his tenure, as well as a plaque from CRCOG and a Town of Granby key as mementos recognizing his service to the town as First Selectman.
Former Selectman John Flint was also recognized by the Board for his contributions to the Board of Selectmen and was presented with a plaque from the town honoring his years of service to the town.
The Town Clerk swore in the remaining officials in attendance that were elected on November 4, 2003.
The Board of Selectmen recessed for a brief reception at 7:43 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:00 p.m.
The Public Session continued. Gerry Ledger of 89 Bushy Hill Road, reviewed a map of the Farmington Valley Trail. Originally the trail was not scheduled to go through Granby but after negotiations between the Department of Transportation (DOT), Simsbury, East Granby and Granby, plans have been submitted to DOT for approval. After approval by DOT the project will be brought before the Board of Selectmen.
No other public addressed the Board. The Public Session was closed at 8:12 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 3-0-2 (abstention Selectmen Neumann and Judice) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 3, 2003 as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 3-0-2 (abstention Selectmen Neumann and Judice) to approve the minutes of the special workshop meeting of November 10, 2003 as distributed.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
No report.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Selectman King as Vice-Chairman.
First Selectman Adams read a letter received from Kathryn Lawson resigning from the Park and Recreation Board.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept, with deep regret, the resignation of Kathryn Lawson from the Park and Recreation Board.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept First Selectman John Adams resignation from the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee and to appoint Selectman Frank Judice as his replacement.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Selectman Neumann to the Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint First Selectman John Adams to the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) Transportation Committee.
B. Consideration of Gift from Windsor Federal Savings and Loan Association
The Windsor Federal Bank will celebrate 30 years of doing business in Granby this year. They have offered to give the town a two-faced Street Clock as a gift in commemoration.
Three questions arose surrounding the gift. If accepted, should the clock have numbers or roman numerals on the face, what color is recommended, and what would be the best height and location for the clock.
Terri-Ann Hahn, town resident and landscape architect, studied the three questions and was present tonight to provide recommendations. First, she suggested the clock have numbers and should be black or green, her first choice being black. She stated the location was a somewhat more difficult decision. She provided pictures of various locations in town, which she numbered for easy identification, citing the pluses and minuses of each location. In conclusion, she recommended site #3 on the green, site #6 in front of the Police Station, or near the entrance to Salmon Brook Park.
The Board approved the concept but would like more time to consider the location. Town Manager Smith will notify Windsor Federal Bank the concept has been approved.
C. Review and Consideration of Plus One Budget (2004-05)
The Board was provided the Plus 1 Budget (2004-05). According to the established budget guideline process, the Plus 1 Budget does not represent all final needs of the town that may be incorporated into the 2004-05 Budget. Salaries and contract adjustments are only estimates. Two groups of needs, mostly in staffing, were outlined with the first group considered MUSTS to maintain service levels.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the Plus 1 Budget (2004-05), as submitted, and transmit the same to the Board of Finance.
D. Review and Consideration of “Operations and Capital Forecast”
This document is a forecast of Operational and Capital needs for the next five years. Small capital improvements are forecast for ten years. The ten-year plan previews needs in roads, bridges, drainage, school projects, and allows for emergencies while fitting into the guidelines. Large capital projects (over 150,000) were identified and briefly reviewed. Details for these projects will be forwarded to CPPAC, along with the forecast. Also included is an overview of debt obligations excluding authorized debt not issued yet.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the Operations and Capital Forecast and transmit the document to the Board of Finance and CPPAC.
E. Consideration of Call for a Three Board Meeting Per “Budget Guideline Process”
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table this agenda item.
F. Consideration of Call for Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance – Fee to be Charged Delinquent Motor Vehicle Taxpayer
Town Manager Smith reviewed information in his memo of December 1, 2003 in which he explained PA 03-01 requiring municipalities to pay a $.50 fee to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to block registration of taxpayer motor vehicles that have delinquent property taxes. The second act (PA 03-06) allows municipalities to impose a $5.00 fee on any delinquent person in paying the tax that was reported.
The Board posed several questions as to the $5.00 fee and if the application is cost effective. Town Manager Smith will provide the Board with more detailed information.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to call for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Ordinance – Fee to be Charged Delinquent Motor Vehicle Taxpayer. The Public Hearing was set for 7:15 p.m. on December 15, 2003.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – October 2003
Administration Finance Officer, Barbarajean Scibelli, was present tonight stating everything was running pretty much on target and there was nothing unusual to report. Town Manager Smith stated current year tax collections are down about 1% from previous years, however, he is not overly concerned at this point.
B. Meeting Notice Distribution
This form was created to determine how each Board member would like to receive minutes, agendas, and supporting documentation for each meeting. With the increased use of email, some members may choose to receive all of their material in email format or, a combination of email and hard copies, or both.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams stated he has a couple of CRCOG meetings coming up next week, one is the Policy Board meeting and the other is the Transportation Committee meeting.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice and Mark Neumann)
Selectman Desrosiers reported on the last Public Hearing on the Bradley Airport Noise Study held on November 20, 2003. Granby’s position is to not support any additional flights over Granby. The town does not want any changes that might occur because of this position to adversely affect surrounding towns. The Department of Transportation will compile all of the comments received and submit them to the Federal Government.
Selectman Judice reported on the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee meeting held November 25, 2003. He reported the Board of Finance, Board of Education, and Board of Selectmen were basically focused on the same concerns. The main topic was maintenance of grounds. What that encompasses is yet to be defined, but could include snow plowing, mowing, etc. The second major discussion was on consolidating finance functions. The Committee decided an in depth analysis is needed. The third item, only briefly discussed, was technology. This too will need more study.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
First Selectman Adams adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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