TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 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
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Flint, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the special meeting of October 14, 2003 as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of October 14, 2003 as distributed.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
John Latella, School Building Committee Chairman, stated the Kearns Parking Lot project is expected to begin tomorrow and reach conclusion by the end of the winter season.
The Kelly Lane Building Committee will hold their first meeting tomorrow and will tour the facility.
Chairman Latella displayed a site plan for the Wells Road School Building Project stating the Committee is working with slightly over nine acres of land resulting in a very tight site after adjusting for wetlands and buffer zones. The State of Connecticut now mandates sprinklers in schools resulting in the need for two wells on the site. Other considerations are requirements to maintain indoor air quality, the pitch of the roof, ADA requirements, and moving the septic system. The floor plan of the school was also displayed and described for the benefit of the Board.
Chairman Latella stated there is good communication with the architect, quick responses to questions from the Committee and the project is moving ahead. The layout of the project will be finalized at the next meeting.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Simanski, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to discuss the High School during closed session following the end of the regular Board of Selectmen meeting.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Town Manager Smith indicated he had received no resignations.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Simanski, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appointment of Bruce Darling (D), 1 Quail Lane, to the Kelly Lane School Building Committee per recommendation from the Democratic Town Committee. Mr. Darling is currently serving on the Wells Road School Project Committee.
B. Consideration of Authorization for Forward Interest Rate Swap of $10,000,000 in Bonds to be Issued in 2006
Board members were provided with information from Town Manager Smith as well as several documents providing background information on this proposal. Town Manager Smith stated this proposal is being studied to take advantage of the presently low interest rates, and, at the same time match CPPAC Model expectations. He has been meeting with bank advisors and bonding attorneys for the past year and is pleased to present a proposal approved by bond counsel.
In his memo of November 3, 2003, Town Manager Smith stated when bonding resolutions were approved by the town, a provision was included to permit the issuance of negotiated bond sales and forward rate “swaps”, as they are called. This activity essentially involves the fixing of a rate of interest on borrowing at a fixed time in the future. The bond attorneys had legislation adopted, which now permits longer lead-time for bonding. It enables us to make bond principal payments four years into the future versus the previous two years. In Granby’s case, this law enables us to secure an interest rate in the future, when market trends indicate rate increases. It further enables us to meet or exceed expected debt expenditures in the adopted CPPAC Model with a more predictable
result.
Following a presentation by Dennis Dix, Jr. of Dixworks, LLC, with additional information provided by Dick Thivierge of William Blair and Company, the Board asked several questions and received answers and clarifications from Mr. Dix, Mr. Thivierge and Town Manager Smith.
In conclusion, Selectman Flint summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the plan for the benefit of the Board. Town Manager Smith also commented on the awareness of the concept with both the Board of Finance and CPPAC.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to pass the attached bond resolution as follows (Town Clerk’s file copy).
C. Consideration of Board of Education Funding Request
This is basically a reimbursement of a $2,800 insurance check received by the town in payment of damage to the soccer field at the High School. The Board of Education made arrangements to have the field repaired and are now seeking reimbursement.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Flint, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the Board of Education request for reimbursement in the amount of $2,800 and forward the request to the Board of Finance for action.
D. Consideration of Appropriation for Radio Communications Upgrade for the Department of Police Services and Department of Public Works
At the request of the Board of Selectmen, Chief Watkins further explored the initial request for an appropriation for the replacement of communications equipment for Granby Police.
The findings were, although a microwave system may be more reliable, it does not seem to enhance coverage as originally thought to sufficiently justify its cost. The alternative of a repeater using telephone lines is therefore recommended at this time.
In response to a question from the Board, Town Manager Smith stated there is approximately $200,000 in the Communication Fund.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation recommendation from the Communication Fund as follows:
Amount Item
Dept. of Police Services $32,000 Repeater Station
Dept. of Public Works 5,000 Portable Generator
Total $37,000
E. Consideration of Solid Waste Funding Requests
The first request is for $6,000 to demolish the Lessard property at 85R Old Stagecoach Road which the town purchased earlier this year. The second request is for $2,625 to purchase 500 recycling bins. The total appropriation of $8,625 would come from the Solid Waste Fund.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation from the Solid Waste Fund in the amount of $8,625.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
No reports.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (William Simanski)
First Selectman Simanski commended Town Manager Smith for serving on the State Blue Ribbon Commission on Property Tax Burden and Smart Growth. The Commission has submitted their final report.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Flint, Vice Chairman, John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, and Sally King.)
Selectman Flint reported he and Selectman Adams attended a CRCOG Transportation
Committee meeting today.
Selectman Adams asked that two items be added to the agenda for next week’s workshop meeting. The rules of procedure for the Board of Selectmen will be reviewed and there will also be discussion on items to consider for the Intra-town Cooperative Committee.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:55 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Simanski called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 9:00 p.m.
PRESENT: William Simanski, John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, John Flint, and Sally King and William F. Smith, Jr.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a mediation dispute.
The executive session adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:15 p.m. There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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