TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JANUARY 20, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:35 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
A. James O. Hall, Adjutant of the American Legion, thanked the Board of Selectmen for all of their hard work. He reported that over a year ago the Civil War Monument was restored and rebuilt at a cost of about $50,000. This summer the American Legion had planned to install some low level, soft lighting at the monument. This plan has been temporarily halted as the monument was recently damaged by a car traveling over the green and striking the monument. Once the repairs have been made, the American Legion will be back for approval of a lighting plan.
In a continuing effort to preserve Granby history, the American Legion was presenting a portrait of the American Legion Hall to the town. The Board of Selectmen thanked Adjutant Hall and the American Legion for the beautiful historic picture of the American Legion Hall and assured him the portrait would be displayed in a prominent place.
Evan Geusic, 29 Canton Road, expressed his concern that residents of Canton Road allow large amounts of junk to collect on their properties for no reason. He indicated this invites rodents and an overall unhealthy environment. In his opinion, the town must keep pace with the times and should enact an ordinance to curtail this activity and to ensure it will not be allowed. He stated that many residents were willing to help the Board of Selectmen with whatever measures might be necessary to implement such an ordinance.
First Selectman Adams informed those present that he and other Board members have held preliminary discussions on this problem and will have Town Manager Smith gather some sample or model ordinances from other towns for the Board to review. Selectman Desrosiers inquired if a workshop might be needed to completely review any representative ordinances the town might consider.
Stephen Goodman, 39 Canton Road, cited a problem with speeding in the area. He indicated he had talked to the police and they were patrolling more, but a speeding problem still exists. He was not sure what could be done, but wanted to bring it to the attention of the Board of Selectmen. Also, trash along the side of the road has increased.
Town Manager Smith stated he will inform Chief of Police, David Watkins, to determine if patrols of the area can be stepped up.
James Glenney, 33 Glen Road, indicated the speeding problem on Canton Road has steadily increased, particularly between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
No other public addressed the Board, and the public session was closed at 7:55 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention King) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 5, 2004 with two corrections: Page three, line two, change “Russell S. John” to “Russell St. John” and change “Peach” to “Peace”.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
John Latella, Chairman of the School Building Projects, was present to provide the Board with an update. He began with Kearns School stating that they were able to get the base coat for the parking lot applied so it is usable. In the spring the surface will be completed, lights and storm drains installed, and the parking lot will be fully functional.
The same architect used for Wells Road was chosen for the Kelly Lane project. The survey has been completed; however, the wetlands study still needs to be done as part of the Phase 1 Environmental Study which is required by the State of Connecticut.
Wells Road is also moving along and the drawings are being finalized. A meeting will be held with the State of Connecticut on February 24, 2004. Even though all elements will not be in place by that date, they can be done at a later date. After the process with the State is completed, work will begin on the models. The site does not allow for a large scale soccer field but the school will have an age appropriate soccer field.
First Selectman Adams understood the Wells Road School Building Committee volunteered, in its entirety, to also serve as the Kelly Lane Committee. Mr. Latella confirmed that information and also stated he would like to add two more members to the Kelly Lane Committee. He would like those members to be parents, grandparents or someone involved with the school. He requested the Board of Selectmen take his request under advisement and add discussion of this request as an agenda item for the next meeting.
The Board of Selectmen recessed to hold a Special Town Meeting at 8:05 p.m. Following the Special Town Meeting, the Board of Selectmen recessed for a short period of time before reconvening at 8:15 p.m.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations were received.
On behalf of the Democratic Town Committee, Selectman Desrosiers submitted the name of Keith D. Bugbee for consideration by the Board to fill the vacancy on the Park and Recreation Board. Selectman Desrosiers furnished background information on Mr. Bugbee.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Keith D. Bugbee, 14 Moosehorn Road, to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Kathryn Lawson. Mr. Bugbee’s term will expire January 10, 2005.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to re-appoint the following individuals to various Boards and Commissions as introduced by Selectman Desrosiers.
COMMISSION ON AGING
Grace P. Kane (U), 287 Salmon Brook Street
Ms. Kane’s appointment will expire January 9, 2006
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Victoria Mazzei-Stepanov (U), 24 Northwoods Road
Jane I. Johnson (D), 10 Baycrest Drive
Their appointments will expire January 14, 2008
INLAND WETLANDS & WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
Neil W. Kraner (D), 19 Glen Road
Mr. Kraner’s appointment will expire January 14, 2008
LIBRARY BOARD
Shawn E. Ball (D), 99 Hungary Road
Laura A. Wolfe (D), 7 Sullivan Drive
Their appointments will expire January 8, 2007
PARK & RECREATION BOARD
Wayne E. Chapple (D), 10 Burleigh Drive
Mr. Chapple’s appointment will expire January 9, 2006
B. Review of Updated Plus 1 Budget Information
Town Manager Smith distributed a memo prior to tonight’s meeting dated January 9, 2004. The memo provided the Board with an update of the Plus 1 Budget reflecting adjustments made to retain existing staff, along with updated estimates where more recent information has been developed.
The total of the first group originally showed an amount of $557,000 or 8.2% over 2003-04 operations. Following adjustments and reductions the new total is now $350,000 over the 2003-04 operations budget or 5.15%.
A CPPAC meeting followed by a Three Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2004 beginning with CPPAC at 7:00 p.m. During these meetings, budgets and capital projects will be discussed.
C. Review of Capital Projects
CPPAC submissions were previously distributed to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman King queried if it was reasonable to maintain the center by-pass project on the list of capital projects given all State roads are involved. Alternatives were outlined in the study done a few years ago and those options could be looked at again. The Board noted the traffic situation in the center of town is getting worse and at some point will become an unacceptable situation.
Gerry Ledger, 89 Bushy Hill Road, indicated he hoped the Board would consider a “placeholder” to secure money at some future date to assist with the completion of the greenway.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – December 2003
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated December 2003. Town Manager Smith noted this is the half way point in operations for the fiscal year and therefore an important indicator. Town Manager Smith pointed out areas in which he expected shortfalls. Two places where shortfalls could be expected were revenue from the State and short-term investments, however, he still estimated the local revenues would come in close to the bottom line.
Taxes are running a little behind on the current year but doing better on prior years and interest. Here, too, he expected to come close to projected revenues.
There were no concerns with expenditures at this time except in the dispatch and communication overtime account and the overtime account for snowplowing. Accounts #1002, #1010 and #1014 were briefly discussed.
Most information has been switched to the new web site. Town Manager Smith stated staff is still working on calendars and agendas to be published. A workshop with the vendor has been scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2004 for those putting information on the website on a regular basis.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams stated he would not be available to attend the Monday, February 2, 2004 meeting. The Board decided to cancel the February 2, 2004 meeting and schedule a special meeting for Tuesday, February 3, 2004.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman King reported there will be a meeting of the Farmington Valley Collaborative on January 29, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Legislators will be there to meet with members of the Collaborative.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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