TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Deborah Kulwich, 235 Hartland Road, resident and member of the Park and Recreation Board, commended the Granby Community Playground Committee for the excellent job done raising money for the replacement and installation of a new playground at Salmon Brook Park. While she stated the safety of the children was of the utmost importance, she was not an advocate for fencing in the area. The fence was not part of the original plan approved by the Park and Recreation Board and this playground was for older children. She conducted her own poll of Granby residents and found 52% wanted a fence and 48% did not want a fence around the playground. The Park and Recreation Board itself is split on the issue.
Bengt Wennberg, 18 Woodcliff Drive, resident and member of the Park and Recreation Board also commended the Granby Community Playground Committee for doing a great job raising money. However, he indicated he was not in favor of fencing in the playground. There are no insurance benefits to having the playground fenced and the fence will increase the maintenance load for the Public Works Department. He indicated he believed parents should teach their children what the limits are. In conclusion, he stated he was totally opposed to a fence and found them to be esthetically displeasing.
Patricia Smith, 227 Salmon Brook Street, was present as an advocate for the proposed Blight and Nuisance Ordinance. She stated the article on page four of the March issue of the DRUMMER brought the concept of a Blight and Nuisance Ordinance to her attention. The article noted there has been strong resistance to such an ordinance in the past; however, she wanted the Board to know she was very much in favor of such an ordinance. She noted an area adjacent to the YMCA, mentioned appliances and unregistered vehicles in many yards throughout town as well as household junk left to accumulate. She indicated it is a matter of safety and protection of property values to enact such an ordinance.
William Zeronsa, 23 Bradley Brook Drive, expressed his support for the proposed Blight and Nuisance Ordinance stating there are more and more properties about town with appliances, cars, and mattress left outside on the property. He too indicated it was a matter of safety and property values.
Robert Smith, 227 Salmon Brook Street, expressed his support of a Blight and Nuisance Ordinance stating the junk stored on properties is unsightly and has a negative impact on the rural character of Granby.
Brian Pierce, 3R Brookside Drive, addressed the Board concerning the Chamber of Commerce Annual Spring Celebration. The Chamber of Commerce was asking the Board of Selectmen to reserve a portion of the park for the Spring Festival and also to approve a permit to allow merchants to offer wine tasting.
Gerry Ledger, 89 Bushy Hill Road, an advocate for safe alternative transportation wanted to know who would be in charge of posting a speed limit on Bank Street (at both ends) and provide a crosswalk across Bank Street. He volunteered to help in whatever way possible and wanted to know who he should talk to about these two issues.
No other public addressed the Board and the Public Session closed at 7:52 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 1, 2004 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the workshop meeting of March 4, 2004 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the workshop meeting of March 8, 2004 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of March 8, 2004 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported the second layer of paving at the Kearns School parking lot area is scheduled to be done during school spring vacation, which is April 19, 2004. There is also a playground area to be done at a later date.
Specifications for the Wells Road School project are being reviewed and will probably go out to bid next month.
The Kelly Lane project is being reviewed by the committee and the architect. A report will probably be available soon. In response to a question from the Board, Town Manager Smith indicated the School Superintendent, as well as the State Board of Education, committee members, a member of the Granby Board of Education (ex-officio) and other school faculty members attend meetings.
B. Further Discussion on Proposed Blight and Nuisance Ordinance
Selectman King volunteered to work on the draft at the last Board meeting to change some wording and incorporate some Board recommendations. Since then, she has received a lot of new information, including a copy of the Avon Ordinance and some State building code changes. She requested the Board delay action on the ordinance to afford her the opportunity of reviewing the recently received information. She further noted Granby is hosting a meeting of the Farmington Valley Collaborative on Thursday morning and she would like to solicit feedback from that group.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table action on the proposed ordinance to allow Selectman King to come back with another draft of the proposed ordinance for review. Selectman King also indicated it may be desirable to hold a workshop meeting on the proposed ordinance to allow the Board more time to focus on the proposal.
Once the Board has concluded work on the draft, a Public Hearing will be called to discuss the effectiveness of such a proposal.
C. Further Discussion on Proposed Revisions to Commission on Aging Ordinance
The Board received a request from the Commission on Aging at their last meeting. The request was to update the ordinance to increase the membership from seven to nine. This was being requested to enable the Commission on Aging to change the focus of the Commission to act as a resource to the Board of Selectmen and to staff program services.
The revised ordinance has been reviewed by the Town Attorney and is ready to go to a Public Hearing.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously to bring the Revised Ordinance for the Commission on Aging to a Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was scheduled for Monday, April 5, 2004 at 7:15 p.m.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were noted.
B. Consideration of Granby’s Chamber of Commerce Utilization of Salmon Brook Park for the Spring Celebration 2004
Town Manager Smith outlined the Chamber’s request to close Salmon Brook Park from other activities and use it for their Spring Celebration festivities. The request was being made due to the large anticipated foot and vehicle traffic and parking limitations. They also requested a one-day waiver from the town’s “no-alcohol” policy for Salmon Brook Park. The waiver from the no alcohol policy would be for wine tasting only.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to close Salmon Brook Park for program activities with the exception of Little League and Rovers practices or games from Friday, June 11, 2004 – 6:00 p.m. through Sunday June 13, 2004 at 11:30 a.m.
C. Update on Progress of Playground Improvement Project at Salmon Brook Park
David White, resident of 15 Cooley Road and President of the Granby Community Playground Committee, addressed the Board and began by distributing literature showing the location of the playground on a footprint of Salmon Brook. Mr. White provided the Board with a summary of the process over the last six months. Six residents of Granby took on the job of fund raising to provide Salmon Brook Park with new playground equipment. The playground, as proposed, would accommodate up to 160 children. There would be two separate structures to accommodate ages 2-5 and ages 5-12.
The original goal was $85,000. So far $70,000 has been collected with another $20,000 committed to the project. The project is scheduled to be built June 3, 4, and 5, 2004 with the assistance of 90 plus volunteers. The Grand Opening is scheduled for June 13, 2004.
The Committee’s main concern is safety and they would like to enclose the playground on three sides and partially across the front. Mr. White assured the Board he was speaking for all six committee members as a whole on the fence issue. The fence will be 13-gauge vinyl and will never need painting. The fence will not only protect the children but will also help protect the equipment. The cost of the fence is $4,000.
The Board had questions concerning the ages of the children, asking if there was a way to separate the younger children from the older children. They were told the playground would be built to accommodate children ages 2 through 12. First Selectman Adams favored adding the fence stating in his opinion it would prohibit children from wandering away or being abducted. The fence would be approximately 90 feet from the stream and right in front of the wooded area.
Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, stated she favored fencing the back and one side, leaving the side near the basketball court and the front not fenced. She stated the Park and Recreation Board was split on the fence issue.
In conclusion, the Board of Selectmen decided they would like to visit Salmon Brook Park before issuing a decision. They further encouraged Mrs. Woodford, the Park and Recreation Board, and the Granby Community Playground Committee to try to work out a compromise. If a compromise is not reached, this will be an agenda item at the next Selectmen’s meeting and the Board will render a decision.
D. Consideration of Request for Use of COLLECT Funds.
The COLLECT program (Connecticut On Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing) provides the Granby Police Department with detailed criminal information. Each community is billed by the state for the expected operations and maintenance of the system. The program banks any unused funds and upon application redistributes money back to towns for local computer upgrades and replacement of equipment.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to apply for an amount of $4,126 to be used for the upgrade and replacement of two police workstations utilizing reserves in place under the COLLECT program.
E. Consideration of Connecticut Department of Transportation Federal Local Bridge Program Preliminary Application
The state has identified Silver Street Bridge as a candidate for a grant. The Department of Public Works would like to make a preliminary application to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for available grants.
The funding is expected to become eligible in 2007. At this time, design funding will be requested. The initial application for the replacement is estimated at $789,000. The net cost to the town would be 20% or $157,800.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to submit a preliminary application to Connecticut Department of Transportation for repairs to the Silver Street Bridge.
F. Consideration of Approval for Study to Acquire Federal Designation of “Wild and Scenic” for Salmon Brook
Neil Kraner, 19 Glen Road, resident and President of the Salmon Brook Watershed Association (SBWA), was present to address the Board regarding a “Wild and Scenic” Federal designation. Mr. Kraner previously presented the Conservation Commission with a request to participate in a feasibility study that will assess the East and West Branches and main stem of the Salmon Brook leading to the Farmington River in an effort to obtain the federal designation. The Conservation Commission unanimously endorsed and supported the project.
Tonight, Mr. Kraner was seeking a letter of support from the town authorizing the feasibility study. There is no commitment needed from the town, nor is any money required.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to provide a letter of support and authorize the feasibility study for the Federal “Wild and Scenic” designation. At the end of the initial three-year study period, the town will have the opportunity to continue to participate or not.
G. Consideration of Adoption of Fiscal Year 2004-05 Budget and Transmittal to Board of Finance
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to forward a 2004-2005 REVENUE BUDGET to the Board of Finance consisting of the following items:
Property Tax (excl. Current Levy) $560,000
Intergovernmental Revenues 5,229,237
Local Departmental and Fund Revenues 2,708,150
TOTAL $8,497,387
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to forward a 2004-2005 EXPENDITURE BUDGET to the Board of Finance consisting of the following items:
Administration $2,313,080
Personal & Property Protection 1,847,024
Libraries, Recreation, & Social Services 606,054
Public Works & Environment 2,345,556
Capital Budget 655,000
CNEF Levy 884,816
Debt Service 2,882,303
Economic Development Funds 5,000
TOTAL $11,538,833
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to forward a 2004-2005 OTHER FUNDS BUDGET to the Board of Finance along with the 2005-2014 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM consisting of the following items:
Dog Fund $14,300 $14,300
Recreation Events 259,000 259,000
Sewer Utility Fund 111,350 111,350
Capital Equipment/Improvement 689,773 689,773
Education Quality & Diversity 95,600 95,600
2005-2014 Capital Improvement Program (detail in Budget document) (detail in Budget
document)
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – February 2004
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated February 2004. Town Manager Smith stated although not indicated on page one, current year tax collections are at 100% as of today. On page two, the balance on account #317 is due in June, account #318 should have been received in December, 2003 but has not come in yet. Town Clerk fees shown in account #361 have exceeded the projected revenue by $76,472.
Legal fees, account #1002, and Communications and Dispatch, account #2021, will more than likely need transfers at the end of the year. General Maintenance, account #4042, is being closely monitored. This is the account for public works overtime and is weather driven.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on a CRCOG meeting held March 10, 2004. At this meeting the Policy Board of the Capitol Region Council of Governments appointed Lyle Wray to serve as the agency’s third Executive Director in its 33 year history. Mr. Wray will assume this position on April 12, 2004.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
First Selectman Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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