TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JUNE 7, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:37 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
A. Community Service Awards Presentation
First Selectman John Adams opened tonight’s meeting indicating the Public Session portion would begin with the Community Service Awards presentation to honor and thank volunteers. The categories included nominations for teens and adults.
Nominees for the adult category included Gerry Palmer, Laura B. Smith, Carol Y. Bressor, and Margaret C. Percival. The winner in the adult category was Christie D. Levandowski. The teen nominees were Joseph Reynolds, Lindsay Nelson, Andrew LaPlante, and Erik Granstrand. The winner in the teen category was Rachel Antonucci.
First Selectman Adams provided information on the volunteer activities of each of the nominees and winners and presented them with plaques in recognition of their service to the town. The meeting then recessed for a brief reception. The meeting reconvened at 8:13 p.m.
Michael B. Guarco, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Finance, addressed the Board stating at the last Board of Finance meeting, the members noted the need to schedule a Three Board Meeting. This had been discussed during the recent budget process for the 2004-2005 budget. The Board of Finance acknowledges difficulties recently encountered by other towns trying to pass their budget. They further acknowledge the possibility that Granby might have difficulties with the 2006 budget with the big component being personnel costs. In particular, arbitration awards are an issue and are being studied by Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), Council of Small Towns (COST), and Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). Health benefits and premium sharing also continue to be an issue. In
conclusion, Chairman Guarco requested the Board of Selectmen to schedule a Three Board Meeting as soon as possible.
B. Resident Concern
The resident did not attend tonight’s meeting.
No other public addressed the Board. The Public Session was closed at 8:19 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 17, 2004 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activities
High School, Kearns Parking Lot, Wells Road School, Kelly Lane School
Chairman John Latella began by stating the Wells Road project does not have approval from the State of Connecticut (DEP). Once that approval is in place, the committee is ready to move forward. He is fairly optimistic approval will be received this week.
Chairman Latella hopes to have a three dimensional scale model of the Wells Road School project the next time he reports to the Board of Selectmen.
Work on the septic system and wells planned for this summer will probably be completed. However, the Board of Education has been advised that this project is behind schedule and adjustments will probably be needed.
Kelly Lane is still in the process of refining the design. From there, the committee will move onto the budgetary process. Several new mandated items have to be addressed such as sprinklers, egress, pitch of the roof, etc.
The projects are faced with rising costs in steel, plywood, sheet rock, and concrete. The committee will work hard to keep the projects within the budgeted amounts.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to accept, with regret, the resignation received from P. John Corallo from the Kelly Lane Building Committee and the Wells Road Building Committee.
B. Discussion of Aquifer Protection Ordinance Proposal
Francis Armentano, Director of Community Development, was present this evening to furnish the Board with background information and explain a new state mandate requiring the town to adopt an ordinance regarding aquifer protection.
Mr. Armentano provided a copy of the proposed ordinance and recommended the Planning and Zoning Commission serve as the Aquifer Protection Agency as they have already been addressing these issues as they pertain to Planning and Zoning regulations.
The Town Attorney will need to review the proposed ordinance prior to adoption.
C. Appropriation Request for Board of Education Special Education Excess Funds
Board members were provided with a memo from Town Manager Smith outlining the request while noting the Board of Selectmen should comment on requests for appropriation even though the Board of Finance takes final action.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board moved to comment favorably on the appropriation request to allow for discussion. The Board questioned if all funds being disbursed had been collected and were told some but not all had been received. Selectman Judice then moved to amend the motion to approve the total amount requested however to limit disbursement equal to funds collected. Second was by Selectman Neumann. The Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the amendment and the motion.
D. Consideration of Call for a Three Board Meeting
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to call a Three Board Meeting for Monday, June 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
E. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2004 Transfer of Accounts
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the transfers outlined below and forward the information to the Board of Finance for approval and action.
Transfer From Transfer To Comment
Contingency $10,000 Legal Services $10,000 Additional Litigation
Insurances $5,000 Town Clerk Operations $5,000 Indexing and microfilming for refinancing
Police Operations $10,000 Communications & Dispatch $10,000 Part-time/ over-time needs
General Maintenance $10,000 Communications & Dispatch $10,000 Part-time/ over-time needs
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve an appropriation in the amount of $5,000 to come from General Fund balance for Town Clerk Operations. The $5,000 was grant money received from the state specifically designated to be used by the Town Clerk for preservation of historic documents.
F. Consideration of Establishing a Fund for Town Historic Document Preservation
Town Manager Smith recommended establishing a fund for historic document preservation since the funds are dedicated to the preservation of records, must be used by the Town Clerk, and the grant availability seems to be continuing.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adopt the following RESOLUTION:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby establishes a fund known as the Granby Historic Document Preservation Fund. Said fund shall be created to protect and preserve town documents. The source of this fund shall be from gifts, grants, and contributions.
Funds shall be disbursed, by the Town Clerk and Town Manager, in accordance with town policy and grantor requirements.
Any balance remaining in said fund, should the fund be dissolved, shall meet the requirements of grant commitments or be returned to the town’s General Fund as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Review of Intra-town Cooperative Advisory Committee Charge
On June 1, 2004, the Intra-town Cooperative Advisory Committee met and reviewed the charge of the committee. Town Manager Smith stated he has also reviewed the charge. The only comment for change was to delete the phrase “unless extended” when identifying the term. Town Manager Smith also indicated he believes the concerns previously expressed by the committee have been clarified.
ON A MOTIION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to delete the phrase “unless extended” from the last line of the charge.
B. Budget Operation Report – May 2004
Board members were provided with copies of the Budget Operation Report dated May 2004. Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer, reviewed the report starting with current year taxes, which are at 101% but are slightly lower than projected during the budget process. Prior year taxes, and interest and liens are higher than expected. Because of state adjustments, there will be shortfalls in Veterans Exemption, Tele Communication, Pequot Indian Funds, SS Disability Relief, and MFG Machine Equipment.
Expenditures are pretty much on target with the exception of the transfers approved tonight.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams stated the playground at Salmon Brook Park was erected by volunteers last weekend. The playground is complete and looks fabulous. The grand opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 13, 2004 at 1:00 p.m.
First Selectman Adams attended a staff meeting last week and learned at that meeting that some boards currently have members who are not attending. He suggested some type of procedure should be established to document unexcused absences and a process for seeking resignations at some point. He commented this may have to wait until the next Charter Commission.
Selectman Judice suggested that attendance of a member who served in the past on a board or commission could be taken into consideration when appointing that person to a new board or commission or when reappointments are made.
First Selectman Adams recently attended a CRCOG Policy Board meeting, where the budget for the next fiscal year was approved. Dues will increase for the first time in several years. Also discussed was the Homeland Security issue. All area towns will participate with the exception of Colchester and Stafford. Six million dollars will be available to this group.
The final presentation of the Griffin (commuter) Line, following the completion of the study, was reviewed. There was no documentation to suggest the number of riders would justify “the line”, however bus service will be enhanced. The New Britain line will be constructed at some point but the project has been shelved for now.
TIP – Transportation Improvement Program includes three bridges in Granby and the plan has been approved.
The State will hold a public informational meeting on the Greenway Program on June 23, 2004 at the Senior Center in Granby. This particular meeting is for the Suffield, Granby and East Granby portion. The information is in the June issue of the Drummer.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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