TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JULY 6, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams 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
Public Session began this evening with the presentation of a plaque to G. Robert (Bob) Jaroch acknowledging his twenty-five years of service to the town as a Public Works employee.
No other public addressed the Board and the Public Session closed at 7:34 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of regular meeting of June 21, 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 public hearing of June 21, 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 Three Board Meeting of June 21, 2004 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported bids are out for the Wells Road school project and the bid opening will take place on July 20, 2004. The Kelly Lane School project is moving along. Paving of the playground area for the Kearns School project is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The high school punch list, having to do with corrective work to prevent ceiling leaks, should be finished within a month or two.
The community gardens and the parking lot in the back area are completed at Ahrens Farm Park. The field for lacrosse has been seeded and the multi-purpose field preparation has been started.
Hungary Road residents have received all information requested, and Town Manager Smith stated he believes concerns have been properly addressed. There has been no additional communication from the group. He stated he would continue to keep them updated.
At Salmon Brook Park the horse exercise area has been renovated and is complete. There will be more activity to come with expansion of the field area where the hay is now. The new playground is very active.
Mechanicsville Road is paved and was curbed today. All of the work done on this road over the past several months should make it much safer to travel especially during the upcoming winter season.
Selectman Judice queried if the congestion on Routes 10/202 and 189 are putting stress on any of the back roads as people try to avoid the congestion on the primary travel routes. Town Manager Smith indicated there is no appreciable increase in stress on alternate roads noted in past traffic counts, however, he will follow up.
B. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance “Designating the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Town’s Aquifer Protection Agency”
The Board held a brief discussion on the changes made to the proposed ordinance after receiving public input at the public hearing held June 21, 2004. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall be the designated agency for the town; however, they will seek advice from and cooperate with the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission and also citizens with specific expertise in aquifer mapping and protection.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adopt the Ordinance “Designating the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Town’s Aquifer Protection Agency” as revised and submitted at tonight’s meeting (copy attached).
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
The Democratic Town Committee had three names to be considered by the Board at tonight’s meeting. Background information was furnished on each of the candidates being proposed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Bruce W. Sullivan (D), 21 Kelly Lane, to the Commission on Aging. This appointment is filling a new position on the Board to comply with the revised ordinance for the Commission on Aging expanding their membership. Mr. Sullivan’s appointment will expire January 10, 2005.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Evan P. Geusic (D), 29 Canton Road, and Aurelle S. Locke (D), 281 Simsbury Road, to the Blight and Nuisance Study Committee. Their terms will expire when their charge is fulfilled.
B. Consideration of Small Town Economic Development Assistance Program (STEAP) Application
The Board was provided with information from Town Manager Smith, outlining the availability of grant money through the Office of Policy and Management (OPM).
Board members were also provided with a draft copy of a letter from Town Manager Smith to Marc S. Ryan, Secretary, OPM outlining proposed projects to be completed if the town were to receive STEAP funding. The projects included street lighting on Bank Street, additional parking and access for Salmon Brook Park, a walkway/bikeway along Salmon Brook Street, renovations to the High School track, and renovations at the Holcomb Farm Learning Centers.
Selectman Desrosiers questioned the gravel walkway as outlined in the draft letter in item three and the parking lot and egress area as described in item two. Town Manager Smith stated there are some clarifications to be made in the draft and some items he will need to follow up on.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to submit the request to OPM as outlined and to execute other necessary documents regarding grant funding under the STEAP grant program with the provision the final application be provided to the Board of Selectmen.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Information on Greenway Trail Meeting
Town Manager Smith reported on the Greenway Trail informational meeting held last month and attended by representatives of Granby, East Granby, Suffield, and Simsbury. There were approximately 70 abutters and other interested persons in attendance and detailed maps were provided for their review. All responses to the plan were positive. Although Granby may have to advance approximately $200,000 for the project, 80% will be reimbursed by the Federal Government, and the other 20% may be funded by the State. If not, Town Manager Smith indicated there are other funds, which might be available for the project. The main complaint regarding the trail involved use by all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, which are prohibited.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on several meetings he attended, among which were the CRCOG Transportation Committee, the CRCOG Policy Board, and the Capital Work Forces Partners. He noted the latter group is doing outstanding work. The Annual CRCOG meeting was also attended and Granby was well represented.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to move to CLOSED SESSION.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:15 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:20 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Sally King, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purchase of land.
The executive session adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 8:35 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
| 
