TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 20, 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, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Seth P. Holcombe, 90 Silver Street, addressed the Board of Selectmen with concerns for Cossitt Library. He stated the Cossitt building is on the Register of Historic Buildings. The cost of the building was $3,767.10, the contents $1,199.35 for a total of $4,966.45. The building also came with a cash endowment of $6,033.55. His point was the town received the building and contents completely paid for. He stated he felt the town was neglecting the asset.
Another item of concern was a $1,000 bequest from Porter Godard to the library in 1997. The $1,000 was deposited to the General Fund and he thought the library had not received the benefit of those funds. He would like the $1,000 plus interest to be turned over to Cossitt Library.
Town Manager Smith stated he would look into the request and also reviewed the many maintenance projects done at Cossitt Library by the town over the past several years.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 7, 2004 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the public hearing of September 7, 2004 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported several clerk of the work candidates are being interviewed for the Wells Road school project. The project is underway and the fence is up. For whatever reason, the wells were not included in the bid package and therefore will be done as a change order.
Kelly Lane is moving along, the Kearns project is virtually closed, as is the High School project. There are a couple of nuisance items to be completed at the high school that are non-contract activities.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Selectman Desrosiers provided background information on Dr. Frederick Moffa, a candidate for the vacancy on the Board of Finance.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to appoint Dr. Frederick A. Moffa (D), 20 Copper Hill Road to the Board of Finance filling the position vacated with the resignation of Richard T. O’Brien. Dr. Moffa’s term will expire November 22, 2005.
B. Consideration of Grant Application for Historic Documents Preservation
The state will provide Granby with $7,000 from the State Library in a grant format for the preservation of town documents. Among projects allowed is the upgrade of our computer record system for indexing and microfilming. This portion of the project will cost $3,500. The rest of the $7,000 grant may be used for supplies, planning, surveys, and index re-creation preservation. The Town Clerk would like to apply for the entire amount allowed for Granby, which is $7,000.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED
That William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, be empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Granby, an application and contract with the State Library for an Historic Preservation Grant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That upon approval of the grant an appropriation in the amount of $7,000 be authorized.
C. Consideration of Call for Town Meeting for Proposed Town Roads
The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended acceptance of roads known as Cone Mountain, Strawberry Fields, and Mill Pond Drive. Deeds and other approvals are in place. A Town Meeting is required by Charter to accept these roads.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to call a Town Meeting for October 4, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. The call was circulated among the Board members for their signatures.
D. Consideration of Request to Extend the Holcomb Farm Learning Centers, Inc. (HFLCI) Lease and Information on Bylaws
Al Wilke, President of Holcomb Farm Learning Centers, Inc. (HFLCI) was present tonight to request an extension of the current lease agreement by ten years. Board members were provided with a letter from Wyman Ward, the former president, dated May 26, 2004 reviewing the lease agreement.
President Wilke stated it would be helpful when applying for grants and conducting fund raising events if the lease were extended to December 31, 2033. The HFLCI must continue to comply with the approved plan of use. The town has substantial control over the HFLCI and receives yearly reports on projects, grants, and updates in general.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the extension of the lease between the town and Holcomb Farm Learning Centers, Inc. from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2033.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – August 2004
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated August 2004. The Board of Finance has already reviewed this report and Town Manager Smith had no additional comments except for a correction on page three, local revenues received is 5%.
B. Further Discussion and Consideration of Additional Funding for Silver Street Bridge Repairs
Town Manager Smith and the Board had discussed the need for additional repairs and funding for the Silver Street Bridge at their September 7, 2004 meeting. Unit prices received indicate $110,000 is needed to complete the east side of the bridge wall. Town Manager Smith recommended this amount be appropriated from the state’s Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP). He also indicated by doing this work now, the town will save approximately $300,000 when the bridge is done in a few years.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to authorize an appropriation of $110,000 from the state’s Local Capital Improvement Program for Silver Street Bridge and forward the request for the appropriation to the Board of Finance for their approval.
C. Tax Deferral Program for the Elderly Homeowners
First Selectman Adams stated in meetings with other First Selectmen from various towns across the state, he learned of this Tax Deferral Program, which Danbury has in place. Board members were furnished with copies of the Danbury Ordinance. This allows for a 5% deferral of taxes to allow elderly homeowners to stay in their homes. The town recaptures the dollars when the house is sold. The Selectmen were urged to review the information for discussion at a future meeting.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on a CRCOG transportation meeting he attended today which focused on funding issues.
First Selectman Adams reviewed information on various building projects in the state commenting they were all coming in much higher than anticipated, some by as much as one or two million dollars.
The annual meeting dates for the Board of Selectmen have been submitted and will remain the first and third Monday of each month.
First Selectman Adams will not be available to attend the October 4, 2004 meeting.
The groundbreaking for Wells Road School is scheduled for October 5, 2004. Selectman King will attend in the absence of First Selectman Adams.
Town Manager Smith complimented the Public Works Department on the plantings at Ahrens Farm Park. He encouraged the Board to take a ride past the park stating it really is a very pretty site.
Town Manager Smith also reported Granby will host a one hour presentation on Connecticut urbanization by CenterEdge Coalition (Connecticut Metropatterns). All boards, commissions, committees, and officials are invited to attend.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold a public open house at the Windsor Locks Town Offices at 50 Church Street November 9, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. This session will focus on the commuter rail implementation plan for New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield.
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 King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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