TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 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
A. Visiting Nurses Association Update – Incy S. Muir
Incy S. Muir, Director of the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), began by thanking the Board and the Town of Granby for their continued support for the agency. She stated they were established in 1908 and have been in the community 96 years. They are a non-profit, state-licensed, nationally accredited, home care agency and hospice serving nine communities in the Farmington Valley area. Private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid typically pay for the services offered. Community based services include blood pressure screenings, ear assessment, foot care, health fairs, immunization programs, school health programs, vision and hearing screenings, and workplace-based wellness programs. The Farmington Valley VNA relies on gifts from the community for the continuation of its services.
Ms. Muir continued talking about statistics on health care programs, a cooperative effort to be able to supply mass immunizations of smallpox vaccine if needed, and careful accounting by the Association to be sure local funds provided by Granby (or any of the towns) are spent in that town.
Ms. Muir’s presentation concluded at 7:50 p.m.
Jim Glenney, 33 Glen Road, thanked the Board for the additional Wednesday morning hours at the transfer station and also for the replacement of a speed limit sign at the end of his street.
No other public addressed the Board. The public session closed at 7:51 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted (4-0-1) (abstention Selectman Judice) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 15, 2004 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported projects are all on schedule and Chairman Latella will report at the next Board meeting.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Selectman Neumann provided background information on Frances S. Miller, a candidate for a vacancy on the Commission on Aging.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Frances S. Miller (R), 363 North Granby Road to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of L. Squire Bressor. Ms. Miller’s term will expire January 10, 2005.
No resignations were received.
B. Consideration of Action on Appendix E: Amendment to the Agreement Between The Granby Board of Education and Granby Education Association
Selectman Desrosiers disqualified himself from any discussion or vote on the contract noting his wife is a teacher in the Granby school system.
First Selectman Adams began by reviewing the three options available to the Board of Selectmen. They could take no action and the agreement would automatically be approved 30 days from the filing date. The Board could vote not to reject or the Board could send the agreement to a town meeting.
Board members were provided with copies of the Appendix E: prior to tonight’s meeting to allow them time to review the contents. Board of Education Chairman James C. Heminway, Jr. was present to provide clarification as necessary. First Selectman Adams indicated he had discussed the document with Chairman Heminway and Board of Finance Chairman Michael B. Guarco, Jr. All agreed a good agreement was reached.
Discussion covered premium-sharing percentages and the fact that the plan design is what really helps to offset medical inflation. No wages were involved in this agreement.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted (4-0-1) (abstention by Selectman Desrosiers) to take no action on the Agreement (pocket approval) in which case the Amendment to the Agreement will be binding on the town within thirty days, while also endorsing the amendment.
C. Board of Education Request to Utilize Municipal Space on Utility Poles for Technology Improvements
The Board members were provided with a memo from Town Manager Smith outlining the Board of Education request to utilize municipal space on utility poles for technology improvements.
The Board of Education would like to connect all of its school buildings with heavy-duty fiber optic cable. They are applying for a state grant to accomplish a portion of this goal. The plan is for a “drop” at the Department of Public Works. The total cost is $250,000; the anticipated grant amount is $150,000. The rest of the funds would come from Board of Education small capital.
High speed capabilities would then be in place to connect BOE Central Office, the buildings in the Municipal Complex (excluding security portions of the Police Department), and the Department of Public Works. The only exception would be Kearns School and Cossitt Library.
The bottom line for the request is 1) permission to use municipal space on telephone poles and 2) approval for routing the wire through the Department of Public Works building.
Selectman Judice reported this project was fully endorsed by the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee. He also noted, at this point, there was no cost to the Board of Selectmen.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the Board of Education request to use municipal space on telephone poles and to route wiring through the Department of Public Works building.
D. Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee Discussion
In his memo of December 6, 2004, Town Manager Smith referenced a memo from First Selectman Adams dated November 15, 2004 outlining the work accomplished by the Committee and recommending the Committee be dissolved having completed its charge. He indicated the Technology Committee could better implement the functions by direct contact with staff and elected officials from the Boards of Education and Selectmen.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to dissolve the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee while commending the Committee for a job well done.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – November 2004
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated November 2004. Town Manager Smith stated tax collections are where they are expected to be at this point and local revenues are on target. Account #361, Town Clerk Fees, have already exceeded the projected revenue by 16%.
One of the biggest problems he anticipates for the year will be in accounts #4046 and #4054. These accounts cover fuel and heating oil. Because the prices have risen so high the last several months the budgeted amount could be exceeded by as much as $30,000. In response to a question about contracts to lock in prices, Town Manager Smith indicated there is no contract in place, however the town does shop for the best possible price.
B. Discussion Report Regarding Tax Deferral Program for Elderly Homeowners
Town Manager Smith provided the Board with a summary and outline of the Ordinance currently in place in Granby. Following a brief discussion, the Board decided to send the Ordinance to the Commission on Aging for them to study and make recommendations.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams stated he continues to attend the CRCOG legislative committee meetings. This committee is working on an agenda for the legislature. Basically the towns are not asking for anything that costs money. They are however looking for reforms to binding arbitration, changes or a moratorium on prevailing wages, and putting a stop to unfunded state mandates.
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 (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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