TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
January 18, 2005
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, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 3, 2005 with the following corrections: Page one, under III.A., paragraph two, line two, add “used” after “building” and paragraph three, line five, add “petroleum containing” before “soil”; page three, paragraph three under VI., the last sentence should be changed to “Also, the CRRA ash landfill will be full within four years. Use of the closest available disposal location would increase disposal costs by $17.00 a ton”; and paragraph four, line three, add “reform to” before “prevailing”, and change “wages” to “wage” and add “laws”
after “wage”.
.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Summit Meeting of January 10, 2005 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported the state just approved the second phase of the Wells Road school project. It was also noted the shipment of steel has arrived at the school.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
GRANBY LIBRARY BOARD
Lynn G. Lochhead (R), 218 Loomis Street
Richard R. Willis (U), 23 Moosehorn Road
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to accept the nominees for reappointment as introduced by Selectman Neumann. Their terms will expire January 14, 2008.
B. Endorsement of “Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility”
At the last meeting First Selectman Adams distributed information to the Board regarding the formation of a consortium being organized by local Boards of Finance, Boards of Education, and Selectmen in Connecticut.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to endorse the efforts of the consortium as presented in the information provided by First Selectman Adams.
Town Manager Smith stated this consortium is moving right along in their efforts to communicate a message to the state.
C. Consideration of Grant Application for Silver Street Bridge Repairs
The Board members were provided with a memo from Town Manager Smith outlining bridge projects in Granby, providing dollar amounts for the projects and expected reimbursement from the state.
The town began work on the Silver Street Bridge planning to repair both the east and west wing walls at the same time. At that time $110,000 was appropriated to fund the project. Shortly thereafter the state indicated they might be able to accelerate grant funding for replacement of the entire bridge. Town Manager Smith has now been asked to enter into an agreement with the state to develop preliminary design specifications under the state and federal local bridge program.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with the State of Connecticut to develop preliminary design specifications and execute the necessary documents to apply for grant funds for the Silver Street Bridge repairs.
D. Consideration of Agreement with Granby Ambulance Association
Town Manager Smith explained that over the years several agreements, both formal and informal, have been put in place between the town and the Granby Ambulance Association. The document presented tonight is simply a consolidation of those agreements. The town is also asking for audits from the Association and requesting a small reimbursement for administrative costs.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to authorize William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, to enter into the agreement with the Granby Ambulance Association.
E. Consideration of Large Capital Program for CPPAC
The Board recently reviewed the town’s Operations and Capital Forecast. Following the review, there was discussion about eliminating the Center Bypass item or combining it with the Open Space item.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to eliminate the Center Bypass on the Capital Projects for the town and combine it with Open Space. The term Open Space and Center Traffic Improvements was suggested as a combined CPPAC item. The Board further endorsed the following prioritized list and requested it be forwarded to CPPAC to be included in the model update.
1) Bridges
2) Park Pond House
3) Open Space and Center Traffic Improvements
4) Public Works Storage and Addition
5) Sewer/Water
F. Proposed DRAFT of Granby’s Plan of Development
Board members were provided with copies of the recently completed proposed revision to the Town of Granby’s Plan of Conservation and Development in accordance with Section 8-23 of the General Statues of Connecticut.
Board members were also provided with copies of Section 8-23 (f)-(h), outlining the Board of Selectmen’s role in the process of adopting a Plan of Conservation and Development.
The Board decided to hold a public hearing on February 7, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. to receive public input and written comments. They further requested that copies of the plan be made available at the libraries and also on the town web site. If the February 7, 2005 date did not provide Town Manager Smith with the required time for posting a notice of Public Hearing, the Board left it to his discretion to choose an alternate date.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – December 2004
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated December 2004. Town Manager Smith stated tax collection is down from a few years ago but near the same level as FY 03-04. In discussion with the Tax Collector no problems have been identified.
Town Manager Smith noted the excess of collections in Town Clerk fees which can be directly attributed to the increase in conveyance tax fees allowed by the state for the past couple of years and is due to stop at the end of this fiscal year. Town Manager Smith indicated it would certainly assist the town if the current rate could continue.
Legal fees (account #1002), Communication and Dispatch (account #2021), General Maintenance (account #4042), and Building Maintenance and Town Grounds (account #4054) are being monitored very closely and may require transfers.
Selectman Judice inquired if the Town Attorney could meet with the Board to hold a privileged discussion on lawsuits and legal issues. Town Manager Smith indicated he would be happy to arrange such a meeting.
B. Review of Elderly Tax Deferral Ordinance
The Commission on Aging recently reviewed the town ordinance granting property tax deferral to needy elderly homeowners. The Commission did not suggest any changes but did recommend that more information concerning the availability of this program, along with other tax relief programs, be made more readily available.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams stated he, Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services; Robert Smith, Park and Recreation Board Chairman; and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; will have a meeting sometime after the next Park and Recreation Board meeting to discuss information received at the Summit Meeting. First Selectman Adams stated the Board of Selectmen would make it clear there is a plan for Ahrens Farm Park to include permanent facilities such as a storage shed and bathroom facilities. They will also make it clear they did not necessarily agree with all opinions expressed at the meeting but did listen to those concerns.
An Employees Health Benefits meeting was held last week and 10% is the number being used for this line item in the budget at this time. Hard numbers will be available somewhere near the end of February. The fund is currently healthy, which is a good sign.
The Cable Advisory Committee is seeking a representative from Granby. Apparently each town should have two and Granby only has one at this time, Brooke Pielli. The Board indicated that some publicity might help out public television. Perhaps a high school media class could volunteer to film the various town meetings as a public service.
First Selectman Adams announced February 4, 2005 is “Wear Red for Women” day and urged all citizens to wear red in recognition of family, friends, and neighbors who have suffered from heart disease and as a show of support to fight it.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman Judice initiated a discussion about the tree removal at Rome’s Sporting Goods at 287 Salmon Brook Street and the possibility of erosion. Town Manager Smith stated the town is aware of the activity and are checking for zoning violations and monitoring the activity.
Selectman Judice inquired if a “ride along” could be arranged with the Public Works Department, as well as the Police Department, and was told yes.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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