TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 6, 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, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Jim Warnke, 11 Elizabeth Street, addressed the Board requesting two crosswalks on either side of Merchant’s Way. This would allow people who park in the Geissler’s shopping center to cross safely to conduct business at CVS and/or the post office. Additionally, he noted more sidewalks in town would be beneficial to residents and recommended all new developments should be required to construct sidewalks on at least one side of the road. In conclusion, he thanked the town for relocating the bocce courts and benches at Salmon Brook Park.
Edie Duncan, 99 North Granby Road, stated there were some very serious charges made in a letter to the editor in the September 2005 issue of the Drummer and she would like the Board to respond. Town Manager Smith indicated John Latella, Chairman of the School Building Committees, would respond in his report on Building Committees’ Activity later in the meeting.
II. MINUTES
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 3-0-2 (abstention Judice and Adams) to approve the minutes of the June 29, 2005 meeting as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Desrosiers) to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2005 meeting as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Desrosiers) to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2005 public hearing as distributed.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
John Latella, Chairman of the School Building Committees, was present tonight to provide the Board of Selectmen with updates on the school building projects.
He reported Wells Road School opened on time, all of the rooms are in operation, the parking lot is paved, lights are installed and school is in session.
He stated he intended to reply to the letter to the editor in the last issue of the Drummer. He said he was dismayed over the letter and wished the author had attended a building committee meeting while the project was in progress. This would have allowed for explanations of choices made by the building committee members as well as the architect and engineer.
Chairman Latella reviewed many inaccuracies brought out in the letter including wetlands, room sizes, the shape of the building, the footprint of the property, specialized building materials, use of brick versus ground faced block, lighting, retention gallery, and other items listed in the letter.
The Kelly Lane School project is proceeding. He stated the bus loop is complete and an open house is scheduled for tomorrow. He continues to work closely with the building official and the fire marshal.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No appointments or resignations were noted.
B. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance for Local Option of Full Exemption From Local Property Taxation by Qualifying Disabled Veteran (Public Hearing of August 1, 2005)
A public hearing was held on this local option on August 1, 2005. At that time a couple of clarifications were requested. A revised proposed ordinance was provided to the Board for their consideration prior to tonight’s meeting.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adopt the revised ordinance as distributed tonight. The effective date of the ordinance will be in time to include the exemption for the grand list of October 2005.
C. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinances for Abandoned, Inoperable, or Unregistered Motor Vehicles and Nuisance
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table action on this agenda item until the October 3, 2005 meeting.
D. Consideration of Wetlands Administration and Compliance
Board members were provided with a memo from Town Manager Smith, outlining an initial plan for getting a Wetlands enforcement agent on staff at Town Hall.
The Office of Community Development will be responsible for general routine administration for the Wetlands Commission. This office, along with the Building Department, will continue to provide application forms to residents and developers. All records will be transported to the Town Hall and maintained in the Fire Marshal’s office.
The Agent will be responsible to review and make comment (narrative and statistical) on regulatory compliance, design, and environmental matters pertaining to wetlands and report to the Commission on all applications. The Chairman of the Wetlands Commission will assist the Agent and the Commission will continue to “walk property” and review maps and applications. The total cost is expected to be around $14,000 to $15,000 for three-fourths of the year.
Board members were in agreement that a Wetlands Enforcement Officer was long overdue and encouraged Town Manager Smith to proceed with the implementation of the plan.
E. Consideration of Agreement for Broad Hill Road Bridge Construction Funding
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the following resolution:
Resolution authorizing William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager by name and by title to sign the agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby for the construction, inspection and maintenance required in conjunction with the rehabilitation of Broad Hill Road bridge (Bridge No. 04526) over the West Branch Salmon Brook utilizing federal funds.
F. Personnel Matter – Town Manager’s Evaluation (closed session)
Selectman Desrosiers MOVED to reorder this agenda item to the end of the meeting. Selectman King suggested due to the late hour it was not fair to start the evaluation process and further suggested the Board meet on a separate date to address this agenda item only. September 15, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. was the date chosen for the closed session special meeting.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – July 2005
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated July 2005. Town Manager Smith stated there was virtually nothing to report at this early stage of the budget process. The report shows mostly money that has been encumbered for the upcoming fiscal year.
Selectman Judice requested information on a projection as to how much energy the town uses on an annual basis to include heating oil and gasoline. This will be an item to watch closely with rising fuel costs. Town Manager Smith will provide those numbers to the Board.
B. Revenue Projections for Fiscal Year 2005-2006
Both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance were provided with a memo from Town Manager Smith outlining revenue projections for fiscal year 2005-2006. Results of State Grants to towns including Education Cost Sharing, School Transportation, Pequot Indian, State Owned Property, and Town Aid Road indicates Granby will receive about $104,933 more than budgeted.
Town Manager Smith also reported on reorganization of Public Works staff. One foreman has retired and rather than hire another foreman, the department will reorganize and hire an additional maintainer resulting in some cost savings.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
The Ahrens Park Dedication was tentatively scheduled for September 22, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.
The Board received a memo from Cal Heminway, Chairman of the Board of Education, suggesting the formation of a study group to look at the feasibility and wisdom of putting a uniformed school resource officer in the high school. The group would consist of the Town Manager, Chief of Police, Superintendent of Schools, one Selectman, one Board of Education member, and Principal Alan Addley. Selectman Neumann volunteered to serve as the Selectman member.
The Granby Police Department will receive donations for the victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated part of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi last week and transport them to the Armory.
CRRA has recovered one hundred eleven million dollars from the fraud associated with the Enron Company. CRRA will not increase their fees this year; however, they are not releasing any of the money received at this time.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman King stated the town should be very proud of their Chairman of the Board of Finance. Canton has recruited his assistance for a financial plan.
Selectman Judice passed along his compliments on a job well done on the Bissell Brook Bridge recently completed by Public Works. Public Works was also commended for the work they have been doing at Ahrens Park.
Selectman Judice indicated he would like the Board to consider opening dialogue with the Board of Education to suggest a program to award credits to interested high school students to come in and film public hearings, Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Town Meetings. Selectman Judice also suggested sponsoring a position on the Board for a student representative and encouraged the Board of Finance to do the same.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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