TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 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, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
First Selectman Adams opened the meeting by introducing Courtney McGuire, a junior at Granby Memorial High School. Ms. McGuire was recently appointed as Student Representative to the Board of Selectmen.
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Dr. Richard Martindale, 10 Hungary Road, addressed the Board and distributed copies of The Salmon Brook Watershed Stream Guide. Dr. Martindale stated he had recently been in Washington, D.C. presenting a case for the Salmon Brook Watershed seeking federal funding for a three-year study to be conducted by the National Park Service. Once the study is completed, it will provide the town with a wealth of information. Members of the Salmon Brook Watershed Association as well as the lower Farmington River Watershed Association are seeking the federal Wild and Scenic designation.
A. Employee Award, 30 Years of Service – Captain Kevin Bennett
First Selectman Adams stated Captain Bennett first started with the town in 1975 as a dispatcher. In 1977 he became a police officer, in 1986 he advanced to Sergeant, and became Captain in 2003. He also serves on the Youth Services Advisory Board, has been involved with the Dare Program and the North Central Municipal Narcotics Task Force. Speaking for the town, First Selectman Adams thanked Captain Bennett for his many years of service to the town and in particular his involvement with the youth of the town.
First Selectman Adams recessed the meeting at 7:40 p.m. for a reception and refreshments in honor of Captain Bennett.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:58 p.m.
B. Update of Activities at Holcomb Farm – Mary Kate Lowndes
Mary Kate Lowndes, Executive Director of the Holcomb Farm Learning Center, provided the Board of Selectmen with a handout giving an overview of activities at the farm, along with photographs.
She indicated the farm has 320 acres and several buildings. Thousands visit the farm every year, some to hike, some to cross country ski, and others for the programs. The farm focuses on the arts and environmental education.
There are many programs available starting with pre-school and going up through high school. Link and Learn, colonial crafts, salmon release, scouting, and birthday parties are just a few of the programs offered. They also take their farm animals “on the road” and have an adopt an animal program.
The gift shop is stocked with the works of local artists and is expanded at Christmas.
There are also weekend public programs; camp accommodating 400+ kids over the summer; spring, fall, and holiday festivals; and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
In conclusion, she stated there are many programs and groups that must be turned away due to lack of building space. First Selectman Adams inquired if the farm could assist the town with some land for additional playing fields.
Ms. Lowndes and the Board continued with discussion regarding various funding sources including the town and the Small Town Economic Development Assistance Program (STEAP) grant. The Holcomb Farm Board of Directors hopes to launch an aggressive capital campaign by February 2006.
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 October 3, 2005, as distributed.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported the Kelly Lane School project is moving along and the building committee hopes to have the Wells Road School project completed by mid-November. There was some minor wind/water damage at the site.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were noted.
B. Consideration of Discharging the Blight and Nuisance Study Committee
The Selectmen were in agreement with the memo from Town Manager Smith dated October 17, 2005 indicating the Blight and Nuisance Study Committee had completed their charge and should be discharged.
C. Consideration of MEUI (Public Works and Public Safety Dispatchers) Contract (closed session)
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to re-order the agenda to take up this matter at the end of the regular meeting.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – September 2005
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated September 2005. Town Manager Smith reported there was little to highlight with the exception that tax collection is perhaps 1% up from previous years. He also commented on revenues in accounts #312 and #337 and transfers from the Social Services account #3029. He will continue to track fuel use/cost and keep the Board informed.
B. Town Center Traffic Information
Town Manager Smith stated the traffic in the center of town is getting worse and worse as time goes on. Many times motorists block the intersections by moving into the intersection when they should stop. He suggested he would like to call Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and see if anything could be done about the congestion in the center of town. He also noted Selectman King had been active on the corridor study committee several years ago. The Selectmen encouraged Town Manager Smith to pursue contact with DOT.
Town Manager Smith stated there was some water damage to Cossitt Library over the weekend resulting in a loss of books stored on the bottom two or three shelves. Salmon Brook Park was also under water and there was considerable damage there. A fence was down near the dog park, all the chips in the playground were washed away, the roadway was covered with mud and a couple of the dugouts were undermined. The town is insured for wind/water damage and should recover our costs; however, he will keep the Board updated on how that process proceeds.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams provided background information on the possibility of the Farmington Valley Health District moving back to Granby. They are currently located in Avon but are being forced to move from that location. A location in Granby would, of course, make them more accessible to Granby residents and might also provide some additional meeting room space for Granby.
VII SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
At the September 20, 2005 Board meeting Selectman Neumann volunteered to act as the Selectman’s representative to the Board of Education study group. He reported on the meeting, which he recently attended. It was pointed out that the Board of Selectmen would consider including the position of a school resource officer into the town’s “Plus-One” Budget. The purpose of this study group is to consider the feasibility of a school resource (police) officer.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 9:07 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 9:08 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss personnel matters.
First Selectman Adams closed the executive session at 9:25 p.m.
The Board reconvened its regular meeting at 9:26 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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