TOWN OF GRANBY
THREE BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
JANUARY 17, 2006
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. and thanked those in attendance for coming.
PRESENT:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN: John Adams, First Selectman; Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, and Mark Neumann
BOARD OF FINANCE: Michael B. Guarco, Jr., Chairman; Gordon C. Bischoff, Francis J. Brady, Frederick A. Moffa, OD, and Alfred G. Wilke.
BOARD OF EDUCATION: James C. Heminway, Jr., Chairman; John P. O’Connor, Edward E. Ohannessian, Deborah Torgersen, Ronald S. Walther, and Matthew A. Wutka
ALSO PRESENT: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools
First Selectman Adams called upon Chairman of the Board of Finance, Michael Guarco, to update the Boards on CPPAC activity. Chairman Guarco stated CPPAC has not met recently and are currently working with information from last year and updates per the audit.
First Selectman Adams began a review of the Municipal Plus One Budget starting with those services the town is committed to maintain. Wages and salaries showed a 2.44% increase over the 2006 budget. Fringe Benefits came in at 1.44%, miscellaneous commitments equaled .18% and adjustments balanced out with 0% increase. The total for those committed items is $387,900 or a 5.06% increase over 2006.
New requests cover additional staffing for a total 1.28% increase, miscellaneous expenditures showed a 1.34% increase for a total of $103,100 or 1.34%.
The total for committed items and new requests equaled $491,000 or 6.40%.
First Selectman Adams stated a Board of Selectmen workshop was held last week to review town owned buildings/properties. He reviewed the buildings owned by the town which included the Pond House at Salmon Brook Park, the Holcomb Farm Buildings, Cossitt Library, Town Hall, Drummer Building (11 North Granby Road), the VNA Building, Old Town Hall/Kindergarten, and Old North Granby Firehouse. The Selectmen will continue their discussion of the various buildings to determine those the town might possibly want to sell.
Lastly First Selectman Adams reviewed the 2006 Capital Projects Summary, which included bridges, Pond House at Salmon Brook Park, Open Space and Traffic Control Improvements, DPW Facility Storage and Addition, and Sewer and Water Improvements. The Capital Projects Summary 2006 has been submitted to CPPAC for consideration.
Cal Heminway, Chairman of the Board of Education, addressed the meeting next. He stated the Board of Education’s plus one budget came in at an 11.2% increase, which they realized was not attainable. The student population continues to increase but at a slower rate than seen in recent years. A guideline of 4% or 5% would result in the real possibility of staff cuts based on an initial assessment.
The Capital Budget for the Board of Education does not include any major building program. With the completion of the Kelly Lane School project, the town and Board of Education will realize a twenty-year dream.
The Board of Education looks forward to working with the town to obtain a maintenance facility and they also require a home for the maintenance personnel currently using classroom space.
Technology has grown from zero, twenty-five years ago, to a multi-server with almost 400 pc’s. Four people staff the technology department and more funding and staffing is needed. They have continued to upgrade through capital funding over the past years but at some point replacement equipment will be needed.
Michael Guarco, Chairman of the Board of Finance, believes the goal for a mill rate increase will be set at about 4% this year. Last year 4.17% mill rate increases were fairly typical. He indicated he was not sure the residents of Granby would accept that again this year especially when they see the impact of energy costs on their household budgets. However, there are too many unknowns at this point to try to determine operation budget guidelines. The Board of Finance will meet in February and decisions will be made regarding the guidelines. At that time the Governor’s budget should be out and that will assist them with some of the decisions.
In conclusion, Chairman Guarco stated the Board of Finance would continue the partnership with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education in making the tough decisions.
First Selectman Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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