TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 6, 2006
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; and Courtney McGuire, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Jim Glenney, 33 Glen Road, requested an update on any progress made providing a crosswalk for pedestrians from the Geissler’s shopping plaza across Bank Street to CVS and the center post office.
Town Manager Smith stated the problem lies in the lack of sidewalks, actually on both sides of Bank Street, which definitely creates an issue. Town Manager Smith and Chief of Police Watkins will continue to work on the problem. Ultimately a solution will be found. Perhaps a walkway could be created by cutting through the berm on the Geissler’s side of the road. This would have to be negotiated with Geissler’s and then the issue of maintenance will also need to be resolved.
No other public addressed the Board. The Public Session closed at 7:38 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 3, 2006 as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the workshop meeting of January 9, 2006 as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of January 17, 2006, the minutes of the Special Presentation of January 17, 2006 and the minutes of the Three Board Meeting of January 17, 2006 as distributed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Judice, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to re-order business items IV-H and IV-I to following VII-Selectman Reports.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Wells Road School, Kelly Lane School
John Latella, Chairman of the School Building projects was present to provide the Board with an update on the two schools.
The Committee is still working on the punch list for Wells Road School. It is functionally working but there are still a few items to be completed.
Kelly Lane is moving right along. The media center, main office, gym, and the six classrooms all have a roof. Chairman Latella will be at the site tomorrow to check on any problems. At this point, the end completion date is still on target and may even be completed a little earlier. Discussion ensued as to when a project is truly completed and if additional action is required of the Board of Selectmen at that point. When the retention is released, a project is pretty much deemed completed. Action is then required of the Board of Education in that they must accept the project.
B. Report by Salmon Brook Park Bathhouse Study Committee (report previously distributed)
Bob Wardrop, Chairman of the Salmon Brook Park Bathhouse Study Committee and committee member David Olechna were present this evening to officially present the results of their study and recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.
Chairman Wardrop thanked the Board of Selectmen, as well as the members of the Study Committee and Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services. He noted that Board members were provided with copies of the report prior to tonight’s meeting, therefore allowing them time to review.
Chairman Wardrop reviewed statistics on the population of the town, as well as the numbers associated with various programs. The facility is very congested and if future projections are correct, the situation will only worsen. An average of 140 people use the day camp facility plus, East Granby also participates in afternoon swims during the summer. The facility is currently about 1,600 sq. ft. The Study Committee would like to see the building at least doubled and are recommending a 3,500 sq. ft. facility.
Chairman Wardrop concluded with a review of some of the state and federal mandates and committee recommendations. The Board of Selectmen inquired if there were any immediate repairs needed before the summer camp season begins to make the facility safe. Several concerns were identified. Town Manager Smith will see that necessary repairs are made prior to the opening of camp.
The Board of Selectmen will include review of the report in their budget workshop meetings scheduled to begin next month.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Town Manager Smith stated he received a letter of resignation from Probate Judge Phil Main who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 in April. The town has two choices; they may hold a special election to elect a new probate judge or they may allow the State Probate Administrator to appoint an interim judge and then the town may elect a new judge in the November, 2006 election. The Board favored the concept of an interim judge.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reappoint the following individuals to various Boards and Commissions.
COMMISSION ON AGING
Irene Courser, (R), 532 Meadowgate
Paula H. Johnson (R), 289 Simsbury Road
Their appointments will expire January 14, 2008.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Carolyn R. Flint (R), 54 Barn Door Hills Road
Ms. Flint’s appointment will expire January 11, 2010.
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Bruce E. Murtha (R), 17 Kelly Lane
Mr. Murtha’s appointment will expire January 14, 2008.
GRANBY LIBRARY BOARD
Carol Y. Bressor (R), 293 Simsbury Road
Ms. Bressor’s term will expire January 12, 2009.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint the following individual:
COMMISSION ON AGING
Peter Barwick, ( U ), 10 Haven Drive
Dr. Barwick’s appointment will expire January 14, 2008.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint B. Scott Kuhnly (R), 5 Indian Hill Drive to the Board of Finance filling the vacancy created with the resignation of Christopher Comer.
Mr. Kuhnly’s term will expire November 20, 2007.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Celia Eggert (R), 6 Glen Road, to the Board of Assessment Appeals filling the vacancy created with the resignation of B. Scott Kuhnly.
Ms. Eggert’s term will expire November 20, 2007.
B. Consideration of Application for Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program
The state has a grant offering for $2,500 under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program. The town would like to take advantage of the grant for replacing outdated and unreliable photographic equipment used to manufacture senior ID cards. Additional funding needed in the amount of $1,500 will come from the Senior Activities Fund. The grant is 100% reimbursable and no matching funds are required.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve submitting an application to the State Office of Policy and Management for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program, to vote for an appropriation of $2,500, and recommend the same to the Board of Finance for action once the grant is awarded.
C. Consideration of Agreement Between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby for Rights of Way Activities Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 04526 on Broad Hill Road
Town Manager Smith reminded the Board they had approved a similar resolution last fall authorizing the Town Manager to sign the agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby for construction, inspection, and maintenance required in conjunction with the rehabilitation of Broad Hill Road bridge (Bridge No. 004526) over the West Branch of the Salmon Brook utilizing federal funds. The resolution to be considered tonight is connected to the needed Rights of Way activities for the project.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board vote unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby as outlined in the following resolution:
AUTHORIZATION IS GIVEN TO THE TOWN MANAGER BY NAME AND BY TITLE TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE TOWN OF GRANBY FOR RIGHTS OF WAY ACTIVITIES REHABILITATION OF BRIDGE NO. 04526 ON BROAD HILL ROAD OVER THE WEST BRANCH OF SALMON BROOK UTILIZING FEDERAL FUNDS AND A PROJECT GRANT UNDER THE LOCAL BRIDGE PROGRAM.”
D. Consideration of Establishing and Funding a Building Improvement Fund
Establishment of this fund stemmed from a discussion held at a recent Board of Selectmen Workshop meeting at which they reviewed town owned buildings and properties and repairs needed.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to establish a fund to be called the Building Improvement Fund as outlined in the following resolution:
The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby establishes a fund known as the Building Improvement Fund. Said fund shall be created to make repairs and renovations to town owned buildings. The sources of this fund shall be from gifts, grants, insurance reimbursements, and General Fund appropriations. Sub accounts of repairs and renovations for each building shall be maintained within the fund.
Funds shall be disbursed by the Town Manager in accordance with town policy and grantor requirements.
Any balance remaining in said fund, should the fund be dissolved, shall first meet the requirements of grants or, other legal obligations or, be returned to the town’s General Fund as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
E. Discussion of Board of Selectmen 2006-07 Budget Assignments and Workshop Dates
The following dates and assignments were agreed upon:
Administration – Selectman King – March 9, 2006
Personal and Property Protection – Selectman Judice – March 13, 2006
Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services – First Selectman Adams – March 16, 2006
Public Works and Environment – Selectman Neumann – March 13, 2006
Capital Budget and Debt Service – Selectman Desrosiers – March 9, 2006
All meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Town Hall Meeting Room. If necessary a reserve day of March 20, 2006 is included.
F. Consideration of Senior Citizen Transportation Grant Application
Board members were furnished with a memo from Town Manager Smith outlining the availability of a grant from the State of Connecticut for Transportation for seniors and people with disabilities for FY 2006-07 in the amount of $20,953.
The matching 50% required would come from the current budget for Senior Van Services. The funding would allow Senior Services to expand van services through the use of paid drivers and also provide transportation for medical appointments.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to apply for the grant and enter into an agreement on behalf of the Town of Granby with the State of Connecticut for Transportation for seniors and people with disabilities in the amount of $20,953.
G. Consideration of Changes in Town Capital Activities
One change recommended to town capital projects is to eliminate the work to realign Canal Road since it will be done by the state as part of the bridge replacement. A project to widen the entrance at Hungary Road and East Granby Road to about 8 feet adding a culvert in the drainage area is proposed instead.
Another change is that the Salmon Brook Park Access Road is no longer deemed a practical project and this capital project is replaced ($22,610) with the purchase of an above ground hydraulic lift. Additional funding for this purchase will come from the storage shed line item ($5,775) and the public works budget ($2,650). The in-ground lift at the garage has failed and a replacement would be approximately $50,000.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the changes to the town capital projects as outlined tonight.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – December 2005
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations Report dated December 2005. Town Manager Smith stated revenues are where expected at this point in the budget process and the expected snowstorm reimbursement from last fiscal year was received from the state.
Town Clerk statutory collections are at 114%, which is good news, however, transfers may be needed for Equipment Maintenance and Building Maintenance and Town Grounds.
B. October 1. 2005 Grand List
Town Manager Smith was pleased to report a healthy 2.83% increase in the Grand List for 2005. The model was at 2.5%.
C. Bond Sale – 2/1/06
Granby was required to be rated for bonds sold on February 1, 2006. Bonds in the amount of $10,000,000 were sold at a 4.87% rate. Town Manager Smith was very pleased to note Granby retained its “AA” rating with Standard & Poor’s.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on the last meeting of the CRCOG Policy Board and pending litigation by New Hartford and Barkhamsted relating to the collapse of Enron.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:55 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 9:01 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Sally King, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Newmann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the sale of town property and collective bargaining items.
The executive session adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:30 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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