TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
OCTOBER 2, 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
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Judice) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 18, 2006 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Judice) to approve the minutes of the special meeting of September 18, 2006 as presented.
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 committees, began his update by stating the Wells Road School is on hold and there is nothing to report.
The Kelly Lane School project has made great strides. All classrooms are being used; the science lab, music room, and art room are being used for their intended purpose; the media center has lights, the carpet is in, and they are waiting for furniture to be delivered. Pouring of the gym floor will start Wednesday and will probably be ready for use by the end of the month. The floor has to cure for approximately three weeks. In closing Chairman Latella stated they would be right down to the wire when it comes to the budget.
B. Further Discussion on Creating an Agricultural Commission
Selectman King reported she spoke to Paula Johnson, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who favored an Agricultural Commission if it is determined there is support for one. Selectman King indicated she and Chairman Johnson would like to meet with Fran Armentano, Director of Community Development, to discuss creating a commission. She would also like to see if she could determine if there is support from the stakeholders.
First Selectman Adams indicated CRCOG has an Agricultural Liability Grant, which will be used to expand on their concept as it relates to agricultural issues. He suggested the Board let CRCOG “play it through” and see what results come from the study.
Selectman King indicated she saw no reason why Granby couldn’t continue with a preliminary study to see if there is support. The other Selectmen did not object to her exploring what support is available in Granby.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations were received.
Selectman Desrosiers nominated Judy Goff as candidate to fill the vacancy created by Walter J. Burke and provided background information.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Judy A. Goff (D), 6 Douglass Drive, to fill the vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals created by the resignation of Walter J. Burke. Ms Goff’s appointment with expire November 20, 2007.
Ms. Goff currently serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals as an Alternate and will have to submit a letter of resignation from that position.
B. Consideration of Resolution to Enter Into Agreements Between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby to Install Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption Equipment on Salmon Brook Street at East Granby Road and Hartford Avenue
Acceptance of this agreement will allow the town to install pre-emption vehicle emitters on the signal lights located at Salmon Brook Street, East Granby Road, and Hartford Avenue. This allows for all lights to be red and allows emergency vehicles to move safely through intersections.
Lost Acres Fire Department (LAFD) vehicles will be equipped under a state grant program. The $2,760 cost will be paid by LAFD and is 20% of the full cost.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into the agreements as follows:
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, 15 North Granby Road, Granby, CT 06035, is authorized to execute Agreements between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby for Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption System Equipment supplied to the Town of Granby for signal lights located at Salmon Brook Street and East Granby Road, and Salmon Brook Street and Hartford Avenue.
C. Consideration of Grant Acceptance from Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (Senior and Youth Initiative Grant Program) and Referral to Board of Finance
The town has been informed they are recipients of a grant applied for in June of this year. The grant is a three-year grant providing $45,000 in year one, $40,000 in year two and $31,250 in year three for a total of $116,250. The grant is to be used for staffing and overhead for Senior and Youth Initiative programs.
Selectman Judice inquired if the staffing would be in the form of a new hire or additional hours for staff already in place. Town Manager Smith stated it might be a combination but will check it out and get back to the Board.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept the grant and move for the appropriation of $45,000. Town Manager Smith will then forward the MOTION to the Board of Finance to appropriate the funds.
D. Consideration of Appropriation Request for COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools Grant
The second part of Item D and Resolution Pertaining to “Electronic Voting Equipment Agreement”, was inadvertently misplaced and should be considered under Item E. This change was made ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers by unanimous vote (5-0-0).
The town has been awarded a grant for up to $200,000; the grant project would provide surveillance at all the schools, fiber optic enhancement linkage between all the schools, and enhance the computer network and security system.
In June the Board of Education asked the Board of Finance to endorse the grant for the schools under the federal COPS program. At that time the Board of Finance agreed to support the grant for up to $200,000 but has not yet appropriated any amount.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept the grant.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, it has been determined that a fiber optic surveillance system, linking of all Granby schools and town emergency services with the Department of Police Services, will improve school security and crime prevention, and
WHEREAS, the Town has applied for a U.S. Department of Justice grant under the Community Oriented Police Services program known as COPS Secure Our Schools, and has been notified that an amount of $206,714 has been awarded as a matching contribution towards a total Proposed Budget of $413,428 for the purposes of purchasing and installing fiber optic cable, labor and materials, the installation of video equipment along with a video surveillance system - including training, at all five Granby schools, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby and the Granby Board of Education believe that this project is a proactive inter-agency collaborative and will benefit the community in response to emergency;
Be it therefore RESOLVED that:
That there be established a COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools Grant Fund for the construction of the foregoing sections.
Said fund shall receive all funds from the United States government, and from the Town of Granby for the COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools grant project as outlined in the grant application.
That there be appropriated from the town's general fund by the Board of Finance an amount of $206,714 to be deposited to and appropriated from the COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools Grant Fund.
That on behalf of the Town the Town Manager and Chief of Police be authorized to accept the COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools grant, and
That the Granby Board of Education, acting through the Superintendent of Schools, be recognized as the Official Partner for the COPS 2006 Secure Our Schools grant project.
E. Consideration of Approval for Polling Places on November 7, 2006 Election and Resolution Pertaining to “Electronic Voting Equipment Agreement”
Following minimal discussion, ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to set the two polling places for the November 7, 2006 State Election at the Granby Senior Center and Youth Services building and the West Granby Firehouse.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adopt the resolution pertaining to new electronic voting equipment as follows:
“Electronic Voting Equipment Agreement”
WHEREAS, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 has developed a uniform set of requirements for each voting system used in an election for federal office;
WHEREAS, included among the requirements of the Help America Vote Act is a provision that every polling place must maintain at least one voting machine created to ensure private and independent voting capabilities for persons with disabilities;
WHEREAS, the “IVS voting system” has been recognized to be in compliance with the requirements of the Help America Vote Act, including the provision of accessibility for persons with disabilities;
WHEREAS, the Office of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut has used federal funds advanced through the Help America Vote Act to purchase voting machines in compliance with this said accessibility provision of the Help America Vote Act, these being the “IVS voting system”;
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby is a municipality in the State of Connecticut;
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby, through its elected officials and the employees thereof, is responsible for conducting primaries and elections, federal and otherwise, within its borders;
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby, through its legislative body is responsible for providing suitable voting machines for use within its own municipality;
THEREFORE, the legislative body of the Town of Granby hereby accepts ownership of the said “IVS voting system” and will begin to use said voting machines with the election to be held on November 7, 2006.
F. Consideration of Greenway – Rails to Trails Project
As this project continues to move along, Granby is being asked to enter into two additional agreements for this project. One is between the Town of East Granby and the Town of Granby for construction, inspection, and maintenance of the greenway. The other is an Agreement between the Town of Granby and the State to establish our responsibility to maintain the portion of the trail in Granby.
Costs were reviewed with the bottom line cost to Granby of approximately $10,000; however, an appropriation of the full amount of $340,000 is needed. The 10,000 will come from the Sidewalk Improvement Fund.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into the agreement with East Granby and with the State for the Greenway project in Granby and to forward an appropriation request in the amount of $340,000 to the Board of Finance.
G. Consideration of Real Estate Matter (Item deemed appropriate for Executive Session)
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to move this agenda item to follow Selectman Reports.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
No reports.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on the $400,000 STEAP grant award to Granby for capital improvements at Holcomb Farm Learning Centers.
A list of names for prospective student representatives has been received from the Board of Education. Letters will be sent out to the interested parties.
At a recent CRCOG meeting First Selectman Adams was notified of the availability of a STP grant. Town Manager Smith indicated he thought this might be an appropriate grant to pursue for a traffic study of the center of town. He and the Superintendent of Public Works will look into that possibility.
The towns of New Hartford and Barkhamsted are involved in litigation with CRRA. They did receive class action status. The Town of Granby will now become involved.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:30 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:35 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purchase of property.
The executive session adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 8:45 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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