TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 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
A. Chris Perkins – GAA Activity Update
Mr. Perkins was not able to attend tonight’s meeting, however, he will attend a future meeting to provide the update.
B. Granby High School Football Support Group
Mary Kate Lowndes, 11 Deerwood Drive, was present as part of a support group wishing to bring a football program to Granby Memorial High School as soon as possible. Ms. Lowndes furnished substantial information to the Board of Selectmen covering survey results on interest, area youth teams, the website for the support group, the need for a practice field and a playing field, proposed fund raisers to be held, the estimated annual cost, line items for a budget, equipment costs, different types of fields, and locker room needs.
The support group proposes fully funding the sport for the first two years at an annual estimated cost of $30,000 - $40,000. Beginning the third year, the funding would drop off by 10% each year until the town funded the project totally. It was determined the High School would be the ideal location for the field and could be combined with the track field. Ms. Lowndes answered many questions posed by the Board and promised to get back to them with answers to questions she didn’t have available. The Board requested a list of the members of the support group, along with their telephone numbers, addresses, etc.
Mary Kate Lowndes then addressed the Board as the Executive Director of the Holcomb Farm. The farm was recently awarded a STEAP grant in the amount of $400,000 and she wanted to express her thanks for the hard work the Board of Selectmen, staff, and local legislators put into obtaining the grant. She stated it was greatly appreciated.
Jim Warnke, 11 Elizabeth Street, stated he had attended a recent soccer game held “under the lights” and noted the need for more bleacher seating. He also suggested refurbishing the track field, add lighting and use it for track, football, and soccer games.
Mr. Warnke also noted he did not think the auditorium was being used to it’s fullest potential and encouraged using it for more programs and concerts.
With the approach of winter, Mr. Warnke wanted to remind residents to clean their sidewalks of snow as soon as possible.
Rose Stone, 8 Whitman Drive, addressed the Board also as an advocate and part of the support group for the football program. She stated the group has done a lot of research on finance and budgets for the program. She also indicated the track was the regulation size and the center of the track could be used as a JV or Varsity field.
No other public addressed the Board. The public session was closed at 8:07 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 2, 2006 as presented.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to add an agenda item D. under IV. Business, to consider a call for a town meeting and also to move agenda item C. to follow the end of the regular Board of Selectmen meeting.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Wells Road School, Kelly Lane School
No report.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments or Reappointments to be Considered
Resignations were received from Judy Goff and James Olsen, both from Zoning Board of Appeals, Alternates.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Bridget Dunn, 6 Gristmill Lane, to replace Bengt O. Wennberg to the Park and Recreation Board. Selectman Neumann furnished background information on Ms. Dunn for the benefit of the Board. Ms. Dunn’s term will expire January 8, 2007.
B. Consideration of Board of Education Appropriation Request
The Board of Education requested the Board of Finance appropriate an additional amount of $5,665 to their budget. This is the amount of money raised from the sale of Middle School gymnastics equipment and Kelly Lane School TV’s and computers.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to comment favorably on the addition of $5,665 to the Board of Education budget.
C. Consideration of Contract Negotiations (Item deemed appropriate for Executive Session
This item will be discussed in Executive Session following Selectman Reports.
D. Consideration of Acceptance of Cider Mill Heights as a Town Road and Call for a Special Town Meeting
Town Manager Smith explained the developer of Cider Mill Heights (Section III), White Birch Turn, LLC, has filed for bankruptcy and the road has been turned over to a Trustee. It is a complicated process but the Town Attorney has been working with the Trustee to save the town money and to utilize funds in place to complete the road and the remaining public improvements. There are ten occupied homes in this section of Cider Mill Heights.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to call a Special Town Meeting for November 6, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. The call for the town meeting was circulated for the signatures of the Selectmen.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – September 2006
Town Manager Smith indicated account #312, Miscellaneous State, has received grant payments for Broad Hill Road bridge and snow storm reimbursement from last winter, and also on account #375 which is billings done by the police department.
Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer, indicated that account #4046, Equipment Maintenance, is being monitored. There have been some major equipment repairs and fuel costs were higher at the start of the fiscal year when tanks were filled.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
No report.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman Desrosiers extended congratulations to Meadowbrook Nursing Home for their 15 years in Granby.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:20 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:25 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Sally King, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, Williams F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and Barbarajean C. Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss personnel contracts.
The executive session adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:28 p.m.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
| 
