TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 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, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Knute Gailor, Student Representative
I. PUBLIC SESSION
A. Courtney McGuire and Knute Gailor – Changing Representative for Student Liaison to Board of Selectmen
First Selectman Adams opened the Public Session by presenting a plaque to Courtney McGuire recognizing her service to the Board as Student Representative. Her replacement, Knute Gailor, was introduced and welcomed by the Board.
B. Chris Perkins – GAA Activity Update
Chris Perkins stated he was just re-elected to a three-year term as the President of GAA. He continued stating the volume of calls are up 10% resulting in over 1,000 calls a year. They have added to their full time staff bringing that total to three and have also added two new volunteer medics.
At the last EMT class 20 people took the course and 13 became members, bringing the total membership to 45. GAA is the first in the state to purchase two new hydraulic stretchers at a cost of $11,000 each. They are working on replacing one of the ambulances as they do every three years.
Jim Warnke, 11 Elizabeth Street, was present tonight to inquire about a crosswalk across Bank Street from the Geissler’s parking lot to the post office, CVS, etc. He stated on either end of Bank Street there are traffic lights to assist with crossing Bank Street but there are only sidewalks on one side.
Town Manager Smith stated a crosswalk has already been incorporated into plans for Bank Street, as have plans for additional sidewalks.
No other public addressed the Board and the public session was closed at 7:38 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 2006 with one correction. Under appointments, the name of the appointee to the Park and Recreation Board should be Brigid Gunn, 6 Gristmill Lane.
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 to be Considered
No resignations were received.
Selectman Neumann introduced Duncan M. Rowles as a nominee for consideration as a member of the Library Board and furnished background information.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Duncan M. Rowles, Jr. (R), 19 Farmview Lane, to fill the vacancy on the Library Board created with the resignation of Mary Hunt. Mr. Rowles appointment will expire January 12, 2009.
B. Discussion of Resolution for 2006 Homeland Security Grant
The Board was provided with a memo from Town Manager Smith outlining the program. The State will provide Granby with funding for administration, equipment, training, etc through an arrangement with Capitol Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG); however, a resolution needs to be passed authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). He must also be authorized to execute any other necessary documents or contracts on behalf of the town as may be required.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously to approve the authorizing resolution as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Granby may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that William F. Smith, Jr., as Town Manager of the Town of Granby is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.
C. Discussion of Funding for Silver Street Bridge
Town Manager Smith provided background information on this bridge stating in 2004 the town did some work on the bridge wing walls. They then found the bridge was eligible for funding under the Federal Bridge Grant program. The town originally had an appropriation of $110,000 in place for the project and most of that money was not spent when the project was placed on hold.
The total for the project is expected to be 1.2 million. At this time Town Manager Smith was requesting a motion to appropriate the amount of $260,000 for the survey, design, and development of specifications for the replacement of the Silver Street Bridge indicating the local share of $52,000 will be provided from LOCIP.
Selectman Judice had several questions about the approach and incline of the new bridge, has Public Works been consulted to assure they will be able to keep the bridge plowed, and have neighboring residents been consulted. Discussion covered the longer span of the bridge and why the bridge is being relocated rather than simply widening the bridge.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to authorize an appropriation in the amount of $260,000 and forward the request to the Board of Finance for their consideration.
D. Discussion of Plus One Budget (2007-08)
The Board of Selectmen was provided with copies of the Plus One Budget (2007-08) as prepared by the Town Manager. Town Manager Smith indicated the Plus One Budget is strictly the operational portion of the budget. For the benefit of the Board he reviewed the requests, which were mostly increases in staffing, increases in oil, electricity, diesel fuel, and gasoline, along with snow and ice control costs.
Following the review, ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to forward the Plus One Budget (2007-08) to the Board of Finance for their consideration.
E. Discussion of Personnel Contract (Item deemed appropriate for Executive Session)
ON A MOTION by Selectman Judice, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to move Agenda Item IV, E, to Executive Session following Selectman Reports
First Selectman Adams recessed the Board of Selectmen meeting to hold a Special Town Meeting for the acceptance of a road at 8:00 p.m.
First Selectman Adams reconvened the Board of Selectmen meeting at 8:10 p.m.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – October 2006
Current tax collections are in line with where they have been the last several years. Grant payments of $151,000 were received on the Board Hill Bridge project. Clarifications were added under revenue remarks for account #374, Dispatch Services, #377 Contract – Building Inspection and #392, the Cossitt Library Fund. Expenses are moving along as scheduled at this point.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on the recently completed Eagle Scout Project on town grounds, which is a walkway and landscaping around the clock in front of the Police Department. It is a very attractive addition to that area. The scout is a Granby High School senior named John Jalbert who lives at 10 Sunny Heights Road.
The Granby Chamber of Commerce auction held this past Saturday was a fabulous conclusion to “Giddy Up to Granby” painted horse project, with over $90,000 raised. There were an estimated 600-700 people in attendance and two of the horses sold for $6,000.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman King reported she met with Paula Johnson, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Fran Armentano, Director of Community Development, and they have scheduled an informational meeting for November 30, 2006 to discuss establishing a possible Agricultural Commission or ordinance.
Selectman Judice stated the Fields/Facilities Study Group has not met recently but will be meeting soon to start to put some proposals together for consideration by the Board of Finance.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:18 p.m. ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to invite Town Manager William F. Smith, Jr., and Chief of Police, David Watkins to join the Board for this meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:20 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Sally King, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and David Watkins, Chief of Police
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss personnel matters.
The executive session adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:21 p.m.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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