TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 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, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Knute Gailor, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board and the public session closed at 7:35 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted (4-0-1) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 6, 2006 as presented. Selectman Desrosiers abstained.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Wells Road School, Kelly Lane School
Town Manager Smith reported that the substantial completion documents (the three phases of the construction project) have been received for Kelly Lane School project. However, there are several outstanding issues to be resolved and various “punch list” items that are being handled for Kelly Lane School. Wells Road School project also has a few outstanding issues. One is the second well and another is any remaining “punch list” items.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations were received.
Selectman Desrosiers introduced David White as a nominee for consideration as a member to the Salmon Brook Park Facility Building Committee (SBPFBC) and furnished background information. Mr. White was a member of the Granby Community Playground Committee, which was successful in its goals.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint David A. White (U), 15 Cooley Road, North Granby, CT 06060, to the Salmon Brook Park Facility Building Committee. Mr. White’s appointment will expire upon completion of the Committee’s Charge.
Selectman King requested that an Item D. regarding a real estate matter be added to the agenda and discussed at executive session at the end of the regular meeting.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to add Item D. to the agenda and to be discussed at executive session.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing Item D. at the end of the regular meeting.
B. Consideration of Sale of Tax Liens
Town Manager Smith indicated that the town has been offered a proposal to purchase tax liens for land owned by a Diane Weiss and the McLean Fund (70+ acres) on Case Street. An individual has made this offer. The purchase amount will pay the tax due and interest, along with expenses. The owners will then be obligated to the purchaser of the liens.
A discussion was held by the Board concerning the town’s interests, if any, precedence in this type of action, the general process procedure, location of property, and property status after the sale. It was noted that this property was at the threshold of foreclosure procedures. Fran Armentano, Director of Community Development, indicated this property was a rear frontage lot, it had wetlands, and some portion of the land would be suitable for building. The general process procedure should be discussed when this situation comes up again and it may include a stipulation that sale offerings are open to the general public.
The Board discussed making a motion. It was decided no action was needed. The Board of Selectmen concurred that the town was not interested in selling the tax liens on the property at this time. Mr. Smith will notify the interested party.
C. Consideration of Endorsement of the Proposed Amendment to the 2005 Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development
Fran Armentanto, Director of Community Development, indicated that there are approximately 70 houses on Case Street and they are removed from the center of town activities, along with usage of utilities such as water or sewer. In the past few years, the Case Street land development area began to flood the market by land developers. The Planning and Zoning Commission removed this area from the market and created a moratorium. At this time, the Commission has asked that the Board of Selectmen provide an endorsement to the proposed amendment to the 2005 Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development prior to the public hearing on January 9, 2007. This proposed amendment can be viewed on Granby‘s website – www.granby-ct.gov.
Mr. Armentano noted also that the Capitol Region Council of Governments reviewed this report too. Their comment was they found no apparent conflict with the regional plans and policies or the concerns of neighboring towns. They also commended Granby’s Planning and Zoning Commission for its thorough planning process.
Mr. Armentano answered the Board of Selectmen’s questions regarding some of the changes to the zoning regulations, such as access changes, retaining the scenic areas, and open space policy.
Mr. Armentanto commented that Granby was highlighted in a series of books entitled “From Planning to Action: Biodiversity Conservation in Connecticut Towns”, sponsored by Metropolitan Conservation Alliance, Technical Paper Series: No 10.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Desrosiers, the Board of Selectmen endorses unanimously (5-0-0) the newly proposed amendment to the 2005 Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. The Board also recognizes the hard work the committee did in developing this thorough plan of conservation and development.
D. Discussion of Real Estate Matter
This item was moved for discussion to executive session.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
No report.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported he attended a meeting with the Capitol Region Council of Governments Policy Board. One of the items he reported was that the Capitol Purchasing Agency has started a new program named “Job Order Contracting”. The 59 towns participating are expecting to achieve substantial savings with this program.
First Selectman Adams referenced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that a Memo of Understanding is being asked for from towns. Granby took care of this at the last board meeting. He mentioned that each town’s police department will be receiving a new fingerprinting machine from homeland security funds.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
The Board of Selectmen discussed the recent political vote. Congratulations to Put Brown for his election victory as Granby’s Probate Judge and to the Senators and State Representative for Senatorial Districts Seven (Senator John A. Kissel) and Eight (Senator Thomas J. Herlihy) and Assembly District 62 (State Representative Richard F. Ferrari). The placement and handling of political signs at polling locations was also discussed for the next voting. The Registrar of Voters will work with the political parties regarding the procedure for handling of signs. It was commented there appeared to be no traffic congestion at Town Hall, however, the West Granby Firehouse parking was hindered due to available parking space. A discussion of holding one polling place will be held in the future
as a possible solution to the parking problem at West Granby Firehouse. It was also commented that the sight-impaired voting device did not operate as well as expected.
Selectman King commented on an informational meeting scheduled for November 30, 2006 to discuss establishing a possible Agricultural Commission or ordinance.
Selectman Judice stated the Fields/Facilities Study Group met earlier this evening. He reported the group is putting together some proposals for consideration by all the boards, Selectmen, Education, and Finance, along with Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC). The proposals will include combination storage needs, buildings and fields for both the school and town, and Salmon Brook Park Facilities. Town Manager Smith will report to CPPAC on the priority status for the wash bay at Public Works as this request is a statutory requirement.
First Selectman Adams indicated that from a bridge report he recently received, it appears that the Town of Granby may possibly have more bridge repairs to do than was anticipated. A review will be given again during budget time, but CPPAC may want to include extra dollars for bridge repairs.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to executive session at 8:10 p.m. First Selectman Adams and Town Manager Smith indicated they wanted to add other issues to the executive session agenda for discussion. The items concerned a potential litigation and a real estate matter.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:15 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Sally King, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a potential litigation and two real estate matters.
No action was taken on the two real estate matters or on the potential litigation matter. The executive session adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 8:41 p.m.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Ronald Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Sally King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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