TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 5, 2007
Prior to the start of the regular Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board held a reception to honor Joan Fox, Director of Library Services, in recognition of twenty-five years of service to the Town of Granby. First Selectman Adams reviewed major accomplishments achieved by the library under Ms. Fox’s direction and she was presented with a plaque.
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.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to re-order tonight’s agenda as follows:
Item IV-B. – Move to follow the Public Session.
Items IV-E. and IV-F. – Move to the last item(s) before Adjournment
B. Discussion and Consideration of Athletic Fields and Facilities Study Report
Selectman Judice began by stating the Board of Selectmen were provided with a copy of the Athletic Fields and Facilities Study Report, dated January 18, 2007, which was discussed at the Three Board Meeting held in January. The Study Group was comprised of Gordon Bischoff (BOF), Frank Judice (BOS), and Matt Wutka (BOE).
The mission of the Study Group was to look for possible ways to combine the proposed BOS and BOE facilities and look for operational cost savings in the delivery of town services. Their study included the Board of Education’s request for a combined Field House and Maintenance Facility/Athletic Field Project and the Board of Selectmen’s requests for Public Works Storage Additions and Vehicle Wash Bay.
The report offered four recommendations for the Board(s) to consider. They were:
1. Appointment of a planning committee and development of a master plan for athletic fields and related facilities.
2. Development of common solutions for BOE/BOS storage needs.
3. Construction of a vehicle washing facility for the BOS/BOE that meets DEP requirements.
4. Realignment of maintenance and custodial functions to recognize core competencies.
A lengthy discussion followed and covered what steps would have to be taken to implement the fourth recommendation. Town Manager Smith stated the shift in personnel would need to be looked at and it has to be determined if there will be any efficiencies in the plan. Also, some of the suggestions would have to be phased in. First Selectman Adams indicated that it may not fit in with this year’s budget preparation.
The Board was willing to endorse the concepts with the understanding there were a lot of details to be worked out and more information was needed. They did not want the Pond House project to be included. There is committee already established. The committee has only one member currently. Recruitment for this committee needs to be done.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the following:
§ A charge for a planning committee to include the development of a master plan for athletic fields and related facilities to be prepared for the next Board of Selectmen meeting.
§ The Board will work on staffing the Salmon Brook Park Facility Building Committee.
§ Combine recommendations two and three. Prepare a charge for that committee for the next Board of Selectmen meeting.
§ Town Manager Smith will meet with the Superintendent of Schools to discuss the fourth recommendation and report back in May 2007.
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 2, 2007 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 4-0-1 (First Selectman Adams abstained) to approve the minutes of the special meeting of January 9, 2007 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Three Board Meeting of January 22, 2007 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, provided the Board of Selectmen with an update on Kelly Lane and Wells Road Schools.
Kelly Lane Committee is just waiting for a report from the architect and will most likely disband at the next meeting.
Wells Road Committee is still working on the well. The site is difficult and an alternate site is being investigated. An area next to the pump house is being looked at and the price for the well at that location should come within budget. There is an outstanding purchase order for snow guards but they can’t be installed in this weather. As soon as the landscape architect certifies the new location for the well, the committee can move forward.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Town Manager Smith received a letter of resignation from Cris Anderson of the Conservation Commission. Ms. Anderson has served as a member and currently Chairman.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, second by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept, with regret, the resignation of Cris Anderson from the Conservation Commission.
Library Board
Robert P. Donna (R), 18 Farmview Lane
Mr. Donna’s appointment will expire January 11, 2010.
Park & Recreation Board
Edward N. Allen (R), 18 Harvey Drive
L. Squire Bressor (R), 293 Simsbury Road
Their appointments will expire January 14, 2008.
Brigid R. Gunn (R), 6 Gristmill Lane
Ms. Gunn’s appointment will expire January 12, 2009.
Commission on Aging
Incy S. Muir (U), 33 Loveland Road
Ms. Muir’s appointment will expire January 14, 2008.
George L. Bronsord, Jr. (U), 26 Day Street South
Paula H. Johnson (R), 289 Simsbury Road
Their appointments will expire January 12, 2009.
Development Commission
Robert J. Rome (U), 19 Bushy Hill Road
Mr. Rome’s appointment will expire January 12, 2009.
B. Consideration of Board of Selectmen 2007-08 Budget Assignments and Workshop Dates
The budget workshop assignments and dates were set as follows:
Administration – Frank Judice - March 8, 2007
Personal and Property Protection - Mark Neumann - March 8, 2007
Libraries, Rec., and Social Services. – Ronald Desrosiers - March 12, 2007
Public Works and Environment – Sally King - March 12, 2007
Capital Budget and Debt Service – John Adams - March 8, 2007, if time permits.
Revenues and Other Funds – All
All workshops will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Town Hall Meeting Room. An additional workshop will be held March 15, 2007 if needed.
C. Consideration of Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC) Submissions 2007
The Board members were provided with capital requests to be submitted to CPPAC. Town Manager Smith reviewed the requests, along with priority rankings for each project.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to forward the capital requests as outlined tonight to CPPAC for their consideration.
D. Discussion of Creating a Granby Agricultural Commission
Selectman King reported the first agriculture meeting went very well. There was good attendance and a lot of interest. She suggested the Board move forward and appoint an Agricultural Commission by Ordinance. She stated Granby could start with the Guilford Ordinance and have the Town Attorney review it. After which, it would come back to the Board of Selectmen in draft format for their review. The Board could then set a date for a public hearing.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – December 2006
Town Manager Smith stated the revenues and expenditures look fine at this point. So far the winter has been mild requiring very little overtime, which will certainly be of great assistance to the budget. However, a couple of storms and cold weather could change things.
B. October 1, 2006 Grand List
The Grand List came in at 1.73% over last year, which is not as much as expected. Under the existing mill rate of 34.67 mills, this growth reflects a net increase of approximately $464,295 in new money.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Information on Public Safety Academy
First Selectman Adams provided information on a proposed Greater Hartford Public Safety Academy (magnet school). The Academy would be a unique, one of a kind, middle school, high school, and community college educational opportunity that will offer students a rigorous academic curriculum and extensive training with all the Public Safety Agency Partners throughout their grades 6-14 career. This program could be a great asset to assist our Police Department, as well as others throughout the state.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to support and endorse the Greater Hartford Public Safety Academy concept. They further requested that Town Manager Smith write a letter to Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and Capitol Region Council Of Governments (CRCOG) indicating their support.
There will be a bid opening for the Greenway project on March 20, 2007.
There will be an information hearing on the prevailing wage issue at the Capitol on February 15, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:48 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:55 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Sally King, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr. Town Manager; Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; and David Watkins, Chief of Police
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss collective bargaining issues and real estate matters.
The Chief of Police left after his collective bargaining issue was complete.
The executive session adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:37 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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