TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2007
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, 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 unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 5, 2007 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Wells Road School, Kelly Lane School
Town Manager Smith reported the Kelly Lane School Building Committee was meeting this evening to finalize some details before concluding the project.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to re-order tonight’s agenda to add a Closed Session for discussion of labor negotiations to the last item before adjournment.
BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Town Manager Smith received no resignations.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reappoint the following:
Commission On Aging
Mary Keating (D), 15 Buttles Road
Neil Kraner (D), 19 Glen Road
Bruce W. Sullivan (D), 21 Kelly Lane
Their appointments will expire January 12, 2009.
Development Commission
Kenneth O. Kuhl (U), 18 Moosehorn Road
Mr. Kuhl’s appointment will expire January 12, 2009.
Library Board
Shawn E. Ball (D), 99 Hungary Road
Ms. Ball’s appointment will expire January 11, 2010.
Parks & Recreation Board
Kathy Ungerleider (U), 12 Strawberry Fields
Ms. Ungerleider’s appointment will expire January 12, 2009.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to appoint Norman M. Council (D), 142 Simsbury Road, to the Granby Library Board to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Laura Wolfe. Mr. Council’s appointment will expire January 11, 2010.
B. Presentation of Long Range Plan for Library Services by Granby Library Board
Lynn Lochhead, Chairman of the Granby Public Library Board presented the recently completed Long Range Plan For Library Services 2007-2011. She stated while the bulk of the Long Range Plan addresses the on-going services and operations of the Granby Public Library and Frederick H. Cossitt Library branch, there are also items requiring advance planning and budgeting to accomplish. She specifically referenced Item D.6.0 having to do with the potential expansion of the Granby Public Library.
Ms. Lochhead stated copies of the report are available at both the Granby Public Library and Cossitt Library and are also available in PDF format on the Town of Granby website.
In conclusion, she reported a 25th Anniversary Celebration of Granby Public Library is planned for April 29, 2007.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to accept the Long Range Plan with the Board’s thanks to the Study Committee and the Library Board.
C. Consideration of Chamber of Commerce Request for Utilization of Salmon Brook Park for “Celebrate Granby” Event
Mike Ungerleider, Vice-President of the Granby Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Celebrate Granby event, was present to request permission to close Salmon Brook Park from other activities and use it for the celebration festivities for the day. He was also seeking a special permit to allow for distribution of alcohol at the event.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the Chamber of Commerce request to close Salmon Brook Park to all program activities, including practices or games by Little League, Lacrosse, and Rovers, from Friday, June 8th at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, June 10th at 10:00 a.m. for the Celebrate Granby event and to allow a special permit for alcohol (wine and beer tasting).
Use of areas on Friday and Sunday will be allowed provided they do not conflict with set up or take down.
D. Consideration of Request for Football Field Space (Ahrens Park)
Mary Kate Lowndes, President Granby High School Football Supporters, reported to the Board of Selectmen on the organization’s progress in bringing a football program to Granby Memorial High School. The Board of Education (BOE) provided the supporters with a list of items to be addressed in order for the BOE to consider formally supporting a high school football team in Granby.
One of the three key items the Board of Education requested were practice fields for the first five years. Two locations have been secured for football practice, Lost Acres Fire Department (Route #10) for five years and a portion of Ahrens Park has been secured for one year.
The second item is that funding must be in place for two years; and to address this, the group incorporated in May 2006, has adopted formal bylaws, and has filed for nonprofit status with the IRS. A fundraiser was held at the Cambridge House in the fall, a car is being raffled, and a golf tournament is being planned to raise funds. A local businessman has offered to provide the funding for whatever shortfall there is in funding after the golf tournament.
The third item is to identify a playing field for five years. They have talked to Simsbury and have two locations they can use for at least two years, however, they still need a commitment from the Board of Selectmen for a field in Granby for the remaining three years.
A considerable amount of discussion followed. While the Board voiced their support of the program, they found it difficult to actually commit to an appropriate playing field for football for the fall of 2009. First Selectman Adams stated the Board is committed to finding a place for them to play but can’t say exactly where or when at this point. A study committee for athletic fields will be “charged” later this evening and will be asked to report back in six months.
E. Consideration of Resolution for Silver Street Bridge Replacement
Town Manager Smith stated this is a fairly routine resolution authorizing the Town Manager to apply for funding under the Federal Local Bridge Program and to execute any documents necessary to obtain such funding.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board moved to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Federal monies are available under the federally funded Federal Local Bridge Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Granby make application for projects qualified for funding under the Federal Local Bridge Program; and
WHEREAS, Federal monies will contribute 80% ($208,000) towards project plans, specifications, and estimated costs and with this understanding, the Town will cover the balance of costs totaling up to $52,000; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby is making application to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for Engineering fees for the replacement of the Silver Street Bridge (Bridge No. 04517) over the East Branch of Salmon Brook;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Granby authorize the Town Manager, William F. Smith, Jr., to apply for funding under the Federal Local Bridge Program and to execute any documents necessary to obtain such funding.
Two members of the public addressed the Board inquiring about the purpose of the replacement and environmental issues. Town Manager Smith provided additional information and clarification.
The Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the resolution.
F. Consideration of Creation and Charge for Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee
Selectman Desrosiers read the following proposed resolution for a Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee phase I and II for the benefit of the public.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby create a Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee. The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and consist of five members. The Committee is charged with the following activity:
PHASE I
· Review Recommendations (2) and (3) of the “Athletic Fields and Facility Study Report” presented to the Board of Selectmen on February 5, 2007, concerning the proposed vehicle wash bay and storage needs of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education.
· Meet with appropriate Board of Selectmen and Board of Education staff to assess operational concerns regarding safety and security, along with present and future storage and vehicle washing needs.
· Determine appropriate potential locations for a recommended vehicle wash bay and storage facility needs.
· Recommend to the Town Manager cost estimates to engage the services of a Land Surveyor and an Architect, or other qualified consultant, who might be engaged to design identified needs.
· Report initial findings to the Board of Selectmen within six months.
PHASE II
· Assist with development of information outlines for public hearings and eventual Town Meeting on the proposed project.
· Recommend the selection of an architect and other consultants in order to develop design plans and specifications for construction.
· Once funding is in place, assist with the supervision of construction activity.
· Provide the Board of Selectmen with periodic information as to project status.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the creation of the committee and it’s charge.
G. Consideration of Creation and Charge for Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Advisory Committee
Selectman Desrosiers moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Selectman King.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby creates a committee known as Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Advisory Committee. The committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Board of Selectmen and is charged with the following duties:
· Develop a Master Plan for Town and School Athletic Fields and related facilities, including but not limited to the following:
· Identify existing fields and field related uses
· Indicate benefit and deficiencies of existing fields and field related uses
· Evaluate the town’s growth potential and athletic field expectations
· Determine necessary improvements and identify new locations for fields and related facilities
· Develop a timetable for field and facility changes or improvements
· Outline proposed recommendations, along with preliminary cost estimates
· Report preliminary findings to the Board of Selectmen within six months and identify estimated cost for engaging professional consultant services, along with a timetable for completion of the Master Plan.
In discussion that followed, the Board determined they would like non-voting ex-officio members of both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education included in the membership. ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, this was put forth as an amendment. The vote was unanimous (4-0-0) on the original motion as well as the amended motion.
First Selectman Adams reviewed the three committees currently seeking members and reminded the viewing audience they could contact the Democrat Town Committee Chairman, Peggy Chapple, the Republic Town Committee Chairman, B. Scott Kuhnly, or the office of the Town Manager if they are interested in serving on any of the committee’s.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – January 2007
Town Manager Smith indicated that receipts are at a 97% collection rate and in line with where we have been for the last several years. Overall revenues look healthy and there are no comments on expenditures or identification of any potential problem accounts at this time.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams stated the town has received the bridge inspection report from the State of Connecticut. They are watching the Doherty Road Bridge, which is still stable at this point.
The town has also received an analysis of the Governor’s Budget from State Representative Richard Ferrari. First Selectman Adams stated the bottom line is the town will use funding levels received from the State of Connecticut when preparing the budget this year and hope there will be some revenue increases.
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, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss labor negotiations.
The executive session adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 8:56 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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