TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
APRIL 2, 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, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and Knute Gailor, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Prior to the opening of tonight’s meeting a reception was held in recognition of the Kelly Lane and Wells Road Building Committee volunteers.
The public session was opened by First Selectman John Adams with the introduction of the volunteers. The building committee began with the Wells Road School project in 2003 and was followed by the Kelly Lane School project. Most of the same volunteers that started off with the Wells Road project stayed on for the Kelly Lane project. First Selectman Adams praised all of the volunteers for the expertise they brought to the projects, as well as all of their hard work and attendance at many, many meetings throughout the course of the two projects.
First Selectman Adams then introduced the members beginning with Chairman John Latella followed by Anne Adamson, Bruce Darling (not in attendance) Jeffrey Hammick, Ralph Eustits, and Judy Goff. All were presented with plaques in recognition of their contributions to the building committee(s).
William Hart, 58 Buttles Road, was present tonight seeking a higher veteran’s exemption from the current $1,500 (off the assessed value) by an additional $500 this year and another $500 next year.
First Selectman Adams stated he believed Granby was already providing the maximum deduction for veterans. Town Manager Smith indicated there may be other local options and will check on that possibility.
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 March 5, 2007, the minutes of the workshop meeting of March 8, 2007, the minutes of the workshop meeting of March 12, 2007, and the minutes of the special meeting of March 12, 2007 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reorder the agenda to consider Business Item F following Business Item A.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
None.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the following appointments:
Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Advisory Committee
Brian Presbie (R), 186 Loomis Street
Randolph K. Rome (U), 5 Fawn Drive
Salmon Brook Park Facility Building Committee
J.R. (Ray) Fairman (R), 169 North Granby Road
Arne L. Kittelsen (R), 45 Haven Drive
B. Consideration of New Polling Location
Peter Goff, Republican Registrar of Voters, was present this evening to update the Board regarding the new methods for voting currently being put into place and why at least one of the voting locations will no longer be suitable because of space issues. He stated that while Granby has two voting districts, there is no reason why residents can’t vote at one polling location. A separate location is not required. It is within the authority of the Registrars of Voters to recommend consolidation of the two polling locations into one, with the one polling place being the lower gymnasium at the High School. The Town Manager, Chief of Police, and Lost Acres Fire Department have all approved the relocation. The move will help contain future costs of elections and referendums, would be less
confusing to voters, and is also considered a safer location. The Board of Education has also approved the relocation to the school and will work with the Registrars in making decisions on school closings in the future.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board moved to endorse the new polling place location, the lower gymnasium at the High School, for the November 2007 election as suggested.
The MOTION was AMENDED by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, to add, “unless otherwise designated by the Board of Selectmen”. The vote for the motion and amendment was unanimous (5-0-0).
C. Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance Establishing the Granby Agricultural Commission
1. New State Program – Connecticut Farm Link
Selectman King furnished background information on this proposed Ordinance and requested the Board set a public hearing for the next meeting.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to set a public hearing for April 16, 2007. Selectman King
will notify stakeholders and information on the proposed Ordinance will be made available in the office of the Town Manager.
Additional information on a new state program, from the Department of Agriculture was also reviewed. This program will focus on connecting owners of underutilized farmland to young or newer farmers looking for farmland in Connecticut to get that land back into production.
D. Consideration of Appropriation Request for Solid Waste and Recycling Related Activities
The town has been participating successfully in the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day over the last several years and will again participate on Saturday August 18, 2007, at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury.
The town has also participated in the Electronic Equipment Recycling Program and is again requesting support for that program.
Lastly, out of 441 recycling bins purchased in 2005, less than 100 remain. The supply needs to be replenished and the recommendation is for 500 to be purchased from Ameri-Kart through the state bid program.
Expenditures for the three programs outlined amount to $20,000 and the funding would be appropriated from the town’s Solid Waste Fund.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $20,000 from the Solid Waste Fund to fund the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, the Electronic Equipment Recycling Program, and the purchase of 500 recycling bins.
First Selectman Adams reported on a program offered by CRRA to allow for disposal of Electronic Equipment by residents at no charge on Saturday April 28, 2007 in Hartford and on Saturday May 19, 2007 in Enfield.
E. Consideration of Transportation Grant Application
KerryAnn Kielbasa, Director of Human Services, has applied for a grant from the State of Connecticut for Transportation for Seniors and People with Disabilities for FY 2007-2008. Based on the state’s formula, the town may be eligible for a grant allocation of $11,160.
The grant requires a 50% match that will be met by the 07-08 budget for Senior Van Services. No additional cash allocation would be required.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to endorse the grant application to the State of Connecticut for Transportation for Seniors and People with Disabilities for FY 2007-2008.
F. Consideration of Older Americans Act Grant Application
For the last eight years the town has been funded by the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for programs that serve older persons, in particular senior transportation services. Also the Ambassador Program and Grandparents Support Group will be funded under this grant for FY 2007-08. The Director of Human Services is requesting Board approval to submit a grant application.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the grant application to the North Central Area Agency on Aging for FY 2007-08.
G. Consideration of Adjustments and Approval of the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2008
Town Manager Smith provided the Board with information outlining adjustments made to the Annual Budget for FY 2008. At the March 26th Board of Finance meeting the members voted to reduce the General Government budget by $10,000 and the Board of Education budget by $30,000. The use of General Fund Balance was also changed from $775,000 to $1,600.000. The Board of Education Quality and Diversity Fund Budget was modified adding $8,000.
The memo outlined areas in the budget where the reductions would be made and new information reflecting the recommended changes from the one previously approved was provided. These changes were provided for both Revenues and Expenditures as well as Other Funds.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the budget for FY 2008 as reflected in the memo of April 2, 2007 (attached). These budget numbers will be used for the public hearing to be held on April 9, 2007.
The Board of Finance has made it clear they will reduce the proposed mill rate if Granby receives more than expected revenue from the State and assuming the information is received in time to reflect the changes in the tax bills.
H. Consideration of Ratification of Agreement between Town of Granby and Granby Municipal Employees Association (GMEA), Local 399, Council #4 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO for July 1, 2006-June 30, 2009
Board members were provided with copies of the proposed contract, along with a summary of the highlights of the contract. Those changes were in Town Hall hours, the Defined Contribution Pension Plan increase, Health Benefits, wages, and mileage increase.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to ratify the proposed contract between the Town of Granby and GMEA for July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2009 as presented.
Selectman Desrosiers commended the Town Manager and the GMEA representatives on the job done in negotiating this contract, which he feels, will better serve the residents of Granby.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – February 2007
Town Manager Smith stated he had no special remarks to highlight at this time with the exception that transfers may be needed for the Equipment Maintenance account due to an increase in parts and gasoline and in the Building Maintenance and Town Grounds account due to electricity costs. All other expenditures and revenues seem to be pretty much on target at this time.
B. Update on Farmington Valley Greenway Trail
Granby partnered with East Granby on this project, with East Granby being the host town. Unfortunately the project has been unreasonably delayed resulting in bids coming in at more than $400,000 over budget. Interested parties will petition DEP for reimbursement to make up for the overage but if those efforts fail, Granby and East Granby will probably not be able to accomplish the project.
C. COX Community TV Update
Town Manager Smith provided information on a formal committee to be established to protect the interests of the towns being served from any Government Access Cable TV Station. The present access channel for the towns of Granby, East Granby, and Hartland is Granby Community Television (Channel 16). He has contacted East Granby and Hartland suggesting a meeting to discuss the possibility of a joint resolution.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported on a recent CRCOG meeting he attended and the planning for the local update of the census. Our local representative will be Fran Armentano, Director of Community Development.
At that same meeting, the policy board voted to approve a State Traffic Improvement Study to be done in Granby on routes 20, 189, and 10/202.
A. Eagle Scout Proclamation for John-Peter Jalbert
First Selectman Adams stated John-Peter Jalbert was responsible for the beautification project in the area around the clock in front of the Police Department. He read a proclamation created to honor his achieving Eagle Scout status and acknowledging his work around the clock. The Board would like to have him attend a future meeting and present the proclamation to him in person.
B. Public Hearing for 2007-08 Annual Budget – April 9, 2007
First Selectman Adams read the legal notice setting the date for the public hearing for the Annual Budget 2007-08 for April 9, 2007 at the Memorial High School Auditorium.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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