TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JUNE 4, 2007
Prior to tonight’s meeting the Board of Selectmen held a reception to honor community volunteers and to recognize three employees’ years of service.
First Selectman John Adams called the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and Knute Gailor, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
First Selectman Adams opened tonight’s meeting indicating the public session portion would begin with the Community Service Awards presentation to honor and thank volunteers. Categories included nominations for teens and adults.
Nominees for the teen category were Katherine Bossler, Evan Dantos, Katherine Constolnick, Katelyn Horowitz, Courtney McGuire, Ariel Puleo, Kaycee Quinlan, and Tim Wolfe. Co-winners in this category were Russ Barrnett and Diane Smith.
Nominees in the adult category were Daniel P. Brown, Jr., Sheryl Cappa, Martha Delaney, and Thomas A. Sawyer. Co-winners in this category were Charles J. Katan and Richard J. Orluk, Jr.
Three employees of the Town of Granby were recognized for their twenty years of service to the town. They were Gary Charette, Police Sergeant; Dorcus Forsyth, Assistant Assessor; and Robert O’Donnell, Custodian.
First Selectman Adams provided information on the volunteer activities of each of the Community Service Award nominees and winners. He also provided background information on the three town employees. All of those being recognized this evening were presented with plaques in recognition of their service to the town.
The presentations concluded at 8:00 p.m. and the Board of Selectmen called for a brief recess. The meeting was reconvened at 8:05 p.m.
No other public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 21, 2007 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished business was before the Board.
V. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations were received.
Selectman Desrosiers stated Ronald G. Durej (D), 15 Reed Hill Road, was appointed to the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee at the May 7, 2007 Board meeting in error. Mr. Durej should have been appointed to the Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Advisory Committee. The Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to make this correction ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann. Since Mr. Durej was never sworn in as a member of the incorrect committee, no other action was deemed necessary.
B. Consideration of Open Space Grant Application to Purchase Property at 149 Old Messenger Road
Town Manager Smith stated purchase of this property had been discussed by the Board at previous meetings. The property at 149 Old Messenger Road may be purchased for $100,000, which is below the appraised value. The town will pay for the property using $45,000 of town Open Space Funds and $55,000 from General Fund. Once the grant is awarded and a town meeting is held, the General Fund will be reimbursed $40,000. A town meeting will be held sometime before October.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the application for the open space land acquisition grant.
C. Consideration of Transfers to Suspense
Each year the Tax Collector recommends a list of unpaid taxes to be transferred to the Suspense Book to purge the tax rolls. This year the amount is $16,481.16. The taxes remain due and payable if the town is able to find the parties and collect the unpaid taxes. Mostly these are unpaid motor vehicle taxes. If a person leaves the state with unpaid taxes and then returns to Connecticut, they are unable to register their vehicle until these taxes are paid.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to transfer $16,481.16 to the Suspense Book.
IV. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Rails to Trails Greenway Project Update
Town Manager Smith stated he had hoped he would have more to report tonight. He noted the Town of East Granby is the lead agent for this project. The Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner’s Office has been contacted to try to obtain approval of the low bid but the process has hit some obstacles. Town Manager Smith remains hopeful the project will move forward.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Selectmen’s Tour of Holcomb Farm – 7:00 p.m., June 11th
First Selectman Adams stated the Board had originally intended to tour the farm prior to the regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting on June 18, 2007, however a conflict has arisen. Therefore he recommended the Board join the Board of Finance for a tour of the farm on June 11, 2007.
B. Confirm Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of June 19, 2007
The Board confirmed the June 18, 2007 meeting would be canceled and a special meeting called for Tuesday, June 19, 2007. There may be a problem in obtaining a quorum for the 18th or 19th and the meeting may have to be canceled.
A letter of congratulations was received from State Representative Richard F. Ferrari commending the Police Department on receiving their recent re-accreditation.
A letter was received from the Attorney General’s office confirming the town had followed all the correct procedures on the Bissell Brook Bridge replacement.
The first meeting of the Granby Agricultural Commission is scheduled for Thursday, June 7, 2007. The meeting will be held in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m.
First Selectman Adams reported on legislation to allow the Cambridge House to sell their product on their premises as well as allow people to purchase the products and take them away from the location.
The Board of Selectmen informed student liaison, Knute Gailor, he was welcome to attend Board meetings all summer, however, if he wanted to take the summer off, he would be welcome back in the fall.
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 (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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