TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 17, 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, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Jim Warnke, 11 Elizabeth Street, addressed the Board inquiring as to the progress on the installation of a crosswalk on Bank Street. Town Manager Smith responded by saying that the lighting is in place, the sidewalk still needs to be realigned, and the crosswalk will hopefully be done this fall. Mr. Warnke shared his concerns about safety issues with the crosswalk. His thoughts included installation of speed bumps on Bank Street to help keep people from traveling too fast, lower the speed limit on this street, and possibly using cones on the crosswalks noting it is a pedestrian crossing.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted (4-0-1) with Selectman King abstaining, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 20, 2007.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted (3-0-2) with Selectmen Desrosiers and King abstaining, to approve the minutes of the special meeting of September 6, 2007.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations were received.
B. Consideration of Salmon Brook Park Facility Committee Request for Funding
Ray Fairman, a member of the Salmon Brook Park Facility Committee, spoke to the Board explaining their request. They have been meeting since June and in that time they have distributed a questionnaire in town and reviewed the results. Dale Cutler, a local architect has helped the committee with their plans. This committee is suggesting that the bathhouse at Salmon Brook Park be replaced or renovated. The size of the new bathhouse would be approximately 2,200 to 2,700 sq. ft. at an estimated cost of $700,000. The plan is to have the construction done in phases, in order to be the least disruptive to park activities. The request for $75,000 is so the committee can proceed with hiring an architect to create a preliminary design. When asked, Mr. Smith responded that there is no town
funding in place for this project at this time. If approved, the $75,000 would come from the General Fund. The Board of Selectmen would like to see the design and cost specifications once they are ready. Selectman Judice would like to see an explanation of costs with the design plans. Discussion ensued as to where the money will come from for this project. It was suggested that this project and a few other smaller projects could be combined and be considered for a bond issue. The Board of Finance is aware that the Salmon Brook Park Facility Committee would need funding.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the requested amount of $75,000 to be used to hire an architect to create a preliminary and final design for a new bathhouse at Salmon Brook Park. This request will be forwarded to the Board of Finance for action.
C. Consideration of Agreement Between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby for Rights of Way Activities for Replacement of Bridge No. 04517 on Silver Street
Town Manager Smith explained the agreements dealing with the bridgework. Funding is already in place for this project. Eighty percent will be federal funding and the town will provide the balance of 20%. The Rights of Way Activities is an agreement between the town and the state. This is actually a delineation of the lines between state and town properties. A construction easement is necessary.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Granby as outlined in the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
AUTHORIZATION IS GIVEN TO THE TOWN MANAGER BY NAME AND BY TITLE TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE TOWN OF GRANBY FOR RIGHTS OF WAY ACTIVITIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE NO. 04517 ON SILVER STREET OVER THE EAST BRANCH OF SALMON BROOK UTILIZING FEDERAL AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS.”
D. Consideration of Appropriation for Senior Citizen Transportation Grant
The transportation grant application was approved on April 2, 2007. We have received notice that the grant has been awarded in the amount of $10,828 for fiscal year 2007-08. The grant does require a 50% match that will be met from funds in the 07-08 budget for Senior Van Service.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Judice, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept the grant and authorize the Town Manager to enter into any applicable agreements and to approve the request for an appropriation of $10,828 for the Senior Citizen Transportation Grant.
This request will be forwarded to the Board of Finance for action. The appropriation will be from the town’s General Fund balance to the Senior Activities Funds Van Services.
E. Consideration of Formal Closeouts of Various Capital Projects (Canton Rd. Realignment, Kearns School Addition – Kearns Parking and Kelly Lane School Septic, Granby Memorial High School, Municipal Complex, and Elementary Schools Study Funds
Various capital projects have had no activity for at least one fiscal year. Formal closeout of these projects is recommended.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to close out the various capital projects that have had no activity for at least one fiscal year. The capital projects are: Canton Rd. Realignment, Kearns School Addition – Kearns Parking and Kelly Lane School Septic, Granby Memorial High School, Municipal Complex, and Elementary Schools Study Funds. The remaining amounts will fall to the General Fund except for the Canton Road Realignment project. The $9,908.65 will be returned to the Sidewalk and Beautification fund where it was originally appropriated.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Staff Personnel Update
Henry Miga, Building Official/Zoning Enforcement Officer has left employment with the town. He has taken the position of Building Official with the Town of Simsbury. William Volovski has been hired to replace Mr. Miga. He comes to us from the Town of Plainville and is a fully certified Building Official.
Carol Smith, Town Clerk has retired. Interviews for this position are presently taking place.
The Police Department has two officers coming from the Academy in October. One more person will go to the Academy in October, completing the training in March 2008. There are still two staff positions to fill.
B. Budget Operations – June 2007 (Unaudited) and August 2007
In the June report, Town Manager Smith indicated that the Board of Education will actually be returning over $249,000. The $129,779 reported is before auditor adjustments. In the August report, there were no major highlights; revenues and expenses are on target.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams noted the upcoming Lighting Fair at the Granby Senior Center. The sale date is October 19th from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. A display of items and information will be at the Town Hall, Public Library, and Senior Center beginning October 10th thru the sale date.
First Selectman Adams spoke of the Legislative Agenda he received. A copy was distributed. He said that Avon is involved in this and he feels Granby should look at this to see if it meets our needs. Maybe our state representatives could meet with us so that the Board of Selectmen could tell them our priorities. It was noted that usually the valley towns combine for meetings like this.
First Selectman Adams also noted that he has spoken with John French, President of the Chamber of Commerce who explained that in 2011, Granby will celebrate its 225th Anniversary. A committee will be put together to plan events for this celebration.
First Selectman Adams mentioned a letter received from Marge Goslee and Jim Glenney regarding the Granby Community Gardens at Ahrens Park. They reported a successful year with the gardens being very productive. Six new organic plots were added this year. They expressed their appreciation to the town for the support given to those who wish to garden in this community environment.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman Desrosiers reported he had attended a meeting regarding the water rates for our area and spoke out in strong opposition to a rate increase. The increase proposed would be about a 50% rate hike. The money that would be raised is for districts outside of the Granby and Simsbury area. There will be no decision until December or early next year.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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