TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
OCTOBER 1, 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
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 17, 2007.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No reports.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were received.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Judice, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing item F. to follow Selectman Reports.
B. Consideration of Resolution to Establish a Holcomb Farm Improvement Fund
A resolution to establish a fund for the approved $400,000 grant activity under the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program was requested.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the RESOLUTION as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby establishes a fund known as the HOLCOMB FARM IMPROVEMENT FUND. Said fund is created to administer the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). The source of this fund shall be from federal, state, and local grants, along with other donations and contributions that may be deposited in connection with improvements to the Holcomb Farm property.
Funds shall be disbursed by the Town Manager in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the state and as agreed upon by the Town of Granby and the Holcomb Farm Learning Centers, Inc.
Once the program is complete, or should the fund be dissolved, any balance remaining in said fund shall first meet the requirements of grant conditions, be returned to the town’s General Fund, or to the Holcomb Farm Learning Centers, Inc., as may be appropriate.
C. Consideration of Endorsement for 2008 State Legislative Program
The Board discussed inviting state representatives to a November meeting to discuss legislative issues and other concerns facing us. The following state mandates are some of the issues to be discussed.
· Prevailing Wage Reform – raise the threshold to $1,000,000 for new construction and to $500,000 for repair and renovations. Index these limits annually.
· Binding Arbitration – provide a better opportunity for towns to accept or reject contract settlements. Eliminate the fund balance criteria provision when making awards.
· Maintain At Least the Current Level of State Grant Funding – try to avoid shifts from one year to the next on formula grants.
· State Mandated Code of Ethics – not needed.
· Revaluation – review revaluation time process to avoid tax disparity.
· Conveyance Tax - retain the municipal portion of the Conveyance Tax.
D. Discussion of Regional Performance Incentive Program
The sharing of equipment with other towns like Simsbury and East Granby is being discussed as a way to save money. One proposal is the sharing of a Portable Dry Screening Plant used to screen several materials including compost, topsoil, sand, and other materials. The other proposal is a leaf blower and brush tractor mower for “Rails to Trails” to maintain the trails in a more productive and efficient way. Further discussion is needed on these proposals.
E. Consideration of Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) Item
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to recess the Board of Selectmen meeting to meet as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA).
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order. Upon the review of the allocation schedule, it was recommended the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) approve the updated schedule showing the sewer allocation for 1,500 gallons per day for June’s Diner back in the reserve for added future commercial use.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the new schedule.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Judice, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA), and reconvene the Board of Selectmen meeting.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Appropriation Requests by Salmon Brook Park Facility Committee and Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Committee Update
Appropriations of $25,000 for the Salmon Brook Park Facility Committee and the Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Committee were approved so they may get started with preliminary design. There were several proposals received for the Granby Athletic Field Long-Range Committee.
B. Rails to Trails Update
The town has received approval from the State of Connecticut to proceed with the trail in Granby and paving will start soon. There are two neighbors that are very close to the trail and the town is considering helping them with some sort of screening to give them some privacy from the trail.
A small parking area with 10-15 spaces south of Floydville Road is also being considered. The Town Engineer is reviewing plans. The trail should be completed soon.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Proclamation-National Federation of the Blind “Meet the Blind Month”
First Selectman Adams read the Proclamation-National Federation of the Blind “Meet the Blind Month” and stated this organization will hold meetings this month to learn more about the blind and the hardships they have to overcome.
B. Student Liaison Update
The Board of Selectmen are looking for a student who wishes to become a liaison to the Board of Selectmen. Town Manager Smith has sent a request to the Granby High School asking them to solicit a student representative. Such students should send the Town Manager a short paragraph of their expectations, stating what they would gain from this experience. More information can be obtained from the Town Manager’s office.
First Selectman Adams reported on a recent CRCOG policy board meeting. He highlighted the Avon Mountain truck problem and the expected date of January 2008 for the new truck ramp on Avon Mountain. He also talked about the problem with Interstate 84 in Hartford (falling concrete on cars). Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering making truck stops in the towns of Enfield and Windsor Locks. CRCOG indicates they need further study.
First Selectman Adams also gave a CRRA report. The report discussed recycling improvements and problems with bonding. CRRA is having a Residential Electronic Recycling Day at the CRRA Trash Museum, 211 Murphy Road, Hartford on Saturday, November 10, 2007. Free recycling will be available that day, at that location.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:22 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:25 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr. Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss real estate and town owned buildings.
First Selectman Adams closed the executive session at 8:40 p.m.
The Board reconvened its regular meeting at 8:40 p.m., but there being no further business the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
| 
