TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 8:40 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Mark Neumann, Frank Judice, Sally King, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing item B to follow Public Session.
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 November 5, 2007.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
None
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments
None
B. Discussion with Senator Herlihy, Senator Kissel, and State Representative Ferrari.
This item was discussed after the Public Session but is listed here for convenience.
State Senators Kissel and Herlihy, at the last minute were unable to attend tonight’s meeting. First Selectman Adams introduced State Representative Richard Ferrari who represents Granby in the 62nd Assembly District. He is in his ninth term and would very much like to continue serving the people in this district. Representative Ferrari stated the next General Legislative Session will begin in February 2008 and continue through May. Some of the issues that will be on the table that might affect Granby are crime and parole stemming from the recent murders in Cheshire. There won’t be much change in budget adjustments as the budget was passed late this last year. There will be another effort to discuss the Municipal Ethics Bill, as there are fewer and fewer persons
volunteering because they don’t want their personal and financial history opened to the public. Representative Ferrari cautioned about the push for a statewide healthcare program. He indicated not all towns have the same needs, so for one program to work would be difficult. First Selectman Adams questioned whether it would be cost effective for the town.
First Selectman Adams introduced Michael Guarco, Chairman of the Board of Finance. He had some concerns in regard to the Heart and Hypertension issue being brought back as an avenue to address health issues for Police and Fire personnel. Representative Ferrari stated they now must prove hypertension was a result of the job. If it is proven, they would be classified as being disabled and could retire will full pay. This is an unfunded mandate. Representative Ferrari stated that some Special Education programs are also unfunded mandates. He encouraged Mr. Guarco to continue to come to the Capitol with his issues of concern. He really made an impact last time and it lets the legislature hear what is really going on.
First Selectman Adams opened discussion to the Board if they had questions for Representative Ferrari. Selectman Judice asked if they might decrease the income tax. Representative Ferrari stated there was an important election year coming up and there was a surplus now. They probably won’t want to raise taxes now, or get rid of them, but maybe they would put a cap on it. Selectman Desrosiers thanked Representative Ferrari for coming, and said he feels that it is important to talk to our legislators periodically. Selectman Desrosiers talked more about getting a fair Ethics Bill so towns wouldn’t loose their volunteers. He would also like to see the state’s deadline for budgeting more in line with towns. First Selectman Adams told Representative Ferrari he would like
to see more steady funding sources and equal funding for education to each town. Town Manager Smith commented that it is difficult to implement solutions for even a simple problem. There is usually no easy fix. It always becomes a big issue to get something done. First Selectman Adams told Representative Ferrari that they might ask him to intervene if the Silver Street Bridge project becomes a long drawn out issue. First Selectman Adams thanked Representative Ferrari for coming to talk to everyone.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations – October 2007
No major changes to report for this month.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams congratulated all the newly elected officials.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman Desrosiers commented on the new change in assessments. He wondered what the average change was, and whether the assessments were up or down. Selectman King asked Town Manager Smith if he knew when information would be available to residents regarding tax consequences. Town Manager Smith will check into these inquiries.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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