TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JANUARY 7, 2008
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, Mark Neumann, Frank Judice, Sally King, 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 December 03, 2007.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
None.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were received.
B. Discussion of Granby Public Library Expansion
On behalf of the Granby Public Library, Mr. William Haslun introduced to the Board its request for library expansion. The library needs another 18,000 sq. ft. to meet the growing needs of the community that would take them into the next 20 years. To stay at the same site and build a second story would cost in the neighborhood of $9 million. A grant would allow them up to $1 million to defray the cost. Mr. Haslun had several requests for the Selectmen; appoint a five member building committee, hire professionals to assist the committee, and set aside $50,000 for drawings etc. to get started. They would like to work with a local architect, Ken Best, who worked with them on the last expansion.
First Selectman Adams stated the Board will consider this request.
C. Consideration of Creating a Committee to Develop a Celebration Event for
Granby’s 225th Anniversary
It has been suggested that the Board begin planning to celebrate Granby’s 225th Anniversary, which is coming up in 2011. Town Manager Smith reported that the Park and Recreation Board will help bring the many civic groups in town together now, so that they have time to plan for a proper celebration. They should plan to meet in the spring and follow up with an outline for the events to present to the Board of Selectmen.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to elicit the help of the Park and Recreation Board to create a committee to develop a celebration event for Granby’s 225th Anniversary.
D. Consideration of Capital Lease Program for 2007-08
Town Manager Smith spoke briefly about the 2007-08 Town Capital Budget including approval for the lease purchase of three buses, a van, and computer and technology equipment as recommended by the Board of Education for small capital purchases. The town’s capital plan includes replacement and purchase of trucks and equipment. Simsbury Bank and Trust offered a low rate of 3.5% for a five-year note to borrow up to $655,000.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the resolution of the Capital Lease Program as follows:
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby has entered or is entering into an Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement (“Promissory Note”) and a Loan Agreement in an amount up to $655,000, with The Simsbury Bank and Trust Company;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that these Agreements are hereby approved, and that the action of the official of the Town of Granby in signing these Agreements on behalf of it be, and is hereby, ratified, confirmed, and approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Manager of the Town of Granby, be, and is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to sign on its behalf the Agreements and any addenda, schedules, notes, UCC financing statements, or other instruments issued under the provisions of the Agreement, and any other instruments or documents which may be necessary or expedient in connection with agreements upon or in fulfillment of the provisions of the Agreements.
E. Review and Consideration of Rules of Procedure and Electing a Vice-Chairman
Town Manager Smith stated the Rules of Procedures were last approved on January 17, 2006 and there has been no change since then.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the Rules of Procedure.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Selectman King as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
F. Consideration of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Grant Approval
To Replace the Footbridge at Salmon Brook Park
Town Manager Smith reported that the grant application from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been approved to replace the footbridge at Salmon Brook Park. The grant will pay 80% of the estimated cost of $28,800 for replacement of the bridge.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the resolution of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant to replace the footbridge at Salmon Brook Park as follows:
RESOLVED: That Granby Town Manager, William F. Smith, Jr., be, and hereby is authorized to execute the agreement between the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the Town of Granby for a Recreational Trail Grant. The maximum grant is for an amount of $23,040 to replace the existing bridge decking and superstructure at Salmon Brook Park.
G. Consideration of CT Department of Transportation and the Capitol Region Council of Governments Grant Application to Participate in Replacement of Senior Van
The CT Department of Transportation and the Capitol Region Council of Governments is now accepting applications for grants for replacement of senior van transportation vehicles. Town Manager Smith stated that this is the only opportunity to apply for the grant and we should do it now. First Selectman Adams responded that the opportunity for these kinds of grants is drying up and we should take advantage of it while they are available.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve making an application for the grant.
H. Fiscal Year 2007 Audit Report
First Selectman Adams stated the Audit Report for fiscal year 2007 will be presented to the Board of Finance at their next scheduled meeting, January 14, 2007. Town Manager Smith stated the Audit will be on the town’s website for anyone to review. Selectman Judice stated the report indicated the town had no deficiencies and there were no recommendations. Granby received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for 2006. This year’s audit has again been submitted to GFOA for consideration of continued recognition.
I. Discussion of Real Estate Matters
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing item I. to be discussed during closed session.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations – November 2007 and December 2007
Town Manager Smith talked about how the recent snowstorms have eaten away at the snowplowing budget, especially overtime weekend and holiday storms. He also reported that the last approved State budget reduced the elderly tax relief amount, which left the town short by $12,000. On the other side, manufacturing machine equipment allotment was increased, which overall left the town ahead of the game. Building permits are considerably lower, but the Town Clerk fees may make up for it.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
There will not be a regular Board of Selectmen meeting on January 22, 2008. Instead, a Three Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, 2008, which will meet at the Senior Center at 7:30 p.m.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:27 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:35 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 review real estate matters.
First Selectman Adams closed the executive session at 8:55 p.m.
The Board reconvened its regular meeting at 8:55 p.m., but there being no further business, the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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