TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:33 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and Megan Dowling, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Mark Neumann) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 2008.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Discussion and Comment on Board of Education Appropriation Request
Town Manager Smith stated he talked with Ben Perron, Chairman of the Granby Athletic Field Long Range Advisory Committee (GAFLAC) and they are still exploring ideas and looking to see just what the Board of Education is requesting in regards to their needs with the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay project. First Selectman Adams thinks the Board of Education will be looking for $20,000 to get a proposal done to analyze their needs. More time is needed for these committees to determine their specific needs.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to defer comment on the Board of Education appropriation request at this time.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint James R. Sansone (D), 65R Mountain Road, to the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reappoint Neil W. Kraner (D), 19 Glen Road, to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, and Wayne E. Chapple (D), 10 Burleigh Drive, to the Park and Recreation Board. Mr. Kraner’s term will expire January 9, 2012 and Mr. Chapple’s term will expire January 11, 2010.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Don H. Butler (D), 134 Hungary Road, to the Agricultural Commission to fill a vacancy by Gary Cirullo. His term will expire February 9, 2009.
B. Consideration of Amendment to the Charge for the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee Concerning Membership
The Committee has requested the Board of Selectmen to consider amending the charge to increase the membership by appointing non-voting ex-officio members. They would provide a better flow of information between boards and committees. It is recommended the charge be amended as follows:
“The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and consist of five members. In addition to the five voting members, there shall be one non-voting ex-officio Board of Selectmen member, one non-voting ex-officio Board of Education member, and one non-voting ex-officio Board of Finance member.”
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the change in the charge of the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee as noted above.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted (5-0-0) to appoint Selectman Neumann as the non-voting ex-officio member of the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee for the Board of Selectmen.
C. Budget Presentation 2008-09
Town Manager Smith gave an overview of the proposed 2008-09 budget. There was an effort to follow the budget guidelines to keep the increase to 4% but the figures came in at about 4.46%. The bottom line is that $38,000 would need to be cut from the proposed budget to meet the 4% goal. The town is proposing $5,000 to assist the Cable TV Access program. The towns of East Granby and Hartland are also supposed to budget some funds to assist and then possibly the Tri-Town Cable Committee could get a grant from Cox Communications. All these funds would be used to pay those people that cover meetings and equipment. There will be grant fall offs from Social and Senior Services Programs that need to be funded. The Emergency Management budget was increased by $5,000 and hopefully the town can
obtain a matching grant from the state to help with expenses in order to meet Homeland Security requirements. A Capital Improvement Program is included in the budget as required by Town Charter and State Statute. The Other Funds activity includes the Dog Fund, Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund, and Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund. There have been no significant changes in these funds. Town Manager Smith thanked everyone involved for their dedication, time, and hard work in putting this year’s budget together.
First Selectman Adams wanted to remind everyone of the scheduled Budget Workshops, which are March 6th and 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room. The March 6th workshop will cover Administration, Public Works and Environment, and Library, Recreation, and Social Services. The March 13th workshop will cover Personal and Property Protection, Capital Budget, Debt Service, Revenues, and Other Funds. March 10th at 6:00 p.m. will be used if needed.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Update on Increasing Income Limits for the Town’s Ordinance to Provide Property Tax Relief for Elderly and Totally Disabled
Town Manager Smith stated the income level schedule was last adjusted in 2004. There has been discussion to raise the levels again. The current proposal recommends increasing the eligible amount to the highest tax credit of 75% for those married taxpayers with income from $17,600 to $20,000 and for single taxpayers with income from $16,700 to $20,000. It is also suggested to raise the income to those eligible for lower tax credits (4%) to $52,000 for married taxpayers and for single taxpayers with an income of up to $40,500 to 10%. The Board of Finance needs to recommend the schedule changes and then the Board of Selectmen must vote. Final action on any changes should be made by early April 2008.
The number of accounts presently on the local credits has averaged around 120 at a cost to the town of about $125,000. With the new schedule, it may result in an increase of approximately $25,000 to $35,000 more in credit dollars.
B. Discussion of Discontinuing a Portion of Broad Hill Road and Weed Hill Road
Broad Hill Road is about two miles long and connects to Barkhamsted Road (CT 219) and to Simsbury Road in West Granby. Much of the center of this road is unimproved and surrounded by preserved land. Weed Hill is about ½ mile long and spurs off of Broad Hill about mid point. The surrounding land belongs to McLean’s and the Granby Land Trust and is not developable. These sections are expensive to maintain and carry a high liability. It is recommended to discontinue the sections of Broad Hill that are virtually impassable and that of Weed Hill. The town can discontinue by a writing signed by a majority of the Board of Selectmen and then holding a town meeting. The Board agreed and Town Manager Smith will proceed with further details.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Update on Regional Performance Incentive Grant Program
First Selectman Adams talked about the grant program that Granby had applied for along with many other towns in the area. Total funding awarded was $5.2 million. Granby is involved with 8 out of 10 of the programs. One particular program that is unique to Granby is the sharing of equipment to maintain the Rails to Trails. Other towns involved in the equipment sharing are Avon, Simsbury, East Granby, and Suffield.
B. Update and Consideration on Public Information Meeting – Silver Street Bridge Replacement
After further study by the consultants, it seems the better plan is to replace the bridge closer to where the bridge is now. Also, Silver Street will need to be closed during the construction and Doherty Road will become a one-way road. Construction probably will not start until 2010 and hopefully will be done in one season. With a Federal grant paying 80% of the cost, Granby would make up the other 20%.
C. Town Center Traffic Study
First Selectman Adams has talked with the Department of Transportation and they are willing to do a more focused traffic study. This would involve vehicular, bike, and foot traffic. The main objective is to create a better flow of traffic especially during peak times. The study could be completed in 6 to 12 months.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, and Megan Dowling, Student Liaison)
Student Liaison, Megan Dowling reported that this is CAPT testing week at the High School and all Junior and Senior students are released at 11:30 a.m.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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