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TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MARCH 17, 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, 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 Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 3, 2008.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectmen King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the workshop meeting of March 6, 2008.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Town Manager Smith noted he received a letter of resignation from James Oates of the Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee effective March 8, 2008.
B. Further Consideration of Resolution Concerning Catherine Marshall Preserve
Town Manager Smith reported that the State’s Attorney found a technicality with regard to the original resolution involving the nondiscrimination agreement policy that was adopted in connection with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance in the purchase of 149 Old Messenger Road (land known as Catherine Marshall Preserve). The State Department of Transportation has modified its original resolution involving the nondiscrimination agreement policy and requires it be re-adopted. This resolution supersedes the adopted resolution of February 4, 2008 and reads as follows:
RESOLVED: That TOWN OF GRANBY hereby adopts as its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statutes § 4a-60(a)(1) and § 4a-60a(a)(1), as amended in State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adopt the modified resolution.
C. Consideration of Adoption of Fiscal Year 2008-09 Budget and Transmittal to Board of Finance
WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen is required to present a budget to the Board of Finance for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Finance has requested that the operations portion of the budget guideline be 4% above the 2007-2008 budget; and,
WHEREAS, it is understood that various revenues are included to offset the amount above the guideline including recycling fees, dispatch fees, and money from the town’s Communication Fund; and,
WHEREAS, following a review of the proposed budget by the Board of Selectmen, an amount of $38,060 is above the 4% guideline, and is considered necessary to effectively maintain operations during the new fiscal year,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Selectmen forward a 2008-2009 REVENUE BUDGET to the Board of Finance consisting of the following items:
Property Tax (excl. Current Levy) |
$570,000 |
Intergovernmental Revenues |
7,140,318 |
Local Departmental and Fund Revenues |
2,828,215 |
TOTAL |
$10,538,533 |
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the Revenue Budget to be presented to the Board of Finance.
That the Board of Selectmen forward a 2008-2009 EXPENDITURE BUDGET to the Board of Finance consisting of the following items:
Administration |
$2,882,483 |
Personal & Property Protection |
2,142,964 |
Libraries, Recreation, & Social Services |
775,946 |
Public Works & Environment |
2,877,443 |
Capital Budget |
1,100,000 |
Debt Service |
4,188,226 |
Economic Development Funds |
12,500 |
TOTAL |
$13,979,562 |
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the Expenditure Budget to be presented to the Board of Finance.
That the Board of Selectmen forward a 2008-2009 OTHER FUNDS BUDGET to the Board of Finance along with the 2009-2018 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM consisting of the following:
Dog Fund |
$17,600 |
Recreation Events |
$363,000 |
Sewer Utility Fund |
$141,450 |
Capital Equipment/Improvement |
$1,350,000 |
Education Quality & Diversity |
TBD* |
2009-2018 Capital Improvement Program |
(Detail in Budget document) |
*TBD - Amount to be provided by Board of Education
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the Other Funds Budget, to be presented to the Board of Finance along with the 2009-2018 Capital Improvement Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if it is required to meet a 4% Operations Budget Guideline, that the amount of $38,000 be reduced from the budget proposal as follows:
Administration |
$8,000 |
Social Services and Senior Center |
10,000 |
Library |
10,000 |
Public Works |
10,000 |
TOTAL |
$38,000 |
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the amount of $38,000 to be reduced from the budget proposal if required.
Town Manager Smith stated that if the $38,000 reduction is needed, the figures presented would have to be reviewed with the individual departments to see where the cuts could be made. It would not be easy.
First Selectman Adams continued by saying the increases this year are reasonable. Even with the reduction in benefits, we have done all we can to keep the cost increases in line, especially with the energy costs rising sharply. The Selectmen may have to consider cutting services to keep costs down.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations
Town Manager Smith reported that tax collections to this date have followed the pattern of the last four years. Most everything is coming in as budgeted. The two expenditure areas being closely monitored are Snow Plowing and Engineering Services. Overtime for snow plowing is exhausted and Engineering Services are expected to be over by $15,000. The town recoups any inspections it can, but engineering activity is heavy, which is why this line was increased for FY 08-09. The town will need to transfer funds to meet the excess costs. First Selectman Adams questioned the Solid Waste and Recycling account and if we will be able to meet the budgeted amount. Town Manager Smith responded by saying that we will keep a watch on it, although he thinks we are in pretty good shape.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Board of Education & Board of Selectmen Present Budgets to Board of Finance
First Selectman Adams wanted to remind the public that the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen will present budgets to the Board of Finance on Monday March 24, 2008, at 7 p.m. in the Senior Center Community Room.
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) has initiated a program to recognize people with 25 years of service. A certificate will be awarded from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) to those who have met this criteria. Those who will be recognized are Joan Fox, Gail Jaroch, William F. Smith, Jr., David Watkins, Kevin Bennett, Barbara Janeski, and Roger Thibedeau. First Selectman Adams stated that their longevity has been a great benefit to the Town of Granby.
First Selectman Adams reported that Secretary of the State, Susan Bysiewicz, called asking for a list of WWII veterans. The state is planning a reception that might be held this spring. Town Manager Smith is asking town departments for their help in compiling a list, along with the American Legion and VFW.
First Selectman Adams mentioned the newsletter from the Lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study. A study is now underway and it involves appointed volunteers from the 10 towns in the surrounding area who oversee research into areas of interest. The Granby volunteers are Carolyn Flint, Conservation Commission and Erik Lukingbeal and David Tolli, from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. We are looking forward to hearing the results of the study.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Mark Neumann, and Megan Dowling, Student Liaison)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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