TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MAY 19, 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, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
A. Granby Early Childhood Council Presentation (Joan Rogers)
The Town of Granby has received a Discovery Grant from the William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund. The purpose is to improve connections between early childcare and public education and to provide support to families of young learners.
In Granby, the Granby Early Childhood Council is engaged in the work of the Discovery Grant. Granby residents, Janet Ford and John Kroninger, gave a brief presentation explaining what the council is all about. Their mission is to ensure that all children arrive at school healthy, socially and emotionally prepared for academic success, and life-long learning. A website has been created for those who would like more information or would like to get involved. The website address is: www.granbyecc.org.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted 3-0-2 (abstentions Selectmen Desrosiers and Neumann) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 21, 2008.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were considered.
B. Report of Holcomb Farm Building Committee (STEAP) grant activity)
The report will be deferred to the June 2, 2008 meeting.
C. Consideration of an Amendment to Resolution for Authorization Concerning Replacement of the Footbridge at Salmon Brook Park and a Resolution for Nondiscrimination Certification
The grant application for the replacement of the footbridge at Salmon Brook Park was made several years ago and has now been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. The project amount increased to $36,001.20 (80% state grant share - $28,800 and 20% local share - $7,201.20. Therefore, it is requested that a new resolution be adopted by the Board of Selectmen to authorize the Town Manager to execute the agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection for the grant.
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 $28,800 to replace the existing bridge decking and superstructure at Salmon Brook Park.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the above resolution for the Recreational Trail Grant to replace the footbridge at Salmon Brook Park.
To secure funding, a new resolution for nondiscrimination is required.
RESOLVED: That the 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 Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the resolution for nondiscrimination, required by recent legislation.
D. Consideration of Town Meeting Call for Broad Hill Road and Weed Hill Road Discontinuance
Much discussion has transpired in relation to the discontinuation of a portion of Broad Hill Road and Weed Hill Road. Mr. Charles Carpenter and his brother have retained life use of the land they sold to Mclean Game Refuge. Mr. Carpenter is objecting to the road discontinuance because he wants to travel to the land from time to time. Even though he will not be denied access, he prefers the town keep the road open.
Liability issues and maintenance costs are still a big concern. Town Manager Smith stated the town would still be liable even if the roads were closed on a temporary basis. The implications of closing the roads and what are the town’s obligations, still need to be addressed. As required, Planning and Zoning will comment on the proposed discontinuance of the roads before calling for a Town Meeting.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table this discussion until further information is available.
E. Consideration of Park Designations
The Board of Selectmen must vote to designate properties as parks in order to enforce park regulations. Under ordinance rules, once a park is designated, signs can be installed for parking, use of areas, camping, and reservations of space. Without the designations, enforcement of the rules would not apply. The properties affected are as follows:
1. Salmon Brook Park
2.~~~Ahrens Park
3.~~~Town Green (located between Rtes 10/20/189 and Park Place)
4.~~~Town of Granby Municipal Complex
5.~~~Open space field on the southeast corner of Massaco Lane and Salmon Brook Street
6.~~~Open space field on the northeast corner of Brook Pasture Lane and East Street
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the park designations named above.
F. Consideration of Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) Setting Sewer Use Rates for 2008-2009
The Granby Water Pollution Control Authority held a public hearing prior to this evening’s Board of Selectmen meeting to receive comments on the proposed sewer rates of Fiscal Year 2008-09. No verbal or written comments were received.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously (5-0-0) to set the sewer use rates at $110.00 for average gallons (55,000 gpy) for residential users and $160.00 per year for commercial/industrial users (100,000 gpy) for Fiscal Year 2008-09. All gallon usage (residential and commercial/industrial) above the minimum is recommended to be charged $.00259 per gallon.
G. Consideration of Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) Cost Share for Waste Water Treatment Plant Clean Water Fund (CWF) Project #392-C1
The Granby Water Pollution Control Authority has an agreement in place with the Town of Simsbury, which requires Granby to pay its share for expansion and improvements, which enables us to use 9.2% of its sewer capacity (380,000 GPD). Now that the plant improvements and loan closing has occurred with Simsbury and the state, under the Clean Water Loan fund, payments to Simsbury from Granby are necessary. It is recommended to make payment to Simsbury in the first year (FY 2009) with an amount of $200,000 from the Sewer Assessment Fund and an amount of $44,731 from the Sewer Utility Fund per the following schedule. The Sewer Assessment Fund can be drawn from for the next few years, but should not be depleted due to the need for reserves in the event of expansion or for repairs.
Fiscal Year |
Due to Simsbury |
Assess. Fund Use |
Utility Fund Use |
SAF Balance |
SUF Balance |
2008-09 |
$244,731 |
$200,000 |
$44,731 |
$1,056,325 |
$249,886 |
2009-10 |
$116,126 |
$100,000 |
$16,126 |
$956,325 |
$233,760 |
2010-11 |
$116,126 |
$100,000 |
$16,126 |
$856,325 |
$217,634 |
2011-12* |
$116,126 |
$100,000 |
$16,126 |
$756,325 |
$201,508 |
*Following FY 2011-12 the original bonded debt will be zero. At that time it is recommended to retain the presently appropriated amount of about $37,500 and use it as the local share for the improvement to the cost of continued payments. This will then require an annual balance to Simsbury to $78,625 per year until 2027. The $78,625 amount can be made up by increasing user fees generating about $5,000 per year for 5 years, thus gaining $75,000 of the $78,625 needed for FY 2012-13. The ongoing $25,000 will then still be available for future funding, along with added amounts for those coming onto the system and adding to the Sewer Assessment fund. The local amount and previously bonded debt can then be considered to be reduced or even eliminated should enough funding be in place.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the payment schedule, noted above, for the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) Cost Share for Waste Water Treatment Plant Clean Water Fund (CWF) Project #392C-1.
Town Manager Smith noted that he would like to have a survey done to see where we are with other towns with respect to sewer fees, as ours have not risen in years.
H. Consideration of Real Estate Matter
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing item H. to be discussed during closed session.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations – April 2008
The Board was provided with copies of the Budget Operations report dated April 2008. Town Manager Smith reported there was nothing new to highlight and accounts are as expected.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams made a request to Town Manager Smith that the use of town road protocols for local activities include notifying the Board of Selectmen as well as necessary department heads. Town Manager Smith agreed that the Board would be notified as well.
First Selectman Adams asked the other Board members to turn in their summer meeting availability form so a finalized schedule could be decided on soon.
Memorial Day activities are scheduled for Monday, May 26, 2008 with parade assembly at 9:30 a.m. and march off at 10:00 a.m.
The Town of Granby and the State of Connecticut will hold a ceremony to honor WWII Veterans on June 2, 2008, 4:00 p.m. at Wells Road School.
A meeting date of October 7, 2008 has been scheduled to start planning for Granby’s 225th Anniversary celebration, which is coming up in 2011.
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 (5-0-0) to recess to closed session at 8:31 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:32 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr. Town Manager.
The Board of Selectmen discussed the potential purchase of land within the town.
The closed session recessed at 8:55 p.m.
The Board reconvened its regular meeting at 8:56 p.m.
The Board voted to add an item to the agenda. ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to add to the agenda: Consideration of the Town of Granby and the CT Department of Agriculture to Jointly Purchase Development Rights of the Davis Farm (Maplewood Farm).
The Board of Selectmen reviewed a letter and information from the state. The information indicated that the town would pay an amount of $105,000 for its share of the purchase. Town Manager Smith indicated that there was some funding available in the Open Space account and that the Granby Land Trust may also contribute to support the purchase. The balance would come from the General Fund. After some further discussion, ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to proceed with the joint purchase of development rights of the Maplewood Farm and to make a request to the Board of Finance for the balance of funds necessary to secure the purchase.
There being no further business to come before the regular meeting, the Board of Selectmen adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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