TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JUNE 16, 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, Sally King, Mark Neumann, Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; and Meghan Dowling, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Prior to tonight’s meeting the Board of Selectmen held a reception to honor community volunteers and to recognize three employees’ years of service.
First Selectman Adams opened tonight’s meeting indicating the public session portion would begin with the Community Service Awards presentation to thank and honor volunteers with plaques. Categories included nominations for teens and adults.
Nominees for the teen category were Michelle Perrault, Matthew Guiod, and Kristen Hammick. The winner in this category was Alexa Burnett.
Nominee for the adult category was Brian Tarbox. The winner in this category was James O. Hall, who in return presented the town with a Fleet Flag to be flown at the Town Hall Complex on certain significant holidays.
Three employees of the Town of Granby were recognized with plaques, for their years of service to the town. They were David Shinder, Department of Public Works, for his twenty years of service, Warren Chamberlain, Department of Public Works, for his twenty five years of service, and Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer, for her twenty five years of service.
High school senior Meghan Dowling was presented with a plaque recognizing her as the Student Liaison for FY 07-08. She will be attending Boston College in the fall.
First Selectman Adams provided information on the volunteer activities of each of the Community Service Award nominees and winners. He also provided information on the three town employees. Selectman Adams read a letter from Town Manager Smith, who was absent, to Mrs. Scibelli, thanking her for the privilege of working with her for the past twenty-five years and she was presented with a clock for her service to the town.
The presentations concluded at 7:55 p.m. and the Board of Selectmen called for a brief recess. The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
No other 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 June 2, 2008 with the following change on page 1, second to last paragraph, change “Linda Veirs (R”) to “Linda Veirs (U”).
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. Consideration of Holcomb Farm Board of Directors Appointments and Endorsements (Holcomb Farm letter)
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reappoint Eric Lukingbeal, current Vice President, for another 3-year term, also the re-endorsement of Mike Mooney and Gary Whitehill, both current Directors, for another 3-year term.
C. Consideration of Resolution in Support of Voluntary Non-use of Pesticides and Synthetic Fertilizers on Lawns and Gardens by the Citizens of Granby
The Farmington Valley River Watershed Association has asked if Granby would adopt a resolution regarding voluntary non-use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers on lawns and gardens. Granby has already been actively following this procedure for the last three years.
WHEREAS, Granby has numerous waterways which drain into the Farmington River, the Connecticut River, and on into Long Island Sound, and
WHEREAS, Storm water that enters Granby’s waterways is a potential source of pollution, and
WHEREAS, Human activities including the placing of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers on lawns and gardens contribute to the degradation of water quality found within our streams, rivers, and oceans, and
WHEREAS, State and federal registration of pesticides and fertilizers provide only limited protection for our waterways and water bodies, and
WHEREAS, The Town of Granby Department of Public Works prioritizes the use of organic products and has incorporated Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is the management of products designed to control pest problems with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment, and
WHEREAS, Regular use of pesticides can destroy beneficial organisms which can naturally assist in eliminating unwanted pests from the environment, and
WHEREAS, Maintaining an organic lawn and garden by adding more composting materials for improving soil and conservation of moisture and encouraging a deeper root system, will in turn require less care and less water.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Granby Board of Selectmen urge all citizens to voluntarily refrain from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and advocates the use of organic lawn care products.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adopt the resolution of voluntary non-use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers on lawns and gardens.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – May 2008
Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer, reported property tax collections for the current year have been very good, with an excess of $269,408. Most collections for State Education, Intergovernmental Revenues and Local Municipal Revenues have also been in excess. Transfers to balance expenditure accounts have been done.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Announcements, Proclamations, and Reports
Selectman Adams reported a grant from Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) to help cover the cost of a new senior van is in the works. The grant will provide the town with $40,000. Other donations from community organizations will also be received to help with the cost.
A proclamation in honor of Dr. Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, was read by First Selectman Adams.
WHEREAS, DR. GWEN VAN DORP embarked on her career in Granby in 1995 as Superintendent of Schools; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Granby recognizes Gwen’s continuous strive for excellence in Granby’s education of all students; and
WHEREAS, The Connecticut State Department of Education designated Granby Memorial High School as one of two Vanguard High Performing Schools in 2006; and
WHEREAS, The June 2008 issue of Connecticut Magazine has ranked the Town of Granby Second out of Twenty-three towns in the category of education excellence; and
WHEREAS, her collaborative efforts with the Granby Education Foundation, Magnet Schools, Project Choice, Summer School, and After-School opportunities has been exemplary, and
WHEREAS, GWEN’S leadership brought about a multitude of improvements for school facilities, some being: additions and improvements to Kearns, Kelly Lane, Wells Road, and Granby Memorial High School, as well as new Central School Offices.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, I, John E. Adams, by the powers vested in me as First Selectman of the Town of Granby, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2008 as
DR. GWEN VAN DORP DAY
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, I hereby extend to her the town’s best wishes for a happy and healthy future.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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