TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 2, 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, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Greg DiCiancia, owner of Granby Bicycle, located at 9 Mill Pond Drive, addressed the Board to ask permission to hold a Duathlon event at Holcomb Farm. It would encompass a 3K-trail run, 10K bike ride and another 3K-trail run, and would involve Holcomb Farm, Simsbury Road, Broad Hill Road, and Cone Mountain. Mr. DiCiancia wanted to know if these roads were town roads and available to use for the event. The Board stated that these were town roads, although Broad Hill Road is being considered to be eliminated as a town road. The event would take place on October 4, 2008 and would be funded by Granby Bicycle. Mr. DiCiancia is also looking for community support to help make this a successful event.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing item V.B. into public session.
Chief Watkins is Granby’s Local Traffic Authority. He does not find reason that the event should not be allowed. He suggests the town require Mr. DiCiancia to have our local EMS provider contracted to provide a dedicated response to any emergencies that might arise due to the terrain on Broad Hill Road. It is also suggested that the town not pay for any expenses involved in this event. Town Manager Smith asked Mr. DiCiancia about insurance coverage and he was assured that he has Event coverage and that Holcomb Farm was included in the coverage. Mr. Smith requested that the town also be included in the coverage. First Selectman Adams suggested to Mr. DiCiancia that he work closely with Chief Watkins and Town Manager Smith as the final plans come together.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted (3-0-1) (abstention Selectman King) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 4, 2008 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Appropriation to Purchase Development Rights of the Davis Farm with the State
Since the Board voted to proceed with the purchase of development rights of the Davis Farm with the State, the final appraisal has been approved by the State and the sales price has been established at $500,000. The town’s share amounts to $120,000 with the State Department of Agriculture providing the balance. The Granby Land Trust has agreed to donate $25,000 towards the purchase. That coupled with a balance of $24,000 in the town’s Open Space Fund leaves an amount of $71,000 to be paid for from the town’s General Fund. It was also noted that with the recent death of Dr. Davis who had been ill for some time, his son will be completing arrangements for the transfer of the development rights.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation request to the Board of Finance.
B. Discussion of Discontinuance of Broad Hill Road and Weed Hill Road
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to continue to table the discussion until more information is available.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were received.
B. Consideration of Establishing a Tri-Town Cable TV Fund
The towns of Granby, East Granby, and Hartland have established a committee and budgeted money to support a Tri-Town Cable TV Government Access Committee. Granby has been asked to assist with keeping books for this start-up committee. To do this, a new fund needs to be established. It might be run differently in the future, but for now this will get them started with money available from the towns, donations, and a grant they hope to secure. Town Manager Smith is recommending the establishment of such a fund by adoption of the following resolution.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the resolution below to establish a Tri-Town Cable TV Fund.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby hereby establishes a fund known as the “Tri-Town Cable TV Fund”. Said fund shall be created to promote Governmental Cable TV Programming. The source of this fund shall be from town budgets, gifts, grants, and other contributions.
The Granby Town Manager shall disburse funds in accordance with Town of Granby procedures, policies, and grantor requirements.
Any balance remaining in said fund, should the fund be dissolved, shall meet the requirements of grant commitments or be returned to the town’s General Fund or as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
C. Consideration of Appropriation of Insurance Claim Money to the COPS Grant Program
The Cameras In School Project that began two years ago is nearly complete. Because the low bidder for the fiber cable installation went into bankruptcy, the company’s performance bond had to be called. The additional cost paid by the town and reimbursed by the bond holder amounted to an additional $59,693.40. Since this amount exceeded the original appropriation, an additional appropriation is necessary.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $59,693.40 to the Cameras in School Project (COPS Grant) program.
D. Consideration of School Signs at Wells Road and Kelly Lane Schools
The Granby PTO has offered to construct entrance signs for Kelly Lane and Wells Road Schools. It is recommended that the Board of Selectmen request comment from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the installation of these signs. Assuming the Board of Education approves both installation and content, the Board of Selectmen will then be requested to vote on the sign installation taking into account comments from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to request the Planning and Zoning Commission to make a formal comment regarding installation of these signs.
E. Consideration of Discontinuance of Fox Road
Fox Road is a dirt road and leads to a single house over half mile in from a bridge crossing over the West Branch of Salmon Brook. The house is now owned by the State of Connecticut, along with some 520 acres of land purchased by them as open space. The house is presently unoccupied, but the state indicated they may rent it out. Fox Road essentially serves as a “private driveway” to this house. The problem is that the bridge crossing over Salmon Brook, which was last inspected in 2007 and graded in POOR condition, might soon have to be closed. The replacement cost is in the vicinity of $500,000. Since it serves no interest to the town, it is again recommended to discontinue this road. It is also recommended to refer this item to the Planning and Zoning Commission for
comment before deciding whether or not to call for a special town meeting on the matter.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to refer this consideration for the discontinuance of Fox Road to Planning and Zoning for comment.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – July 2008
Town Manager Smith reported that current tax collections are a little below last year’s figures. Being early into the fiscal year, things are moving along and it is hoped that everything keeps going as planned.
B. Use of Town Roads for Bicycle Event
This item was discussed during public session.
C. Update on Finance Software Purchase with the Board of Education
Town Manager Smith reported on the follow-up discussion for the purchase of a finance software package with the town and Board of Education. It was agreed upon to proceed with one vendor, one server, and databases that will be linked at certain times. This will not only be a direct cost savings by linking databases, but the Board of Selectmen will not need additional funding or have to shift the budget this year. The item remains within our capital program for payment to begin next fiscal year. It is expected to begin activation toward the end of this fiscal year. Town Manager Smith wanted to thank those involved in making this work for the town, especially Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools; Harry Traver, Business Manager; and Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance
Officer.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Board of Selectmen Student Liaison Program
The Board of Selectmen are looking for a student who wishes to become a liaison to the Board of Selectmen. Town Manager Smith has sent a request to the Granby High School asking them to solicit student representatives. Such students should send the Town Manager a short paragraph of their expectations, stating what they would gain from this experience. More information can be obtained from the Town Manager’s office.
B. The Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Stand Down 2008 event on Friday, September 12, 2008
The Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs is once again sponsoring “Stand Down 2008”, a day-long support services program for needy and homeless veterans on Friday September 12, 2008 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the State Veterans’ Home campus in Rocky Hill. State, federal, and private agencies will be on hand to provide direct assistance and resources to individual veterans. For more information, contact Kerry Kielbasa, Director of Social Services at 844-5351.
C. Proclamation – Senior Center Month
A proclamation in honor of Senior Center Month was read by First Selectman Adams. It called upon citizens to recognize the special contributions of Senior Center participants and the special efforts of staff and volunteers who work every day to enhance the well being of the older citizens of our community.
First Selectman Adams mentioned that Granby will be celebrating its 225th Anniversary in 2011. There will be a meeting to start planning this celebration on October 7, 2008. Contact people would be Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, and Ned Allen, Chairman of the Park and Recreation Board.
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 King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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