TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:45 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
A. Presentation Recognizing Town Manager’s Service
At 7:00 p.m. there was a reception honoring William F. Smith, Jr. for his 30 years of service as Town Manager to the Town of Granby. After a short reception, First Selectman John Adams began the presentation by introducing Senator John Kissell and State Representative Richard Ferrari. Both dignitaries congratulated Town Manager Smith for his service to Granby and praised him for a job well done. It was quoted that Granby is the “jewel of the state” because of the fine job Mr. Smith has done. Representative Ferrari read a citation in his honor. First Selectman Adams read a proclamation from Governor M. Jodi Rell declaring September 15, 2008 to be William F. Smith Jr. Day. Fran Armentano, Director of Community Development, spoke briefly of the great qualities Mr. Smith has shown
as an employer and along with Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer, they presented him with a digital photograph frame. Mr. Smith thanked everyone for coming and especially for all their praise and support.
Resident Jim Warnke, 11 Elizabeth Street, thanked the town and the Department of Public Works for the fine job installing the sidewalks and cross walk on Bank Street. He would like to see the sidewalks connect to Park Place and then the loop around town would be complete. He also thanked the town and the Police Department for installing no parking signs on Crest Road, Elizabeth Street, and Muriel Drive to prevent high school students from parking there during school hours. He also congratulated Town Manager Smith for his thirty years of service to the town.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Selectman Judice) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 2, 2008 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Selectman Judice) to approve the minutes of the special meeting of September 2, 2008 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Comment from Planning and Zoning Commission on signs at Wells Road and Kelly Lane Schools
Without all the facts in regards to the placement of signs at the schools, it is suggested to again table this matter.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table this matter until more information is available.
B. Consideration of Comment from Planning and Zoning Commission on Fox Road Discontinuance and Call for Town Meeting
Town Manager Smith reported the Planning and Zoning Commission supports the formal discontinuance of Fox Road. First Selectman Adams questioned if the road would be discontinued from Hartland Road and Town Manager Smith responded that it would. Selectman King asked if it was the town’s duty to fix the bridge that is in such poor shape, and is resulting in the discontinuance of Fox Rd. Town Manager Smith said it was not the town’s duty. As a result of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s favorable support, Town Manager Smith prepared a Call for a Special Town Meeting to discontinue Fox Road and hopes to do this at the next regularly scheduled meeting of October 6, 2008.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the discontinuance of Fox Road and Call for a Special Town Meeting.
C. Consideration of Comment from McLean Game Refuge on Discontinuance of a Portion of Broad Hill Road and Weed Hill Road
Town Manager Smith is waiting for an official response from McLean Game Refuge in order to know if they approve Broad Hill Road becoming a trail path.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table this item until further information is available.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were received.
B. Consideration of Resolution for Authorization Concerning State of Connecticut Aging Services Grants and Nondiscrimination Certification
KerryAnn Kielbasa, Director of Human Services, was awarded one-time only funding for two grants to support senior centers and the activities of the Municipal Agent for the Elderly from senior centers within municipalities. The Board of Selectmen approved the appropriation request on April 7, 2008 and the Board of Finance took action for approval of the appropriation on May 12, 2008. The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services sent the contract for execution, along with a request for two resolutions to be adopted by the legislative body. A resolution needs to be passed authorizing the Town Manager to enter into contract with the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services for the eligible amount of $8,450.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted (5-0-0) to adopt the resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute the agreement.
“RESOLVED that WILLIAM F. SMITH, JR., TOWN MANAGER, TOWN OF GRANBY, is hereby authorized to make, execute, and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all contracts and amendments and to execute and approve on behalf of this company, other instruments, a part of or incident to such contracts and amendments effective until otherwise ordered by the governing body.”
A new resolution for nondiscrimination is also required under recent legislation.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted (5-0-0) to adopt the resolution for nondiscrimination.
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, as those statutes may be amended from time to time.
C. Consideration of Request for Funding for Disposal of Pesticides at Holcomb Farm
Holcomb Farm has notified the town that they have come across stored containers of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides that appear to have been around prior to the inception of their lease. They are asking for assistance with the clean up of these items. It is estimated that $10,000 - $12,000 should take care of the problem. There was some discussion that the University of Connecticut was supposed to have removed these years ago. They have been determined to be hazardous and of no value to anyone. First Selectman Adams suggested that the University of Connecticut be asked to remove them. If they do not step up, we should do it as soon as possible.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appropriate funding in the amount of $12,000 from the town’s Solid Waste Fund to assist with the removal of these chemicals.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – August 2008
Town Manager Smith reported that approximately $110,000 was returned to the General Fund from unused appropriated funds from fiscal year 2008. The town ended the fiscal year quite well. So far this August, the collections have been sound. Revenues are moving along, as well as expenditures.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported receiving a letter from former First Selectman, William Simanski, thanking William F. Smith Jr. for his thirty years of service to the Town of Granby.
First Selectman Adams read a proclamation to the Town of Windsor as they celebrate their 375th anniversary.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
Selectman King reported receiving an email in regard to New Milford’s rights to farms. She said this is relevant to Granby’s purchase of development rights of the Davis farm with the state. She will be getting feedback and will report back in October.
A general discussion took place regarding the Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC) for new capital projects. It was requested that the three study committees, Granby Athletic Fields Long-range Advisory Committee (GAFLAC), Salmon Brook Park Beach House Committee, and Storage and Vehicle Wash Bay Committee provide their final reports so the Board of Selectmen would know where they are with respect to a CPPAC review. It was also suggested that the Board of Selectmen hold a workshop to discuss committee reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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