TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JANUARY 5, 2009
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, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Student Liaisons Nicholas Moon and Christopher Kempf
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Selectman Judice) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 1, 2008 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Selectman Judice) to approve the minutes of the Public Hearings for the Police Mutual Aid Agreement and the Equipment Sharing Agreement for Farmington Valley Maintenance Trail held on December 1, 2008.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
- Discussion on Discontinuance of Weed Hill Road and Make a Portion of Broad Hill Road a Public Trail
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously 5-0-0 to reorder Agenda Item III. A. to follow Selectman Reports.
IV. BUSINESS
- Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were received. Town Manager Smith stated that letters were sent to the Republican and Democrat Chairpersons reminding them that the Town Charter calls for new appointments or reappointments to be made by January 12, 2009.
- Consideration of Capital Lease Program for 2008-09
The 2008-09 Town Budget includes approval for small capital purchases as recommended by the Board of Education, which include the lease purchase of computer and technology equipment. The town capital plan for 2008-09 includes replacement and purchase of a heavy-duty truck with dump body, one additional dump body, one heavy-duty pick-up, and a Z-Turn mower with mower/snow blower platform. The lease program allows the town to spread purchase costs over several years. This practice is recommended by the Board of Finance.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the resolution of the Capital Lease Program for 2008-09 as follows:
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby has entered or is entering into an Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement (“Promissory Note”) and a Loan Agreement in an amount up to $415,000, with The Simsbury Bank and Trust Company;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that these Agreements are hereby approved, and that the action of the official of the Town of Granby in signing these Agreements on behalf of it be, and is hereby, ratified, confirmed, and approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Manager of the Town of Granby, be, and is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to sign on its behalf the Agreements and any addenda, schedules, notes, UCC financing statements, or other instruments issued under the provisions of the Agreement, and any other instruments or documents which may be necessary or expedient in connection with agreements upon or in fulfillment of the provisions of the Agreements.
- Fiscal Year 2008 Audit Report
The Town has received the Audit Report for fiscal year 2008. All financial aspects of the town are audited and again this year the results were very favorable. Town Manager Smith talked about the tough economic times everyone is experiencing and hopes with the sound financial strength the town has, that we will get through this period.
Granby received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for 2006 and 2007. This year’s audit has again been submitted for consideration of continued recognition.
The complete audit report is on our website, www.granby-ct.gov, under Public Documents, and is available at the Town Clerk’s office and Town Manager’s office.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
- Budget Operations Report – November 2008
Town Manager Smith reported there were no particular items to report. November tax collections have been consistent. The next report, which will be for December, will be mid-year and that will be used for upcoming budget projections.
- Discussion of 2009-2010 Budget Development
Town Manager Smith stated the expectation of what we got last year from the state would most likely be at 75%. As a result of that and the tight budget year we are facing, and in consultation with the First Selectman, there will be some budget concepts reviewed and some cost saving measures will be initiated as of January 1st. Town Manager Smith stated that we have been frugal in the past and very conservative with budget projection. That has left us in better shape than other towns.
First Selectman Adams recessed the Board of Selectmen meeting to hold a Special Town Meeting for the reinstatement of a portion of Fox Road as a town road at 8:00 p.m.
First Selectman Adams reconvened the Board of Selectmen meeting at 8:06 p.m.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported information he received at a conference of the House Democrats Budget Committee. There was discussion on how the state filled budget gaps of previous years when there was a deficit. First Selectman Adams led a discussion about rolling all emergency calls into one dispatch location for Granby and the surrounding towns as a way of saving money. Selectman Judice wanted to know where all the revenue from the State Income Tax has gone. Selectman Desrosiers stated there is no quick fix. Returns won’t show for several years. The bottom line is to raise revenues and cut spending. Eliminating the unfunded mandates would help.
- Three Board Meeting, Tuesday January 20, 2009 at the Senior Center & Youth Services Building
First Selectman Adams reported he will be working with Town Manager Smith to put a presentation together for the Three Board Meeting.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann, and Christopher Kempf and Nicholas Moon, Student Liaisons)
No reports.
First Selectman Adams led the discussion on the discontinuance of Weed Hill Road and making a portion of Broad Hill Road a public trail. Selectman King asked if there had been any other interest from the public in regard to this matter. Town Manager Smith said there were no other inquiries besides Mr. Carpenter.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously 5-0-0 to call for a Special Town Meeting on February 2, 2009 for the consideration of the discontinuance of Weed Hill Road and making a portion of Broad Hill Road a public trail.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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