TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JULY 20, 2009
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, Mark Neumann, B. Scott Kuhnly (following being sworn in after Item IV. A), and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
First Selectman Adams acknowledged the death of Captain Kevin Bennett, who was a well known and respected Police Officer in town for almost 34 years.
Daniel P. Brown, Judge of Probate, provided information on the upcoming consolidation of Probate Courts and how it will affect Granby. It seems that Granby will consolidate with the towns of Hartland, East Granby, Suffield, Windsor Locks, and Bloomfield with the court, possibly, being located in Bloomfield. The consolidations are being based on population. There will be a financial obligation from each town to fund the court once established. A Judge will be elected, being on the ballot in all the towns, which will be in the new court. This change is expected to become effective January 5, 2011.
There was no other public comment.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (3-0-0), to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 15, 2009 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
- Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
First Selectman Adams was notified that B. Scott Kuhnly has resigned as a member of the Board of Finance.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (3-0-0) to accept his resignation.
First Selectman Adams read a letter of resignation from Board of Selectmen member Frank D. Judice, Jr.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (3-0-0) to accept his resignation.
Selectman Neumann nominated B. Scott Kuhnly to fill the vacancy on the Board of Selectmen created by Frank Judice.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (3-0-0) to approve the appointment of B. Scott Kuhnly. Mr. Kuhnly’s term will expire November 17, 2009.
First Selectman Adams swore in Mr. Kuhnly.
- Consideration of CRRA Settlement Payment for Transfer to General Fund
The town received $187,215 from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) as a result of a court settlement from CRRA’s ENRON investment refund. There was an appeal and the money was held in the town’s Solid Waste Fund. The matter has been settled and the money can now be transferred to the General Fund.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to transfer the amount of $187,215 from the Solid Waste Fund to the Town General Fund. This transfer request will be forwarded to the Board of Finance for their information.
- Consideration of Playground Improvement Fund Account Closeout
A Playground Improvement Fund was established in 2003 to build a playscape at Salmon Brook Park. The fund has $405.50 remaining in it, which must be used for other park improvements. Since the fund is no longer active, it is recommended to close it (effective June 30, 2009).
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to close the Playground Improvement Fund and transfer the balance of $405.50 to the Park and Recreation Program Event Fund.
- Discussion and Review of Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC) Past Submissions
There are a number of projects that have been reviewed by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education that fall into the realm of CPPAC. CPPAC has not met in some time and in the meantime various projects have been placed on hold. In order to review projects and begin the model development process, CPPAC Chairman Gordon Bischoff has scheduled a meeting for July 21, 2009 to review potential projects with the Boards. A list of various projects was reviewed and briefly discussed. Several of the projects listed involve the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen and no single approach has yet been approved.
- Consideration of Board of Education Appropriation Requests
The Board of Education has requested two appropriations. The first request is for $46,566 for the Special Education Excess Cost and State Agency Placement Grant. The town asks for an appropriation of these Special Ed. Excess funds instead of a direct credit to ensure a proper audit trail.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the request for $46,566 for the Special Education Excess Cost and State Agency Placement Grant.
The second request is for a transfer of $136,315 from the Board of Education 2008-09 expenditures to the Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund for 2009-10 and beyond. This request is for improvements at the High School to comply with corrections needed under Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the request for a transfer of $136,315 from the Board of Education 2008-09 expenditures to the Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund for 2009-10 and beyond for improvements at the High School to comply with corrections needed under Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
- Consideration of Accepting the Gift of a Parcel of Land from Stephen and Ruth Janeski
Mr. and Mrs. Janeski have offered to donate 5.7 acres of land adjacent to Wells Road School. The gift will provide the town with valuable space that can be used for the town or the school. There is no cost to the town in accepting this gift. Of the 5.7 acres, approximately 4 to 4.5 acres is useable land.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to accept the gift of 5.7 acres of land from Stephen and Ruth Janeski and to authorize Town Manager Smith to file the deed with the Town Clerk.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to acknowledge this generous gift and to thank Mr. and Mrs. Janeski.
G. Discussion of Personnel Issues (Item Deemed Appropriate for EXECUTIVE SESSION)
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to move Agenda item IV, G. to Executive Session following Selectman Reports.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
- Stimulus Money Update – Sidewalks Extensions and Police Grant
Town Manager Smith gave an update regarding stimulus money. He said $56,000 is available for projects related to green usage. This could be used to put sidewalks in the high school area. A preliminary analysis for this project is being done. Also, a Police grant of $30,000, through the same stimulus package, could be used to replace the speed trailer, which is about 12 years old.
Town Manager Smith reported on the construction work being done in the center of town. He explained the mast arms for the signal devices are being replaced and the road is being dug up in order to put new equipment in place. Once this work is done, it will make for a more efficient system for the lights in the center. The Fire Department’s emitters for the traffic lights need to be linked into the light system too. Unfortunately, this construction has caused some traffic backup.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported he is working on a study committee regarding an alternative to CRRA. The contract with CRRA is up in 2012 and inquiries are being made as to alternative companies. So far six responses have been received. Mid Connecticut Project towns may be asked to help cover the cost of the study. He also stated it will be interesting to see how CRRA responds to the needs of participating towns.
First Selectman Adams has been in contact with Selectman King in order to keep her abreast of Selectmen activity.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann, and Christopher Kempf and Nicholas Moon, Student Liaisons)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the Executive Session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:55 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager; and David L. Watkins, Chief of Police
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss personnel matters.
The Executive Session adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:28 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
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