TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:32 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers (by phone), B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
- Granby Early Childhood Council Presentation
Dot Muszynski from the Farmington Valley YMCA gave a presentation on the accomplishments of the Granby Early Childhood Council for Fiscal Year 2008-09. There were workshops for parents and caregivers that included Discipline Using Your Hearts and Your Smarts, Math is More Than Numbers, and Reading, Writing …Ready? These workshops, along with others, are geared towards improving the quality of early childhood experiences for Granby’s children. There has also been a feasibility study done regarding the viability of a Family Resource Center in Granby. There seems to be interest for a Family Resource Center in Granby that would provide parenting information and early learning group activities for young children and their parents. For more information contact Joan Rogers at office@granbyecc.org or call 651-9096.
Granby resident Gerry Palmer of Canal Road, along with several neighbors, addressed the Selectmen with regard to a neighborhood noise problem involving motorbikes racing through the woods abutting their properties. The problem has been ongoing for about two years and has involved the Police and letters written to the Town Manager. Town Manager Smith responded that he has reviewed this with the Chief of Police and the Town Attorney and there is no ordinance on the books that pertains to this particular problem. Selectman King stated she sympathizes with them and said the laws pertaining to matters like this are very complicated. She suggested they contact a private attorney, as this is really a private nuisance. Selectman Kuhnly suggested they try to work it out with the family involved.
Selectman Desrosiers suggested the town contact the Small Cities Council to see if any other towns have an ordinance that may pertain to this kind of problem. First Selectman Adams indicated he would contact Ms. Palmer if he could find any information that might be helpful for them to resolve this matter.
Probate Judge Daniel P. Brown spoke about the upcoming changes in the Probate redistricting. It seems there are no final plans yet as to what district Granby will be placed in. The redistricting keeps changing. He did state that there has not been any fiscal impact study done yet. The way things are now, the cost to have the probate office in Granby is very low. To move Granby and other towns into a larger district will no doubt cost the individual towns much more. This will most likely turn into another unfunded mandate. As of now, there is not a town within the newly proposed district that could provide a facility to accommodate this court.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted, 4-0-1 (Selectman King abstained) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 3, 2009 as presented.
- UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
- Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
The Selectmen accepted the resignation of Victoria Mazzei-Stepanov from the Granby Conservation Commission, effective October 31, 2009.
- Consideration of Participation with the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) to Create a Regional Solid Waste Authority
Granby is currently under contract with the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA) until 2012. In an effort to secure competitive pricing and options for solid waste service within the region, CRCOG has voted to create a Solid Waste Authority under state law. At this time, CRCOG is asking each town to contribute $500 to offset the costs.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve a motion to support the efforts of CRCOG and contribute $500 to proceed with setting up a Regional Solid Waste Authority.
- Consideration of Resolution for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
With the availability of $30,000 for a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the town, Chief Watkins has developed a JAG grant application for the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to consider. He is recommending the purchase of a “Speed Trailer”, to replace one purchased some 15 years ago, and another trailer that can be remotely programmed to advise motorists of traffic and emergency conditions. To go forward with the grant application, the state requires adoption of a formal resolution by the town to secure the grant.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the following resolution for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Manager, Mr. William F. Smith, Jr., is hereby authorized to make, execute, and approve on behalf of the Town of Granby any and all contracts and amendments and to execute and approve on behalf of this municipality other instruments as part of or incident to such contracts and amendments, effective until otherwise ordered by the Board of Selectmen.
- Consideration of Transfer of Property with South Congregational Church and Call for Special Town Meeting of Same
The town has made arrangements to exchange the former Old Town Hall Kindergarten building for an area owned by the South Congregational Church suitable for parking at the former Granby Public Library at 248 Salmon Brook Street. This will enable the town to better market the old library, presently leased by the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurses Association, which may eventually be sold to them. It is suggested by Attorney Holtman to hold a Special Town Meeting for the transfer of the Old Town Hall Kindergarten building and parcel to the church and the acceptance of the parcel to the town from the church. A map of the parcels is on file in the office of the Town Manager.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the resolutions to be included in the call for the Town Meeting to exchange the former Old Town Hall Kindergarten building for an area owned by the South Congregational Church suitable for parking at the former Granby Public Library at 248 Salmon Brook Street.
Selectman Neumann stated this is a good move for the town. We do not need to be in business as landlords.
First Selectman Adams mentioned that the Special Town Meeting could be called as early as our next Board of Selectmen meeting, which is scheduled for September 21, 2009. The Town Manager provided the Board with a call for the Special Town Meeting for their signatures.
- Discussion on Real Estate Property and Development Rights and Personnel Issues (Items deemed appropriate for EXECUTIVE SESSION)
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to move agenda item IV, E, to Executive Session following Selectman Reports.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
- Canton Road Sewer Extension Project Update
Town Manager Smith reported the sewer project is on target to date. Notice has gone out to bidders and all the bids are due September 22, 2009. All property owners have been notified. As the project moves on, sewers should be available and ready for hook up late this fall, and repaving will take place in the spring of 2010. Sewer assessments will be determined at a later date.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
Discussion took place during public session.
- Proclamation – Senior Center Month
To honor Senior Citizens in Granby, September 2009 has been declared Senior Center Month by a proclamation from the First Selectman.
First Selectman Adams thanked KerryAnn Kielbasa, Director of Social Services, for all the hard work she does for the Granby Seniors and the many programs she puts together for them.
- Board of Selectmen Student Liaison Program
Each year the Board of Selectmen make several steps to initiate the Student Liaison program. It is first announced at the Board of Selectmen meeting. The town makes contact with the High School to obtain submitted names of Juniors or Seniors. Potential students are requested to send us a letter of interest telling how they believe serving as Granby’s student liaison will benefit their career endeavors. The Board of Selectmen will then review the letters and upon making a decision will notify the student liaison informing him/her of the appointment.
First Selectman Adams stated that Governor Rell had designated September 6, 2009 as Fire Fighters Day, to honor all Fire Fighters for the hard work they do. He also thanked the Lost Acres Fire Department for their work here in Granby.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting recessed to closed session at 8:51 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 9:01 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers (by phone), B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss real estate property and development rights and personnel issues.
The executive session adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:29 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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