TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
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, B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Nicholas Ohannessian, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Town resident Patricia Smith addressed the Board and provided information that has been gathered regarding her desire for the Board to adopt an ordinance to abate noise. She presented a sample ordinance, noise regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection, and information on sound level meters. She stated there are 68 towns that have a noise ordinance and several of them are in the immediate area. First Selectman Adams questioned a specific regulation the Department of Motor Vehicles has with snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles that might conflict with an ordinance that regulates noise from dirt bikes. Selectman Desrosiers stated there seems to be more information that needs to be looked at and studied.
First Selectman Adams asked Gerry Palmer, liaison for some Canal Road neighbors regarding the noise issue, if there is still a problem with noise from dirt bikes, since the Zoning Enforcement Officer took action. She reported the issue seems to be resolved at this time.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 19, 2009 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the special meeting of October 19, 2009 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0), and with much regret, to accept the resignation of Eric Lukingbeal, member of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, which was effective October 20, 2009.
B. Discussion of Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee Request for Priority and Project Lists
Town Manager Smith stated the need for the Board to discuss issues early on, before budget time, to get a better handle on projects. They need to fashion an approach as to how some of the pending capital projects might be handled. There are favorable rates now for bonding and it would be prudent to review what can be presented to the Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC) at this time. With some discussion among the Board, it seems the three top priority projects are Bridges, Wash Bay, Fuel Station replacement, and the Salmon Brook Park Pond House. If a package for bonding were put together now, the first payment would be two years out. So far, the Silver Street Bridge Project is in the design stage, with $260,000 already appropriated for engineering, and construction to begin in 2011. The
Salmon Brook Park Pond House would be a project that could realistically begin with some upgrades after the 2010 summer season with the use of a STEAP grant. The cost of a Wash Bay would be funded by the town, as well as the replacement of our fuel station, which is now under advisement by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Selectman Desrosiers left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
First Selectman Adams advised Town Manager Smith to draft a memo to CPPAC with these top three items for their review. All other items on the list that fall into the moderate or low priority will most likely be on the five to ten year horizon.
C. Preliminary Discussion of 2010-11 Budget
Town Manager Smith reported that he hopes to have the Plus One Budget ready for the next meeting. No new items were included in the town budget because of the economy and the budget defeat last year. The town will likely need some salary adjustments in the upcoming 2010-2011 budget. Fringe benefits are expected to increase. There may be other required increases in order to sustain operations and services. He doesn’t see much growth in the Grand List. With the economy being slow, it is unlikely that any new programs or staffing will be recommended for approval. First Selectman Adams doesn’t see any enhancements to staff and recommends not filling the open position at the Department of Public Works for now. This Plus One Budget should only identify what is realistically needed to
provide continued quality town services. It will indicate items considered necessary, grant assisted items, and mandated items. We also need to preserve as much of the General Fund balance as possible.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations
Town Manager Smith reported tax collections are encouraging as they are at the same level as last year. He also mentioned there are new codes used on this Budget Operations report as a result of the new financial program. There was nothing significant to report in revenues or expenditures. So far this year we are on target. Winter, which is just ahead, is our hardest season depending on the amount of snow- fall.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reminded everyone that November 11, 2009 is Veterans Day and Governor Jodi Rell has sent a proclamation to be read in honor of all veterans and to thank them for all they have done and continue to do for our country. First Selectman Adams read the proclamation.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann, and Nicholas Moon and Nicholas Ohannessian, Student Liaisons)
Selectman Neumann reported that the sewer project is on schedule and they hope to be ready for hook up before the snow comes. Expect some traffic detours in that area.
Nicholas Ohannessian, Student Liaison reported the High School is collecting goods to send to soldiers in Iraq in honor of Veterans Day. They are looking for nonperishable food items and newspapers and magazines. All donations can be dropped off at the High School. They will be mailed out in about two weeks.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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