TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 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 Moon, Student Liaison
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Gerry Palmer addressed the Board with a request for them to keep the issue of a noise ordinance front page. She would like to be kept informed of any new developments. First Selectman Adams assured her they have not forgotten and will keep her informed.
Town resident John Riley, 19 Granville Road, requested that the town have a policy for town employees, who apply for building permits for construction work on their homes, to have the work inspected by an outsider rather than the town’s building inspector.
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 November 2, 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
No resignations or appointments were received.
B. Consideration of Granby’s 225-Year Celebration Committee Request
Chairman of the Celebration Committee Ned Allen addressed the Board with an update of what the committee has done so far. In order for several initial proposed activities to get off the ground, the committee is requesting seed money. The amount requested is $20,000 and it is expected that much of the money will be reimbursed from fundraising and the sale of promotional items. Selectman Desrosiers questioned if the funds are available and Town Manager Smith responded that the Recreation Events Fund has money set aside for this purpose. After this, they expect to be self-funded.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize up to $20,000 of seed money from the Recreation Event Fund for Granby’s 225-Year Celebration Committee.
C. Consideration of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Funding
The application for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) has been completed. It involves federal stimulus funding for Granby in the amount of $57,219.35. If this is approved, the plan is to construct sidewalks on the west side of North Granby Road, just north of the school’s driveway entrance. It will continue along the north side of the driveway to the school parking lot area. Another sidewalk will connect the sidewalk near the entrance to the high school along the east side of Salmon Brook Street. It will then continue up the circular driveway to the sidewalks at the school. If the project is approved, it will require approval from the Board of Education and Board of Finance and comment from Planning and Zoning, with construction to begin
next spring.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to proceed with the application for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).
D. Consideration of an Application for Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
Michelle Niedermeyer, Chairman of the Agricultural Commission has requested the town to apply for a grant from the Northeast SARE – Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education. This grant would allow them to develop a program that would connect Granby farmers with local consumers, in order to facilitate the distribution of locally grown food. Selectman Kuhnly asked how much the grant would award. The amount is $15,000. The deadline for application is November 24, 2009 and a decision should be made by February 2010.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve application for the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education grant.
E. Consideration of Plus One Budget (2010-11)
There was considerable discussion among the Selectmen as to how they are going to put together a budget this year with a 0% increase. To just sustain current levels of operation there would be a slight increase, mostly in Wages and Salaries and Fringe Benefits items. To stay at 0% would mean elimination of jobs. First Selectman Adams recommended the Plus One Budget be transmitted to the Board of Finance tonight so these issues can be discussed early on before the three Boards meet in January. This will also give them time to discuss the new Board of Education contract, which should be filed with the Town Clerk soon and to see how the Grand List looks at that time.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to send the Plus One Budget (2010-11) to the Board of Finance.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
No reports.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams voiced his opinion on the Board of Education contract not being brought to a town meeting to vote. He would like to invite anyone interested in discussing the teacher’s contract to come to the 1st meeting in December to have their questions answered. Selectmen King and Desrosiers would like to see it go to a town meeting because it is good for transparency and it gives everyone a chance to be heard. First Selectman Adams stated he hopes the townspeople would trust the Board of Selectmen to vote in the best interest of the town.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann, and Nicholas Moon and Nicholas Ohannessian Student Liaisons)
Selectman Neumann updated the Board members on the Canton Road sewer project. The excavation portion is done. They are still doing some work on Archie Lane and Burleigh Drive and hope to have that ready for asphalt before the asphalt plant closes for the season.
Student Liaison Nick Moon reported on the very successful fall sports season the boy’s and girl’s High School teams have experienced this year.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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