TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 16, 2010
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, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Nicholas Moon and Nicholas Ohannessian, Student Liaisons
I. PUBLIC SESSION
No public addressed the Board.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 1, 2010 as presented.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
No resignations or appointments were received. It was noted that Norman M. Council (D), who was reappointed to the Library Board at the last Selectmen’s meeting, did not choose to seek reappointment. Also it was announced that there is a vacancy for the Republican Registrar of Voters. If anyone is interested, they are to contact the Republican Town Committee Chairman B. Scott Kuhnly or Town Manager William F. Smith, Jr. The current Registrar Peter Goff will serve until a replacement can be found.
B. Consideration of Board Action on Ordinance Adopting a Codification and Revision of the Ordinances
First Selectman Adams stated the Board just held a public hearing on an Ordinance Adopting a Codification and Revision of the Ordinances of the Town of Granby. Selectman Neumann questioned if it is the Board of Selectmen or the Town Manager who appoints the members of the Conservation Commission. After discussion, it was determined that it is the Board of Selectmen.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve an Ordinance Adopting a Codification and Revision of the Ordinances for the Code of the Town of Granby.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to amend Chapter 6, Article VI, Section 6-14 of Code Adoption Ordinance Schedule A. It shall reflect a correction that the Board of Selectmen will appoint members of the Conservation Commission as previously stated and not the Town Manager.
Selectman Desrosiers questioned if the ordinances will be available on line and Town Manager Smith responded that they will eventually be on our town website. It will always be available at the Town Clerk’s office for public use. There was also discussion as to whether or not the code needs to be published in the newspaper.
C. Consideration of Establishing and Funding an Emergency Management Fund
Granby has been participating for the last two years in a grant match program for emergency management. We plan to continue to secure federal grants and therefore it would be appropriate to establish a fund to assist with tracking transactions that will take place. Granby now has local funds of about $5,000. There are special grants that may be available in the amount of $10,000 to $20,000. A resolution is needed to establish a fund, which will be called the Emergency Management Fund.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the RESOLUTION below:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby establish a fund known as the Emergency Management Fund. Said fund shall be created to assist with tracking transactions that will take place as long as the Emergency Management Performance Grant program continues. The sources of this fund shall be from gifts, grants, insurance reimbursements, and General Fund appropriations.
Funds shall be disbursed by the Town Manager in accordance with town policy and grantor requirements.
Any balance remaining in said fund, should the fund be dissolved, shall first meet the requirements of grants or other legal obligations or be returned to the town’s General Fund as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
D. Consideration of Endorsement of the Designation of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook as a Wild and Scenic River and the Management Plan for the Study Area
Sally Peter, Chairman of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Committee, came before the Board to update them on the committee’s pursuit of an endorsement from the Town of Granby of the Designation of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook as a Wild and Scenic River and of the Management Plan for the Study Area. This would require adopting a resolution that acknowledges the resource conservation goals of the Wild and Scenic Study Committee as well as their efforts to protect and enhance the cultural and natural resources of the Salmon Brook. First Selectman Adams asked when they would be finished with this process and it was stated April 2010.
Resident Robert Brocket spoke of an unusual water situation along the Salmon Brook where a fishing pond was developed by an individual. He wanted to know what the status was of possibly doing this on a lesser scale. Ms. Peter indicated it would not be an issue as long as a Federal Agency was not involved, and there was no Army Corps of Engineers Permit issued, then the Wild and Scenic would not be involved.
Our Town agencies, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, Conservation Commission, and the Planning and Zoning Commission have endorsed these efforts. Other towns that also have their support include Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, and Farmington.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the RESOLUTION below:
Endorsement of the Designation of the Lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook as a Wild and Scenic River and of the Management Plan for the Study Area
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby Board of Selectmen recognizes that the lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Area provides outstanding resources values in terms of its geology, water quality, biodiversity, cultural landscape and recreation opportunities, values that support the well-being and quality of life for its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Granby Board of Selectmen recognizes that the advisory Management Plan for the lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Area, which was developed in partnership with local communities and will be implemented in partnership with local communities, is an important tool to protect and enhance the outstanding resource values of the Study Area; and
WHEREAS, the Lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Committee recognizes that the full implementation of the Management Plan will require human and financial resources that may be beyond the capacity of the Town of Granby to provide and that full implementation of the plan will require funding and technical support that may become available as a result of the wild and scenic designation; and
WHEREAS, the National Park Service was authorized, at the request of the local communities to determine if the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Area is eligible and suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; and
WHEREAS, that neither National Park Service nor any other agency of the federal government will own or manage any lands, will not create any new regulatory powers and will not have any control over local municipal boards and commission actions associated with a wild and scenic designation,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1. The Town of Granby Board of Selectmen endorses the designation of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
2. The Town of Granby Board of Selectmen endorses the purposes and goals of the Management Plan.
3. The Town of Granby Board of Selectmen commits to being a partner and participant in the implementation of the Management Plan, including appointing a representative and an alternate to the Farmington River/Salmon Brook Stewardship Council, maintaining open communication with the Council on matters relevant to the watercourses, and working toward utilizing best management practices for protecting the outstanding resource values.
4. The Town of Granby Board of Selectmen will work on implementing the Management Plan to the best of its abilities regardless of a wild and scenic designation being achieved, recognizing that the implementation of tools that require funding beyond the normal expenditures of the town may not be pursued until or unless outside funding is secured.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
. Budget Operations Report – January 2010
Town Manager Smith reported tax collections to be pretty much on target with past years. It was unclear as to why we haven’t received payment yet from the Pequot Indian Fund. They are past due, as well as payment from the State Educational Cost Sharing Account. Also Short Term investments were not so profitable but Town Manager Smith feels the difference can be made up somewhere else. Snow removal for the year is always a challenge but we are in pretty good shape right now. Things are tight, but the bottom line is we are doing okay.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reported Representative Annie Hornish and Representative Brendan Sharkey will be holding a Smart Growth Meeting to discuss various ways to make town government more efficient. The meeting will be held on February 24, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at the East Granby Town Hall.
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 on his attendance at the Farm Forum held on February 11, 2010 due to a snow day on February 10, 2010. They did a lot of brainstorming on marketing and educating the public about the local farms. The website www.granbyag.org has a lot of helpful information on the local farms and it was reported that local honey is also available.
Student liaison Nicholas Moon reported schools are on vacation this week but the games go on. Granby will host a basketball game this Thursday, February 18, 2010 with Avon.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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