TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MARCH 1, 2010
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, B. Scott Kuhnly, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, Nicholas Moon and Nicholas Ohannessian, Student Liaisons
I. PUBLIC SESSION
- Granby Girl Scouts of USA 98th Anniversary and Proclamation
First Selectman Adams welcomed the Granby Girl Scouts and their troop leaders. He presented them with a town proclamation honoring Girl Scouting’s 98th Anniversary. It was noted that the Girl Scout organization began in Savannah Georgia in 1912. The week of March 7th was being declared Girl Scout week. The Scouts presented First Selectman Adams with two boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
Resident Paul Anderson of North Granby thanked the Selectmen for the many hours they give in service to the town, and the fine job they do. He asked the Selectmen to consider reducing the average taxpayers’ taxes by 10% in the next three years. He feels it could be done and it would be good for the long-term health of the town. First Selectman Adams thanked him for coming before the Board with his comments.
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 16, 2010.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the public hearing of February 16, 2010.
- UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
- Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Rosemarie Weber, a member of the Commission on Aging has resigned. It was announced there is also an opening on the Library Board. First Selectman Adams stated anyone interested in serving on a Board should contact Town Manager Smith’s office or contact one of the town committee chairmen, B. Scott Kuhnly (R) or Margaret Chapple (D).
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reappoint Donald R. Holtman as Town Attorney.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reappoint Roger A. Hernsdorf as Town Treasurer.
First Selectman Adams reported they both have done a commendable job and have saved the town a considerable amount of money over the years.
- Consideration of Chamber of Commerce Request for Utilization of Salmon Brook Park for “Celebrate Granby” Event
The “Celebrate Granby” event is held yearly at Salmon Brook Park. In order to do this, the Chamber of Commerce is requesting permission to close Salmon Brook Park to all other activities and use it for their celebration festivities on June 12, 2010. They are asking that the main field be closed to activities on Friday and Sunday so that tents can be set up and removed, but activities in other areas of the park would be allowed on those two days. This request was approved by the Granby Park and Recreation Board at their February 2, 2010 meeting. A special permit for limited use of alcohol, to allow liquor stores to do sample tasting from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., is also requested. Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, will take the necessary steps to assure that
all state laws relating to the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages will be strictly complied with. Last year’s event was a success. Selectman Desrosiers asked how many attended last year’s event and Jon Rechenberg, a member of the Chamber of Commerce responded there were 2,000 to 3,000 attendees.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to close Salmon Brook Park to all program activities on Saturday, June 12th. It is understood that the main field at the Park will be closed to activities on Friday, June 11th and Sunday, June 13th for set up and breakdown of the Chamber of Commerce “Celebrate Granby” event. A special permit for the use of alcohol is also permitted during the event from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Consideration of Connecticut Department of Transportation Grant Application
Director of Human Services, KerryAnn Kielbasa, has requested permission to apply for a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation for seniors and disabled transportation services. Along with municipal dollars, this grant funding employs a full-time van driver. The grant request is for $26,998 and requires a 50% match that will be met by the 2010-2011 budget for Senior Van Services. Town Manager Smith reported the Senior Van Services program seems to be on the rise. Selectman Desrosiers asked if funds have been set-aside for the town’s 50% match, and Mr. Smith responded it was in the 2010-2011 budget for Senior Van Services.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve making the grant application to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for transportation services for seniors and disabled persons.
- Consideration of Older Americans Act Grant Application
Director of Human Services, KerryAnn Kielbasa, would like to apply again for a grant from the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (NCAAA) for FY 2010-2011. This would help fund programs that serve older persons like the “Grandparent’s Support Group” and the “Senior Outreach Program”. The grant is for $5,000 and a match requirement will be met through the 2010-2011 municipal budget and in-kind services. Town Manager Smith explained the grant is used for programs like youth working together with seniors.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve making the grant application to the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (NCAAA) for programs that serve older persons.
- Consideration of Public Hearing for Ordinance to Create and Become a Member of the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA)
It is necessary to hold a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen can approve an ordinance to create and become a member of the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA). This ordinance was put together with the assistance of several other capitol region towns, including Granby. This is a result of frustration in the way Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) represents the Mid-Connecticut towns, in particular, in its decision and budget making processes. This will be the first step in the formation of the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA).
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve holding a public hearing for the purpose of approving this ordinance to create and become a member of the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA). The public hearing will take place on April 5, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room prior to the regular Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
- Budget Presentation 2010-2011
Town Manager Smith began by first thanking all staff members and department heads for all their hard work in putting this budget together. He then gave an overview of the budget beginning with the main goals and objectives. Granby continues to use technology and best practice methods to maintain or increase town services. Holding the line on the number of full-time and part-time town employees, without compromising the quality of service, and payments for debt service from the town’s capital reserve set aside fund is also practiced. The Town of Granby continues to pay by cash for capital expenditures when possible, and also continues to update the town’s long range operating and capital forecast models.
Town Manager Smith reviewed a Debt Service chart that reflects our debt service to be decreasing in 2010-2011 after hitting a high point in 2009-2010.
We attempt to maintain a General Fund Balance between 5% and 10%, and leaning toward the higher end would be to our advantage. This helps when unforeseen expenditures arise.
This year’s guideline recommendation from the Board of Finance is zero percent. This requires town operational costs to remain the same as last year. Town Manager Smith stated this guideline can‘t meet the town’s ongoing service requirements. A minimum of $218,000 would be necessary to sustain existing municipal levels of service for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Therefore, it was necessary to reduce services, primarily part-time positions with Library Services and one position with the Department of Public Works.
The total 2010-2011 Municipal Budget (Operations, Capital, and Debt) is at $13,573.132. This is a decrease of $276,724 or –2% over the 2009-2010 Total Town Budget. Revenue estimates, excluding the new current tax levy, are projected at $10,045,710.
First Selectman Adams commented that Town Manager Smith has done a fine job over the past three decades. He has given the Board of Finance what was asked for with the guideline. Selectman Kuhnly asked Town Manager Smith what other towns in the region are doing with their budgets, are they also going for a zero percent increase? Town Manager Smith responded that he thinks mostly they are above. The Education portion is especially difficult, not knowing what the state budget will do for the town but a zero increase is not common.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
No reports.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams reviewed the process of the Budget Calendar starting with the budget workshop meetings of March 3rd, March 4th, and March 15th if needed. The Board of Education and Board of Selectmen present their budgets to the Board of Finance on March 29th. Budget books for the public hearing are available April 8th, and the public hearing for the Board of Finance will be on April 12th. Budget books for the Annual Town Budget Meeting are available April 22nd, and the Annual Town Budget Meeting will be on April 26th. There must be at least 230 eligible voters checked in at the meeting in order to hold a vote, and there needs to be at least a two-thirds majority of those present and voting in order to pass
the budget. If the budget is not passed by ballot, it will go to a machine vote on the following Monday. A majority vote is all that is needed to pass with a machine vote. If it doesn’t pass by machine vote, the annual town meeting shall continue on the next succeeding Monday and the process shall continue in a like manner until a budget is adopted.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann, and Nicholas Moon and Nicholas Ohannessian Student Liaisons)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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