TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JULY 6, 2010
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:33 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
- Presentation of Employee Recognitions
First Selectman Adams began the public session by presenting employee recognition plaques to two employees that have been with the town for many years. Nancy Silkey, dispatcher for the Police Department, has been employed for 25 years. First Selectman Adams spoke of her tremendous value to the town. Town Manager Smith acknowledged her being a life long resident of the town and honored her for her years of service. Chief Watkins stated she is a wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to work with.
First Selectman Adams introduced KerryAnn Kielbasa, Human Services Director. She was presented a plaque in recognition of her 20 years of service to the town. She is also the organizer of many programs that are educational, health related, or socializing. Town Manager Smith recognized her personal dedication in providing community and employee benefit counseling, along with other services such as general assistance, information and referral, personnel employment, senior center operations, and clinical services for youths.
First Selectman Adams called for a five-minute recess for guests to finish refreshments and leave if they did not wish to stay for the regular meeting. The meeting resumed at 7:52 p.m.
Public Session continued with residents Glenn and Janice Kawasaki, 82 Harmony Hill Road, who addressed the Selectmen with a complaint about the private volleyball league at Salmon Brook Park. Town Manager Smith and the Selectmen responded that they cannot govern a private league but they will have a talk with the league manager. This may not have an effect this year but may help for next year.
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 June 7, 2010 as presented.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to add agenda item IV. G. Consideration to accept Grant From the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
- UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
- Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
First Selectman Adams announced that Mike Lengvarsky, Chairman of the Conservation Commission has resigned his position as Chairman, although he will retain his seat on the Commission. Also, Neil Hornish resigned his position as Vice Chairman of the Conservation Commission in order to serve as Chairman.
- Agriculture Commission Update of Activities and Resolution to Create a Fund
Chairman Michelle Niedermeyer reported updates of their current activities. They have been very busy trying to promote farms in the area for residents to become more familiar with what they have to offer. Their goal is to make it easier for residents to get local products from the farms. They have available produce sampler baskets for sale. They have created a farm map that includes 23 farms in town. Farm stores are opening up to provide ease in getting products to residents, and there is the Holcomb Farm Film Festival, which hosts a Farmers Market. More information about these activities is available on the website, GranbyAg.org.
In addition to the above mentioned moneymaking activities, they have secured a two-year grant and would like to establish a fund known as the Agricultural Fund. Selectman Desrosiers asked where the money will come from that the Agricultural Commission is asking for. Town Manager Smith responded that the money would come from General Fund balance. The money from the sales of the sampler baskets would replace the seed money from the General Fund. The fund would operate similar to how the Park and Recreation Fund works.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby hereby establishes a fund known as the “Agricultural Fund”. Said fund shall be created to promote local agricultural operations including: growing and selling of products, holding of and assisting with local agricultural events such as ‘Farmer Markets’ as well as other forms of agriculture activity such as, animal husbandry and the raising of livestock. The source of this fund shall be from town budgets, gifts, grants, sales of products, and other contributions.
The Granby Town Manager shall disburse funds in accordance with Town of Granby procedures, policies, and grantor requirements.
Any balance remaining in said fund, should the fund be dissolved, shall meet the requirements of grant commitments or be returned to the town’s General Fund or as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the resolution to create an Agricultural Fund.
- Consideration of Request for an Appropriation to the Agricultural Fund
With the approval of establishing an Agricultural Fund, it is necessary to request an appropriation to accept revenues and to make expenditures. An amount of $35,000 is needed. The intention is to cover the Granby Sampler program ($20,000) and the grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Community Program ($15,000).
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation of $35,000 to the Agricultural Fund.
- Consideration of Holcomb Farm Board of Directors Appointments and Endorsements
Holcomb Farm Board of Directors has elected five new board members that need to be endorsed by the Board of Selectmen. They are Margot Hosford, Granby, to a one year term, Carolyn Thomas, Hartford, to a three year term, David Tolli, Granby, to a three year term, Robert Clark, Granby, to a three year term, and Michelle Niedermeyer, North Granby, to a three year term. Also, the Board of Selectmen need to reappoint Linda Spevacek, Granby, to a three-year term.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to endorse the appointments made by the Holcomb Farm Board of Directors and reappoint the Board of Selectmen appointee.
- Consideration of Resolution to Create and Charge to “Granby Prevention Council”
Last fall, KerryAnn Kielbasa, Director of Human Services gave a presentation on the “Search Institute Survey Results Report to the Community”. Working together with the Youth Service Bureau Advisory Board they continue to work with the Search Institute. As a result of the survey, one of the goals is to create and implement a Granby Prevention Council. Once the Granby Prevention Council is activated, they can apply for grants to sustain programs to better address their goals, in particular the reduction of substance abuse.
RESOLVED: That the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granby hereby creates the Granby Prevention Council. The Council shall be appointed and charged with the activities as described in the document entitled “Granby Prevention Council”, dated and revised June 16, 2010. This document describes the Mission, Charge, Membership, Bylaws, Duties of Officers, Executive Board Member Terms of Appointment, Meetings, Rotational Roles, Attendance, Sub-committees, Amendments, and Rules of Order.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the resolution to create and charge the “Granby Prevention Council”.
Selectman Desrosiers stated that this is great and it has been a wake-up call for all since Ms. Kielbasa made her presentation last fall in regards to youths being at risk. He questioned how people would be appointed to the Board and it was stated that it would be the same as appointments to the Youth Service Bureau Advisory Board. The Town Manager will make the appointments.
- Consideration of Small Town Economic Development Assistance Program (STEAP)
The State of Connecticut is now accepting applications for STEAP grants with a deadline of July 20th. Previous grants enabled the town to make improvements at Holcomb Farm, realign Canton Road, and street lighting for Bank Street. Grant requirements would allow improvements at Salmon Brook Park, such as the bathhouse, snack shack, inside play area for rainy days, bandshell, tennis area, or sidewalks, etc. The grant request amount will be $500,000. Town Manager Smith reminded the Selectmen that they may only get a portion of that but will still apply for the full amount.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to authorize Town Manager William F. Smith, Jr. to submit to the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM) application for the STEAP grant in the amount of $500,000 for the previously suggested improvements.
- Consideration to Accept Grant From the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
The Granby Public Library has been offered a one-time “Technology Grant”. Through the efforts of Library Director Joan Fox, the $29,052 grant will provide patrons with improved library services such as new online databases, literacy tools, and self-service features such as remote access to library resources. Town Manager Smith acknowledged that this is great for the library as they took a big hit with the reduction of hours and part-time staff with the new budget.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to accept the grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the appropriation in the amount of $29,052 from the General Fund and forward it to the Board of Finance for their action.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Town Manager Smith reported he has received a letter recently about the near launching of the new Everbridge program. It was previously referred to as Reverse 911, an emergency alert program. Sign up will be rolling out soon to indicate how you would want to be notified by the State in an event of an emergency and sign up for the local system would be rolling out soon also. Town Manager Smith is still gathering more information as to what degree of services we would be signing up for on the local level. The town would assist notifying the public for signing up for the state and local systems, and hope to get this information on the website in the future. Selectman Desrosiers cautioned signing up for services that could in the future turn out to be a problem. There is a fine line between
emergency and high interest activities. More discussion needs to take place before decisions are made.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
- Announcement of Cancellation of Board of Selectmen Meetings
First Selectman Adams reported there will not be Selectmen meetings on July 19th, August 2nd and August 16th. The next scheduled meeting would be September 7th.
First Selectman Adams noted that tax bills have been sent out.
First Selectman Adams reported meeting the new Hartford Mayor, Pedro Segarra who greeted him by saying Granby has the best Fyfe and Drum Corps.
The Conservation Commission has been involved with a new clean energy task force. Their mission is to get people to sign up for alternative ways of clean energy to reduce green house gases. Kick off will be in September.
First Selectman Adams reviewed some of the events of Sounds of Summer at Salmon Brook Park. They are: The Movie in the Park on July 15th, Huga Tuga “Reading Rocks” Live on July 29th, and The McLovins on August 5th. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, and Mark Neumann)
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 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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