TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
OCTOBER 4, 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, B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Sara Eckhardt and Nicholas Moon, Student Liaisons
I. PUBLIC SESSION
First Selectman Adams introduced 2010-2011 Student Liaison Sara Eckhardt. She is a junior at Granby Memorial High School, is involved in student government, and would like to someday be a news anchor. Nicholas Moon, a senior, has returned for a third year and continues to have an interest in the workings of town government. First Selectman Adams welcomed them and extended this opportunity for them to learn about town government and to report on their school news.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 20, 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.
- Consideration of Lions Club Request (American flags placement)
Granby Lions Club member Bob Maher made a presentation to the Board for a request to place American flags on utility poles along Granby’s state highway routes. The roads included would be Salmon Brook Street (north and south), East Granby Road (east toward East Granby), North Granby Road (north and west), and Hartford Avenue (south). This would be in keeping with the theme that surrounding towns have started by placing flags on utility poles to recognize the spirit of our citizens supporting our country, especially since 09-11-01.
The lions club will be taking on the expense, which would include purchasing the flags, maintaining, and replacing when necessary. They have ongoing fundraisers that would cover the cost and they will continue to work with the Town Manager, Department of Public Works, and the utility company to make it go smoothly.
Selectman King asked about whether the utility company would allow us to use their poles and it was stated that they are used in other towns. Selectman Kuhnly commented maintaining the flags is a good thing because we don’t want to put them up and forget about them. They do wear out after awhile. Mr. Maher responded there will be backup flags on hand to replace worn out ones. They are hoping to begin this project next spring.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the Granby Lions Club project of placing American flags upon utility poles along Granby’s state highway routes.
- Consideration of Naming a Clean Energy Task Force and Conservation Commission Request to Submit a Commitment Letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Conservation Commission member Shelly Reuben, reported to the Selectmen that she met with Town Manager Smith to discuss some of the steps to establish a Task Force to work on a clean energy campaign for Granby. The Task Force will be expected to report to the Conservation Commission, who will in turn report to the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Adams inquired just how many people would make up this task force, and Ms. Reuben responded at least six. Selectman Kuhnly asked if there would be any student representation and Ms. Reuben replied yes. Selectman King suggested there be a link on the town website to help get more information out to the public. This would help to eliminate some of the confusion with the clean energy options.
There was discussion about the possibility of this sub-committee becoming a more regular committee in the future and having to follow Freedom of Information guidelines.
To get started, a commitment letter and an organization information sheet needs to be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their approval. If approved, the Task Force can obtain resources and funds to promote clean energy within town.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to send a letter of commitment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Call for Public Hearing on Canton Road Extension Sewer Assessment (Board of Selectmen sitting as Granby Water Pollution Control Authority)
The Board of Selectmen recessed at 7:55 p.m. to meet as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA).
Now that the Canton Road sewer project is complete, and within the budget estimate of $400,000, the next step is for the Sewer Authority to assess the properties affected for the benefit of the installed sewers. A public hearing is suggested for November 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. prior to the Board meeting. This will give property owners the opportunity to appeal. They will have a 10-year payback period at no interest and can, of course, payback sooner if they want. Selectman King asked if property owners will have a lien on their property during that 10-year period and Town Manager Smith responded yes, until it is paid off. Once the hearing date is set, notices will go out to all property owners. Assessment notices will then go out following adoption of assessment.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the call for the Public Hearing on the Canton Road Extension Sewer Assessment to be held at 7:00 p.m. prior to the November 1, 2010 Board meeting.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) and resume as the Board of Selectmen at 7:59 p.m.
- Discussion on Real Estate Property and Personnel Item (Items Deemed Appropriate for EXECUTIVE SESSION)
ON A MOTION by Selectman King seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reorder the agenda, placing item IV. E. to be discussed during closed session.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
- Budget Operations Report – June 2010
Town Manager Smith discussed the unaudited June 2010 budget operations report. The Finance Office has been working with the auditors to close out June, while still getting used to the new accounting software. Overall tax collections are at 101%. Revenues and expenditure savings were considerably above earlier estimates.
- Fund Balance Analysis Report
Town Manager Smith reviewed the preliminary surplus and fund balance analysis estimate for June 30, 2010. The end result is we have $2,660,904 or a 6.6% Fund Balance. That holds well for the future and good bonding rates.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
- Korean War Veterans for Public Service Awards Ceremony – October 8, 2010
First Selectman Adams announced there will be an awards ceremony for Korean War Veterans October 8, 2010 at the Granby Senior Center. The Secretary of the State, Susan Bysiewicz will be recognizing these veterans for their exemplary service and unwavering courage.
First Selectmen Adams and Selectman Neumann represented the Board at the Italian Dinner that was held at the Senior Center on Saturday, October 2, 2010. There were approximately 130 dinners served and it was a great success.
First Selectman Adams also recognized Senior Van driver, Nancy Grakowsky. She stopped to pick up a resident who had signed up for a ride and when the resident did not come out, Nancy got out of the van to check on them. She found the senior to be injured and immediately called for help.
It was also announced the program to collect unused medicine and old prescriptions was a success.
First Selectman Adams reported the town has been awarded a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) Grant in the amount of $250,000. That will help get some of the projects going like the Salmon Brook Park Pond House. Also a consideration is to do a bond referendum in January to help with the Pond House, Silver Street Bridge, and possibly the Wash Bay projects.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann, and Sara Eckhardt and Nicholas Moon, Student Liaisons)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by First Selectman Adams, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to recess the meeting to closed session at 8:15 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
First Selectman Adams called the executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:20 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss real estate property and personnel item. Mr. Smith left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
The executive session adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was reconvened at 9:15 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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