TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 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, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager and Student Liaisons Nicholas Moon and Sara Eckhardt
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, updated the Board on the upcoming, first annual, “Spirit of Granby” tree lighting ceremony to take place on December 3, 2010 on Merchants Way. The road will be shut down for approximately two hours on that day from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Letters have gone out to local businesses encouraging them to participate with the lighting of their own tree in front of their business. The high school band will play at 5:30 p.m. and the Kelly Lane School 5th and 6th grade chorus will sing after speakers begin the ceremony. The intent is to kick off the holiday season with the tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. at the Bank of America property, with local merchants lighting their trees as well, and to encourage residents to mill around
and visit their local merchants. People are being asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the food bank and unwrapped toys.
Shelly Reuben, Conservation Commission member, updated the Board on the Clean Energy Task Force. They recently attended a seminar that showed them how to track the energy efficiency usage at the municipal buildings and schools. They have also learned about a $4,000 grant available to fund activities as a clean energy task force. The money would help to boost sign up and to pay for promotional costs. First Selectman Adams asked who is sponsoring the grant and if there is a deadline. Shelly responded it is through the Clean Energy Fund and there is no deadline. After the application is submitted, a webinar will be attended to learn how to finish the application process. The task force will work closely with Town Manager Smith to determine how the funds are spent.
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 1 2010, and the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) meeting of November 1, 2010.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to amend the wording in the Board of Selectmen’s minutes of November 1, 2010 under section IV. D., last sentence on page two to read, “Selectman Desrosiers asked if there was a cost associated for the arbitration, and Town Manager Smith roughly estimated it would cost $15,000 to $20,000.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention Selectman King) to approve the minutes of the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) public hearing of November 1, 2010.
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 before the Board.
- Report and Discussion with Granby’s Registrar of Voters
Peter Goff, Republican Registrar of Voters, reported to the Board the results of the November 2, 2010 election and talked about recent changes that have taken place in regard to the election process. Mr. Goff reviewed the before election process that includes poll worker training, ordering ballots, and testing of the voting tabulators with memory cards and ballots. Granby utilizes historical results to determine how many ballots to order. Working with the Registrars, the ballots are ordered by the Town Clerk. Granby has approximately 7,100 registered voters. It was estimated that there would be a 90% turn out for this election so there were 6,000 poll ballots and 700 absentee ballots ordered. There was a 72% turn out. The cost for this election, including ballots, election staff,
and memory cards, exceeded $2,000.
The Selectmen had several questions. Why don’t we just go back to using the old machines because people say we never had problems like we do now? Some people say you should order 100% ballots for 100% registered voters, so why don’t you? Why does it take so much longer to tally the votes with the new machines? When are absentee ballots counted and how?
Mr. Goff responded that going back to the old machines is not an option. By federal law, the machines are required to have a paper trail. Without a paper trail we would not be able to audit the results. As far as ordering 100% of ballots, it still would not guarantee enough ballots. There could still be a shortage if many people required 2nd or 3rd ballots because they made mistakes on the previous ballots. The problem with Bridgeport was not really the amount of ballots ordered, but the distribution of ballots to the various precincts. Tallying the votes on election night requires the tabulator tapes to be interpreted correctly. There are individual numbers for every party and with cross-endorsing candidates, it can be confusing. To insure a correct
tally, they are reviewed many times. There is still a learning curve with these new machines. The Town Clerk hands over the absentee ballots to the Registrars on Election Day, they are checked and verified with the voter list, and then fed into the tabulator machine to be counted. Town Manager Smith inquired about a challenge in an audit. It was explained that when a town is chosen to do an audit, it is determined by lottery by the Secretary of the State. The audit is not a recount of votes. It is just verifying the number on the machine tape matches the number of ballots fed. It just tests the accuracy of the machine. They have proven to be 99%+ accurate.
All tested and certified tabulators, with memory cards inside, are sealed. Tabulators are then sealed in cases and stored inside a blue carrier compartment with a seal. The outer door of the blue carrier has a seal also. This security is essential to insure the integrity of the elections.
Student liaison Nicholas Moon was curious as to why there is cross endorsing of candidates. Mr. Goff responded it may be to ensure the continuation of the political party. He would ask the Office of the Secretary of the State for the correct answer.
Selectman Kuhnly wanted to thank Mr. Goff and Ms. Wolfe, the Democratic Registrar of Voters, for a job well done. On behalf of the town, First Selectman Adams thanked Mr. Goff for his years of service and wished him well in his upcoming retirement.
Mr. Goff wanted to thank the many high school student volunteers that helped on Election Day. He was pleased to see so many and hopes many more become involved in the future.
- Consideration of Request for Utilization of Salmon Brook Park for the Celebration of Granby’s 225th Anniversary
Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services and the Celebrate Granby 225 Committee, are requesting permission to close Salmon Brook Park from other activities and to use the park solely to celebrate 225 festivities for the day. This would also include set-up time as well as take down and clean up. They also want to permit the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. It would be provided within a fenced-in area and all state and local rules and regulations would be followed. Selectman Kuhnly asked who would be serving the alcohol, and Mrs. Woodford responded it would be the Lions Club.
The Board of Selectmen are being asked:
- To reserve the park for the anniversary celebration from Friday, September 30. 2011 at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, October 3, 2011 and close the park to all other program activities. The park may reopen as soon as clean up is complete.
2) To permit sale and consumption of alcohol beverages, provided it be within a fenced-in or roped-off area and upon the condition that all state and local rules and regulations are followed. Separate permission to sell and consume alcohol beverages will be made for each vendor requesting this special request for the celebration date. Presently, the Lions Club plans on having a beer tent for the sale of alcohol and is requesting this special permission.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to authorize the closing of Salmon Brook Park for the 225 Celebrate Granby from Friday, September 30, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, October 3, 2011 and close the park to all other activities. Also, the sale of alcoholic beverages in a fenced-in area, following state and local rules and regulations, is authorized for the Lions Club.
- Discussion of 2011-2012 Plus One Budget and Capital Projects
The Board discussed their options in putting together a budget for next fiscal year. In light of the poor economy, it seems likely the state will reduce funding to municipalities and it may be difficult to continue with services as they are. We may have to make cuts just to stay afloat. At this time it seems staying at 0% would be best; and if need be, we could go up or down from there. Even staying at 0% would mean working with less, when you take into consideration inflation.
The Silver Street Bridge project seems unlikely to happen for another year or two. The Pond House needs to go forward since we received the $250,000 STEAP grant, although another $450,000 is needed to complete the project. Other projects still outstanding are the wash bay, library expansion, and field space. Something needs to be put together to present to the Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC). Bonding rates are low and they will never get much better. The Board agreed that a workshop to discuss these issues should take place. It was decided a workshop would be scheduled on December 6, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. before the next Board of Selectmen meeting.
- Consideration of Resolution for Assessment of Benefits to Properties Serviced by the Canton Road, Burleigh Drive, and Archie Lane Sewer Line Extension
The Board of Selectmen recessed at 8:35 p.m. to meet as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA).
It is recommended by Town Attorney Donald Holtman that a more formal RESOLUTION be adopted for the assessment of benefits to properties serviced by the Canton Road, Burleigh Drive, and Archie Lane sewer line extension, as noted below:
RESOLVED: Acting pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-249, the Water Pollution Control Authority of the Town of Granby hereby levies the following assessments for sewer system improvements upon the lands and buildings described in Exhibit A, B, and C (copy attached) which lands and buildings the Water Pollution Control Authority deems to have been especially benefitted by the acquisition and construction of the so-called Canton Road Sewer Line Extension, said assessments having been made pursuant to the rules adopted by it.
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the date such assessments are due and payable is November 1, 2010, but the payment of such assessments may be made in twenty equal installments due semi-annually on July 1 and January 1 in each year commencing July 1, 2011, and ending January 1, 2021.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adopt the resolution above for assessment of benefits to properties serviced by the Canton Road, Burleigh Drive, and Archie Lane sewer line extension.
Selectman Desrosiers asked if the motion covers the details of delinquent payers. Town Manager Smith responded it does not need to be in the resolution.
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (GWPCA) and resume as the Board of Selectmen at 8:38 p.m.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
- Budget Operations Report – October 2010
Town Manager Smith reviewed tax collection data for October. There was no change. Everything is going according to projections. Most budget operations are coming in as anticipated. Short-term investments will be diminished to about half of what was anticipated. The Library has received a $29,052 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for technology improvements. Also, the Cossitt Library received the grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in the amount of $125,000 for the repairs recently completed there. The Department of Public Works is coming into their tough season with the winter weather just around the corner. All in all, we are doing well.
The Blight and Nuisance Ordinance was brought up for review after being adopted five years ago. It seems to be working well. There have been 27 formal complaints and all of them have been resolved. There were many other complaints, but they were not formally submitted. They were all worked out with phone calls. Town Manager Smith said they are not looking to make any changes to the ordinance at this time. No fines have been assessed.
The Probate Court moved to Simsbury Town Hall today. They will continue to hold hearings at the Granby Town Hall until the end of this year. The town was mandated to regionalize with Avon, Simsbury, and Canton. Town Manager Smith was able to acquire a fireproof file cabinet from the Probate Office for use in the office of the Registrar of Voters.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams and Selectman Neumann recently attended the opening of the newly renovated Cossitt Library. The inside is delightful and the lower level is now handicap accessible.
First Selectman Adams and Selectman Desrosiers attended the Korean War Veterans redoing of picture taking in East Granby. Seven veterans showed to have their picture retaken. They are looking for a copy of the large group picture that was taken in Granby that was also lost in the power surge at the Capitol. Maybe someone listening has one that can be shared. Town Manager Smith thought the Valley Press might have a copy.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, & Mark Neumann, and Nicholas Moon and Sara Eckhardt Student Liaisons)
Student liaison Nicholas Moon reported the two eighth grade English classes attended the CT Forum on Education last Thursday. Also, Granby High School fall athletics are still going on. Selectman Kuhnly reported the girl’s field hockey would be playing a semi-final game tomorrow in Simsbury at 4:00 p.m. He wishes them good luck.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by First Selectman Adams, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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