TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN WORKSHOP MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 2010
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Sally King, Mark Neumann, B. Scott Kuhnly and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
Also present: James Klase, Director of Public Works
First Selectman Adams explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss 2011-2012 Plus-One Budget and capital projects. These items are on tonight’s regular meeting agenda for possible action.
The Board of Finance has not yet set the guideline for the 2011-2012 Budget. In the mean time, the Selectmen discussed various ways of putting a budget together. To stay at 0% would mean making cuts of $220,000 plus taking into consideration other items caused by inflation. To go below 0%, even more drastic cuts would have to be made, including job cuts and eliminating programs. To sustain town operations would mean an increase of $220,000 according to the Plus-One Budget. The Plus-One includes wage increases as well as required step increases. A proposed new budget includes existing Fringe Benefits, contract obligations with Lost Acres Fire Department, staffing for Senior and Youth Services which is subject to anticipated grants from the state and regional agencies, and meeting overtime and labor costs
for snow and ice control.
The big concern is what the new Governor will do when his term starts in January. There is the question of how he will try to balance the state budget and most likely he will cut funding to cities and towns as a way to help do that. Town Manager Smith indicated that Granby is not in terrible shape at this point. We are in favorable conditions compared to other cities and towns. We do have to be careful and also be mindful of keeping a 6-7% fund balance. With some state cuts, we could still maintain a 5% fund balance. Selectman Desrosiers feels the state will surely raise taxes next year. The Selectmen are eager to hear what the new Governor will say at the State Budget Address, on the first Monday in February.
It was decided they couldn’t do much until the Board of Finance sets a guideline. First Selectman Adams indicated they would go forward with the Plus-One Budget. If the Board of Finance asks for a 0% increase, then the figures would be reworked.
The discussion of capital projects was led by James Klase, Director of Public Works, focusing mainly on two high priority items and a couple of moderate priority items. The Park Pond House was the first item to be discussed. The main objective is to meet the needs of the town and make it usable at a reasonable cost. Mr. Klase presented information on prefabricated buildings. The cost would be for the materials, which would then have to be assembled by the town. The end result is a 32,000 sq. ft. attractive building that would accommodate all of the needs suggested in the original project at a fraction of the cost. The cost of the unassembled building is $230,000 and depending on what is needed inside, would determine the rest of the cost. Work could begin next fall. The possibility of using the
facility to generate revenue was also discussed. All the Selectmen seemed to favor this idea.
The second high priority project is a Wash Bay and Storage Bay. The Department of Environmental Protection regulations require a proper washing facility, which would not be designed for washing buses. This would be a hand wand washing facility. There is also a need for more storage that could be added to the existing Department of Public Works building with a prefabricated building. A 47’ X 70’ building would accommodate both bays and would satisfy the state requirement for a wash bay.
The next project is replacing the roof at the Granby Public Library, which is now nearly 30 years old, and to wait until there is a real problem would not be wise. After some discussion between the Selectmen it seems the roof should be addressed sooner rather than later.
Another project is tennis court rehabilitation. It calls for replacing existing courts with bituminous concrete and re-grading the area for proper drainage. The Department of Public Works would do most of the work. The idea of putting a curb around the court was mentioned, which would allow for a possible skating rink in the winter.
There was discussion of bundling these projects together and giving them to the Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC).
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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