TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 7, 2011
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 Student Liaisons Nicholas Moon and Sara Eckhardt
I. PUBLIC SESSION
First Selectman Adams recognized Boy Scout Troop #125 in attendance at tonight’s meeting to fulfill requirements for the Civic Merit Badge.
A. Report on Snow and Ice Structural Matters, William Volovski, Building Official
Mr. Volovski reported that Granby has faired pretty well with weather-related structural issues. To date only one reported building has fallen, and this was a very old three car detached garage on Mountain Road. There have been some reports of ice damage, leaky roofs, and creaking noises in homes and offices. The school facilities people have been very proactive. They began evaluating and cleaning off school roofs about a week ago. The majority of the roofs are done. There is still some concern with much older homes and buildings.
B. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Presentation by John Latella
John Latella gave the Selectmen a brief update on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) progress over the last year. The team members originally attended a 20-hour training program last January and were tested and certified. They have continued with additional training in such areas as CPR, sheltering, and search and rescue. Their goal is to be prepared for emergencies and help the community to be prepared in the event of a disaster. Mr. Latella reviewed items that every family should have on hand in case of a disaster. This check list and more information will be available on their website which is part of the town website, www.granby-ct.gov.
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 December 6, 2010, the Board of Selectmen workshop meeting December 6, 2010, and the Board of Selectmen special meeting January 24, 2011 as presented.
First Selectman Adams recessed the Board of Selectmen meeting to hold a Special Town Meeting for the acceptance of Powder Mill Lane as a town road at 8:00 p.m.
First Selectman Adams reconvened the Board of Selectmen meeting at 8:08 p.m.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
No unfinished or tabled business was before the Board.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman King, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to reappoint the following:
Stanley Hayes (U), 151 East Street, to the Agricultural Commission. Mr. Stanley Hayes’ term will expire January 12, 2015.
Stephen Hayes (U), 359 North Granby Road, to the Agricultural Commission. Mr. Stephen Hayes’ term will expire January 12, 2015.
George Bronsord, Jr. (U), 26 Day Street South, to the Commission on Aging. Mr. Bronsord’s term will expire January 14, 2013.
David Tolli (R), 72 Buttles Road, to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. Mr. Tolli’s term will expire January 13, 2014.
Lynn Lochhead (R), 218 Loomis Street, to the Library Board. Ms. Lochhead’s term will expire January 13, 2014.
Brigid Gunn (R), 6 Gristmill Lane, to the Park and Recreation Board. Ms. Gunn’s term will expire January 14, 2013.
B. Consideration of Granby Chamber of Commerce’s Proposal to Install Celebrate 225 Banners
The Chamber of Commerce has offered to place logo banners on town-owned light poles at the Town Hall Complex, Merchants Way, Bank Street, and at Salmon Brook Park. This is part of the Celebrate 225 Granby event and the banners will be placed in early March and removed in March 2012. It is recommended that the Board of Selectmen endorse the project since this display promotes both the Celebrate 225 Granby event and the Chamber of Commerce.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the installation of the Celebrate 225 Granby banners on town owned light poles located at the Town Hall Complex, Merchants Way, Bank Street, and Salmon Brook Park.
C. Consideration of Drug Free Grant Application
To help reduce substance abuse among youths and young adults, the Granby Youth Services Bureau would like to apply for a grant under the Drug Free Communities Support Program. The grant, if awarded, may provide up to $125,000 per year for five years. It may support salaries, benefits, office space, and training. This is a matching grant using non-federal in-kind services. Local funding may be used but it is unlikely the full amount can be matched, so it would be confined to what in-kind services can be provided under the guidelines.
Contributions from the Capital Area Substance Abuse Council, Granby Community Fund, Granby Early Childhood Council, and Granby Youth Services as well as private donations, would be used to cover the cost of a consultant to develop the grant application at a cost of $4,300. The application is due in mid-March.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Kuhnly, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to approve the Granby Youth Services Bureau to make application for a grant under the Drug Free Communities Support Program.
D. Consideration of Board of Selectmen 2011-2012 Budget Workshop Dates
Budget workshop assignments and dates were set as follows:
Thursday, March 10
Administration – Sally King
Public Works and Environment – Mark Neumann
Personal and Property Protection – Ron Desrosiers
Monday, March 14
Personal and Property Protection – continued if necessary
Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services – B. Scott Kuhnly
Capital Budget & Debt Service – John Adams
Revenues and Other Funds – ALL MEMBERS
All workshops will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room. An additional workshop will be held March 21, 2011 if necessary.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Budget Operations Report – November 2010 and December 2010
Town Manager Smith reviewed the November and December budget operations reports mostly focusing on the December report as that is the most current. It was reported we are where we should be at this half-year mark. Education revenues from the state are on target and intergovernmental revenues are holding. As reported before, short-term investments are not as anticipated at $200,000. They are shy about $70,000, and it is hoped it will be made up in other areas.
January weather, with all the storms, has brought some snow removal issues. Extra fuel, maintenance of equipment, and overtime has made a large dent in the snow removal budget, but we are confident we can still make ends meet. An application to FEMA was made to help defray the cost of the major storms we have had.
B. Grand List for October 1, 2010
The Grand List for October 1, 2010 has been completed and filed with the state as required. There has been an increase of 0.73%, mostly due to vehicles and real estate. That is slightly higher than anticipated. At the current mill rate, it will generate approximately $210,800 in new revenue.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
A. Three Board Meeting
The originally scheduled Three Board Meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather. Due to lack of new information to discuss, a decision was made not to reschedule. The big question is what the state is going to do for municipalities. The Governor’s speech is scheduled for February 16, 2011. We will then learn the impact of what the state is going to do for municipalities and how we, as a municipality, should proceed with the budget. The Selectmen may end up discussing this information at the next Board of Finance meeting on February 23, 2011. State Representative Bill Simanski, who was present at tonight’s meeting, was asked if he had any comments and he stated he was just as anxious to hear what the Governor has to say in his upcoming speech.
First Selectman Adams read a letter from Granby residents who very much appreciate the Granby Senior Center and their gracious and caring staff. Congratulations go out to Sandy Yost and KerryAnn Kielbasa.
Susan Bysiewicz, now former Secretary of the State, presented the Town of Granby with the Democracy Cup. The Democracy Cup was presented to three towns with the highest voter turn out for their size category. Granby had a 72% turn out, which was the highest for a mid-size town. The cup is now in the Town Clerk’s office and will be displayed in other offices throughout the year.
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 this Wednesday is job shadow day. Sports are finishing their season and mid-term exams are finally over.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
ON A M0TION by Selectman Kuhnly, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the Board voted unanimously (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
| 
