TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
JUNE 21, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:55 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
I. PUBLIC SESSION
Michael Ware, 45 Hungary Road, addressed the Board concerning Ahrens Farm Park and stated he was representing several Hungary Road homeowners. Mr. Ware understood the property was sold to the town under very generous terms. He and other homeowners had hoped it would become more than just an extension of the high school athletic fields.
He also understood that following meetings of special interest or user groups the town would hold a public hearing to receive public input. This was noted in the February 3, 2004 meeting of the Board. To date a public hearing has not been held.
Other areas of concern were traffic, lack of soil testing on a previous agricultural site, noise abatement, lack of planning, lack of communication, was there a need for a special permit and was it obtained, etc. All of his questions and comments were documented in a handout distributed to the Board. Mr. Ware concluded stating the property owners on Hungary Road really just want to be involved.
First Selectman Adams told Mr. Ware the Board appreciated his comments. Updates are available through public television and of course by reading the minutes of Board meetings. He also stated the town would work towards improving communication.
Town Manager Smith stated he had already responded to several questions submitted by homeowners and will certainly respond to these additional questions. In addition, he will furnish the Board of Selectmen with copies of those questions and responses. First Selectman Adams indicated Town Manager Smith would continue to be the contact person for the town.
No other public addressed the Board. The Public Session was closed at 8:00 p.m.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board voted 4-0-1 (abstention King) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 7, 2004 with two corrections. Under Town Manager Reports, paragraph two, line one, MOTIION should be MOTION. Page five, paragraph two, the last sentence should read, “The New Britain line will be constructed at some point and the ridership numbers will be used to further evaluate the Griffin Line”.
III. UNFINISHED OR TABLED BUSINESS
A. Information or Updates on Building Committees’ Activity
Town Manager Smith reported the Wells Road project was approved by DEP and has gone out to bid. The bid opening will take place early next month.
The driveway to Ahrens Farm Park is in place, seeding has been completed, and the parking lot for the lacrosse field is finished. There will be more details coming later.
Kelly Lane is still in the design stage.
The final part of the Kearns School project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
Richard T. O’Brien, Board of Finance member, has submitted his resignation from the Board effective July 15, 2004. Mr. O’Brien is relocating to Florida.
ON A MOTION by Selectman Desrosiers, seconded by Selectman Judice, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously (5-0-0) to accept the resignation of Mr. O’Brien with deep regret.
After furnishing background information on all of the nominees, ON A MOTION by Selectman Neumann, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve the following appointments:
June Ashworth, (R) 7 Whytewood Lane, Commission on Aging. This appointment is filling a new position on the Board to comply with the newly revised Ordinance for the Commission on Aging expanding their membership. Ms. Ashworth’s appointment will expire January 10, 2005.
Robert E. Smith (R), 227 Salmon Brook Street, James W. Oates (R), 330 North Granby Road, and James F. Olsen (R), 25 Woodcliff Drive, were all appointed to the Blight and Nuisance Study Committee. Their terms will expire when their charge is fulfilled.
B. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance “Designating the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Town’s Aquifer Protection Agency”
Selectman King stated that given some of the comments received by the Board this evening, the Board may want to consider some additional language.
ON A MOTION by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Desrosiers, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to table this agenda item and consider it again at the next meeting.
V. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
A. Discussion Regarding Amending Ordinances on “Licensing of Vendors, Hawkers, and Peddlers” and “Regulating Use of Town Parks and Open Space”
Town Manager Smith reported the Chief of Police has reviewed both of these Ordinances and suggested some change in the fee consideration, as well as some changes because of State Statutes for the Licensing of Vendors, Hawkers, and Peddlers. There are also some suggestions for changes relating to Town Parks and Open Space to address traffic, parking, speeding, traffic control, and fines.
Town Manager Smith will prepare drafts of the two Ordinances to be revised and have them ready for review at a later date.
VI. FIRST SELECTMAN REPORTS (John Adams)
First Selectman Adams attended the opening of the new playground at Salmon Brook Park a week ago Sunday. He stated it was an absolutely fantastic event and David White and his committee raised over $120,000 for the playground.
A public informational meeting will be held by DOT at the Granby Senior Center on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. The subject is the Greenway Program a/k/a, the bike trail.
The Chamber of Commerce event, Celebrate Granby, was also a tremendous success.
VII. SELECTMAN REPORTS (Sally King, Vice Chairman, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, & Mark Neumann)
No reports.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
First Selectman Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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