June 8, 2021
Appointments to be Considered
The board appointed Richard Alger, 15 Creamery Hill Road, to the Greater Hartford Transit District Board of Directors as Granby’s representative.
Affordable Housing Plan Committee
The board voted (4-0-0) to create an Affordable Housing Committee.
The committee shall prepare an Affordable Housing Plan pursuant to the requirements of Section 8-30j of Connecticut General Statutes. Such plan shall be presented to the Board of Selectmen for review and approval to enable adoption prior to the July 2022 deadline. The committee composition shall consist of six members: one each from the Board of Selectmen, Commission on Aging, Development Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission, and two additional members from the public.
Solid Waste Fund Additional Appropriation for Bear Resistant Trash Barrels and Recycling Flyer
Residents have been purchasing bear resistant barrels at a one-time fee of $230 since 2020 from the Department of Public Works (DPW) reports there is currently a waitlist for them. To purchase 54 more barrels the cost would be 54 barrels at $235 and $3,050 for freight with a total cost of $15,740.
The level of contamination in the recycling stream is concerning. In the past year, two recycling loads were rejected resulting in the load being considered trash and the town being charged for tipping fees. DPW would like to prepare a flyer reiterating the recycling guidelines and include it in a future edition of the Drummer.
Other Business
The board authorized an additional appropriation of $16,665 from Solid Waste Sanitation Fund balance to fund the purchase of 54 bear resistant trash barrels and printing of recycling flyer, and forwards this request to the Board of Finance to approve.
The board discussed an additional appropriation of $431,000 from General Fund Balance to fund fiscal year 2021-2022 OPEB Actuarial Determined Contribution. Ballard asked for clarification of the transfer figure of $431,000. After much discussion with Smith and Finance Director Cheng, it was decided to table the discussion.
The board voted (4-0-0) to approve increases of Worker’s Compensation line item in Insurance Department and contribution to Dog Fund line item in Police Operations and Communications Department by $7,500 and forward this request to the Board of Finance to approve.
The board voted to authorize an additional appropriation of $25,000 from Communications Fund Balance to fund the service fees for upgrade to communications system, and forwards this request to the Board of Finance to approve.
The BOS, sitting as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority voted (4-0-0) to approve a sewer allocation increase of 3,290 gallons per day for the development at 2 and 3 Murtha’s Way.
June 14, 2021
The BOS authorized an additional appropriation of $431,000 from General Fund Balance to OPEB Fund for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 OPEB Actuarially Determined Contribution and forwards this request to the Board of Finance to approve.
The board ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement United Public Service Employees Union – Granby Public Works.
July 7, 2021
Small Playground additional appropriation
The BOS budget appropriated $85,000 to improve the small playscape at Salmon Brook Park. Since the initial appropriation, the cost of equipment and services has increased significantly. Parks and Recreation is requesting an additional $5,000 to fund the remainder of the project.
The board authorized an additional appropriation of $5,000 from the Recreation Fund balance to fund the additional cost for the Salmon Brook Park Small Playground Project and forwards this request to the Board of Finance to approve.
Action pertaining to the Ordinance Prohibiting the Intentional Feeding of Bears
The board voted (3-2-0) to amend the ordinance to Prohibit the Intentional Feeding of Bears. The last sentence in paragraph A under Exceptions should be changed to: Unintentional feeding MAY become intentional feeding if a written notice or warning is issued by any Authorized Enforcement Agent of the Town. Ballard and King voted no.
The board voted (5-0-0) to amend the ordinance to Prohibit the Intentional Feeding of Bears. First, correct typographical errors in paragraph B under Prohibited Activity. Second, remove the second sentence in paragraph A under Exceptions to exclude composting.
The board voted (4-1-0) to adopt the ordinance to Prohibit the Intentional Feeding of Bears as amended. Ballard voted no.
Consideration of Establishing a Special Revenue Fund for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)
Smith reviewed the request to establish a special fund for the money the town was awarded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Granby is entitled to $3,405,503.39 of which $1,702,751.69 was received on June 22. The remaining balance will be received in June 2022. The funds must be accepted by the town and spent in accordance with rules and regulations established by the federal government. The purpose of the funds is to recover losses to the town which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Granby Town Manager shall disburse the funds in accordance with procedures with Town of Granby policy and grant requirements.
The board voted to establish a special revenue fund for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).
During discussion, Neumann suggested the funds from ARPA be considered for recommendations from the Long Term Recovery Committee.
Town Manager Report
Smith provided an update on the sale of Kearns School. There are currently two interested parties, and the town is awaiting written communication from both.
In response to an inquiry from Ballard, Kuhnly provided an update on the Town Manager search. The committee is in the process of reviewing applications from 18 individuals.
Selectman Reports
Ballard reiterated his objection to the Ordinance Prohibiting the Intentional Feeding of Bears. Ballard believes further study and work should be done to address the issue.
Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement
The board ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the United Public Service Employees Union – Granby Public Safety Dispatchers and the Town of Granby.
To read the full minutes of these BOS meetings, visit granby-ct.gov/node/115/minutes/2021