SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, Edward Ohannessian, Town Manager William F. Smith Jr. Also present: Kimi Cheng, Director of Finance
Long-Term Recovery Committee
The committee’s goal was to identify the unmet needs of the community created by the COVID-19 crisis and to develop methods to assist the citizens and businesses recover. Kuhnly acknowledged and thanked the committee: Chair David Watkins, Cindy Adams, Lori Blackburn, Sandra Flagg, Mary Ann Guarco, Philip Main, Walter (Skip) Mission, Clark Pfaff, Eric Vincent, Taylor Wrye, Virginia Wutka and Sandra Yost. Kathy Ungerleider, not a committee member, was a great asset to the committee.
The board voted (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Aug. 16 meeting.
The board voted (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of the special Aug. 31 meeting.
Business
Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
The board voted (4-0-0) to approve the appointment of Anna Sogliuzzo to the Affordable Housing Committee
The board voted (4-0-0) to approve the appointment of Greg Dion to the Conservation Commission.
The board voted (4-0-0) to approve the appointment of Rose Mouning to the Affordable Housing Committee.
Consideration of Friends of Cossitt Library Grant Opportunity
The Friends of Cossitt Library (FCL) are applying for a Capital Grant from the Pomeroy-Brace Fund (PBF) to address the building’s most urgent needs. This grant represents the initial phase of a multi-phase preservation capital project overseen by the Library Projects Committee and encompasses exterior work to repair and restore the areas on the north and east sides of the upper story. The estimated cost of this phase will be $28,000-$36,000. The FCL will contribute $28,000 from the 2021 PBF grant as well as the cost of the construction/scope of work documents in the amount of $6,500.
In order to write and submit the PBF grant, the FCL and Library Projects Committee request that the board approve an additional appropriation of $10,000 to cover the difference between the actual cost of Phase 1 of the Cossitt Library Preservation Project and the PBF grant. Any unspent funds will be returned to the General Fund. The board voted (4-0-0) to approve and forward this request to the Board of Finance to approve.
Consideration of Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement the International Brotherhood of Police Officers
Smith indicated the town and union have come to a tentative agreement and are ready to ratify the agreement. The board voted (4-0-0) to consider this item in Executive Session. Following the Executive Session, the board voted (4-0-0) to ratify the agreement.
First Selectman Reports
Kuhnly shared a story about Tyler Coiro, a camp counselor at Salmon Brook Park this past summer. As required, Coiro was certified in adult and pediatric CPR First Aid and AED by Terry Zimniecki. On Aug. 21 while working as a parking attendant for a Simsbury outdoor concert, Coiro was notified a man was in distress and unresponsive. Coiro administered eight rounds of compressions and rescue breathing while waiting for paramedics who then administered advanced life-saving techniques to revive the man. The paramedics informed Coiro that without his assistance, the man most likely would have died. Kuhnly commended Coiro for his actions and Ziemnicki for providing him with the skills he needed that day.
Kuhnly announced the recent appointment of Erica Robertson as Granby’s next Town Manager. She will begin on Sept. 20. Kuhnly thanked Bill Smith and Kerry Kielbasa for their work in bringing Robertson to the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith Jr. Town Manager
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021
Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Glenn Ballard, Sally King, Mark Neumann, Edward Ohannessian, Town Manager Erica Robertson, and John Bell, Student Liaison. Also Present: Kimi Cheng, Director of Finance; Superintendent of Schools Jordan Grossman, William F. Smith, Jr., former Town Manager
First Selectman Kuhnly welcomed new Town Manager Erica Robertson.
The board voted (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Sept. 7 meeting.
Consideration of the Awarding of the Contract for Architectural Services for the Granby Memorial High School Roof Replacement to Silver Petrucelli and Associates
Smith reported the Town received notice from the School Projects Building Committee requesting approval as soon as possible due to the deadline for the state grant reimbursement process. The board voted (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to award and execute the architectural contract for the roof replacement at Granby Memorial High School to the firm of Silver Petrucelli and Associates.
Selectman Reports
Ohannessian thanked Smith for stepping up to help the town during this transition. His loyalty shows he has Granby in his heart. It was a tremendous deed he has done for the town.
OCTOBER 4, 2021
Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Glenn Ballard, Sally King, Mark Neumann, Edward Ohannessian, Erica P. Robertson, Town Manager. Also present: Director of Finance Kimi Cheng; Attorney Richard Roberts; Andrew DiFatta, Goman + York.
The board voted (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the Sept. 20 meeting.
Business
Resignations and Appointments to be Considered
The board voted (5-0-0) to approve the appointment of Zachary Donais to the Conservation Commission.
Consideration of Approval of Amended OPEB Trust Agreement
Robertson explained the Town is requesting to change the financial advisor for the OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) Trust Fund from Mission Square (ICMA-RC) to Fiducient Advisors. Fiducient Advisors has been managing the town’s pension fund with a better return than ICMA-RC. In addition, the fees are less, returns are better and it provides more investment options. The board voted (5-0-0) to adopt the OPEB Trust Agreement as presented.
Town Manager Reports
Robertson noted she will provide a lengthier report during the first meeting of the month and the second meeting will focus on the financial reports. She highlighted some of the items included in her report in the selectmen’s packet:
The Assessor’s Office has started the revaluation process for the October 2022 Grand List. Due to COVID, data collectors will not be going into homes and will measure homes exteriors and outbuildings.
Addison Kupchik, a certified police officer from Waterbury, was recruited and joined the force today. There is currently one vacancy and additional officers are out with injuries. For the short-term, the department will ask for officers from other towns. In addition, Captain Tyler announced his retirement effective the first of the year.
The Department of Public Works is currently working five active bridge projects and the department is working with FEMA to replace a bridge that was washed out at Holcomb Farm.
Executive Session
Kuhnly called the Executive Session to order and invited Robertson, Attorney Richard Roberts and Andrew DiFatta of Goman + York to attend. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a real estate matter.
Respectfully submitted,
Erica P. Robertson Town Manager