Board of Selectmen Highlights

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May 1, 2023

Appointments

Lynette M. Simpson to the ommission on aging for a two-year term and Rachel C. Antonucci to the agricultural commission for a four-year term.

Contract for the GMHS Roof Replacement Project

The town issued a request for proposals for replacing the GMHS roof. The lowest bid was $2,328,028 with the added option of a 30-year warranty for $112,824 added to the base bid. Clerk of the works cost is not to exceed $50,000. The board unanimously agreed.

Creation of a Holcomb Farm Stewardship Trust Fund

The long-term conservation and sustainability plan for Holcomb Farm included the Holcomb Farm Conservation Easement requiring the Town to create a restricted stewardship fund for the $500,000 donation from the Granby Land Trust. A trust agreement and trust fund ordinance was created. There were no oral or written comments received at the May 15 Public Hearing.

Discussion and Possible Actions Regarding a Granby Center Study

The planning and zoning commission and the development commission discussed a study of Granby Center, the items to be included, and recommended a study committee of up to five members. The board approved the proposed scope and the committee’s composition and charge as outlined by Abby Kenyon.

Additional Allocation from ARPA funds for Police Cruiser Cameras

In September 2022, $42,026 was approved for purchase of modems from AT&T and Axon Fleet 3 in-car video systems including two cameras for each of six marked police vehicles, with hardware, software, online storage, licensing and warranty. The allocated funding is not sufficient. Staff recommended using $17,971.90 from the ARPA funds to cover the shortage. A recurring yearly software fee is estimated to be $8,911.67 and is subject to change. The board approved the allocation from ARPA funds.

Consideration of Capital Equipment Loans

The 2022-23 budget approved the loan purchase of a dump truck, pickup truck, public works vehicle and maintenance equipment for the town, a maintenance vehicle, and technology equipment for the board of education in the capital equipment/ improvement fund. A capital equipment loan program allows the town to spread purchases over several years, a practice the board of finance recommends due to high-interest rates and significant increases in interest rates offered by the town’s two banks. The board approved two inter-fund loans, one from the general fund to the capital equipment/improvement fund in the amount of $669,000 for a 4.5-year term, and another from the general fund to the education quality and diversity fund for a two-year term for $37,000. Both loans have a fixed interest rate of 4.50 percent. Each year, the capital equipment/ improvement fund and the education quality and diversity Fund will repay the general fund principal and interest. The board forwarded this request to the board of finance for approval.