August 21, 2023
Present: Mark Fiorentino, Margaret Chapple, Frederick Moffa, Mark Neumann, Town Clerk Scott Nolan. Finance Director Kimi Cheng, Student Liaison Charles Orluk.
Absent: Kelly Rome
Appointments
The two Granby seats for the Farmington Valley Health District were vacant. The board appointed Joan Kuhnly and Sandra Yost for three-year terms beginning immediately and ending Sept. 1, 2026.
STEAP Grant Applications
Granby Parks and Recreation Director Kristine Vincent requested submission approval of the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant application for the renovation and reconstruction of existing basketball courts at Salmon Brook Park into a multisport court that can accommodate basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, badminton, pickleball and more. Fiorentino noted that the application requested a grant award of $210,000 in state funding with a proposed match of $42,000 (20 percent) from the town’s recreation fund for a total project cost of $252,000. An additional appropriation request will be presented to the board for approval if the grant is approved by the state.
Granby Public Library requested that an application for a STEAP grant be submitted for the replacement of the existing sidewalks at the F.H. Cossitt Library as they are crumbling, cracked, are difficult to maintain in the wintertime and have become dangerous for patrons, especially those with disabilities or the elderly. Fiorentino noted that the application requested a grant award of $45,000 and that this amount would fund the project in its entirety and not require any matching municipal funds.
Granby Senior Services Department requested approval to submit an application for a STEAP grant to upgrade the Senior Center kitchen. Currently, the kitchen lacks an adequate utensil sanitation system, which requires using single-service disposable utensils, an environmentally unfriendly situation. Fiorentino noted that an improved sanitation system might include a three-bay sink, commercial grade dishwasher, stainless steel countertops, grease interceptor, and the relocation of the hand washing sink. The STEAP grant application requests a grant award of $126,800 with no matching needs from the municipal funds.
Update on New Phone System Project
The boards of Selectmen and Finance approved a $55,000 appropriation from the communication fund to upgrade the town’s antiquated phone system. With the new and upgraded IT infrastructure, which was installed and completed in July 2023, the new VoIP phone system project is ready to move forward.
Public Session
Michael Fusick, 55 Northwoods Road, spoke about the drainage infrastructure and pond located on his property which he purchased in May 2022, and explained that it was constructed solely to manage stormwater and collects runoff from eight catch basin located on Northwoods Road and controllable discharges into the abutting property and eventually to the East Branch Salmon Brook.
Robert James Flanigan Jr., Woodcliff Drive, spoke about the changes to the Charter Revision and if the changes had been posted to the town website. Flanigan also inquired about when the next Inland Wetlands and Watercourse meeting was scheduled.
Katherine Bogli, 198R Salmon Brook Street, inquired about an update on the search for a Town Manager, along with the completion date of the road construction in Granby Center.
Looking for additional information?
You can access the entire minutes from any town meeting by visiting granby-ct.gov/AgendaCenter