February 5, 2024
Present: Mark Fiorentino, Mark Neumann, Kelly Rome, Frederick Moffa, Margaret Chapple and Student Liaison Ben LaVigne. Also present: Town Clerk Scott Nolan, Public Works Director Kirk Severance, Finance Director Kimi Cheng.
Appointments
The board appointed Michael Lengvarsky (R) and Maureen Eberly (R) to the Commission on Aging effective immediately with terms ending Jan. 8, 2026.
The board appointed Karen Richmond-Godard (D) to the Board of Education effective immediately with a term ending Nov. 18, 2025.
Business
Commission on Aging Chair Jean Donihee-Perron said the commission will be updating the policies and procedures of the Senior Center and will be submitting a monthly newsletter to The Granby Drummer.
The upgrade of the town phone system was completed in December. The transition went smoothly. The project total of $63,778.17 exceeded the amount appropriated by $8,778.17. The board authorized the additional allocation from ARPA funds to cover the overage, and approved the allocation of $1,102 to purchase a bundle of 25 VPN access licenses.
Fiorentino reviewed the history of the town’s ownership of the property at 83 Salmon Brook St. most recently occupied by Freshies Café. Fiorentino recommended an RFP (Request for Proposals) be issued for a commercial real estate broker to provide advice and guidance on an arrangement most beneficial to the town, which may include a lease or a sale. The Board authorized the Community Development Director to issue the RFP.
Broadleaf Solar, the owner of 322 acres at 90 Salmon Brook St. and 35 Floydville Rd., is proposing a solar energy facility of up to 100 MW (megawatt) on the property. Although approval is required from the Connecticut Siting Council (the town does not have jurisdiction), the developer is seeking input from the town. Fiorentino scheduled a briefing for the board and members from other town boards and commissions on Feb. 13. The developer will meet with abutting property owners in March. The Board of Selectmen will collect input from the boards and commissions and provide the developer with comments in the spring.
The search for a new Town Manager continues. Fiorentino, serving as Acting Town Manager, is limited to 125 consecutive days in that role. To “reset the clock,” Cheng was appointed as the Interim Town Manager from Feb. 5 to Feb. 8, with Fiorentino resuming the Acting Town Manager position on Feb. 9.