February 18, 2025
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Mark Neumann, Margaret Chapple, Frederick Moffa, Kelly Rome and Student Liaison Ben Lavigne.
Also present: Town Manager Mike Walsh
Communications
A proclamation was presented to the American Legion Shannon Shattuck Post 182 for procuring a new sound system and generously donating its use to the town for the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Bond referendum question – Doherty Bridge
Town Manager Mike Walsh presented a bond referendum package seeings to amend the 2019 bond authorization approved by the voters to include the Doherty Bridge reconstruction. It is recommended that the board review the package and approve the resolution at their March 17 meeting, which allow the board of finance to review and approve the resolution at their March 25 meeting. A town meeting will be held on Monday, April 14 and the referendum on April 21. The town clerk will post the notice of the Town meeting and referendum on or before April 9, 2025. Walsh will consult with the bond counsel to determine if the bond question can be addressed simultaneously with the town meeting and budget referendum and will advise the board. The time of the vote will also be confirmed to be 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Public Works garage roof – placement of a solar array
At a CPPAC meeting in late 2024, solar opportunities available to the town were discussed. After viewing a presentation prepared by Connecticut Greenbank, the group’s consensus was to identify one solar application and work with the Greenbank to estimate the financial benefits to the town. As a result, the Public Works Department garage was selected as the site for the installation. There is a potential revenue stream of between $323,000 to $404,000 over 20 years depending on how the contract is structured. The DPW garage roof is about 38 years old and eventually will need to be addressed. If the $97,000 replacement cost was incorporated into the contract, the available revenue stream to the town would be $206,000 to $287,000 (or $10,000 to $15,000 of savings annually) including the new roof. The board unanimously approved a motion to direct Walsh to move forward in a more substantive way to bring an executable contract for the board’s consideration in the future.
Lease agreement – 83 Salmon Brook Street
The town received information about the improvements needed at 83 Salmon Brook Street (Freshie’s), which required amendments to the proposed lease agreement. A copy of the amended lease was distributed and will be posted on the town website. Walsh requested the agenda item be tabled to allow reviewing the details of the changes to the lease terms. Changes include a 2.5 percent rent escalation that begins in year six, a deed restriction and an increase in the pool of funding from $75,000 to $125,000 for the repairs to the roof, the foundation and the mechanicals. The increased cost to the repairs is supported by quotes from contractors.
Request for permission to submit a STEAP Grant application
The town seeks to submit a project under the State of Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program Grant (STEAP) to create a new walking path at Salmon Brook Park from the parking lot near the Dog Park through the north Rover’s field, and handicapped accessibility to Salmon Brook Park from the Route 20 overflow parking lot to the Rover’s fields. The total cost of the project is estimated at between $600,000 and $700,000. The board unanimously approved a resolution to authorize Walsh to execute all documents, agreements and contracts necessary to obtain the 2025 STEAP Grant.
Park and Recreation fund appropriation for Holcomb Farm signage
At the June 17 meeting, the board approved reallocation of $75,000 of ARPA funds for repairs, signage, sidewalks, fencing, tree removal and AV upgrades at Holcomb Farm. An unpaid balance of $2,297.27 for the replacement sign was not paid before the December 31, 2024, deadline for ARPA funds. The staff is requesting an additional appropriation form the Parks and Recreation Fund to pay the remaining balance. The fund has sufficient funds to cover this appropriation, with a balance of $560,297 as of June 30, 2024. The board unanimously approved the appropriation and forwarded the request to the board of finance.
KCE possible appeal
The KCE BESS Battery Project was recently approved by the Connecticut Siting Counsel over the town’s objections. As a result of that approval, the town wanted to explore all options including an appeal of the decision and directed the Town Manager to identify a qualified attorney specializing in appeals of this type.
Attorney David Sherwood, with the firm of Moriarty, Paetzold and Sherwood, who has brought similar appeals was selected and agreed to represent the town through the appeal process at a rate of $400/hour. The board voted unanimously to ratify the filing of the appeal.
Town manager report
The Town has hit the reset button on the Kearns senior housing development project. No decisions on the site or legal decisions with the respect to the developer have been made at this time. The partnership of 7 Summits Reality and New Samaritan has earned it the right to discuss the project with the town. The negotiating team will be transparent with the community and work in the best interests of the town in negotiating a project beneficial for Granby. Weekly development meetings will be held to determine the scope and design of the project based on input from all sources. The process is expected to take several months. Once completed the town and the developer will research next steps including financing of the development.
Public session
Tony King, 80 Donahue Road spoke to clear up what he considers a misunderstanding on the type of battery that was approved for the KCE Battery Project. It has been presented as a lithium-ion battery when it is a lithium iron phosphate battery which is different than what has been depicted in the media at the Moss Landing fire in California.
Robert Flanigan, 24 Woodcliff Drive spoke in favor of selling the property at 83 Salmon Brook Street rather than leasing it.
February 3, 2025
Members Present: First Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Mark Neumann, Frederick Moffa, Kelly Rome, Margaret Chapple, Mike Walsh, Town Manager, Scott A. Nolan, Town Clerk, Zainab Zafar, Student Liaison, Ben LaVigne, Student Liaison
Department of Public Works supervisor job description approved
Town Manager Mike Walsh announced that Rich Thomas has been promoted to the Facilities Supervisor position The board approved the new supervisor job description provided by Human Resources Director Krista Shaffer dated Jan. 16, 2025.
Outside council request
Walsh informed the board that because the KCE Battery Project was approved by the Connecticut Sitting Counsel over the objections of the Town of Granby, the town wants to explore its options including an appeal of the approval. To fully explore the Town’s rights, it needs to seek a qualified attorney/law firm specializing in that appeal process. The board authorized hiring an attorney/law firm to assist in legal matters related to the KCE Battery Project and directed Walsh to execute an engagement letter with the firm that is in the best interest of the Town and report on his progress at the Feb. 18 meeting.
Town Clerk resigns
Walsh informed the board that he had received a letter of resignation from Town Clerk Scott Nolan and said that it goes without saying that Scott will be missed. Fiorentino thanked Nolan for his service to the Town of Granby and board members wished him well.
Nolan noted that while his tenure has been short, it has been enjoyable and rewarding. He thanked Assistant Town Clerks Jini Ruscitti and Laura Milne, Fiorentino, the Board of Selectmen, and the Town Hall staff for this rewarding opportunity to serve the residents of Granby.
Kearns developer vote
Walsh referenced the RFP issued in mid-2024 seeking developers to turn the Kearns School site into Senior Housing and the Jan. 13, 2025, presentations by two developers to the board, the Commission on Aging and residents. At a special meeting during the week of Jan. 20, the COA voted in support of working with New Samaritan/7 Summits to reach an agreement to develop the Kearns School site as Senior Housing and provided a list of its priorities.
Deborah Holcomb (COA Member) addressed BOS regarding her concerns related to Senior Housing. She noted her concerns about what the assessed impact is on the Town, sewer usage, goals of the property, and the draw on other town resources. She further expressed concern on the Town’s recourse should the developer not meet their obligations.
A motion was made by Mark Neumann that the Granby Board of Selectmen direct Town Manager Mike Walsh to begin working with New Samaritan/7 Summits to create a development agreement for the Kearns School Senior Housing Initiative with emphasis on the priorities provided by the Commission on Aging and the Board of Selectmen. Walsh will return to the board no later than April 30, 2025, with either an update on the progress of the development agreement or an agreement for the Board of Selectmen to consider for approval. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Executive session
The board went into Executive Session at 7:41 p.m. to discuss potential litigation and invited members of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager to join.