Granby Drummer | October 2019 by Granby Drummer

October 2019 The Granby Drummer Page 7

BOS Minutes cont’d. from p. 6 enter into Executive Session to discuss union negotiations. Town Manager John D. Ward is invited to attend. Reordered to be discussed after Selectman Reports. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS Updates Town Manager Ward reported the Recreation Department has had a successful summer camp season. Administration will be conducting interviews on Aug. 21, for the Administration Finance Officer. The license for farming the town property on East Street went out to bid earlier this year. A new five-year license, effective May 1, 2019 was awarded to Northern Valley Farms, the high bidder. Licensee fees are $13,000 per year, with a 1 percent annual increase. The agreement does prohibit the use of glyphosate, a/k/a Roundup. There will be a report on herbicides at the next meeting. There seems to be some confusion on the current procedure and dates for approval of Park House rentals that also request a special permit for the serving of alcohol. There was an amendment to the Park Rules in 2015 allowing the park director to approve serving alcohol between Oct. 15 and April 15. It was decided that it is time for another review of the park policy for alcohol. Budget Operations – July Town Manager Ward briefly reviewed July budget operations. Tax Collector and Assessors offices have done a great job. Collections are on target. Expenditures are not out of alignment. The question was asked, what are Town Clerk fees; statutory collections? The Town Clerk reported this is for document recording fees. Executive session On a motion by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Lofink, the board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to recess the regular Board of Selectmen meeting and go to executive session at 7:21 p.m. Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, James Lofink, Mark Neumann, and Edward Ohannessian. First Selectman Kuhnly called the first executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:28 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a real estate matter. The executive session adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, James Lofink, Mark Neumann, and Edward Ohannessian. Also present, Town Manager

that to date, no offers have been received on this property. Discussion and comments included: the appraisal seems extremely high; the steering committee continues to look for funding; actively explore other options that might include reaching out to CREC to see if they might have a use for the building; keep it as a learning facility; knock it down (consideration of asbestos in the floor tiles should be kept in mind); modify it for elderly housing; subdivide the property; redevelop the property so it would result in elimination of operating expenses for maintenance and potentially yield general fund revenue; town use (senior activities); or actively market the property for sale at $2.6 million. Selectman Lofink questioned the letter of intent that expired in July. Since the Steering Committee has not come up with the funding and the letter is non-binding, we are currently in a holding pattern. It can still come back to the Board of Selectmen at any time if the money becomes available. Town Manager Ward stated this board has not done anything but agree to allow the steering committee the opportunity to explore its proposal. There was no legal intent and the board hasn’t formally decided on the proposal except to say flesh it out for consideration. On a motion by Selectman Ohannessian, seconded by Selectman Neumann, the board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adopt the Kearns Community Center Advisory Committee Report. Rita Wood, 80 North Granby Road, was an employee of CREC and has seen them level buildings and build their own. Susan Hackett, 42 Lakeside Drive, is concerned about what is really good for Granby and suggested sending out a Request for Proposal for the property and weigh the options. Eliot Altomore, executive director of Kearns Community Center Steering Committee, indicated they are still hopeful for funding. Carolyn Flint, 54 Barn Door Hills Road, asked if there will be time for discussion on herbicides. She thanked DPW for not using RoundUp at Salmon Brook Park and Barn Door Hills Road. Christopher Klemmer, 14 Winhart Drive, asked what the town’s exit strategy would be if the project defaults. That information should be included in the RFP. The response was; in the case of a default, the town takes possession. What is the cost to level the building as opposed to upkeep cost? Selectman King responded

John D. Ward. First Selectman Kuhnly called the second executive session of the Board of Selectmen to order at 8:01 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss union negotiations. The executive session adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

September 3, 2019 Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, James Lofink, Mark Neumann, Edward Ohannessian, and John D. Ward, Town Manager PUBLIC SESSION Town Manager Ward thanked the Kearns Community Center Advisory Committee members, Committee Chairman Diane Hernsdorf and Community Development Director Abby Kenyon for all their work. Chairman Hernsdorf read the names of the committee members, including representatives from several active boards and commissions. In addition, the committee worked with and received guidance from Director of Community Development Abby Kenyon. Hernsdorf read the charge and indicated they met 11 times from Jan. 23 to June 12. It did not meet the two-month deadline to report to the Board of Selectmen and were given an extension. During that time, members evaluated proposed programs and activities, reviewed the budget, toured the school, met with members of the Steering Committee and received comments from the public. Hernsdorf presented highlights from the committee report. Without funds in hand at the time of a lease execution, it would be difficult for the community center to achieve financial stability. As one of the final recommendations to the Board of Selectmen, the committee unanimously recommends that, before any agreement is executed between the Kearns Community Steering Committee and the Town of Granby, proof of a commitment for sufficient funds to complete the proposed improvements and other expenses set out in their submission — currently estimated at $2.5 million — must have been received and submitted to the town. Also recommended is that the Board of Selectmen set a deadline for compliance and if that is not met, the town should pursue other options. Town Manager Ward reported there was an appraisal of $2.6 million on the property that was done by a professional. It was also noted,

cleanup is much more expensive than leveling. Town Manager Ward responded it would cost approximately $500,000 to demolish the building. The bare bones to upkeep the building would be $30,000 according to Kirk Severance, public works director. Bill Glueck, 18 Barkhamsted Road, thanked Hernsdorf for her work and also Ward for the appraisal. He indicated the idea to explore other options is fair to residents. It would be better to rent the building for $300,000 per year than to lease it for $1 per year. Alicia Newtown, Kearns Community Center Steering Committee member, indicated as much as she would like to see a community center in Granby; if it doesn’t happen here, it will happen somewhere else. BUSINESS Resignations and Appointments to be Considered Selectman Neumann reported the Republican Town Committee approved the recommendations to the Building Projects committees that were announced at the last Board of Selectmen’s meeting. TOWN MANAGER REPORTS Herbicide and Pesticide We have significantly reduced the use of Round Up in the Town of Granby. It is not being used on roadways or at Ahrens Park. It is being used at Town Hall and Salmon Brook Park to get rid of poison ivy. The Department of Public Works has drafted a Pesticide and Herbicide Management usage guide. It was noted that little signs are put up at Salmon Brook Park marking the area where the pesticide is being used and is applied by a trained employee. There was a question as to why the town is still using Round Up. Town Manager Ward responded it is a legal product. Evidence is not conclusive and he understands it is a passionate issue. The facts are not clear-cut. It is an effective and legal product. It was noted the commission previously did a study and said the DPW should not use the product. Ward reported that he was not present at the bear discussion meeting but he will put together some information on a bear ordinance and possible bear proof receptacles. Respectfully submitted, Town Manager John D. Ward

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