Simsbury, CT - Board of Finance-Public Meeting-03/12/02

Chairman Paul Henault called the Board of Finance Public Hearing for Capital Projects to order at 7:34 P.M. in the Simsbury High School auditorium, 34 Farms Village Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Peter Askham, Candace Fitzpatrick, Nicholas Mason, Kevin North and Michael Wade. Also present were First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Finance Director/Treasurer Kevin Kane, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Townsley, Board of Education Business Manager David Holden, Board of Education Deputy Chairman Richard Hogan and other interested parties.

Mr. Henault introduced himself as the moderator for the evening and reviewed the procedure for the Public Hearing. He then reviewed the Capital Project approval time table and the dollar totals for each of the Town Projects ($28,770,083) and the Board of Education Projects ($44,488,567), all totaling $73,258,650 (Addendum I).

Mr. Vincent reviewed the Sewer Treatment Plant Renovation & Expansion project, totaling $26,840,083 (Addendum II). He went on to review the other Town Capital Projects (Addendum III): Development Rights/Open Space ($1,000,000), Economic Development Fund ($500,000), Sewer Extensions ($230,000) and Park Improvements ($200,000).

Mr. Hogan recognized the BOE members present: Chairwoman Mary Margaret Girgenti, Lydia Tedone and Charles Moret. Mr. Hogan reviewed the BOE Capital Projects (Addendum IV): Modular Classroom Addition ($340,000), System Flooring Replacement ($250,000), System Window/Door Treatment ($220,000), Computer Technology ($500,000) and Simsbury High School Addition and Alteration ($43,178,567). He emphasized that, after State reimbursement, the real Town cost for the High School project would be under $34,000,000. He went over the specifics of the additions and the renovations (Addendum V). He also reviewed the construction phases which would begin in the summer of 2002 and continue through fiscal year 2004/2005 (Addendum VI). He introduced, on screen for the audience to view, schematics of the proposed finished high school project. Mr. Hogan described the projected operating budget impact of adding 100,000 square feet to the high school (Addendum VII). He

Mr. Henault stated that the role of the Board of Finance is to balance the revenue request with the revenue. He added that the BOF has Town Charter authority and authority granted by the Connecticut General Statutes. He reviewed the cost to the taxpayer for the Sewer Treatment Plant project (which should be nothing) (Addendum VIII) and the costs to taxpayers on all projects. The projected tax increase if all projects are accepted would be between 5.29% and 6.20%, depending upon interest rates at the time of bonding, which corresponds to an increase of between $269 and $315 to a resident with a home assessed at $140,000.

Nevin Christensen, 44 West Mountain Road, stated that the Town recently purchased some of the development rights of his farm, Flamig Farm. He added that he encourages the funding of the Development Rights proposal. He said that he feels it is one of the best investments we can make in the bottom line economics of the Town and the quality of life in the Town.

Dave Balboni, 13 Fox Den Road, stated that he has lived in Town for 46 years. He commended all three Boards on an excellent presentation. He questioned the cost of $435 per square foot on the high school project as being rather high. Mr. Hogan deferred to the Project Manager of the high school project, Phil Neuberg of Fletcher-Thompson. He explained that the number includes “hard costs” and “soft costs”. Hard cost figures developed by O&G in Torrington are just under $160/sq.ft. for the new construction work. Soft costs include fees (to Fletcher-Thompson, for example), furniture, improvements to the technology infrastructure, bonding costs, special inspections and testing required by the State building code, independent structural review, printing of a massive set of documents and security system.

Don Zaylor, 47 Fox Den Road, wondered why the library is not on the list. Mr. Henault and Mr. Kane explained that it is in the Board of Selectman 6-year plan. But, to stay within the debt service guideline of 5% - 7% annually, the first year this project fits in is four years out.

Gerry Lintner, 5 Simscroft Place, asked if the items presented tonight have been endorsed by the BOF, or is it still “up for grabs”? Mr. Henault explained that there will be no action tonight, only input. Action could be taken at the next BOF meeting on March 19th. Mr. Lintner said he appreciated how clear and articulate the presentation was and how hard all the Boards have had to work. He stated that Economic Development should have been addressed years ago and that the $500,000 proposed for that purpose is absolutely essential.

Dick Tesch, Bickford Street, recommended to the BOF to reject the $43,000,000 addition to the high school. He stated that the BOE’s main argument for the addition is the projected increase in the number of students. He countered that the high school enrollment has approached these numbers in the past, and the high school was able to educate the enrollment numbers they are projecting. Mr. Hogan stated that things have changed dramatically in the past 20 or 30 years. They have rooms now used just for technology education. And they now have State and Federal mandated Special Education programs. You need to compare apples to apples.

Kathy Miller, 21 Old Barge Road, co-chairman of the Simsbury High School Student-Parent-Teacher Council, thanks the BOE for working so hard. She hears from parents about the growing need for additional space at the high school such as, “My kid has no place to sit in the cafeteria,” or “My student has study hall in the hall, not in a classroom.” She noted that the science classrooms are 30 years old, and her children are learning things in high school that she learned in college earning a degree in biology. She stated that education has changed, especially in science. The enrollment will be going up, and from a long term planning point of view, the time is now. Interest rates are at an all-time low, and now is a good time to take on a project.

Joel Mandell, 7 Harriet Lane, Deputy First Selectman, is the liaison to the Water Pollution Control Authority from the BOS and urges the Board to move forward on the Sewer Expansion project. The plant is getting older, and if we don’t move forward, we are going to face penalties from the State of CT. The BOS is undertaking an aggressive approach to Economic Development, and without a modern Water Pollution Control Plant, we’re not going to be able to live up to some of the promises we hope to make to potential developers.

Ann Wallack, 7 Vincent Drive, agreed with all the issues Kathy Miller talked about. She is in favor of the high school project, and feels it has been put off too long. She recently met with her son’s art teacher and had to meet in a closet between two classrooms. She praised the art department and what they can provide for children in such limited space.

John McDonald, 15 Lawton Drive, commended the Boards for all the work put into the presentation. He stated that the high school project should have been addressed in the past. He warned that Simsbury is losing the competitive edge over neighboring towns. He has spoken to several people recently who have chosen to relocate to Avon rather than Simsbury because Simsbury has their head in the sand when it comes to their schools. He also stated that he hopes Mr. Vincent is going to address the economic development.

At 9:08 P.M. Mr. Henault thanked the audience for attending and stated that he thought their comments were very valuable, he appreciated their input and looks forward to seeing them in a couple of weeks at the Operating Public Hearing.