Simsbury, CT - Culture, Parks and Recreation Commssion

The regular meeting of the Culture, Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:30 pm in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Linda Johnson, Commission Members Dave Bush, Karen Cortes, Joe Grace, Barbara Koff, Mary Liljedahl, Harry Ryan, and Director of Culture, Parks & Recreation Gerry Toner.

It was brought to attention, in the January 24th Minutes in the CALL TO ORDER paragraph, the name Mark Liljedahl should read Mary Liljedahl.

Karen Cortes made a motion, seconded by Mary Liljedahl, and passed unanimously to approve the CP&R Commission Minutes of January 24, 2008 with the above change.

Linda Johnson welcomed new CP&R Commission member Barbara Koff. Barbara is a new resident to Simsbury living in the Powder Forest Homes, and previously resided in Bloomfield. Her children and grandchildren live in Town, and Barbara is familiar with many of the Parks and different activities they have participated in.

Chairman Linda Johnson addressed all in attendance quoting, "Noreen Kuziack, Harry Ryan, as well as my term on the CP&R Commission expired in December 2007. Noreen was not re-appointed to the CP&R Commission because of her association with the Third Party during the fall local election.

Noreen has been a key member of CP&R. She is a long-time resident of Simsbury and a regular user of the Simsbury Farms facility. She has been active with Simsbury Celebrates!, and recently has been involved in our initial research on Simsbury/Tariffville Trails. During her years on the CP&R Commission, Noreen has made numerous other helpful and informed contributions to the Commission, as well as having nearly perfect attendance.

I went to great lengths trying to secure Noreen's re-appointment, but was unsuccessful. She remains very willing to help and is hopeful one day to be reappointed to this Commission."

Other members of the CP&R Commission said Noreen would be missed and thanked her for her services. It was also said that the CP&R members have tried hard to make the Commission "non-party" affiliated and that is one reason the Commission is successful.

It was explained at the last CP&R Meeting members of the SHARE and SOS groups were in attendance, and were concerned with website advertisers that included links.

Since the last meeting the above Policy has been revisited by the Board of Selectmen. By action of the Board of Selectmen, the Konover ad was removed from the Department website. Konover has been informed that their ad can remain if the link to their website is removed.

Gerry Toner reviewed with the CP&R members the Website Advertising Draft Policy (Addendum I) explaining conditions that apply to any potential advertiser. Two of these conditions are Advertisers will be offered a spot with no link to any other website, and also will not be considered whose product promotes or encourages the consumption of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or any other product the Town finds offensive.

CP&R Members were asked to continue reviewing the Draft Policy and share their feedback with Gerry Toner. Members also want to clarify who is responsible for enforcing the Advertising Policy.

Interested parties in attendance were members from the Tariffville Village Association. Steve Mitchell addressed the CP&R Commission members with news about the Farmington Valley Greenway trail.

Steve gave background information about the Rail/Trail Symposium held in 2004, and explained the FVG trail is part of the East Coast Greenway that provides continuous sections that users can travel from Maine to Key West, Florida.

A portion of the FVG trail that is the proposed new segment in Simsbury is from Route 315 in Tariffville through Griffin Park in Bloomfield. Eventually this can connect through to Hartford.

Funding for the trail is 80% comes from the Federal Government and 20% is from local monies. Steve stated that portion would be approximately $750,000.

He asked for an endorsement from the Culture, Parks & Recreation Commission in the hope that this segment will be completed after further review by the Board of Selectmen.

Dave Bush made a motion, seconded by Joe Grace, and passed unanimously that Culture, Parks & Recreation endorses and supports a feasibility and design study for the completion of the ECG trail from the intersection of Hopmeadow Street and Rt. 315 Tariffville to where the trail would connect at the Bloomfield border.

Gerry Toner distributed to members the Simsbury Farms Special Revenue Fund - FY 08/09 Report (Addendum II) explaining the proposed revenue and expense adjustments.

Gerry explained the BOS thought the proposed new adjustments were too "fee oriented". Gerry stated the proposed changes are still being worked on and it will be reviewed again by the BOS before finalization.

Linda Johnson gave a brief overview of the event. She said she anticipated a more difficult time with fundraising efforts this year.

One fundraiser in the coming weeks is the Spring Market/Tag Sales being held June 7th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. She said an additional fundraiser this year may be the selling of beach towels.

The first Simsbury Celebrates! Committee meeting is being held April 15th at 7:30 pm at Linda Johnson's house on Musket Trail.