These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
Board of Selectmen
Town of Simsbury
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, Deputy First Selectman Joel Mandell, William Garrity, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey and Thomas Vincent. Also present were: Paul Fetherston, Assistant to the First Selectman, and other interested parties.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Jim Gazzola, Briarwood Drive, noted that the BOE has stated that there is possible soil contamination on the proposed site for the new high school. He stated that the Town must protect the health of their students. Mr. Gazzola suggested that the estimate of $2 million for remediation is probably too low or inaccurate. He pointed out that the amount of contamination of ground water on the site has not been specified. Mr. Gazzola recommended that the BOS request that the owners of this property clean out the contamination and if the owners are unwilling to do so the Town should look elsewhere for a site or renovate the existing high school. He pointed out two benefits to renovating the existing high school: (1) a shorter average bus ride because it is more centrally located, and (2)
no contamination exists at the current site.
Bill Herline, Winterset Lane, agreed that additional space is needed at the high school. He stated that he cannot believe the $95 million cost for a new high school, in addition to the cost to update the existing high school to serve as a junior high school, and the cost to operate a new high school. Mr. Herline pointed out that the existing high school is 180,000 square feet and the BOE is suggesting that the new high school be 320,000 square feet. He noted that this equates to a 77% increase in size to accommodate a 30%-33% increase in enrollment. Mr. Herline stated that the BOF has proposed a $38 million spending limit on the project, which would allow a total cost of $55 million with state reimbursement. He stated that he cannot believe that a $55 million addition would not fill the
needs of the school for the foreseeable future. Mr. Herline noted that the Town has other capital expenditures, including enlarging the WPCA. He requested that the information provided to the public include the capital requirements in addition to the high school. He suggested that the increased tax burden from a new high school will lower property values in town.
Dick Tesh, Bickford Street, stated that he moved to Simsbury 15 years ago and his taxes have more than doubled, mostly due to the BOE. He stated that the town cannot afford a new high school. Mr. Tesh questioned why the BOE doesn’t have a backup plan if the two proposed plans are rejected. He suggested that there are options to building a new high school: (1) increase class sizes, (2) lengthen the school day, and (3) eliminate classes designed for a chosen few. Mr. Tesh urged the BOS to cancel the contracts with the architects.
Don Zaylor, 47 Fox Den Road, stated that the Simsbury Fire District has filed suit in Superior Court to overturn the decision to sell the Village Water Company to Bridgeport Hydraulic. He noted that by mid-November the Fire District had spent $100,000 of tax dollars on this effort and he provided an accounting to the BOS (Addendum 1). He pointed out that the sale of the Village Water Company has been consummated. Mr. Zaylor expressed his concern with the BOE’s request for $500,000 for modular classrooms, in addition to their high school proposal. He questioned a June 17th letter sent to the Fire District by Mr. Mandell, Ms. Gilkey, Mr. Vincent and Mr. Romano encouraging the Fire District to see that the interests of the public are being served. He questioned whether these
four selectmen still think the Fire District is serving the best interests of the taxpayers of Simsbury.
STATE OF THE TOWN - FIRST SELECTMAN
Ms. Mielert reviewed the accomplishments of each of the Town’s departments over the past year (Addendum 2).
FINANCE
a. Resolution Authorizing Access to Town Safety Deposit Box
Mr. Mandell RESOLVED that jointly the First Selectman and Treasurer shall have the right of access to and control of the contents of Safe No. 204-7 situated in Fleet Bank, National Association Safe Deposit Department, standing in the name of this organization, including the right to remove the contents thereof, and the right to surrender the same. Fleet Bank shall be entitled to consider this Resolution authority in full force and effect until written notice, in proper form, of its recission or modification is received by Fleet Bank not withstanding it may have been otherwise rescinded or modified by this organization or by operation of law. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Garrity and carried unanimously.
b. Authorize Acceptance of Monetary Donation in Amount of $30,000 From Libby Banks Contingent Upon Receipt and Acceptance of Conditions Pursuant to 100-2 of the Town Code of Ordinances
Ms. Mielert stated that she is working with Mrs. Banks regarding how the donation will be utilized.
Mr. Mandell moved to accept the monetary donation in the amount of $30,000 from Mrs. Libby Banks with much thanks. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC SAFETY
a. Resolution Authorizing the First Selectman to Execute on Behalf of the Town of Simsbury a Personal Services Agreement Between the Town of Simsbury and University of Connecticut Health Center for Back-up Paramedic Services for the Period of July 1, 1999 Through June 30, 2004 and Other Instruments a Part of or Incident Thereto
Mr. Mandell RESOLVED, that the First Selectman is hereby authorized to make, execute and approve on behalf of the Town of Simsbury, a Personal Services Agreement between the Town of Simsbury and University of Connecticut Health Center for the provision of back-up paramedic services for the period of July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2004, and other instruments a pert of or incident thereto. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Garrity and carried unanimously.
RECREATION
a. Resolution Naming the New Simsbury Farms Complex Clubhouse as the “Russell S. Shaw Memorial Clubhouse”
Ms. Mielert moved the Resolution naming the new Simsbury Farms Complex Clubhouse as the “Russell S. Shaw, Sr. Memorial Clubhouse” (Addendum 3). The resolution was seconded by Mr. Mandell and carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
a. Resignation of Jane Heitman Green from Planning Commission Effective November 28, 2000
Mr. Garrity moved to accept the resignation of Jane Heitman Green from the Planning Commission, effective November 28, 2000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and carried unanimously.
b. Appointment of Alexis Rankin Popik to Planning Commission (Heitman Green Vacancy)
Mr. Garrity moved to appoint Alexis Rankin Popik to the Planning Commission (Heitman Green vacancy). The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell. The vote was 4 to 2, with Mr. Romano and Ms. Gilkey voting nay. The motion carried.
c. Appointment of Mary Ann Alimi to Aging & Disability Commission for Term to Expire January 2003 (Mitchell Vacancy)
Mr. Mandell moved to appoint Mary Ann Alimi to the Aging & Disability Commission for a term to expire in January 2003 (Mitchell vacancy). The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.
d. Appointment of Sylvia Holman to Health and Welfare Commission for Term to Expire January 2003 (Wigmore Vacancy)
Mr. Mandell moved to appoint Sylvia Holman to the Health and Welfare Commission for a term to expire in January 2003 (Wigmore vacancy). The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Public Safety
Mr. Garrity reported that the Public Safety Subcommittee will hear a presentation from Mr. Sawitzke regarding traffic calming techniques in the David Drive area at their January meeting.
b. Finance: No report.
c. Welfare: No report.
d. Personnel: No report.
LIAISON REPORTS
Mr. Mandell reported that the library has received notification of receipt of a $500,000 grant from the state for possible new construction at the library. He noted that the grant is valid until June, 2004 and the library board is working on plans for improvements to the library.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. November 27, 2000 Regular Meeting
Mr. Garrity moved to approve the minutes of the November 27, 2000 Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.
b. December 4, 2000 Special Meeting
Mr. Mandell moved to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2000 Special Meeting, as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously, with Mr. Garrity abstaining.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Garrity moved to enter Executive Session, for the purposes of discussing the possible sale or purchase of real estate pursuant to CGSA Section 1-200(6), at 8:15 p.m. The Executive Session included the members of the Board of Selectmen and Assistant to the First Selectman, Paul Fetherston. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.
Mr. Mandell moved to reconvene in Regular Session at approximately 8:25 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.
Mr. Garrity moved to authorize the First Selectman to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Blazis property located in Tariffville on Main Street, with the elimination of Paragraph 5. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Garrity moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and carried unanimously.
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Anita L. Mielert
Approved: / /
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