Simsbury, CT - Selectmen Minutes

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, Joseph Townsley, Superintendent of Schools, Mary Margaret Girgenti, Board of Education Chairman, Police Chief Ingvertsen and other interested parties.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, noted that the pictures she presented at the last meeting were not included with the minutes of that meeting. She questioned what OSHA laws were broken when employees were cleaning rafters in Town Hall. Ms. Coe questioned why there is a camera at the entrance to Town Hall.

Ms. Coe stated that Barkan Management claims they do not have the funds to hire an exterminator for Eno Farms. She questioned why Ms. Mielert is abdicating her responsibility to help the poor. Ms. Coe stated that an Eno Farms resident was arrested for the second time and under HUD guidelines this tenant can be evicted. She questioned whether HUD has been notified and whether Ms. Mielert will enforce the guidelines.

Ms. Coe noted that at the last BOS meeting the President and CEO of Konover spoke in favor of renovating the existing high school. She questioned whether Konover is interested in acquiring the track of land chosen as the new high school site. She noted that taxes from this development would pay the cost of renovating the high school. Ms. Coe requested that the architect present a renovation of the high school which includes less parking and is less expensive.

Ms. Coe stated that Griffin Land donated land to the Town of Windsor for an amphitheater and there is the possibility that it could be used by the Hartford Symphony. She questioned why Simsbury is spending $1 million on the purchase of land for use by the symphony, and what other groups are interested in using the land. Ms. Coe questioned whether Ms. Mielert has a planned use for the Iron Horse Boulevard land and whether it will be self-sustaining.

Ms. Coe noted that dead crows have been found and she questioned the impact on the Hartford Symphony locating in a floodplain with the threat of the West Nile Virus. Ms. Coe noted that water coolers were installed at Town Hall at a cost of $35-$40 per month. She questioned whether the water at Town Hall has been tested.

Diane Huban, 45 Carver Circle, expressed her concern that the Hartford Courant article, regarding the proposed high school, was one-sided. She noted that the Town will receive a 33% reimbursement from the state. Ms. Huban pointed out that once the existing high school is expanded there will be no room for further expansion. She questioned what residents value most, money and lower taxes or education. She stated that a child's education is priceless. Ms. Huban expressed her concern with 4 years of construction at the high school, while school is in session, and its effect on the students.

Henry Smith, Stratton Forest, stated that there are 24 condominium associations in Simsbury that pay for services they don't receive from the Town. He stated that together these condominium associations contribute $219,000 for services not rendered. Mr. Smith questioned how the Town can support a high school without rounding out the town. He stated that the Town needs to increase their income from businesses so that businesses pay taxes which offset the cost of the school system.

Bill Herline, 10 Winterset Lane, expressed his concern that the Hartford Courant article greatly underestimated the cost of a new high school to taxpayers. He noted that there are energy costs, the cost to modernize the existing high school into a middle school, maintenance, landscaping, transportation, etc. He suggested that the new high school project will increase taxes by 20-25% and will drive people away from the town and decrease property values. Mr. Herline agreed that the Town needs other sources of development. He urged the BOS not to forward this project to the BOF because the new and renovation plans are not of a reasonable cost. Mr. Herline stated that the BOE will not present a reasonable number and he suggested that the BOS and BOF need to take responsibility and provide a reasonable number to the BOE for the expansion of the high school. He noted that Avon's high school expansion cost $17 million and he questioned whether double that figure would meet the needs of Simsbury.

Alison Swain, 521 Bushy Hill Road, President Southwest Homeowner's Association, stated that in her end of town there are many retired and fixed income based homeowners. She stated that she is amazed that the high school proposal has come this far. She questioned how much money the Town has spent on the high school proposals. Ms. Swain suggested that the BOE needs to consider alternatives and she recommended that restrictions be placed on which students are allowed to drive to school. She stated that the increased tax burden will drive people out of town. Ms. Swain pointed out that many Town volunteers are retirees and they are needed in Town. She suggested that the Town decrease expenditures and do more training to reduce the number of lawsuits against the Town.

Ms. Swain stated that when developers come to Town the developer has more power than the residents. She stated that Ms. Mielert won't support a noise ordinance and she questioned the opinion of the other BOS members. Ms. Swain stated that if the Town needs money and they bring in business, hopefully they won't lose residents because of it.

Mr. Garrity moved to deny the referral to the Board of Finance of the new high school capital improvement project and to cancel the contract with Friar Associates, for a new high school, effective October 31, 2000. The motion was seconded by Ms. Mielert.

Mr. Garrity stated that he recused himself from the prior discussions because a portion of the proposed new high school would be located on land currently owned by his father. He stated that he cannot vote in favor of a new high school because the Town cannot afford it. He pointed out that the last BOE budget referendum only passed by 60 votes and obviously the residents are concerned with the education costs in town. Mr. Garrity noted that other projects may be jeopardized if the new high school project goes forward. He stated that renovations at Simsbury Farms, the library, completion of the Greenway, and funds for the purchase of open space and development rights could be eliminated if the high school project goes forward.

Mr. Garrity pointed out that the Chung Report is based on 75 new homes per year, over a 10 year period. He noted that currently there are 85 approved lots, this year only 9 building permits have been taken out, and there is a shrinking inventory of buildable lots. Mr. Garrity stated that he is not saying no to education, but feels that the Town needs to prioritize and look further at the renovation. He suggested that the BOE direct their energies toward renovating the high school and meet with O&G and the architect as soon as possible.

Mr. Mandell stated that the reaction he has received from residents is tremendous concern due to lack of knowledge about the project. He stated that he cannot support a referral to the BOF because it will be perceived as his support of the project. Mr. Mandell noted an article, from April 9, 1987, which discusses the overcrowding problems at the high school and pointed out that this is not a new problem. He stated that he supports having information on the projects available to citizens.

Ms. Girgenti stated that based on the BOS comments at their previous meeting, the BOE informational meetings will reflect both projects and the brochure has been revised. Dr. Townsley stated that the architect's contract includes presentation to the public with no additional fees. He suggested that the architect's contract not be canceled because the BOE needs information from the architect to answer the BOF's questions.

Ms. Mielert stated that a referral to the BOF requests the opinion of the BOF regarding the proposal and the BOS can vote to request a report rather than to approve and forward the project. Mr. Mandell stated that BOF members stated that they will assume the BOS has approved the project if it is forwarded to the BOF.

Ms. Mielert stated that the Town cannot afford a new high school, even if residents indicate they want a new high school during the informational meetings. She stated that the architect with Fletcher Thompson has assured her that the existing high school is a sound building and renovation on the site is plausible. She noted that Dr. Townsley stated that the academic programs will not change whether the high school is renovated or a new school is constructed. Ms. Mielert stated that she could support a renovated high school with a Town cost of $38 million, as was discussed in a February 22, 2000 letter from the BOF. She suggested that two representatives from the BOS, BOE and BOF meet to discuss this issue and solve the problem.

Dr. Townsley urged the BOS not to cancel the informational meetings. He stated that the new high school addresses the elementary enrollment needs and if there is a renovation they will need to address the K-6 situation. Dr. Townsley stated that a decision to build a new high school will last 75 years. He stated that the BOE will provide the BOF with the cost for all of their capital projects over the next 6 years.

Ms. Mielert pointed out that the BOS was never provided with a full plan for the schools. Ms. Girgenti stated that the information was not provided because they did not have accurate information. She suggested that before there is a decision on whether to forward the project, there needs to be ample public discussion so that the public understands the implications of the decisions which are made.

Mr. Romano recommended that the informational meetings take place because residents deserve to see a presentation by the BOE who put a lot of work into this project. He suggested that the BOE needs to provide more realistic renovation numbers. Dr. Townsley stated that the Public Building Committee would need to address a reduction in the cost of renovating the high school. Mr. Romano suggested that they consider renovating not as new, restricting student parking, and other ways to save money. He stated that he does not support forwarding the new high school project to the BOF.

Mr. Vincent questioned whether the Town can afford a new high school. He noted that hard choices will need to be made, and the voters will decide if the Town should borrow the money. He stated that in fairness to the residents they need to listen to public comment. Mr. Vincent stated that the tax implication question needs to be answered by the Finance Director or the Board of Finance. He noted that the town could lose small businesses if their taxes are increased by 18%.

Mr. Garrity questioned why they would go forward with informational meetings on a new high school when some BOS members feel the $55 million renovation cost is too much. He questioned whether public input at the informational meetings will change the minds of BOS members. Mr. Garrity suggested that they should not present a project to the public which the Town knows they cannot afford. He stated that no matter what happens at the informational meetings, if they want a renovated high school they should spend time on the renovation plan. He pointed out that as the education budget increases, at some point the residents will say "no".

Mr. Mandell stated that there has been a lot of discussion without public involvement and they need to listen to the public. He stated that the BOE and Public Building Committee will get the message at the informational meetings and the process will only take one month.

Ms. Mielert stated that it is not the intent of the BOS not to hold public hearings. She recommended that the BOF hold the Public Hearings as a neutral party. Dr. Townsley stated that the BOE will not provide tax implication figures to the public. He stated that the BOE can explain the impact on the elementary and middle schools to parents. Mr. Garrity suggested that the BOS either approve the new high school or forward the project to the BOF so they can hold Public Hearings in the proper forum and provide tax implications.

Ms. Mielert expressed her concern that holding all of the informational meetings at schools may not reach all of the citizens. Ms. Girgenti stated that the BOE is contacting clubs and organizations and will hold daytime meetings. She stated that at these meetings the BOE will layout their education master plan. Mr. Garrity noted that ultimately the public wants to know the cost to them for these projects. Mr. Romano suggested that the public needs to see the product before they discuss the cost, and the informational meetings are important to the process. Ms. Girgenti stated that it is essential to begin a dialog with the public. Dr. Townsley stated that even without BOS support for the new high school the BOE will hold informational meetings regarding the renovated high school plan and the impact on the elementary schools. Ms. Mielert stated that the master plan is incomplete without the tax implications. Dr. Townsley stated that the BOE will present a report to the BOF on Monday. Ms. Mielert requested a copy of the written report.

Chief Ingvertsen reviewed his October 18th memo to the BOS (Addendum 2). He noted those services which would be provided under the COPS in Schools Program. Chief Ingvertsen stated that this is a three year grant and the Town would have to pay the full amount of the officer in the fourth year. He noted that there may be other ways to fund the fourth year, aside from federal funds.

Chief Ingvertsen discussed the advantages of hiring a sixth dispatcher through the COPS MORE 2000 program. He stated that the Police Department would save $9,000 per year by not having an officer come into the station to relieve a dispatcher. He noted that this is a one year grant and the Town must agree to fund a second year.

Mr. Mandell moved to refer the grant award and acceptances to the Board of Finance for supplemental appropriations in the amount of $177,834 for the COPS in Schools grant position and $48,880 for the COPS MORE00 grant position pursuant to 908(a) of the Town Charter. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and carried unanimously.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, questioned whether the yellow from the water pipes presents a health risk at Town Hall. She questioned whether the air and water quality has been tested at Town Hall. Ms. Coe stated that Jessica Ruse's sexual harassment claim has been closed and she stated that the file should be made available public.

Ms. Coe suggested that the charge given the architect for the high school renovation should be removed and the architect should be asked to present a proposal of what can be done with the amount of money the Town is willing to pay. She stated that she is wary of how Dr. Townsley will present the renovation plan to the public, suggesting that he may infer that programs could be lost. Ms. Coe stated that the public needs to know the reality of the renovation and the cost. She commended the BOS for being fiscally responsible.